1.

0 Introduction
Choral speaking was implemented in my school under the English Language programme. Choral speaking requires a group of performers to orally interpret and recite or speak from memory. Choral speaking is speaking in unison, usually under the direction of a leader who can be likened to the conductor of an orchestra because the performers voices play their parts like the various instruments. Choral Speaking is the interpretation of poetry or prose by a group, comprising anything from half a dozen to a hundred speakers. It involves a full and varied use of the individual voices that make up the group. There may be divisions of the whole group into light and dark voices, broken and unbroken, male and female, treble and so on. Individual voices may be used as solo.

2.0 Aims and objectives of programme.

Choral Speaking competition aims at encouraging and increasing the usage of English among students. It builds confidence in students to speak, render, memorise and express in English. Choral speaking has three main purposes that is learning, performance and enjoyment. Learning Opportunities include speaking clearly and audibly, improvement in pitch, tone, volume, rate, diction and enunciation and building co-operation. Because it is a group activity, it directs all pupils towards a common goal which is problem solving. Each group has to work out its own interpretations and presentation of selections vocabulary building by becoming familiar with a text through speaking it, pupils will increase their repertoire of phrases and expressions which they can draw upon in writing. Practising choral speaking does not necessarily mean there must be a performance. Practice has its own value. Pupils will have opportunities to use language to expand, organise, sequence and explain their ideas.

Pupils will participate in group decision making. Pupils will experience using vocal and facial expression and gesture to convey situations character and emotions. Choral speaking can be successful regardless of class size or pupil ability. Pupils learning English as an additional language will feel supported in a group speaking situation where they can work alongside their peers. Pupils whose second language is English can rehearse and experience standard English structures As pupils are not speaking alone, they may feel less conspicuous or intimidated, and this offers great opportunities for those who are shy. By becoming familiar with a text, pupils will develop their comprehension skills and emotional engagement with writing. They will enjoy poetry and word play.

3.0 Duration of programme.

The pupils were given one week to practise and the competition took place on the 22nd of April at Dewan Nilam of Sekolah Kebangsaan Datuk Kelana . The event took place at 08.00 a.m. and ended at 12.00 noon.

4.0 Target group.

The Year 3, 4 and 5 pupils of mixed ability participate . Each choral speaking group comprised of 10 boys and 10 girls. 5 teams participated in the competition.

5.0 Report on implementation of programme.

Datuk Kelana Primary School in the Batang Padang District with the cooperation of the school's English Department held a choral speaking competition as part of the school's English week activities. Five teams participated in the competition. The teams were The Roses, The Carnations, The Orchids, The Lilies and The Gardenias.

The guest of honour was Mr.Dahalan bin Samad, the Acting Education Officer of Batang Padang. The headmaster of Datuk Kelana Primary School, Tuan Haji Khairuddin bin Jali, in a speech said the event was the first ever organised by the school and had "Friendship" as the theme. Tuan Haji Khairuddin bin Jali added that the competition could increase the usage of English language among students leading to better confidence in its usage. The Roses won first place while The Orchids and The Gardenias won the second and third places. The winning teams received cash prizes, trophies and certificates presented by Mr Dahalan bin Samad, courtesy of Sin Lai Meng Bookstore.

6.0 Strengths and weaknesses of Programme

An important methodological aid in teaching a foreign language is choral speaking. It can be done right from the first ever lesson at any age, in any class, in any culture. Choral speaking imitates the situation in which any human being masters his or her native tongue. By listening and repeating the pupils tried to produce identical sounds in both situations. But during choral speaking lessons in the classroom the effect was enhanced due to the amplifying effect of the whole group. Moreover, the weaker pupils were supported by the more skilled ones. The pronunciation of the former was improved with none of the embarrassment of special attention in front of the others. The forward thrust of the group helped all pupils. As a group activity it provided co-operation and directed all the students towards a common goal. An additional strength of this choral speaking competition was the fact that it was a tremendous memory support. The sounds reverberated long after the last text had been recited and was remembered in a better way for this reason. The intensity of the sounds produced was such that the child could not possibly lose itself in anything else. The aural effect was deep because no other, or at least very few, distracting elements were given a

chance. The pupils had to listen to one another very carefully. It was a socializing exercise.

It was noticed that some of the pupils were having difficulty in keeping up with the flow of the choral speaking. The sound system was not efficient and it is advisable for the school administration to purchase a new set.

7.0 Suggestions and recommendations

If we allow the pupils during the choral speaking lesson to move whilst speaking, the rhythm of the language, the entire musical element, will be kinetically reinforced. The whole child is involved. The movements that are meant in this case are clapping hands, stamping feet, jumping, even walking whilst speaking is a possibility. Pupils may also, if the text suggests this, make themselves tall or small or squat. The teacher can help a pupil that needs extra attention by starting off reciting a couple of lines with the whole group, then reducing the group of speakers to half the class. The rest will turn into listeners. Then the speaking half is again reduced to five pupils. This group is reduced to two. At last the pupil for whom this exercise has been carried out, says his text on his own. This pupil will by then have lost his shyness and will have been able to memorize the lines.

8.0 Conclusions
Language is really brought to life in choral speaking and will not fail to help shape the children's powers to master the foreign language. Choral speaking can also be used in teaching grammar. For example, the irregular verbs can be said aloud in chorus whilst clapping or stamping. Even famous or notoriously difficult example sentences from the

grammar lessons, may be said aloud by the whole class two or three times. They will be remembered in a better way. Choral speaking is a huge help in teaching foreign languages as may be derived from the above. At the same time the pupils' artistic sense will be educated. So, it is suggested that this choral speaking competition is scheduled in the annual school activities.

9.0

References

http://eaz.newham.gov.uk/projects/2008/What_is_Choral_Speaking.pdf www.thefreedictionary.com/choral+speaking www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/mla/speak023.html