Malaysian Folklore Storyfest (MFS) at PPD Pasir Mas

PASIR MAS - Today’s session at PPD Pasir Mas was truly inspiring and memorable. I had the privilege to conduct a slot entitled Malaysian Folklore Storyfest (MFS), which aimed to expose participants to the beauty and uniqueness of Malaysian folklore. The session brought together enthusiastic teachers who were eager to explore new ideas, storytelling techniques, and innovative ways to make English learning more engaging through cultural narratives.

This picture captures the moment I shared insights about the Malaysian Folklore Storyfest (MFS) for the Heads of English Panels in the Pasir Mas district.

The participants’ excitement was visible from the very beginning. Many of them expressed their curiosity about how folklore can be integrated into English lessons to enrich language learning. Throughout the session, I shared my experiences and insights from the Malaysian Folklore course that I attended last month in Kuala Terengganu. The course had opened my eyes to the rich tapestry of Malaysian folklore—stories filled with moral values, cultural wisdom, and national identity. I wanted to pass this valuable knowledge to my fellow educators, encouraging them to use folklore as a meaningful tool to develop students’ language skills and cultural appreciation.

During the session, I introduced several well-known folklore tales such as Sang Kancil and the Crocodile, Puteri Gunung Ledang, and Bawang Putih Bawang Merah. We discussed how these stories can be adapted into classroom storytelling activities and drama performances. Teachers were divided into small groups to brainstorm creative teaching ideas based on these traditional tales. The collaboration was lively, and the participants showcased innovative lesson plans that blended folklore with English vocabulary, grammar, and speaking skills.

One of the highlights of the session was the interactive storytelling performance, where each group took turns presenting their chosen folklore story on stage. The teachers showcased remarkable creativity as they used expressive voices, lively facial expressions, and simple yet effective props to bring the stories to life. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, excitement, and applause as participants enjoyed watching one another’s performances. Through this engaging activity, everyone realized how storytelling can transform the classroom into a joyful, dynamic, and imaginative space that inspires students to learn English in a fun and meaningful way.

As part of the future direction, we are planning to expand the Malaysian Folklore Storyfest initiative. For the year 2026, a Malaysian Folklore Storyfest Competition will be organized at the zonal level. The winners from each zone will then compete at the district level, and I am delighted to announce that the final round will be held at my school, SK Gual To’Deh. This competition will not only celebrate storytelling talent among teachers and students but also strengthen the appreciation of Malaysia’s cultural heritage while promoting English proficiency.

Overall, today’s MFS slot at PPD Pasir Mas was a great success. It was more than just a workshop—it was a celebration of creativity, culture, and collaboration. The participants left the session feeling motivated and ready to implement what they had learned in their classrooms, proving once again that storytelling remains a powerful educational tool for inspiring both teachers and learners.

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