Pop and rock songs, plays, debating and visits to museums - these are some of the ways award winning teacher Mr Alan Johnson use to engage his students.

He is one of ten teachers who received the Inspiring Teachers of English award 2009 today.

The teacher from St Joseph's Institute sees teaching as a personal calling, having come from a family of teachers.

His passion for music and theatre has found its way into the classroom, where he uses pop and rock songs to teach his students about symbols, and brings his students on excursions to plays and museums to enrich their lessons.

Alan has also inculcated a growing culture of debate in his school, culminating with his guidance of a debate team that reached the finals of The Arena, a televised inter-schools' debating competition.

Jointly presented by The Straits Times and the Speak Good English Movement, the Award acknowledges teachers who have been instrumental in igniting a love for the English language through innovative teaching methods.

Mr S Iswaran, Senior Minister of State for Education, presented the awards to the teachers at the Pod in the National Library Building. Award recipients received a trophy, a certificate and a cash award.

On the award, Mr S Iswaran said, "The need to inculcate in our students not only a love for, but also fluency and proficiency in English is now more relevant and important than ever.

"The Inspiring Teacher of English Award recognises the commitment and contributions of our English Language teachers and celebrates English Language teachers who ignite an abiding love for the English language within their students."

A total of 124 teachers were nominated by students, parents and fellow teachers for the Inspiring Teacher of English award. All award nominees received a certificate of commendation.

Representatives from the Speak Good English Movement, British Council, and English master teachers from the Ministry of Education, observed lessons delivered by these awardees.

Find out more about the Inspiring Teacher of English Award at www.inspiringenglishteacher.sg.

Winners of the Inspiring Teacher of English award 2009

Primary School
Ms Chan May Ling (Clementi Primary School)
Mdm K. S. Jaswinder Khosa (Huamin Primary School)

Secondary School
Mrs Cheen-Tay Su-Lin, Yvonne (Hong Kah Secondary School)
Mr Alan Anand Johnson (St Joseph's Institution)
Ms Foo Soo Ling (Nanyang Girls' High School)
Mr Arthur Kok Kum Chiew (Nan Hua High School)
Ms Toh Ji Rong (Greenridge Secondary School)

Junior college/Institute
Mr Adrian Bell (Anderson Junior College)
Mr Ong Chin Meng (Anderson Junior College)
Mr Kelvin Yew Yeu Keng (Millennia Institute)