MYReaders: Improving literacy
MYReaders goal: One day, every child in Malaysia will be able to read.
In 2017, we expanded our Community Outreach Programme to SMK Bandar Baru Ampang, collaborating with MYReaders1 to help illiterate students learn to read in English.
The 21-week programme uses a structured syllabus that covers phonics, fluency and comprehension.
16 students, mostly 13 year olds with reading levels of children between pre-kindergarten to Standard 1 were selected to spend an hour everyday with our volunteers.
To measure the students' progress, we evaluate them through diagnostic tests pre, mid and post programme.
We recorded positive results from our pilot programme.
The reading ability of participating students grew by 47%. One student had progressed by two years (kindergarten to Standard 2 level) within the five-month period.
The teachers and school administrators of SMK Bandar Baru Ampang also shared qualitative positive changes in the learning behaviours of the students.
They shared that the students are now more confident to speak up and read in English.
1 MYReaders is a non-profit that aims to help iliterate students learn to read in English using a structured, research-based programme by empowering teachers, parents and on-the-ground movers.
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The image below shows the increase in students comprehension skills after participating in our MYReaders programme.
“One of the students asked her mother to buy novels after going through the programme.”
“Students who used to not pay attention are more proactive in asking questions in class.”
Students participating in the programme improved on their reading capabilities and were able to read more fluently after the programme.
Students were able to recognise more words while reading at the end of the programme. They improved by almost 50% compared to pre-programme tests.
Read about the next CR activity, click here: Polaris
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