Making English accessible and relatable key to teachers winning Inspiring Teacher of English Award

Pop star Taylor Swift makes frequent appearances in Madam Siti Zaleha Sharip’s classroom.

For instance, the teacher used the lyric “nightmare dressed like a daydream” from Swift’s hit song Blank Space to explain a comprehension question which asked about a phrase that was “unusual yet effective”.

“We want them to know that the English language is a universal language,” said Madam Siti, 51, head of the department for English at Spectra Secondary School. She wants her students to be able to speak confidently and use the English language well.

Madam Siti’s ability to make English accessible and relatable helped her pick up 2025’s Inspiring Teacher of English Award on Oct 1, alongside seven other recipients.

In its 18th year, the award recognises teachers who have gone above and beyond in instilling the love of English in their students.

It is presented by the Speak Good English Movement and The Straits Times, and supported by the Ministry of Education.

The 2025 ceremony was held at Oldham Theatre at the National Archives of Singapore.

Education Minister Desmond Lee, who was guest of honour and presented the awards, referenced the challenges and developments in “an increasingly complex and troubling world”, and said teachers play an important role.

Mr Lee said: “Our teachers bring a very human touch to teaching and guiding and moulding these competencies that AI (artificial intelligence) cannot hope to replicate.

“As English language teachers, you play an important role in this. You do not simply teach vocabulary and grammar so that students can consume and process information; you teach your students to question it critically, distinguishing between fact and fiction, between truth and falsehoods, between authenticity and artificial voices.

“In an age of information overload, you teach critical judgment and discernment.”

Straits Times editor Jaime Ho said: “Amidst all the new challenges, scrutiny and pressures that our teachers face, it is an absolute wonder that they continue to inspire, and play the indispensable roles that they have in our community.

“Through this annual event, we’ve sought through the years to recognise inspiring teachers of the English language. They’re needed more than ever. May our children and generations to come continue to find that teacher of language who will teach them so much more.”

Another winner, 31-year-old Amirinazeb Aurangzeb, designed a chatbot powered by AI to teach her Primary 6 pupils different writing skills. 

As the children use the chatbot, she gets them to think through what they are learning by “agreeing, building on or challenging” the output from the bot.

The Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (Kellock) teacher believes that AI has a place in language learning. However, “the value of AI really lies in how it is used”, she said.

“At the heart of our English language curriculum, at the heart of our classroom, is still the teachers’ deliberate planning of learning experiences that shape the acquisition of language skills,” added Ms Amirinazeb.

The award is presented in two categories: the teaching category, for teachers who have shown their expertise in English, Literature and General Paper; and the leadership category, for subject heads or heads of departments who have led the development and implementation of effective English programmes in their schools.

Since its start in 2008, 151 teachers have been recognised.

The winners received a trophy, a certificate and a cash prize. All winners and nominees will also receive a one-year membership to the Singapore Association for Applied Linguistics. 

Correction note: In the story “For the love of English”, published on Oct 7, we misspelt Ms Amirinazeb Aurangzeb’s name. We are sorry for the error.