Hi there everyone ....
I would like to congratulate the students who have finished their 3 month practicum . All of you did very well. Congratulations and welcome home . I know you have done your best . I sincerely hope that all of you have learned something if not everything about the school ... the teachers , the pupils and the most important ..CLASSROOM CONTROL .
Hope to see you guys again next year . All the best .
Tuesday 10 October 2017
Language Description
Hi there one and all ...
TSL 1024 Language Description is a tough subject . It talks about the English language and what are in the language AND describing them in detail . Some students found it difficult to cope with the terminologies used in the English language ...well guess what ...even the lecturers face the SAME problem. We have to restudy what we had studied years ago during our first degree which was DECADES ago.
However , if we look at the positive side , we , the lecturers , have the opportunity to connect with our long lost knowledge on the English language . I found this blog which helps to shine some light on Language Description , the anaphoric / cataphoric references :
http://languagedescription1213.blogspot.my/2014/01/cohesive-devices-anaphoric-and.html
This subject is strongly related to Linguistics , which will be in the next semester . Well , that is next semester's challenge . Please take this paper seriously if you do not want to resit for it next semester .
Good Luck
TSL 1024 Language Description is a tough subject . It talks about the English language and what are in the language AND describing them in detail . Some students found it difficult to cope with the terminologies used in the English language ...well guess what ...even the lecturers face the SAME problem. We have to restudy what we had studied years ago during our first degree which was DECADES ago.
However , if we look at the positive side , we , the lecturers , have the opportunity to connect with our long lost knowledge on the English language . I found this blog which helps to shine some light on Language Description , the anaphoric / cataphoric references :
http://languagedescription1213.blogspot.my/2014/01/cohesive-devices-anaphoric-and.html
This subject is strongly related to Linguistics , which will be in the next semester . Well , that is next semester's challenge . Please take this paper seriously if you do not want to resit for it next semester .
Good Luck
Thursday 24 August 2017
Multiple Inteligences
Assalammualaikum and a good day to all ....
All normal human beings
have their own way of learning . That is the main reason why we as educators ,
have to be creative in teaching , There is no one-size-fits-all kind of
teaching where we apply the same kind of teaching to all our pupils .
According to Howard
Gardner ( 1991 ) "students possess different kinds of minds and therefore
learn, remember, perform, and understand in different ways," . Know your
students before you prepare the materials for them because it will help you to
teach better and the students to learn better .
Please read
: http://www.tecweb.org/styles/gardner.html
Saturday 15 July 2017
Practicum
Assalammualaikum to all ....
The first Pacticum for my mentees is here and i have received so many stories ( don't want to call them reports ) regarding their classes . The stories were interesting ...a mixture of sadness , frustration , happiness , amazement and more. I love it when they tell me these things. This shows that they are actually experiencing the realities of the world of education . Something that you cannot get from text books or university lectures . You have to BE there and LIVE the moment in the classroom .
Each class , pupil or subject is unique . There is no such thing as generalization . To teach Year 3, you have to have this and this and this . This is generalizing . This is what you should NOT do . You will know how to teach the class once you enter it .
I was asked about teaching TMK (Information Technology and Communication) which involves teaching children anti virus , database etc ..facts about computers. The catch is , whatever being taught or shown cannot be practiced due to the limited capabilities of the Chrome Book that they are using . As a result , the pupils starts to lose interest after 10 minutes .They start to run around the class, playing and sit on desks "How to teach them " they asked me .
My advice is , "Teach as how you teach your in-class lessons" . Make them move , rearrange their seating....things that you do if you are having a lesson in an ordinary classroom instead of a computer laboratory .
This is an idea on how to teach the topic Anti virus in TMK . Play the 'Fox and the Hen' game . The fox is the virus and the hen is the antivirus which is trying to protect the chicks ( the files in the computer ) . Just remember that the space in the laboratory is limited so up to you to find a remedy for that .
The first Pacticum for my mentees is here and i have received so many stories ( don't want to call them reports ) regarding their classes . The stories were interesting ...a mixture of sadness , frustration , happiness , amazement and more. I love it when they tell me these things. This shows that they are actually experiencing the realities of the world of education . Something that you cannot get from text books or university lectures . You have to BE there and LIVE the moment in the classroom .
Each class , pupil or subject is unique . There is no such thing as generalization . To teach Year 3, you have to have this and this and this . This is generalizing . This is what you should NOT do . You will know how to teach the class once you enter it .
I was asked about teaching TMK (Information Technology and Communication) which involves teaching children anti virus , database etc ..facts about computers. The catch is , whatever being taught or shown cannot be practiced due to the limited capabilities of the Chrome Book that they are using . As a result , the pupils starts to lose interest after 10 minutes .They start to run around the class, playing and sit on desks "How to teach them " they asked me .
My advice is , "Teach as how you teach your in-class lessons" . Make them move , rearrange their seating....things that you do if you are having a lesson in an ordinary classroom instead of a computer laboratory .
This is an idea on how to teach the topic Anti virus in TMK . Play the 'Fox and the Hen' game . The fox is the virus and the hen is the antivirus which is trying to protect the chicks ( the files in the computer ) . Just remember that the space in the laboratory is limited so up to you to find a remedy for that .
Another topic is Database . Form a circle(s) ( or a square , triangle etc ) . In three minutes ( or after a whistle blow ) ask the pupils to ask the person on their right , their personal biodata . After that , ask the person on their left . Ask them to present in front of the class.
These two activities can be used as the induction set or attention grabber before we go to lesson proper . If we bring fun to the pupils , they will look forward to our future lessons AND hopefully more cooperative .
Friday 14 July 2017
For teachers of tomorrow....
Assalammualaikum ...Salam Syawal everyone ....
Upon reading the news , it is apparent that in the future , the teaching profession is only for those who are interested in becoming a teacher due to the lack of financing by the government .
To look at it in the positive point of view , this turn of events is actually a blessing in disguise . In the previous years , the are trainees who tend to quit their studies in the teachers' college due to lost of interest n the profession . Lost of interest is acceptable if it happened in the beginning of the study , for example during the first year ( foundation ) but it is totally irritating and unacceptable if it happened in the final year of the study .
Having said that , to the Muslim would-be-teachers , please perform the Solat istaqarah before filling in the form to become teachers . Ask Allah to decide for you as HIS decision is the best .
http://www.ismaweb.net/2017/07/elaun-guru-pelatih-dihentikan-mulai-jun-tahun-depan/
Thursday 6 July 2017
Practicum Dos and Don'ts
Assalammualaikum and a good day to all...
The moment has arrived ... my mentees are out for practicum and i have two under my wing . To all those who are undergoing practicum these three months , I wish you all the BEST !! Don't do things that I would't do ... Here are some tips , if you want to call them that..
1. 1st impression .
As a trainee , in a new and alien environment , you may want to give a good / great 1st impression to the the teachers and staff there . Remember these hick ups from some of your seniours :
1.i. In the Staff room
- Do not sleep / nap - find things to do like prepare your RPH or teaching aids
- Do not Whatsapp , facebook , Wechat , Instagram (to name a few ) during school hours . It 's truly a waste of time and gives a bad impression to the teachers around you .
- Socialize - do not keep to yourself or your partner . Mingle with the other teachers or the
workers. One thing that the school community hates is a newbie who doesn't want to mingle . It gives the impression that you are a snobbish person .
- Ask if you are in doubt - asking is part of learning . If you face any trouble in any area , ASK !!
Do not ASSUME in any circumstances whatsoever !!! ASK for clarification ...
2. Classroom
When entering the classroom , things are not the same as when you were carrying out your PBS .Your practicum is for 3 MONTHS whereas your PBS was only for 1 week . Meaning that you will be seeing them for 3 months . If you manage to control them , you'll have 3 months of heaven , if not ....
After teaching the class for 2 days , a please do not expect them to be a native speaker of English language . You are in the school for training , remember that !! Class control is the first thing that you HAVE to think of . Once established , only THEN you can deliver your lesson SUCCESSFULLY . If you cannot control the class, you will be screaming and yelling and threatening the pupils the whole lesson . Lastly , you will cry and the pupils will go home as empty as how they came to school in the morning .
That is all FOR NOW... do your best .
The moment has arrived ... my mentees are out for practicum and i have two under my wing . To all those who are undergoing practicum these three months , I wish you all the BEST !! Don't do things that I would't do ... Here are some tips , if you want to call them that..
1. 1st impression .
As a trainee , in a new and alien environment , you may want to give a good / great 1st impression to the the teachers and staff there . Remember these hick ups from some of your seniours :
1.i. In the Staff room
- Do not sleep / nap - find things to do like prepare your RPH or teaching aids
- Do not Whatsapp , facebook , Wechat , Instagram (to name a few ) during school hours . It 's truly a waste of time and gives a bad impression to the teachers around you .
- Socialize - do not keep to yourself or your partner . Mingle with the other teachers or the
workers. One thing that the school community hates is a newbie who doesn't want to mingle . It gives the impression that you are a snobbish person .
- Ask if you are in doubt - asking is part of learning . If you face any trouble in any area , ASK !!
Do not ASSUME in any circumstances whatsoever !!! ASK for clarification ...
2. Classroom
When entering the classroom , things are not the same as when you were carrying out your PBS .Your practicum is for 3 MONTHS whereas your PBS was only for 1 week . Meaning that you will be seeing them for 3 months . If you manage to control them , you'll have 3 months of heaven , if not ....
After teaching the class for 2 days , a please do not expect them to be a native speaker of English language . You are in the school for training , remember that !! Class control is the first thing that you HAVE to think of . Once established , only THEN you can deliver your lesson SUCCESSFULLY . If you cannot control the class, you will be screaming and yelling and threatening the pupils the whole lesson . Lastly , you will cry and the pupils will go home as empty as how they came to school in the morning .
That is all FOR NOW... do your best .
Monday 3 July 2017
Eidulfitri
Assalammualaikum and a Happy Eidulfitri to everyone especially those who celebrate it .
Gone was the 1 month of fasting . Alhamdulillah , managed to pass that without any failures .
Now is the month of Syawal and the 6 extra days of fasting ..now THAT is the problem. This '6-day-fasting' really tests your will , to see whethehr you can ( or not ) withstand 'hunger .
Still waiting for the new groups to register as students of IPG Ipoh . Hope that they will become great and responsible teachers .
Gone was the 1 month of fasting . Alhamdulillah , managed to pass that without any failures .
Now is the month of Syawal and the 6 extra days of fasting ..now THAT is the problem. This '6-day-fasting' really tests your will , to see whethehr you can ( or not ) withstand 'hunger .
Still waiting for the new groups to register as students of IPG Ipoh . Hope that they will become great and responsible teachers .
Monday 12 June 2017
A New Semester
Assalammualaikum and a good and joyful day to all...
Today is the 18th day of Ramadhan . Although we are fasting , our work continues as usual .
Today is also the first day of semester 2 2017 and things are just as great as ever . New students coming in and thus more teaching hours for us here in Ipoh . Some of us do not get to teach the subjects that we prefer as our boss wants to give everyone a chance to experience teaching other subjects. Couldn't agree more .
We also have 5 students ( yes, correct ..only 5 throughout Malaysia ) joining us as KDC ( Kursus Dalam Cuti ) TESL students . A hardworking and diligent group . I enjoyed teaching them Linguistics .
Still waiting for our timetable for the classes to teach . Hope to get them soon so that we can prepare ourselves for work earlier . Good luck to all in this new semester . May all of us achieve better than last semester in whatever things that we do .
Today is the 18th day of Ramadhan . Although we are fasting , our work continues as usual .
Today is also the first day of semester 2 2017 and things are just as great as ever . New students coming in and thus more teaching hours for us here in Ipoh . Some of us do not get to teach the subjects that we prefer as our boss wants to give everyone a chance to experience teaching other subjects. Couldn't agree more .
We also have 5 students ( yes, correct ..only 5 throughout Malaysia ) joining us as KDC ( Kursus Dalam Cuti ) TESL students . A hardworking and diligent group . I enjoyed teaching them Linguistics .
Still waiting for our timetable for the classes to teach . Hope to get them soon so that we can prepare ourselves for work earlier . Good luck to all in this new semester . May all of us achieve better than last semester in whatever things that we do .
Monday 15 May 2017
A new line of teachers
Assalammualaikum and a great day to all ...
We are nearing the end of the semester . Come June , a new semester will arrive and trainees will be a semester 'older' . With that , i would say that the trainees have grown more and more 'mature' in the sense of being a 'would-be-teacher' and that they will now act as how a teacher would act. There should be less and less disciplinary issues taking place .
That is what we expect .
However , since trainee teachers are also ordinary human beings , maturity in studying seems to decrease from one semester after another . Diligent , hardworking and punctual are replaced by laziness or 'I-don't-care' or worse of all the 'I-overslept' attitude.
Seriously ... waking up early every morning has become a problem in youngsters today . This gets worse as our Institute is training would-be teachers . Waking up early every morning is a must and cannot be tolerated. Can you imagine a teacher who wakes up at 8.30 am ? What time will he / she reach school ?
This one small problem has a great domino effect on a teacher's life .
For a full fledged teacher , coming late to school will result in :
1. disciplinary action being taken
2. included in the permanent service record
3. affects the promotion
4. affects the retirement
If it has THESE much effects on a permanent teacher's service , what about a trainee teacher who has not even started his / her service in the world of education ?
Please think of this SERIOUSLY !!!
We are nearing the end of the semester . Come June , a new semester will arrive and trainees will be a semester 'older' . With that , i would say that the trainees have grown more and more 'mature' in the sense of being a 'would-be-teacher' and that they will now act as how a teacher would act. There should be less and less disciplinary issues taking place .
That is what we expect .
However , since trainee teachers are also ordinary human beings , maturity in studying seems to decrease from one semester after another . Diligent , hardworking and punctual are replaced by laziness or 'I-don't-care' or worse of all the 'I-overslept' attitude.
Seriously ... waking up early every morning has become a problem in youngsters today . This gets worse as our Institute is training would-be teachers . Waking up early every morning is a must and cannot be tolerated. Can you imagine a teacher who wakes up at 8.30 am ? What time will he / she reach school ?
This one small problem has a great domino effect on a teacher's life .
For a full fledged teacher , coming late to school will result in :
1. disciplinary action being taken
2. included in the permanent service record
3. affects the promotion
4. affects the retirement
If it has THESE much effects on a permanent teacher's service , what about a trainee teacher who has not even started his / her service in the world of education ?
Please think of this SERIOUSLY !!!
Wednesday 4 January 2017
Yet another New Year
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE !!!!
Almost everyone is walking around greeting the people that they meet with this greet. Well , this isn't the first time . We have encountered new year since the day that we were born . So , what is all the fuss about ?
To some , a new year is just the same as the year before , not more not less . The years come and go without anything interesting happening to them or the ones surrounding them . New year means nothing ! The same resolution(s) being recycled year after year . Recycled you ask ? Yes ..recycled ..because they were NEVER fulfilled .
To me , a new year is like a clean slate where we are able to start our life anew . Leave our disappointments, frustrations and failures behind and start fresh . Use the past frustrations , disappointments and failures as your motivation to further better yourselves in life .
For those who are going out for teaching practice / practicum , please remember :
1. the more teaching aids that you bring to class does NOT give you more marks IF you do not use it effectively.
2. spend more time teaching NOT scolding or nagging
3. make sure that you have a good rapport with the pupils and school staff
4. modulate your voice in teaching ( teacher's voice )
5. discuss your lesson with your supervising lecturer before you carry it out because there might be some weaknesses that can be highlighted and corrected in your lesson.
Well people ........ HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017....!!!!
Almost everyone is walking around greeting the people that they meet with this greet. Well , this isn't the first time . We have encountered new year since the day that we were born . So , what is all the fuss about ?
To some , a new year is just the same as the year before , not more not less . The years come and go without anything interesting happening to them or the ones surrounding them . New year means nothing ! The same resolution(s) being recycled year after year . Recycled you ask ? Yes ..recycled ..because they were NEVER fulfilled .
To me , a new year is like a clean slate where we are able to start our life anew . Leave our disappointments, frustrations and failures behind and start fresh . Use the past frustrations , disappointments and failures as your motivation to further better yourselves in life .
For those who are going out for teaching practice / practicum , please remember :
1. the more teaching aids that you bring to class does NOT give you more marks IF you do not use it effectively.
2. spend more time teaching NOT scolding or nagging
3. make sure that you have a good rapport with the pupils and school staff
4. modulate your voice in teaching ( teacher's voice )
5. discuss your lesson with your supervising lecturer before you carry it out because there might be some weaknesses that can be highlighted and corrected in your lesson.
Well people ........ HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017....!!!!
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