Communicating confidently and effectively is an important skill to have at any stage in life. At Cantonment Primary School, Primary 4 students learn this through Little Reporter, an activity-based communication programme.
During the weekly Chinese enrichment programme lessons, students would learn how to write news articles and catchy headlines, as well as how to conduct interviews. The programme is part of several initiatives in school to inculcate a love for mother tongue languages in students.
The students are required to be reporters and sniff out scoops on the school campus. The students, armed with microphones for recording, would work in groups to gather content through interviews with school staff, including non-teaching staff and the principal, and put together a news article.
The activities aim to help students learn how to listen, express and organise their thoughts on the go. The programme has also encouraged the students to take an interest in news and current affairs.
“Our students have become more confident when they present their ideas in class,” shares Ms Wu Yuze, the teacher-in-charge of the programme. “Through the process of writing and structuring articles, they have also shown improvement in composition writing.”
In addition to imparting valuable life skills, the Little Reporter programme doubles as a teaching opportunity on values such as respect and gratitude. During some activities, students are required to practice interviewing others on topics such as showing respect to teachers and cleaning staff in school, as well as greeting elders during Lunar New Year.
Feedback from parents on the programme has been positive as well. “Parents have said that their children went home to discuss interview questions with them, and they were able to get involved in their children’s learning,” shares Ms Wu. “They also said it was heartening to see their children preparing their work with so much interest.”
