JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 7 – The Language Academy, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), in collaboration with Sekolah Seni Malaysia Johor (SSeMJ), successfully conducted the “Let’s Talk: Arts and Cultures” program, a vibrant one-day English immersion experience designed for 80 Form 1 students from SSeMJ.
SSeMJ was selected as a collaborative partner following an approach by one of its teachers, Arina Irrisya Aliff Iskandar Khor, an alumna of UTM’s TESL program who initiated the proposal for this enriching initiative. This meaningful outreach showcases the dynamism of UTM’s alumni community and exemplifies the university’s ongoing commitment to meaningful community engagement and sustained alumni collaboration.
Held at Bilik Seminar 2, Language Academy, and facilitated by 15 academic staff from Language Academy, the program aimed to enhance participants’ ability to confidently articulate concepts related to Malaysian traditional arts and dances with descriptive precision in English.
The day began with a campus and library tour, offering students a glimpse into UTM’s dynamic learning environment. This was followed by high-energy language games and team-building activities that encouraged active communication. Students took part in vocabulary-building sessions, focusing on traditional artistic terminology, and honed their descriptive language skills essential for discussing cultural elements with nuance and clarity.
The main highlight of this program was the innovative group project, where students collaborated to design dioramas inspired by traditional Malay dance and art forms such as zapin, inang, ghazal, ngajat and more. Each group presented their creations in English, demonstrating their ability to explain artistic techniques, cultural significance, and creative choices with confidence and enthusiasm.
At the end of this program, some students volunteered to showcase their talents through Zapin and Inang performance. It is hoped that participants had not only expanded their artistic vocabulary but also developed greater confidence in expressing Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage in English throughout this program. This initiative aspires to nurture young cultural ambassadors who can represent and share the beauty of local traditions with eloquence and pride.
The feedback from participants was exceptionally positive. Some students described the program as both enriching and confidence-boosting, while a significant number expressed eager enthusiasm and requested that the program be held again in the near future. Such responses highlight the initiative’s profound impact and enduring appeal.
The “Let’s Talk: Arts and Cultures” initiative exemplifies UTM’s strategic vision and mission: to be a premier global academic and research institution dedicated to nurturing holistic talents through knowledge and cultural engagement. Through immersive language learning, creative expression, and confidence-building in arts and culture, this program fosters articulate and culturally grounded individuals capable of preserving and sharing Malaysia’s heritage in English. Furthermore, the initiative reflects UTM’s core values of integrity, synergy, excellence, and sustainability, illustrated by the collaborative, alumni-engaged, and culturally rich learning environment it provides.