Hidden Sugars, Instant Food and Student Health: What Every Parent Should Know
By Arvinraj Batumalai

In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, processed food has become increasingly common among school-going children and teenagers. Sugary drinks, packaged snacks, cereals, instant noodles and fast food meals are often marketed as quick and tasty options. However, many parents may not realise the sheer volume of hidden sugar and unhealthy additives this food contains or how it may affect a student’s health, concentration and academic performance.

Hidden sugars are those added during processing and are commonly found in flavoured drinks, breakfast cereals, yoghurt drinks, chocolate spreads, sauces, biscuits and even some “healthy” snack bars. Excessive sugar consumption leads to rapid spikes and crashes in blood glucose levels. Consequently, students may experience fatigue, mood swings, poor concentration, irritability and a reduced attention span in class.

Over time, a diet high in sugar and processed food may increase the risk of obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, fatty liver disease and poor dental health. Many students today rely heavily on sugary snacks for energy during long school hours without realising that these provide only a fleeting boost, often leaving them feeling more exhausted than before.

Another growing concern is the increasing consumption of instant ramen and heavily processed meals. While instant noodles are affordable and easy to prepare, they are often laden with sodium, preservatives, unhealthy fats and refined carbohydrates while lacking vital fibre, vitamins and minerals. Frequent consumption may contribute to poor nutrition, dehydration and long-term unhealthy eating habits.

Students require proper nutrition because the brain needs a steady supply of nutrients to function effectively. Food rich in protein, iron, omega-3 fatty acids and complex carbohydrates helps improve focus, memory and learning ability. Instead of relying on processed options, parents can encourage students to consume wholesome, balanced meals. Real food options such as properly cooked poultry, fish, eggs, lean red meat, vegetables, fruits, nuts and whole grains provide essential nutrients needed for growth and cognitive development. Iron-rich food like beef, spinach and legumes support oxygen delivery to the brain while proteins help maintain alertness.

Good nutrition does not require expensive ingredients or complicated diets. Simple, balanced meals prepared consistently at home can make a significant difference in a child’s physical health, emotional wellbeing and academic performance. As educators and parents, we must work together to build healthier habits and encourage students to make wiser choices for a brighter future.

Key Vocabulary

Additives: Substances added to food to improve its flavour, appearance or shelf life.

Refined Carbohydrates: Grain products that have been processed to remove the bran and germ, stripping them of fibre and nutrients.

Insulin Resistance: A condition where the body’s cells do not respond normally to insulin, often linked to high sugar intake.

Sodium: A mineral (found in salt) used for seasoning and preservation; excessive amounts can lead to high blood pressure.

Wholesome: Conducive to or suggestive of good health and physical well-being.

Legumes: A group of foods including beans, lentils and peas that are high in protein and fibre.

At ILTI, we believe that a sharp mind starts with a healthy lifestyle. Just as the right nutrients fuel the brain for study, the right environment fuels a student for success.

We encourage all our students and parents to swap processed food for brain-boosting whole ingredients to ensure they are always ready to excel in their English language journey.

Let’s nourish our bodies and our minds together! Come speak to us today.

Your English learning journey starts here. Call/WhatsApp: 010-395 3067 or email us at info@ilti.edu.my

Transform your English skills—one word at a time.

When One Result Does Not Define Your Future
By Andrei Ponomarev

Many students believe that an examination result has the power to determine their entire future. A disappointing score can feel final, overwhelming and deeply discouraging, particularly when expectations have been high. Yet one result, however painful at the time, does not have to become an irrevocable judgement on a person’s ability or potential. My own experience taught me that setbacks can become turning points if they are met with resilience, support and the determination to continue.

In 2015, I sat an English examination that was extremely important for my university aspirations. Throughout my trial examinations, I had achieved strong results, and my tutor was confident that I would score highly. My family and I also expected a positive outcome. However, when the final result arrived, I had only achieved the minimum passing score. Although I had passed, the result was far below what I had hoped for. It was a moment of real disappointment. The universities in my hometown set their own entry requirements, and my score was not high enough for acceptance. At that point, it felt as though the path I had imagined for myself had suddenly become inaccessible.

However, this was not the end of the journey. Thanks to my mother and grandmother, who refused to let me give up, we began looking for other possibilities. Their encouragement became a source of strength when my own confidence was shaken. Eventually, we found a university in a different city that accepted me. It was not the original plan, but it became the opportunity I needed.

Once there, I made a conscious decision to make the most of my studies. Through diligence, perseverance and a refusal to be defined by one examination result, I worked hard, gained the degree I wanted, and began building my career. Step by step, I continued to grow professionally, gaining experience, taking on responsibility and learning from every challenge. Today, I am proud to serve as Head of International Primary, a role that once might have seemed distant from that disappointing moment in 2015.

For students, the lesson is clear: an exam result may influence your next step, but it does not dictate your destination. Disappointment is painful, but it can also reveal strength, courage and new pathways. For parents, the message is equally important. Children need encouragement not only when they succeed, but especially when they feel they have failed. Sometimes, the belief of a parent or grandparent can help a young person keep going when they are ready to stop.

Success is rarely a straight road. It often includes unexpected turns, setbacks and moments of doubt. What matters most is not that everything goes according to plan, but that we continue moving forward. One result does not define a life. Determination, support and the courage to try again can transform disappointment into the beginning of a much greater journey.

Key Vocabulary

Irrevocable: Not able to be changed, reversed or recovered.

Aspirations: Strong hopes or ambitions for the future.

Inaccessible: Unable to be reached or achieved.

Resilience: The ability to recover after difficulties or setbacks.

Diligence: Careful and persistent effort.

Perseverance: Continuing to work towards something despite difficulty.

Setback: A problem or difficulty that delays progress.

Transform: To change something completely, often in a positive way.

Don’t let one result define your destination. Join a community that celebrates progress, encourages perseverance and transforms challenges into opportunities.

Rewrite your future!! Enrol today to discover our range of English programmes tailored for all levels. Let us help you find the right starting point for your success.Come speak to us today.

Your English learning journey starts here. Call/WhatsApp: 010-395 3067 or email us at info@ilti.edu.my

Transform your English skills—one word at a time.

It’s Not Too Late
By Mrs Angela Toh

It is never too late to learn or to do something new. Learning is not limited to classrooms or a certain age. It is a lifelong journey that continues as long as we remain curious and open-minded no matter how old we are. If there’s a will, there’s a way as the saying goes. Nothing is impossible!

I just learnt how to plait hair because I had to. It sounds easy but it seems other than steady fingers, you have to spray the hair with serum and part the hair neatly before you can begin with the plaiting. My granddaughter must be wondering why her grandma was rather unconfident the first time as hair plaiting seems to be a common task for most typical grandmas. Not your grandma, my dear. I was never good with this art but I am willing to learn.

In addition, picking up new skills provides valuable opportunities for social interaction, like learning a new dance to stay active and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Believe me, it’s a great form of fun exercise to strengthen muscles, enhance flexibility and balance. As could be seen at our school lobby every morning, teachers would be joining our children in this uplifting and therapeutic activity to boost their mood. Kinder Labz is truly a wonderful place to learn and grow; not only for children but for educators like us as well.

Through continuous practice and hands-on experience, we are able to improve both our thinking and behaviour. ‘Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.’ (Benjamin Franklin). How true these words were. We are especially grateful to our Executive Director and Director of Schools, Dr Evelyn Chen for her steadfast dedication and encouragement in developing her staff. She consistently seeks out valuable courses and beneficial workshops to ensure we keep learning and growing professionally.

It’s never too late to gain knowledge or to pick up a new skill to enrich our lives in meaningful ways. It builds confidence, keeps our minds active and brings a sense of achievement.

Small efforts can lead to great progress over time. As the saying goes, ‘little grains of sand build the mighty desert and little drops of water form the vast ocean.’ Learning also teaches us patience and resilience. It reminds us that making mistakes is part of the process, not a sign of failure. With determination and a positive attitude, challenges become opportunities to improve. No matter where we are in life, we can always choose to become better versions of ourselves.

 

Key Vocabulary

Curious: Having a strong eager desire to know or learn something.

Plaiting: A hairdo formed by braiding or twisting three or more strands of hair over each other.

Therapeutic: Having a good effect on the body or mind; contributing to a sense of well-being.

Steadfast: Remaining steady and firm; not changing or shaking.

Resilience: The capacity to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.

Enrich: To improve or enhance the quality or value of something.

Open-minded: Willing to consider new ideas or opinions.

Who says you can’t teach an old dog (or a busy professional) new tricks? Whether you’re looking to finally master that second language, level up your career or just give your brain a delightful workout, ILTI is your playground. Age is just a number, but “I can’t” is a myth we love to bust! From plaiting hair to perfecting your prose, there is always room for a little more “wow” in your repertoire.

Jump in, get involved, and let’s get learning—it’s going to be a blast!

 

Your English learning journey starts here. Call/WhatsApp: 010-395 3067 or email us at info@ilti.edu.my

Transform your English skills—one word at a time.

No Looking Back
By Aainaa Sofea

Last Saturday was our Toastmasters Club meeting. At Kinder Labz, we are privileged to have in-house training organised for us every month. These monthly sessions are not only quick catch-ups with our team members but also a fun sharing session that we never had time for during everyday operations.

Operating a kindergarten sounds fun and exciting, but there are profound responsibilities entrusted to us as operators. Teachers, administrators, general workers and our Executive Director, Dr Evelyn Chen, are always in top gear. Every day, we seamlessly manage everything from comforting distressed children who miss their mums to reassuring those who are anxious about spelling tests, even though they rarely make mistakes.

During the session on Saturday, we were tasked with impromptu speeches. We were given a few minutes to review our notes from last month regarding tips and methods for creating interesting speech openings and powerful conclusions. After that, we were randomly called to the front to pick a topic. My topic was a two-minute speech on: “What changed me in life, and when?”

Two minutes flew by in a second. I remember saying that there wasn’t anyone in particular who had significantly altered my life’s direction; I had simply navigated each phase as it came.

However, while driving home, I found myself reflecting deeply on that question. Is there really no one who changed my life? Does it mean my life is boring or that it’s a good thing everything is under control all the time?

No, obviously not. My life has taken several turns. Most of those turns were because of people, but I chose not to revisit them. It was all kept deep beneath the sea level of my memory card. I like to think that everything happened for a reason and, most importantly, I have healed. I do not need to dwell on those changes, especially when they were not what I wanted—perhaps they were exactly what I needed. So, why linger on the past?

I am so grateful that I always have my lovely family and truthful friends next to me in all phases of my life. Because of those changes, I also met my “forever after” best friend and life partner. Every time we laugh over trivial things or engage in conversations about global issues (despite knowing we may not change them), I feel an immense sense of happiness.

Happiness is such a big word. If you can genuinely say that you are happy, you are lucky.

As the American author Henry David Thoreau once said:

“Never look back unless you are planning to go that way.”

Let’s be grateful.

Always.

 

Key Vocabulary

Privileged – fortunate / lucky / grateful

Profound – deep / meaningful

Entrusted – trusted with / given responsibility

Distressed – upset / very worried

Seamlessly – smoothly

Anxious – nervous / worried

Significantly – greatly / importantly

Navigated – handled / went through

___________

English is not just a language, it’s a voice. The more you use it, the more powerful your voice becomes.

Come join us at Ipoh Learning & Training Institute (ILTI) where we produce powerful speakers and writers.

Your English learning journey starts here. Call/WhatsApp: 010-395 3067 or email us at info@ilti.edu.my

Transform your English skills—one word at a time.

Developing Social Skills Through Group Activities – Learning Teamwork While Learning English
By Caroline Samuel

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
– Helen Keller

This quote reminds us that learning is often most powerful when it happens together. In today’s classrooms, language learning is no longer limited to textbooks and memorisation. Instead, effective learning environments encourage collaboration, communication, and teamwork. For children and teenagers learning English, group activities provide a valuable opportunity not only to improve language skills but also to develop essential social skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

At ILTI, we believe that language learning should be interactive and engaging. When students participate in group discussions, collaborative tasks, and team-based projects, they practise English in meaningful ways while learning how to cooperate, communicate, and solve problems together. These experiences help build confidence, strengthen relationships, and prepare learners for real-world communication.

Learning Through Collaboration

Group activities create opportunities for students to interact with their peers while practising English naturally. Instead of simply listening to a teacher, students actively participate in conversations, ask questions, and share ideas.

For example, during a group storytelling activity, students may work together to create a story in English. Each student contributes a sentence or idea, building the story step by step. This encourages students to listen carefully, think creatively, and communicate clearly.

Through collaboration, students learn to respect different viewpoints and support one another. They also become more comfortable expressing themselves in English because they are learning in a supportive and friendly environment.

These collaborative experiences help students realise that learning a language is not just about accuracy—it is also about communication and connection.

Building Communication Skills

Communication is one of the most important skills students develop through group activities. When learners work together, they must explain their thoughts, ask questions, and respond to others.

Activities such as role-playing, debates, or problem-solving tasks encourage students to practise speaking in real-life situations. For instance, students might act out a scene in a restaurant where one student plays the waiter and another plays the customer. Through this activity, they practise vocabulary, sentence structures, and polite expressions while learning how conversations naturally flow.

Teen learners especially benefit from these interactions because they are developing independence and forming their identities. Group activities give them the chance to practise expressing opinions, negotiating ideas, and listening respectfully to others.

Over time, these experiences improve both fluency and confidence, helping students feel more comfortable speaking English in school and in everyday situations.

Developing Teamwork and Responsibility

Working in groups also teaches students the value of teamwork. When completing a project together, each student has a role and responsibility. Some students may lead discussions, others may research information, while others may present the final results.

For example, a group presentation project might ask students to research a topic such as environmental protection or healthy lifestyles. Each team member contributes different ideas, and together they create a presentation in English.

This process encourages students to organise their ideas, cooperate with others, and support their teammates. They learn that success often comes from working together rather than competing individually.

These teamwork experiences also build important life skills such as leadership, responsibility, and accountability—qualities that will benefit students in both academic and professional settings.

Encouraging Confidence and Participation

Many students feel nervous about speaking English, especially in front of a class. Group activities help reduce this anxiety because students are speaking with a smaller group of peers rather than addressing the entire class.

When learners feel comfortable with their classmates, they are more willing to participate, share opinions, and practise new vocabulary. Positive encouragement from teammates can also motivate students to try harder and take risks in using the language.

For example, a team quiz game allows students to answer questions together. Instead of worrying about making mistakes alone, students can discuss answers and support each other. This collaborative atmosphere transforms learning into an enjoyable and motivating experience.

As confidence grows, students become more active participants in classroom discussions and more independent learners overall.

Strengthening Social and Emotional Skills

Group learning also plays an important role in developing social and emotional intelligence. Students learn to listen patiently, respect different opinions, and resolve disagreements constructively.

In group discussions, students practise skills such as taking turns speaking, acknowledging others’ ideas, and offering constructive feedback. These interactions help build empathy and mutual understanding among classmates.

For teenagers in particular, these experiences are essential. Adolescence is a time when young people are learning how to communicate effectively and build relationships. Group activities provide a safe environment where they can practise these skills while learning English.

When students feel connected to their peers, they are also more motivated to learn and participate in class.

Preparing Students for Real-World Communication

In the real world, communication rarely happens in isolation. Whether in university, the workplace, or social settings, people often work together in teams and collaborate on projects.

Group activities in English classrooms simulate these real-life situations. Students learn how to express ideas clearly, listen to others, negotiate solutions, and present information effectively.

For example, a problem-solving activity might ask students to work together to plan a school event or design a community project. In the process, they practise discussing ideas, making decisions, and presenting their final plan in English.

These practical experiences prepare students for future academic studies, international environments, and global careers where teamwork and communication are essential.

How ILTI Encourages Group Learning

At ILTI, our programmes integrate group-based learning activities to ensure that students practise English in dynamic and meaningful ways. Lessons often include:

• Pair discussions and group brainstorming
  • Role-play scenarios and interactive storytelling
  • Collaborative presentations and projects
  • Team games and vocabulary challenges

These activities allow students to learn from one another while strengthening their language abilities. By combining structured lessons with interactive teamwork, we create a learning environment where students feel motivated, confident, and engaged.

Our goal is not only to help students master English but also to develop the interpersonal skills they need to succeed in school and in life.

Practical Tips for Parents

Parents can also encourage teamwork and communication skills at home:

• Encourage your child to participate in group activities or clubs.
  • Organise small group study sessions with friends.
  • Play interactive games that require teamwork and communication.
  • Encourage your child to discuss ideas and share opinions openly.

These simple activities help reinforce the social and communication skills students develop in the classroom.

Vocabulary Gallery

Collaboration – working together with others to achieve a goal

Fluency – the ability to speak or write a language smoothly and naturally

Role-play – acting out real-life situations to practise communication

Participation – taking part actively in an activity or discussion

Responsibility – being accountable for a task or duty

Empathy – the ability to understand and share the feelings of others

Constructive feedback – helpful suggestions that improve performance

Negotiation – discussing ideas to reach an agreement

Communication – sharing information, thoughts, or ideas with others

Interpersonal skills – the abilities used to interact effectively with people

___________________________________

Group learning transforms language classrooms into communities where students learn from one another, develop friendships, and practise communication in authentic ways. When students learn English through teamwork and collaboration, they gain more than language skills—they develop confidence, empathy, and the ability to work effectively with others.

At ILTI, we are proud to nurture these skills while guiding students on their English learning journey.

Your English learning journey starts here. Call/WhatsApp: 010-395 3067 or email us at info@ilti.edu.my

Transform your English skills—one word at a time.