Language Works

Of Learning and Teaching
A busy time in recent weeks working on IDFR’s 'Promoting and Defending National Interest' module as part of the Diploma in Diplomacy. Using role play, participants presented and defended Malaysia’s position on a variety of current issues.

Always highly interesting to participate as a panel member in assessing these very important skills. A challenging but rewarding learning experience for future diplomats in effectively representing and safeguarding Malaysia’s national interests.

It was fitting that Dato' Dr. Fauziah Mohamad Taib, IDFR Director-General 2005-2007, who originated the idea of the Defending National Interest module, was on the panel to see how her plans from more than 20 years ago have now borne fruit.

On another front, the Language Works assessor team were in action for the City & Guilds 'Teaching, Training and Assessing Learning' exam and practical teaching sessions preparation for IDFR's Advanced Diploma candidates. Thanks, as ever, to Vanajah Shanmugam, Rani Arul and Kulwant Kaur for all your efforts in making these sessions go smoothly.

Earth Heir style: ecosystem, ethics, enterprise.

At Saturday’s launch of The Good List Guide by Earth Heir, a smiling volunteer handed over a postcard with one simple question:

“Are you good?”

That question stayed with us.

Since 2013, Earth Heir has championed social enterprise by enabling marginalised communities and by supporting businesses that create positive impact through ethical enterprise.

Now, The Good List Guide takes this mission a step further - a discovery platform for good things:
Eat
See
Do
Shop
Stay.

More than a guide, it’s an ecosystem built on collaboration, community and conscious enterprise.

As Earth Heir CEO Sasibai Kimis reminded us, genuine impact happens when good people and good businesses work together - without ego, without agenda, but instead with shared purpose.

In the heart of KL, amid its colour, character and creativity, this is the kind of enterprise we need more of: ethical, human and hopeful.

Are you good?

You already know the answer.

🔗 Explore The Good List Guide:
earthheir.com/goodlist

A legacy of learning - David Attenborough

London honours David Attenborough on his 100th birthday Sir David, who lives in Richmond upon Thames, often speaks of his affection for London.

This year sees the 25th anniversary of the Malaysia Technology Expo (MTE), themed ‘Innovation Nexus: Empowering the Future’.

Great to be able to contribute again as international juror for MTE Public Service Innovation Asia (PSIA) Awards 2026.

Many thanks to the assessor team - MACRI President Hussein Mohd. Ariff and Vista Kencana General Manager Ami Azril Abdullah Awang, as well as the PRoTEMP support team.

MTE 2026 is showcasing public-sector and youth innovations from Asia up until 11 April at KL’s World Trade Centre. And the innovations on show are inspiring.

Learning from the Best

At Language Works, we often ask our trainee teachers a simple but powerful question:

“Who were the teachers who influenced you the most?”
Interestingly, the answers rarely focus on specific lessons or techniques. Instead, people remember the qualities those teachers embodied - curiosity, integrity, generosity, and a genuine commitment to learning.

I was reminded of this recently when I had the pleasure of catching up in Kuala Lumpur with two people who influenced my own pathway in language and communication: Roger Bell and Jeremy Comfort.

Roger Bell, an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Linguists and author of the influential book Translation and Translating: Theory and Practice, has shaped the thinking of generations of linguists and translators around the world. His earlier work, An Introduction to Applied Linguistics: Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching, was required reading when I was studying for my Master’s degree in Linguistics.

Across decades of teaching, research and leadership at universities including Lancaster and Westminster - and in locations as diverse as Pakistan, Brazil and Indonesia - Roger has consistently demonstrated the breadth of knowledge and independence of mind that, to me, define a truly outstanding teacher.

Jeremy Comfort’s influence has been equally profound. As founder of York Associates, Jeremy helped pioneer practical approaches to developing people who work internationally. Many professionals around the world know his work through The Mindful International Manager: Competences for Working Effectively Across Cultures, co-written with Peter Franklin.

Jeremy was also a key contributor to the landmark communication training programme Effective Presentations, developed in collaboration with the late Nick Brieger. His carefully designed learning materials and innovative teaching approaches have inspired many of us working in language, communication and intercultural training.

For Language Works, Jeremy’s influence is also personal. The early partnership and investment from York Associates helped launch Language Works in 1995 and gave us the confidence - and competence - to grow the company in creative ways.

What strikes me most about both Roger and Jeremy is that neither has ever been interested in self-promotion. Instead, they have quietly and consistently pursued excellence in their field - with professionalism, intellectual curiosity, and a quiet confidence that never slips into arrogance.

I’ve been fortunate to learn from the best.

Perhaps most satisfying of all is that, over the years, admiration for their achievements has evolved into something even more meaningful: friendship.

At Language Works, we continue to learn from such mentors — and to pass that spirit of curiosity and professionalism on to others.

Forward-looking - on Firm Foundations

This month, Language Works is happy to be starting innovative programmes, while renewing collaborations with strong partners dedicated to learning, development, and employability.

Relevance of programmes and range of services provided are always essential parts of LW’s offerings. But so are long-term relationships - and they do not go much further back for LW Director Brian Cracknell than International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR).

Very pleased and looking forward to working with both again.

Learning, Development and Collaborations

IPMA Malaysia kicked off 2026 with our annual planning meeting, hosted by PXP at its Cyberjaya office on Saturday 17 January.

Opening remarks by Ts. Alex Zulkarnain Zulkarim, IPMA Malaysia President, set the scene for a plan driven by purpose. We shared ways to shape productive projects, working as a community where everyone belongs.

This meeting reminded us of 2025’s achievements, lessons learned and how we can best use resources to everyone’s benefit.

Grateful to all Exco and Management Committee members and collaborative partners who made 2025 both inspiring and memorable.

Now looking forward to new challenges as Vice-President for Learning, Development and Collaborations.

Let’s continue our efforts to make all projects succeed, jointly creating lasting, meaningful learning outcomes.

On Reflection
Reflecting on inspiring days at SPM Japan’s 17th ProMAC 2025, held alongside the IPMA Global Project Profession Forum in London from 26 to 28 November.

Central Hall Westminster was a powerful setting - just metres away from Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament and once home to the first UN General Assembly in 1946. A reminder that ideas shared in the right places really can shape the world.

I was grateful to be able to:
•⁠ ⁠Present a paper on Cultural Literacy in Project Management
•⁠ ⁠Facilitate a session on Project Communication Skills
•⁠ ⁠Chair 8 paper presentations from Japanese colleagues
•⁠ ⁠Join the energetic session by SPM Japan Young Crew.

This year’s conference not only brought me home to London, but also brought home to me 3 key points to reflect on:
•⁠ ⁠Connect intentionally - build trust, don’t just ‘network’
•⁠ ⁠Contribute originally - use emerging tech to augment creativity and intelligence
•⁠ ⁠Collaborate meaningfully - engage people directly; don’t just ‘raise your profile.’

Across keynotes and conversations, I heard fresh ideas on AI in PM, value delivery, collaboration, and practical research that can influence how we develop project professionals back in Malaysia.
ProMAC is more than a conference. It’s a learning ecosystem where practitioners, researchers and managers co-create the profession’s future. And, with SPM as host of the IPMA World Congress in Hiroshima in September 2026, that ecosystem is set to strengthen.

As IPMA marks its 60th year, and Language Works its 30th, one question keeps returning for me. And especially for those of us involved in learning and development:

Are we really equipping people to address the defining challenges of our age?

Climate change? Health and wellbeing? Sustainability?

Would love to hear your own reflections - how is L&D evolving to meet these realities?

Collaborating to Transform Learning

In the rapidly shifting landscape of learning and development, collaboration is no longer a bonus - it’s a strategic necessity.

At Language Works, we’ve seen how collaborative ventures spark new energy and tangible results:

1. In partnership with Rani Wemel’s visionary enterprise Learning Through Technology (LTT), our interactive session with trainers from Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR) unlocked creative, practical ways to use AI tools to deepen learning experiences and participant engagement.
2. Confidence in Action - Last week, Brian Cracknell worked with the Malaysian Institute of Development for Professionals (MIDP) in Iskandar Puteri, enabling public-sector participants to communicate clearly and confidently in their presentations and feedback.
3. New Pathways - At the launch of Project Excellence Partners (PXP) in Cyberjaya, CEO Alex Zulkarnain set out a bold vision to elevate project consultancy and professional practice through strategic collaborations.
4. At International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia (IGEM), we saw firsthand how partnerships can drive green innovation, create opportunities, and expand ASEAN-wide impact.

The future of L&D? It’s collaborative, augmented (not artificial), and action-driven. By joining forces - across industries, borders, and disciplines – we not only transform; we co-create a new learning world.

30 years of Language Works

Our Language Works 30th Anniversary Digital Drop-in, hosted with strategic partner LTT Global, brought together friends, collaborative partners and colleagues from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, from Medan to Tehran. To celebrate the past, to create and share in the present, and to look ahead to the future of learning.

Celebrating three decades of ideas, projects and partnerships, LW Director Brian Cracknell and LTT Global’s Rani Wemel focussed on AI tools ChatGPT, Canva and Gamma to generate interest, insights and ideas. These tools are shaping the way we design, deliver, and imagine learning for the future.

Feedback included:
• “Insightful, engaging, refreshing.”
• “Informative, enlightening, interesting.”
• “Useful, scary (how fast things can be done!)”
• “Relevant, fresh learning.”
• “Great start. Let’s do more - with more details.”

Thank you to all who joined, engaged in the conversation, and shared their feedback so generously. Your voices remind us that learning is always evolving – and collaboration is at the heart of it.

Here’s to 30 years of learning, innovation and partnerships - and to the next 30 years!

P.S. Stay tuned for Part Two of the celebrations!