STORY PREVIEW

2025

Phonemix: Happy Sounds, Happier Schools

SK PUTRAJAYA PRESINT 11(1)

Putrajaya

MENTOR

MOHD SAHARUDIN BIN SETAPA

Step 1 FEEL

List the challenges or problems in your surroundings (school,neighbourhood etc.) that bothered you.

Many pupils in our school struggle with English pronunciation, which leads to poor reading, spelling difficulties, and even miscommunication during conversations. This problem lowers their confidence and makes them feel shy or embarrassed when speaking in English. Teachers also face challenges in teaching phonics due to limited engaging resources, while parents find it difficult to support learning at home. The lack of accessible and fun tools affects pupils’ motivation, creates gaps in learning, and impacts their overall performance. This situation bothered us and inspired the creation of Phonemix to make learning sounds more joyful and effective.

State the problem chosen to work and why.

The problem we chose to work on is pupils’ difficulty in pronouncing English words correctly, which affects their reading, spelling, and communication skills. Many students feel shy, embarrassed, and less confident when speaking English, while teachers struggle with limited engaging resources and parents face challenges supporting learning at home. We selected this problem because it impacts confidence, academic performance, and classroom participation. By addressing pronunciation and phonics in a fun, interactive way through Phonemix, we aim to make learning more enjoyable, accessible, and effective, helping every child to succeed and feel happier in school.

Who were the people affected by the problem? What were their primary concerns?

The people most affected by the problem were young pupils, teachers, and parents. Pupils struggled to pronounce English words correctly, leading to difficulties in reading, frequent miscommunication, and low confidence in class. Many felt shy or embarrassed when speaking English. Teachers were concerned because they lacked engaging and effective phonics resources, making it challenging to teach pronunciation consistently. Parents also faced difficulties in supporting their children’s learning at home, as they did not have suitable tools or materials. Altogether, the problem created barriers to learning, confidence, and effective communication for everyone involved.

Step 2 IMAGINE

List ALL the different solutions you came up with.

Before choosing Phonemix, we considered several solutions to improve English pronunciation. First, we thought about organizing stress awareness campaigns and creating posters to remind pupils about correct sounds. Next, we planned to use flashcards and printed phonics materials for classroom practice. We also discussed conducting reading drills and spelling competitions to motivate students. Another idea was to provide teacher-led workshops and parental guidance sessions to support learning at home. However, these methods felt less engaging, time-limited, and not sustainable. That’s why we finally decided to develop Phonemix, a fun and interactive digital platform.

Which solution from those listed above did you choose to implement and why?

We chose to implement Phonemix, a fun and interactive digital learning platform. Unlike posters, flashcards, or workshops that could lose pupils’ interest over time, Phonemix provides engaging games, audio pronunciation, quizzes, and project-based learning features in one accessible app. It allows students to learn anytime, both in school and at home, making the solution sustainable and enjoyable. Teachers benefit from ready-to-use resources, and parents can easily support their children’s practice. We selected this solution because it not only improves pronunciation and reading skills effectively but also builds pupils’ confidence and makes learning English exciting.

Step 3DO

Describe very briefly the process of implementing your solution(s).

To implement Phonemix, our team first brainstormed ideas and then designed a mobile app with teacher guidance. Over three months, we developed seven features such as phoneme charts, digital games, quizzes, and offline crafts. We tested the app in several classes, gathered feedback, and refined it. To address challenges like limited devices and time, we borrowed tablets and scheduled special sessions. Pupils enjoyed the games, teachers appreciated the resources, and parents supported practice at home. Finally, we introduced the app through classroom visits, teacher training, and demonstrations, ensuring the whole school community could benefit.

What was the result or impact of your project?

The Phonemix project brought positive results to our school community. Pupils became more confident in pronouncing English words and showed improved reading and spelling skills. Over 400 students actively used the app, enjoying the games, quizzes, and activities, which made learning more engaging. Teachers found it helpful as all phonics resources were integrated in one platform, making lessons easier to deliver. Parents noticed their children practicing more at home and improving in communication. Overall, Phonemix not only enhanced language skills but also boosted confidence, motivation, and classroom participation, creating a happier and more supportive learning environment.

How many people were impacted by your solution(s)?

400

What did the impacted people have to say about your project? Provide 2 quotes or testimonials:

The document shows that Phonemix received very positive feedback from pupils, teachers, and parents. Pupils said they loved the games and quizzes because they made learning fun and engaging. Teachers appreciated that “all the phonics resources were in one place,” which made lessons easier to deliver. Parents noticed improvements, sharing that “our children can now practice phonics both at school and at home” and that their reading and pronunciation skills had become better.

What challenges did you encounter while implementing your project, and how did you overcome them?

During implementation, we faced challenges such as device shortages and time constraints. Not every pupil had access to a smartphone or tablet, making it difficult for all students to use Phonemix during lessons. To overcome this, we borrowed tablets from the school and organized group-sharing sessions so everyone could participate. Time was also limited within the school timetable, so we scheduled special learning sessions and integrated activities into existing English lessons. With teamwork and school support, these challenges were solved, allowing over 400 pupils to benefit from the project successfully.

How long did it take to implement your solution?

MORE THAN 30 DAYS

Which global goals does your story align with?

Quality Education

Please explain briefly why do you think so?

Our story aligns with SDG 4: Quality Education because Phonemix directly supports inclusive and effective learning. Many pupils struggled with English pronunciation, which affected reading, communication, and confidence. By creating a fun and interactive digital platform, we provided equal opportunities for students to improve phonics both in school and at home. Teachers gained accessible, engaging resources, and parents could better support their children’s learning. This project ensures that quality education is not only about academic achievement but also about building confidence, improving communication, and making learning enjoyable and meaningful for all learners.

Step 4 SHARE

How did you share your project with your school and community? Who did you share your project with? What was their response?

We shared Phonemix with our school community by visiting classrooms, training teachers, and demonstrating how to use the app. Pupils were excited and enjoyed the games and quizzes, while teachers found it useful as all phonics resources were available in one place to support lessons. Parents also gave positive feedback, noticing clear improvements in their children’s reading and pronunciation. Beyond our school, we presented Phonemix at exhibitions and online platforms, introducing it to other schools and educators. The overall response was highly encouraging, with students, teachers, and parents appreciating its fun, accessible, and effective approach.

Approximately how many people did you share your story of change with?

More than 100

Briefly share your plan to sustain the impact of your project?

To sustain the impact of Phonemix, we plan to publish the app on Google Play so it can reach more schools and learners beyond our community. We also aim to collaborate with English language educators to further improve content and expand its use in classrooms. Additionally, we will develop printable modules and project-based learning materials to complement the app, ensuring both online and offline access. By sharing our innovation at exhibitions, training sessions, and online platforms, we hope to keep engagement high and make Phonemix a long-term solution for improving English pronunciation and reading.

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