Information Packet for Participants

This essay writing programme is an annual event that aims to support the government’s
effort in ‘Driving English Language Excellence’ in Malaysian secondary schools by harnessing
the English writing skills of today’s Form 4 and Form 5 Malaysian students.

IMPORTANT DATES

Registration Dates 9 January to 1 March 2019, 3 pm (School)

9 January to 10 March 2019, 3 pm (Student)
Writing Course Opening Date 21 January 2019, 9 am
Lesson Handout Download 5 April 2019, 9 am
Writing Course Closing Date 5 April 2019, 3 pm
Essay Topic Opening Date 5 April 2019, 9 am
Essay Competition Start Date 5 April 2019, 9 am

Essay Competition Closing Date 3 May 2019, 3 pm

Winner Announcement Date 19 June 2019

e-Certificate Download 1 to 31 July 2019

WRITING PROGRAMME SUMMARY

The DKLS Writing Development Programme aims to help students develop their writing skills
in the course of eight weeks to prepare them for the DKLS Linguistic Award Essay Writing
Competition.

This course reviews the structure of four main types of essays, revises grammar by focusing
on grammatical elements that make writing more effective. It consists of 15 lessons that are
to be completed by 5 April 2019. It is also an excellent course for students who want to
hone their writing skills or just to learn how to express their thoughts and ideas more
clearly.

The DKLS Linguistic Ambassador Supported by: In partnership with: 1

Award is a CSR Project by:

www.dkls.com.my www.els.edu.my www.moe.gov.my www.anu.edu.au www.ictlearning.com

 WRITING PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES
This writing programme is designed to assist students in developing their writing skills to
better prepare them for exams and to boost academic performance. When completed, this
course will enable students to:

1. Better understand how good essays are written and how to go about writing them
for academic or future professional purposes.

2. Qualify for the DKLS Linguistic Ambassador Award Essay Competition and have a
chance to win exciting prizes.

WRITING PROGRAMME CONTENT

The writing programme is composed of 15 lessons on the Academic Essay.

Week 1
The Academic Essay (The Introductory Paragraph, The Supporting Paragraphs, and The
Concluding Paragraph)

Weeks 2 – 3
The Descriptive Essay (Incorporating Sensory Details, Language in Writing the Descriptive
Essay, Writing the Descriptive Essay)

Weeks 4 – 5
The Narrative Essay (Types of Narrative Essay, Language in Writing the Descriptive-Narrative
Essay, Writing the Descriptive-Narrative Essay)

Weeks 6 – 7
The Expository Essay (The Expository Essay, Language in Writing the Expository Essay,
Writing the Expository Essay)

Week 8
The Argumentative Essay (The Structure of an Argumentative Essay, Counter Arguments and
Refutations, Writing the Argumentative Essay)

There will also be online interactive activities and discussions led by an online coach inside
the SunagoLearn online community – a platform designed to facilitate experiential learning
using games and activities that challenge participants while reinforcing their writing skills.

The DKLS Linguistic Ambassador Supported by: In partnership with: 2

Award is a CSR Project by:

www.dkls.com.my www.els.edu.my www.moe.gov.my www.anu.edu.au www.ictlearning.com

 LEARNING MODE
The online lessons are self-guided and the writing practices can be completed during the
students’ free time. Moderators are present for motivation and social learning via the
SunagoLearn online portal.

MODE OF ASSESSMENTS
Quizzes to check students’ understanding are given at the end of every lesson and Rubric‐
Referenced Self‐Assessments are given after every module (one module consists of 3
lessons). This is to provide an opportunity for the students to review and reflect upon the
development of their writing and identify goals and strategies to further their development.

TARGET PARTICIPANTS
 Form 4 and Form 5 Malaysian students (in 2019) in government schools who are
preparing for SPM English
 Students who want to sharpen their essay writing skills
 Students who are preparing to participate in the 2019 DKLS Essay Writing Competition

REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION

 No fees are required for participation in the online writing course and competition is
FREE
 Students must be currently enrolled in Form 4 or 5 at any Malaysian government school.
(Students in private schools are not eligible for this programme)
 Students must represent a school. The appointed school representative or teacher may
register the school and request for registration codes to disseminate to the students. 1
student is assigned 1 unique registration code to participate
 A computer and stable internet access (not less than 2Mbps) is necessary to take the
course
 Google Chrome is recommended to be used as browser in accessing the online lessons

REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATE OF PARTICIPATION

Students must complete all 15 lessons with a general average grade of at least 50%.

The DKLS Linguistic Ambassador Supported by: In partnership with: 3

Award is a CSR Project by:

www.dkls.com.my www.els.edu.my www.moe.gov.my www.anu.edu.au www.ictlearning.com

 REQUIREMENTS FOR SUBMITTING AN ESSAY ENTRY TO THE
COMPETITION
Students must complete all 15 lessons with a general average grade of at least 75% to
qualify for the essay writing competition submission.

LESSON RESTRICTIONS
 Grade: You have to achieve a score of at least 50% in order to go to the next lesson
 Attempts: Unlimited
 Grade Recorded: Highest Grade
 Essay Entry: Students must write an essay of at least 500 words and NOT exceeding 850
words and submit it online through the website

TIME COMMITMENT
Participants are expected to spend a minimum of 25-30 minutes per day to complete one
lesson. The actual time dedicated to the course varies from participant to participant
depending on how he/she paces himself/herself.

LOCATION
The course is run online and requires regular/daily access to the Internet with a stable
connection.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:

Competition
https://dklsaward.english.com.my/about-the-competition/

Prizes
https://dklsaward.english.com.my/prizes/

Terms and Conditions

https://dklsaward.english.com.my/terms-and-conditions/

Support
https://dklsaward.english.com.my/contact-us/

The DKLS Linguistic Ambassador Supported by: In partnership with: 4

Award is a CSR Project by:

www.dkls.com.my www.els.edu.my www.moe.gov.my www.anu.edu.au www.ictlearning.com