Volunteer Pack 2014

Year 2 Cycle 1 2014

What began with only 7 volunteers coming together to provide school pupils with another chance at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tengku Idris Shah and to help them learn the things they need to learn well in life now consists of over 100 volunteers. The ‘RE’ in RE:ED depicts performing an action again while ‘ED’ simply stands for education.

Our project aims to tackle this worrying problem of illiteracy and innumeracy. We need to break the cycle of poverty so that our students will be able to see that they are not bound by their circumstances in life. Their future is our future; this project aims to bring these low performing students back on track to where they are supposed to be and break the cycle. We want our students to be able to read and understand their textbooks. We want them to have adequate arithmetic skills.

We want them to be able to understand and function in a normal class-room independently – something that many of them cannot do now given their weak foundations.

Many students entering the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tengku Idris Shah are 3 to 6 years behind; some begin their secondary school years unable to read and write. Students often get frustrated due to lack of comprehension, as teachers are teaching at a much higher level than they can cope with. The range of students’ abilities in each classroom is so wide that to individualize learning to each student’s current level would be an overwhelming task, given the limited amount of time we have in the classroom with the students.

The scale of the problem is overwhelming – the teachers in the school are trying their best but there are simply too many illiterate students in the school. As such, we’ve been running extra classes in our school staffed by volunteers to help these students. We believe that education is a shared responsibility – and we believe that this is the only way that this huge issue in our school can truly be solved.

The extra classes are designed to give students the personal attention that is so crucial for them to succeed. Volunteers will tutor students in small groups of 1-3, tutoring them in either English or Mathematics.

Our extra classes are run every Saturday between 10.00am and 12.30pm at the school.

These classes are sorted into 3 cycles in a year.

For this year, the dates for the cycles are as follows: February 9, 16 [Sunday], February 22, March 1, 8, 15 April 12, 19, 26, May 3, May 11 [Sunday], Cycle 2 May 18 June 28, July 5, 12, 19, 26, August 2, August Cycle 3 10 [Sunday], August 16, August 24 [Sunday], August 30, September 7 [Sunday] Cycle 1

*some dates may be subject to change

The English Literacy program will be based on the Jolly Phonics (http://jollylearning.co.uk/) and Usborne Reading Program (http://usborne.com/).

You will guide students in reading, listening and speaking through these books.

The Math Program focuses on basic arithmetic skills and students will be given a booklet each consisting of exercises and drills based on Kumon, which you will use to guide and teach them. (You may access the module here.)

Q: I am not a Malaysian, can I still volunteer?

A: Yes! All are welcomed. Our aim is to help out these children and as long as you are able to do so, you are qualified! Your nationality does not matter.

Q: I have no teaching experience at all. Can I still join?

A: Yes! You do not need professional training. All we want is your enthusiasm and energy in tutoring the students the way you would tutor a younger sibling or child.

Q: Who may volunteer for this project?

A: Anyone who is interested in helping students read and write. Anyone who is passionate about education. Someone who thrives on challenges and meeting goals. Someone who just want to help!

Q: Will transport to the school(s) be provided?

A: Yes, HELP University has generously provided us with a van (which seats 14 people) and a driver. The van will depart from HELP University main block. However, due to the limited space available, please use personal vehicle if you are able to, to allow other people use the van.

Please contact us to secure a seat.

Q: Is proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia a must?

A: It is not a must, but it may be helpful for some of the children as not many of them are fluent in English.

Q: What if I speak only English?

A: Knowing Bahasa Melayu, Chinese or Tamil would be an added advantage. You would probably face extra challenges if you speak only English, but it should not be a deal-breaker.

Q: What should I wear?

A: As you will be on school premises, please dress appropriately! The kids you will be tutoring are 13 to 15 year old. Casual is fine, as long as it is not revealing. No sleeveless shirts or skirts above knee level. Jeans and T-shirt are probably safest. Also, shoes, please; no slippers.

Q: Is regular attendance necessary? What if I have not decided whether to fully commit myself?

What if I am not available every week?

A: It is preferred that you should commit yourself to attend regularly as a pupil will be placed under your charge and it would be helpful for the pupils if you come every week to help them. However, knowing that most volunteers are also students themselves and therefore may not be free all the time, no penalties will be given to the volunteers.

Q: Can I ‘share’ a pupil with another volunteer? (2 volunteers to teach 2-3 children) A: Yes, there are no strict rules here and if you like to have another volunteer as a partner to teach, we can arrange for you to have so.

Q: Are non-HELP students able to participate in this project as well?

A: Yes! All are welcomed. Studying or working, undergraduate or postgraduate, HELP or nonHELP student, do not matter. What matters is your willingness to volunteer!

Q: If I signed up late for this project after a cycle begins, am I still allowed to teach?

A: You can still help out and teach the pupils regardless of how late you join.

Q: Can I choose my own subjects to teach?

A: Yes, you may choose to teach either Mathematics or English or both.

Q: Should I bring anything?

A: Just bring yourself and a pen! If you have materials which you think are useful for your teaching, please feel free to bring them. If you have tablets and think that educational apps will be useful, do bring them and use them during the extra class. Rewards such as small gifts for the students would also be great as ways of motivation, but we don't want you to feel obliged to do so! Your presence and commitment to come and tutor our kids is already more than a gift in itself.

Q: Can I use my own teaching methods or styles when I am teaching or must I follow a set guideline? Do I have autonomy in teaching my pupil?

A: Yes, volunteers are given ownership and autonomy to decide personal goals and targets for the students that they are tutoring. Although modules are given to volunteers, they need not use our modules if they think there are better ways to teach the pupils.

Q: Do I receive a certificate for my help?

A: Yes, each volunteer will receive a certificate from The RE:ED Project after 10 weeks of teaching/volunteering.

Q: Well, I'm interested! Where do I sign up?

A: Awesome! Our sign-up sheet is right here (http://bit.ly/1aBH9x4). We look forward in seeing you at the classes!

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