Teaching Practical

The other day when I filled up the form for my teaching practical, I did it with joy. The joy of knowing that very soon, I will be out doing my teaching practical. With the knowledge that I have gained for the pass 6 semesters, I am sure that I will be well equipped to teach in a couple of months time. Besides feeling happy about it, I have also asked myself a number of questions. How would my colleagues in the school that I will be teaching treat me? Would they take advantage of trainee teachers to do their dirty work? What type of students would I be teaching? Which invigilator would I get for my practical teaching? Would finding accommodation for 3 months in Malacca be a problem, and many more. All these questions would be answered in due time. So I have decided not to worry too much about it and enjoy. I am sure my knowledge that I’ve gained in UPM would help me tremendously.

Abolishing UPSR and PMR

Currently in Malaysia, the big issue going on in the field of education is abolishing the UPSR and the PMR examination. I do not agree with the idea of abolishing UPSR and PMR. However, if the notion is to abolish the English language paper for UPSR and PMR, I will agree with it a 100%. First and foremost, if English and Malay are being tested only at SPM level, teachers could do wonders with their lesson plans. Daily classroom activities are no longer dedicated to drilling students with countless examination activities in order to prepare them for exams. The activities could be activities that allow students to interact with the language itself. Examples of such activities are role playing activities, playing RPG card games (Magic the Gathering for example), and theater play. Furthermore, without having to prepare for examination, the stress factor is absent and therefore providing a more conducive environment for learning language. Many would argue that without examinations, it is hard to gauge students’ performance. They would also say that many would not even be motivated to learn as the subject is not tested. First, one does not need examination to gauge a students’ proficiency in the language. The teacher could evaluate them using some other measurements besides giving examination. For example, checking and monitoring their language development and providing more assistance to students who aren’t too proficient. For the second argument, exams do not motivate students to study. It “forces” them to study. Exams could work for subjects such as math and history as for those subjects, one needs tons of rote learning and plenty of exercise practice to be good at it. However, there is no way one could improve their language proficiency by rote learning. Language improvement needs learners to be intrinsically motivated and taking part in meaningful/interactive learning in the target language. Two aspects that most students are lacking in this country. In the end, there will be more workload on teachers, but in my opinion it is more than worth it. However, could language examination truly be abolished? It is quite far fetched since the society in this country always measure a person’s worth by his or her grades. I do hope that one day people could actually realize that grades does not make an individual as current examination systems does not really give an accurate measurement of one’s knowledge.

How the documentary Chalk has enlightened me?

This movie that we saw the other day is something of more substance. Chalk is a documentary about real life teachers. It has struck me a few times when watching all previous movies. Do good teachers only exist in movies? Is it really possible to change the mindset of rebellious teenagers? In this documentary, all the occupation hazards of the teaching profession have been brought into light for all of us aspiring teachers. The teaching profession is a profession where one would go through utmost stress and pressure. It will come from all parties; colleagues, students and the parents of students as well. There are also problems such as inadequate facilities and the organization of the school as well. There are so many factors that made teaching profession the least favorable career path one could undertake. Has it somehow damper my spirit in anyway from becoming a teacher. The answer is NO. When I chose TESL as my course and teaching as a career, I’ve understood the various disadvantages and hazards that I am bound to face. However, the reward of a teacher guiding his or her students towards becoming knowledgeable and useful individuals outweighs all the disadvantages of teaching, and that factor alone made me very proud and glad to have chosen teaching as a profession

To be or not to be a perfectionist?

Is it important to be a perfectionist? To me, it is an important characteristic to possess if one desires to be the best among the best. However, if one is being obsessed by it, perfectionism could self destruct a person. This could be a result of one developing fear/paranoid in doing things. By being too obsessed with everything being perfect, one will fall harder than those with lower expectations. It is good to put in your very best but allow some space for yourself just in case things do not turn out quite the way you want it to be. Personally, I don’t believe in being a perfectionist. I do not believe in competition with an outside factor. My greatest rival is myself. As long as I can outdo myself, improve myself, I don’t mind being a non-perfectionist. As long as one has already tried their best, they should have no regrets at all.

“Newspeak” in The Novel 1984

I’ve finished reading the novel 1984 (finally). It took me quite sometime but I’m really glad to have finished it. It is a fantastic book. One aspect that really caught my attention about this book is the “Newspeak” language. The language is created with the purpose of limiting the number of English vocabulary so that language could be manipulated to serve the totalitarian party’s (INGSOC) purpose. In other words, it is used to control society by controlling its language. Besides that, Newspeak aim is to make any alternative thinking impossible by removing any words or possible constructs which describe the ideas of freedom, rebellion and so on so that society would just believe whatever that is being told thus making sure of the party’s stranglehold on the people. From this novel, I have learned to appreciate language more than ever before. It also brings the old saying; “The pen is mightier than the sword,” to a whole new level. The really interesting part of it is that, newspeak is not some far fetched fiction. It is something that can truly happen to all of us. Furthermore, all this could happen in the nearby future. Just look around you and see how the mass media are used to influence our interest and thinking. If you ask me, the world of 1984 could very soon be our world. A world where society merely flips over when being told to, a world where no one could think outside the box, a world where our thoughts are being controlled, a world where language has lost all its beauty.

Toomba" by Saieen Zahoor and Lady Gaga's "Alejandro

I remember that Dr. Jaya showed us two music videos. One is Toomba by Saieen Zahoor and the second is Lady Gaga’s Alejandro. The first video is my first experience of the genre. I could not say I hate it, nor could I say that I love it. It is too traditional for my taste. However, I do respect their ability to play those instruments. Any music that requires the musician to play their own background music is a big plus point to me.
The second video was never really shown to us in class. It was Lady Gaga’a Alejandro. We were only told to listen to the song since there were “inappropriate” scenes in the music video. In my opinion, the only selling point of Lady Gaga was her sexy dressing. She has a unique voice, but that is all. I am never a fan of Lady Gaga. This is because most modern music nowadays are thrash. Lady Gaga included. They lack the passion and soul that were found in most musicians back in the 70s and 80s. I would not be surprised if no one remembers Lady Gaga 10-15 years from today. However it has been almost 50 years and the names Led Zeppelin and Rolling Stones are still as big as ever. Get my point on passion and soul? Anyway, Dr.Jaya was praising the music video of Alejandro and we were given an assignment to watch it on youtube. Well, if it is on youtube, I believe it is perfectly alright to show it in class. The fact is there is nothing obscene with undergarments. Well, I don’t really like it but that is my own opinion, Go watch it and feel free to like it.

Research Fair at Dewan Besar.

Not too long ago, the class and I went to the Dewan Besar for an exhibition where researchers display their research and findings. Overall, it was a fun exhibition as many interesting products were being displayed.
While looking at the many interesting research works, I was amazed by the effort that these researchers put into their works and findings. I tried to put myself into their shoes and think about the countless hours and effort that was being put into those researches. By taking this into account, I do not have a particular favourite research, as all of it requires tons of research and commitment. To me, all of the items displayed are special.
Overall, the exhibition was fun, entertaining and knowledgeable.

Fables

Sometime ago, the class was introduced to the fable genre. According to Wikipedia.org, A fable is a succinct story, in prose or verse, that features animals, mythical creatures, plants, inanimate objects, or forces of nature which are anthropomorphized (given human qualities), and that illustrates a moral lesson (a "moral"), which may at the end be expressed explicitly in a pithy maxim.
I can’t remember my first fable that was read to me but I am sure it was during my pre-school days. I remember my late grandfather buying my this Aesop’s Fable Collection book that I use to carry around all day. To me, using fables in teaching English is a fantastic idea especially when teaching low-English proficiency students. This is because there are many fables written in simple English. With the help of pictures and an entertaining story, students could easily grasp the meaning of words. It is also a good teaching tool in inculcate moral values.
We were given the opportunity to create our own fable as well. It was a fun activity. Perhaps I shall use this activity during my practical to see how things turn out.

To be rich or wealthy?

To me, being rich and wealthy are two different things. By being wealthy, it means you have buying power. One who is wealthy is able to enjoy anything money can buy. He or she could buy the fanciest of clothes, go for the most luxurious of holidays, eat the most sumptuous of meals, live in beautiful houses and drive exotic cars.
On the other hand, rich is quite subjective. One can be rich in terms of knowledge, health, moral values or family warmth. In general, every single individual would want to be both rich and wealthy.
The question is, if you can only choose one? Which of the two would you rather have? Personally, I wish to be rich. If possible, I want to be rich in terms of knowledge. The reason is because one could have all the money in the world. However, history has proved it many times that nothing fluctuates more than buying power. Imagine the stress, pressure and the paranoid that a wealthy person goes through everyday. Not a life I want for sure. I want a life that is enriched with knowledge. Knowledge that could help me become a better individual and better still, guiding others with my knowledge into becoming better individuals. Remember this, knowledge is power and the path to being knowledge rich is the path I will love to undertake.

Akeelah and the Bee

Akeelah and the Bee is s a 2006 American drama film written and directed by Doug Atchison. It tells the story of Akeelah Anderson, portrayed by Keke Palmer, an 11-year-old girl who participates in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, her mother, portrayed by Angela Bassett, schoolmates, and also her coach, portrayed by Laurence Fishburne. It also explores issues of education in the black community.
To me this is a very entertaining movie on a girl’s passion on spelling. Her passion and dedication to the game of spelling bee made her champion of the national spelling bee competition. This has taught me something that can be applied not only as being a teacher, but also as an individual. To be good in something, one needs to have a great passion for it. By having passion for it, only then can you put in your best, to become the best. In this movie, we can also learn from Dylan’s character that put in a mammoth effort in order to win the National Spelling Bee Championship. The moral behind his co-victory with Akeelah is that only through hard work can you achieve excellence.

Lean On Me

The movie “Lean on me” is s a 1989 biographical-drama film written by Michael Schiffer, directed by John G. Avildsen and starring Morgan Freeman. Lean on Me is loosely based on the story of Joe Louis Clark, a real life inner city high school principal in Paterson, New Jersey, whose school is at risk of being taken over by the New Jersey state government unless students improve their test scores. This film's title refers to the 1972 Bill Withers song of the same name.
To me, this is a very entertaining movie. However, don’t take my word for it as I am a fan of Morgan Freeman. This movie has taught me a few things though. It taught me that having too much authority is not always a good thing. By believing that an authoritarian leadership would do the school good, things went bad for Principal Joe Louise. Example, his colleague were not fond of him and there are people who would go to great lengths to get him out of the school.
This movie also taught me that to believe in your students capabilities to do well, it would do wonders to change the children’s mindset and furthermore, gain their respect. In my opinion, by gaining your students’ trust and respect is the most important tool for a teacher to have an enjoyable and fruitful teaching life.