Eta Participants Get To Learn More About Malay Language & Culture

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- Seventeen Americans who have completed their 10-month task as language learning assistants in various schools in Terengganu have found that their short stay in the country has not only helped local students to enrich and enhance their English language, but also provided an opportunity for them to learn more about the Malay language and culture. The Americans, who are from various universities in the United States, are participants of the English Teaching Assistants (ETA) Programme and have been posted to 17 schools in the east coast state of Terengganu. Before their return to the US, the ETA participants were feted Friday by the United States Ambassador to Malaysia, Paul W. Jones. Blair Daly, 24, who speaks fluent Bahasa Malaysia, said he was very excited when told that he would be sent to a rural area as part of the ETA programme. "I am happy because I come from a city but here I have the chance to live in a rural area, which is more comfortable, peaceful and calm. This is my third stay in Malaysia. The first time, I came to study at UNIMAS (University Malaysia Sarawak), the second time I came as a volunteer teacher and now I have had the opportunity of teaching in Terengganu. It was an excellent opportunity," he said in Malay. Andrea Williamson, 26, said she learned a lot about the different cultures and environment through her work in this prestigious programme. "I'm very excited to be here with the friendly community that makes me feel more relaxed and so welcoming. "I was able to learn a different language and, be in a different culture that I have never experienced before, and I really appreciate being one of the ETA participants this year," she said after the ETA farewell ceremony at Yayasan Tun Razak here today. Elise Russel, 23, said that through this programme she had the opportunity to build human connections, which are more valuable to her. "I was able to teach and learn at the same time ... it's really humanising, so now every time when I hear about Southeast Asia or Malaysia, I will understand and be able to explain to people around me what it's like, what it means, and I hope that my students also have that same humanising effect about America," she said. The ETA programme was initiated in 2006 and is administered by the Malaysian-American Commission on Educational Exchange (Macee). A total of 90 ETAs have been conducted so far, which has shown impressive improvements in the students' performances. Beginning next year, the Education Ministry will be taking over the ETA Programme, which will then be held in the states of Pahang and Johor, based upon the successful operation of the Terengganu programme. In addition, 50 ETAs will be engaged for the programme next year, with Terengganu still being given priority. -- BERNAMA