This blog has won third place in the Malaysian National Educational Blog Competition 2012

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Wang Lin’s reflection: A worthwhile experience in life

How time slips away! It has been the forth week since I take part in teaching practice in Taman SEA School. I really appreciate that I together with my partner Wang Siting was assigned to this school which is one of the top 10 secondary school in PJ. I am also glad that my mentor as well as other teachers in this school welcomes us wholeheartedly.
For the first few days, I felt quite stressful and complicated. As a new comer, there are plenty of things I need to get familiar with and comply with. In the meanwhile, as a foreigner, sometimes I also have to translate Malay language to English. Fortunately, I am able to get help from other teachers and Siting all the time, which makes me feel at ease.
As far as I can see, practices in teaching differ across countries. At least there is a distinct contrast in school systems between Malaysia and my motherland. There are two form 2 classes that I was required to teach, one of which is the best class (2 A) in the grade and the other one is the second last (2K). From the moment I got to know my students, I found out that these kids are just around 14 years old. Adolescents under this age must be very talkative and open-minded, and so are my students. Therefore, classroom management becomes the major concern in my class. It seems that they fairly enjoy the chatting time in my class as some students are really overactive. I can understand that they may not have someone to talk with when they are at home, so once they are in the school, they catch every chance to chat. Soon after I realized the fact, I try not to speak until all of the students are settled down and seated. Actually the strategy works, but not all the time. So being firm is not the only solution to control the class, we should also catch students’ attention and have them engaged in the activities.

Catering for different style of learning is another challenge. Indeed, students’ English proficiency level varies. The more I know my students, the clearer I understand their needs. Sometimes lesson planning is not that difficult, but when we plan to have each student effectively involved, it will be somewhat tough.

I have also conducted a listening activity with my 2K students once. It is about listening to a song and filling up the lyrics. Students enjoyed in this activity and they really paid their attention to the music. When the class was over, a boy called Emerson said to me: “I think teachers like you are more modern and learning English can be really easy and interesting.” Yes, it is true that audio and visual aids can have a great impact on English teaching.

Even though the students are naughty on their seats, when they come in front to role play, they are shy and bashful. They are really naïve and lovely.

In addition, correcting students’ work is a meaningful way to improve myself in learning English. I discovered numerous expressions and English idioms which I never know before from these brilliant students.

So far, I am kind of adapted to the school environment and the routine work. I can tell that my life is engaged and fulfilling every day. Teaching practice is worth trying because it is meaningful to gain experience instead of learning just the theory. Even if there are a lot of areas for me to work on, I am willing to take advice. After all, life is a continuous process for improving oneself. Lastly, there is a time in life that is full of uneasiness; we have no choice but to face it.

Ashilla's Lesson at Tmn Petaling Girls' School

Ashilla chose the theme: Future and Technology. She taught writing to her Form 2 students.
Here was she during Set Induction and Pre Writing stage. She had pictures of Movies pasted on the board and guidelines for writing: Title, Introduction, Setting, Paragraphing, Comments/Opinions, Descriptions and Conclusion. 
This was the text used as sample.
However, much to my surprise, Ashilla made her students write about anything they please without following a theme. She also could've helped her students write key points/drafts before actually writing the final version. Almost all of the students began writing without drafting. Drafting is an important process in writing. She could've also showed them how to plan and structure a piece of about 120 words as she wanted them to write for about 120 words. SOme students overshot and wrote more than 200 words. 

Here's a good student, Veronica, who immediately started writing without actually having a clue to how she was gong to end her essay.
This one wrote so much more than 120 words, but her language use was really good! I wish her teacher had assisted her more with her writing as she showed so much potential. Overall, Ashilla was confident, had a clear voice and smiled most of the time. Another point Id like raise here is for her to try calling students by their names. Hope everybody can learn from Ashilla's lesson.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Pei Pei's Plot

Pei Pei taught writing on Friday. She explained about plot and had a graph drawn on the board, descriptions on note cards and sections of a story which she made students rearrange and label on the board. Pei Pei was enthusiastic, strict and very clear. 
 Explaining the plot
 Students labelling on the board.
You can see how Pei Pei has worked hard to prepare all these for her students.
Some boys behind her class were naughty and spoke really well. Their vocal was pretty vast and they were throwing words in the air which were really jargons, sometimes distracting the class. Pei Pei wasn't disturbed by this and continued teaching esp for those who were paying attention. She didn't let the guys off so easily and starting walking to the back and asking the students to answer her questions, to which they tried answering and focusing. Good. The only thing I was worried about was Pei Pei was almost screaming her lungs out to speak to her students because of the noise outside. Perhaps, the doors could be closed and she could reduce her risks of getting tonsillitis...? Let's wait for her reflection.

Bunmi's Gentle Side at School


Third week! well i will say, so far so good. It has been a wonderful experience for the past 3 weeks. Students were so friendly and happy to see me in their classroom. some will even ask me "teacher when will you come to our class?" I have entered almost all the classes in form 3, 4 and 5. I don't know about other schools but SMKDU students are so respectful and active in learning . The teachers of the school are always there to assist and give us ideas, but also there are a few students who will always act funny.

Sometimes "i put myself in their shoes, during my secondary school days I have done more than what they are doing. So i don't get angry over whatever they have done , i only change face and then smile. 

I share my story with the students,my life experience and my university experience. I also tell them how to get themselves prepare for their future whatever they want to be in life. i told them education is important and English is powerful. I gain students attention in all the classes i have entered in SMKDU, I use the students background knowledge to deliver my lesson. They like to talk ,I always put them in groups of five , they will be given different task in each group and some times same task so they see it as competition with other groups, I award points for groups that did well and you know what ? the class is always lively with loads of entertainment that allows students to converse in English language. With this i was able to get everyone involved in my class and was able to carry the less proficient ones along. 

On Friday i had a relief class in form 4 Bel, I entered the class and i saw half of the students at the back playing a game of Mafia. Then, I called them together and i ask everyone in the class to get involved in the game and we use the whole 35mins period to play the game. The reason why i allow them to play the game for the whole period is because, its a game of dialogue students communicate in English and use some vocab during the game. In the game everyone has to talk and it even gave the less proficient ones opportunity to talk during dialogue (Mafias, Doctors and Civilians). If I enter any class and i notice that the students are looking tired and stressed ,I wont start my topic, I will ask the students to exercise or walk around by the corridor so that they can stretch and look active and refresh again for the class . With all these I have mentioned , i have been able to do all my lesson and also make friends with the students.

 Bunmi's Students
                                               
 Stop Racism
I shared my sporting experience and knowledge with the students and they accepted me as their teacher and their friend. Every time i smile at them, they'd follow my instructions. i never scold or shout, i always call students randomly to write help write on the white board or list their group mind map on the white board. i always make sure they are in group and each group have group leaders. I have used choral reading for my literature classes Poems and drama Gulp and Gasp . I have my style nice, calm and gentle. Never Shout at students and don't rush, the students will flow with you if you take it calm . Thank you all and watch out for the next episode of my teaching practical ... :))))

Rou Jin's Wonderful Take on Teaching


Hello everyone,

So far so good? That is too cliche and too simple for me to describe my life in my second home; SMK Taman SEA. For the past 21days, I had a great and awesome time in that school. We were welcomed by Madam Faridah (PK) and other teachers as well. We had a short briefing by Mdm Faridah and our mentor, Madam Vijaya. I’m teaching 4C (third class in Form 4) for my first method and for Moral Education, I’m teaching 4 Bunga Raya and 4 Dahlia. The senior teachers are treating us (Awatif and I) well. We can actually gossip with the teachers about the students and our life. Some did buy me lunch and some did ask me to join for a trip to Singapore! A few of the teachers are giving me a gloomy look because there is no ample parking space. Every day, we need to fight for the parking space. Who comes earlier, she will get the convenient parking space. So, anyway, that is just a small issue.

The students are mostly Chinese and at first, I had this feeling that I can’t manage the class well because they are so active and brilliant. I took over Madam Azlinna's class (4C) and I observed her teaching for the first week. Second week begin where I need to enter the class for the first time and Madam Azlinna left the students with me for two periods. I was in my best outfit because I do believe that first impression is very important to attract the student’s attention. I’ve prepared an ice-breaking activity for that day. I started off my class with an introduction of myself. Then I asked them to introduce themselves. A few of them danced Oppa Gangnam style for me, sang One Direction’s songs and one of them gave me a flower (which he plucked from the school garden). He said that, he is the representative from the class to tell me that they welcome me and they hope that I will have a good time with them. I ended my ice-breaking activity by asking them to write a message about what they think of me. I went home I got this whole bunch of letters. Some said I’m pretty, cute, nice hair and etc. Some of the boys did write me song’s lyrics.

Day by day, we’re getting comfortable with each other. In my lessons, I’ve tried to use different strategies because I still couldn’t find out their weaknesses and strengths. So, the day when I use Debating as my activity, they were all so engaging and fought for their points. Then, I know, they likes to talk and argue with each other in a good way. 

Next, I’ve tried teaching them Argumentative Speech. They loved it too. During my observation on last Thursday, I taught them Persuasive Speech and asked them to come out with their own products and persuade their friends to buy to product. They were so active until they were carried away and start debating. Therefore, I chose the students who love to debate to become the judges, to avoid them from debating with the rest. Their task is to just give marks and make sure the group presenting is using the phrases in the Persuasive Speech.

Writing task is not my student’s favourite task. They will scream “No” if I say, “Today, you will need to write me an essay. For the first essay, only 20 out of 35 handed in their essay book. This is quite challenging to ask your students to write an essay, although I have given them few days to complete their essays. What I did was, when I marked their essay, I will stamp “Good”, “Very Good” or “Excellent”. And the best essay for the week will get a stamp of “Parents’ Signature” where I asked the students to show the essay they have written to their parents to read. This is a motivation for them as the rest who doesn’t hand in their book last week, handed in their book the following week just to get a stamp from me. I drew stars in their essay book if their ideas are unique and creative. Oh ! By the way, the way I punish my students if they make any noise in my class is by asking them to write a journal. In another word, they need to write an essay for me. Therefore, they don’t dare to make noise in my class.

Besides that, I’m also active in Co-curriculum where I was assigned to coach the students’ volleyball team and other Co-curriculum activities as well. Well, so far, I have nothing to complaint because I am having so much fun in this school

In my opinion, being a teacher is all about being honest and sincere. Sincere in everything because there are eyes all over the places watching for our attitude, personality and students who need us to brighten the road for a better life. Good luck friends. Do not give up on them because they never give up on us. We just need to find a way to understand their problems and know their needs. 

Love,
Rou Jin

Shahrul's Anxiety


Admittedly, I had butterflies in my stomach whenever I thought about my teaching practicum. Our simulated teaching classes gave us a brief insight into the world of teaching but I was also aware that I would be facing REAL students in a REAL school (SMK Seri Hartamas). Therefore, I kept telling myself that I would get through it no matter what. Ms Adele's encouraging words during our briefing was a timely boost and gave me the assurance that I would be able to do my job well. A day after the briefing, where we were told the DOs and DONTs, I drove to the school and met the school's principal, Pn Rosimawati and one of the senior assistants, En Kamarul Azman, who gave me a warm welcome and were kind enough to provide me with basic, vital information about the school and its students. I was told that most of the students in SMK Seri Hartamas come from wealthy families and speak English as their first language. This, of course, elevated my level of anxiety but the school's cleanliness, vibrant facade and well manicured small gardens put me at ease. I also could not help noticing how well planned the school is. Any first time visitor would have few or no difficulties in finding their way around the school. Anyway, I was told that I would be teaching Form 2 and Form 4 students and that I would not be getting my timetable on that day and would only receive it on Monday. The principal also mentioned that we, the trainee teachers, would not be formally introduced to the students during assembly on Monday so that we would be perceived as REAL, PERMANENT TEACHERS instead of the trainee teachers that we were going to be.

My biggest worry was that I would not be able to grab my students' attention or fall short on coming up with interesting activities in the classroom as the students are pretty advanced as far as their English is concerned. I knew that I had to step up my game and could only cross my fingers and hope that everything would turn out fine for the next 10 weeks. :)




Thursday, September 20, 2012

Wendy's STRATEGIES



For a long time I haven’t reflected on the blog about my teaching experience in SMK Taman Tun Dr Ismail. First of all, I have to thank all the afternoon teachers in the school who are warm-hearted, supportive and tolerant. Secondly, I need to thank my adorable students who have given me so much joy. My heart is filled with gratitude because I got quite good classes so that I can carry out certain interesting and inspiring activities with them. All the kids in my classes possess different talents and their performance is eye-opening. Before I was quite reluctant to work in the school; however, until now I’m very content with the work there.The problem that I encountered first is students’ names. 

As a Chinese, Malaysian students’ names are bit hard for me to memorize, but I realized that if I don’t know their names, they won’t feel close to the teacher and when I ask them to answer some question, they don’t know who I’m asking. Therefore, I told myself, one week later I must remember all of their names and faces. I asked each student in two classes to give me their photo and at the back write down their names. I collected their pictures and looked at them when I have free time. Then I made a name list. Every time before I start my class, I’ll call their names and match their faces. After a few lessons, I can easily call their names. My students, mentor and supervisor always asked me how I can remember their names so fast.. haha. Students need respect and they feel the teacher value them when you call their names. They can see and feel the teacher’s effort. 

Second, before entering the classroom, I tell myself try to make everyone in the class answer the question once. It’s very important for the teacher to give every student equal chance to speak up in the class on average. I don’t think any student likes a teacher who is unfair and have his/her particulars. In this way, all the students will respect the teacher.

Thirdly, students’ lack concentration. Since I’m working the afternoon shift, the students easily feel tired and that’s understandable. Whenever I see some students are bored or starts to doze a bit, I’ll call them to answer my question, walk around them, facing them while I’m talking or give them pair, group activities. Moreover, when I give students writing assignments, I make comments on all the paper. I don’t give “Well done” or “Good effort”. That’s too abstract and not helpful to their writing. I point out their strengths and weaknesses, which are clear to them, so they know where they should work on. 

The last one is developing students’ summary capability. Right now we’re learning novel. Every class, I ask students to summarise the previous chapters orally or in written form, but even with the best classes, students still feel blurred and get lost in the sequence of the events. They told me they are so confused. Then I ask them to look at the content page. Based on the title of each chapter, I first of all ask them “wh-“ questions. When they’ve given me enough useful information, I then ask them to link the key words together and retell the events. I lead them to summarise one chapter after another. In this way, students can memorise crucial events and details better. Using titles and “wh-“ questions. So all these are my experience with my form 1 students. 

And my weakness is lacking creativity. In the future, I will use more visual aids to help my students learn better. Like Wang Yi did

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Of Wang Yi's Mind Maps and Gifts

Students' hand drawn mindmaps of different types. These remind me so much of the discussion we had of the different types of mindmaps to not bore the students. Do you remember that one? Well done Wang Yi! 
The clover and rose, I was told, are gifts you gave them, Wang Yi? And one student gave you a bracelet? Aww, how sweet...and you're only in your third week of Teaching practice. Let's read your reflection for the third week:


It is absolutely true that "time flies". Before the teaching practice, I was imagining like hundred times that I might got a hard time in school. But now, the only thing I'm worried about is, not enough time to get to know them better. Maybe all girls, they are just so sweet and nice. Although sometimes very naughty and a bit evil, they do cooperate with me most of the time, and the best part is they just love answering questions. They put their hand up and say "teacher, me me me." I felt sooooo good about this. Problems are always there. There was a girl in my C class. She was not good at English. She always tries to use Malay to answer questions. Last Tuesday was the writing class for them. I gave them 30mins to write a simple essay about describing their hobbies. 

She just wrote 30 words in half an hour. I said you take it back and write a new one for me, submit tomorrow, at least 120 words. She then cried in the class. I was shocked, and totally have no idea why she cried. After asking her friend, knew that she was too weak to write a complete essay. She was afraid of that. I talked to her after class and said I could teach her how to write English essay hand by hand if she wanted, and encouraged her. I lower the words to 50 for her. Just wanted her to improve step by step. As a teacher, we need to focus on every single student, especially the weaker one, they need more attention. Now, at least she is not excluded in writing anymore.

Here is another problem. There is no projecter, no computer in the classroom, though we can bring them to the AV room. So how to make lessons become interesting without any media tools, become a big problem. I prepared colorful pictures, for them to learn the new words, made paper roses and paper clovers when I taught them "Garden Treasures", as a reward for who could answer my question. They were so happy, and became more focus than before. I gave them white paper to draw the mind maps about "how to save our jungles", I should say that they were so good at it. And also did the debate in class. My supervisor Dr. Dorothy has already observed Ma Cond and I once. It was fine, not bad. She told us something we need to improve.I am still trying my best to remeber all of their names. Anyway, I am quite enjoying my teaching practise now, hope you all have the same feeling as mine. (p.s. one of my Indian students gave me a little gife, two bracelets she weave by her self. haha)