English or Bahasa Melayu?

English has some sort of aura in our education system. Not too long time ago, English is the medium of instruction in most of the school. Now, the Ministry of Education try to bring back the good of it and wanted to produce international quality manpower so that our country will be in the same high as develop country.

However, the step that has been made seven years ago does affect now. Students in rural school did not manage to cope with the changes as they are not aware of the second language compared to the urban area. They do not use English as the way of communication. In fact, their Malay language was not in standard form either. For instance, if we go to a school in Gua Musang, Kelantan, we can see that most of them speak Kelantanese. Sometimes we cannot understand some of the words and their Malay Language subject also being affected by the slang.

The knowledge between our students compared to other country are differ just because of the language. Hence, the Minister of education who is aware of this matter took some effort by improving English in schools. It is to help them gaining knowledge (as the references will be always in English) in the future when they further their study in our universities or over sea.We agree that the qualities of “A’s” in current SPM are not to the extent of same intensity as “A’s” in GCE (GCE is like SPM when my father took it before working). Therefore, this will help to improve national education system as well as the examination will not be a bad ‘tittle-tattle’ anymore.

There are some consequences that our education system need to aware about due to the matter. Today, one of the organizations that against the new system which is Gabungan Persatuan Penulis Nasional Malaysia (Gapena), had lodged a report because the system had against the law of Malay language in Malaysia. According to them, the system did not satisfy all of the students in this country and the big impact should be the Malay students who studied in rural areas. They say the system gives opportunities for those who make use of English in urban area but not for poor village kid.

In my opinion, English Language can be taught in any way including other subjects. However, in order to teach the students; Math and Science in other language, teachers should be in the knowledge of the language first. In other meaning, the education ministry should take some effort to train Math and Science teacher so that they will be aware of the circumstances. During my practicum, I can see that teachers who teach Math and Science have always come to English teacher and ask about their opinion and thought in teaching by using that particular language; especially teachers which we called them ‘senior’. They are very good in Math and Science. However, when it comes to English, they seem to be like a form one students who doesn’t know anything about their field. It is such a waste if a good teacher cannot teach just because of a language.

In some rural area such as in Felda or Perkampungan Orang Asli or even in a place where majority of them are Chinese or Indian; which did not use English as their way to communicate, Math and Science subjects becomes their burden. They would not use English at home since their parent would not understand them. Therefore, if they have some difficulties while doing their homework, parents could not help them anymore. This situation happen when I saw a father wanted to teach his son about Math but he does not know the words and the terms used. During my practicum in (ACS) Methodist Klang, the students are aware about the use of English. Even though their English are not good in the sense of grammar and writing, they can communicate well. Hence, the process of learning Math and Science would not be too hard for them. If we compare two situations given, it is easily can be say that students in Klang are lucky.

Each time the Minister of Education in Malaysia change from one person to another, the system will change too. It is because they have a different thoughts and views on educating young generations. For me, the politician and education should be separated. The politician will disturb what had the teacher gain and their effort seems to be not in a value of sincere. Teacher will be blame if their children did not achieve good scores in exams. Teachers are also responsible for the achievement in schools. Those things will influence the way of teaching and people would say that now everyone can be a teacher.

For the conclusion, I strongly disagree to everyone. For the government, English is subjective. It can be taught in many ways. They should not disturb other subject because it will affect the knowledge it selves. It is true that all of the books and references are in English but sometimes, in order to count something, languages are not so matter. One is still one in all kind of languages. It is the way how to count is really matter. Quran had teach us about Science, about how people being created but why it is in Arabic? Not English? For me, government should focus on one thing which is the English Language subject as an item. To improve, to change or even to demolish any kind of system it should be within the circle of English Language subject.

For those who are disagreeing with Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and wanted to keep on juggling about the Malay Language and the pure sacred of it, you should think twice. Malay language is a prime language in our country. Besides of demonstrating on ETeMS, why not we improve the Malay language in school. It is not a big surprise if we can see that many of the ‘YB’s’ in the parliament is hardly speak in Malay. It is not a huge surprise either if we can see that a Malay student got A1 for English in SPM rather than B3 for Malay language (this is an example of my own sister)? Those things should be ponder if we want to change the education system in our beloved country, Malaysia.

it's tension time!!

salam..
im in my 'office room' right now..doing my assignments and trying to stay awake..otherwise i will not be able to be at my morning class tomorrow..today i realized that i got so little time to prepare or to finish up all the works in my list..since Jan i didn't do anything except went for work, sleeping until evening, do the house chores and read some english book so that i will not forget how to use english..daa..

im actually feel tired..i wonder if my kopi kencang is still there yet...huhu..

Task 2

http://www.manythings.org/

Question 1
What does the application attempt to “teach” ?

As according to the word ‘manythings’, there are a lot of English activities can be use in the website. The application is a user friendly for all level of proficiency no matter how good or bad you are; the activities can be suitable for you. It can be use for you or for others and also for those who likes to play educational games with friends. Most of the activities deal with vocabulary, grammar, spelling, reading and listening. The website also provide the viewer some link to other website that in the same field. The website also good for teachers who need some ideas to educate their students in an interactive and creative ways.

Question 2
What sorts of things is the application user expected to do with regards to learning the content ?

Like I said earlier, the website gives you opportunities to explore more in learning English. The viewer or the user just needs to click onto the topic that they want to choose and follow the instructions given. It is very simple and straight forward. For instance, if you select listening and you click to listen and read along, you can listen and try to read together with the voice. It is to help you to hear and to speak clearly.

Question 3
What sorts of computer skills is the application users expected to have in order to operate / access / use the application?

There are minor things that are required in order to use this application. First, you need to have java, javascript or flash and media player. It can be assumed that most of the computers today have this software. If you don’t, just go to http://www.freedownload.com/ and search for java script. The process only took for at least 10 minutes to finish download and then, you can start practicing by using the applications. The program will start automatically and users just follow the simple instructions given. For me, this is very easy as one, two, three.

Question 4
While you are “playing/ “accessing”/ assessing” the application, does it remind you of anything you do in a classroom, or with a teacher, or with a fellow classmates, or in self-study ?

Yes of course. Most of the topic do relate to the daily learning in school. This application do reminds me about the activities that my teacher used to do in school. The reading activities for instance, my teacher will read and we have to follow her in laud and clear voice. While learning grammar, my teacher always gives us sets of multiple choice questions and being evaluated at the end of the class periods. In listening classes, teacher will use the school’s radio and she will use a tape recorder for us to listen and write it in a piece of paper. Nowadays, I really sure students will not seeing a cassette in class as it has been replace with compact disk.

Question 5
Can you pinpoint some theories of language learning and / or teaching underlying the application

There are lots of theories that can be interpreted throughout the activities. For instance, the listening activities deal with the Audio Lingual Method. This method basically highlights the important of listening as well as speaking the language. It will somehow improve your vocabulary as well as your pronunciation. However, the application provide may not suitable for learning the language as it only drill you to speak just like the voice says. There are no two ways of communications for the user.

Question 6
How well is the constructivist theory of learning applied to the chosen website(s) ?

As far as I concern, these website do construct knowledge and meaning from the user’s experiences. If the user didn’t know much about grammar for example, the activities may not be interest for the user. The application didn’t teach you but it provides you the element of improving your knowledge about English as a whole. As for the answer for the question above said, there are no two ways of communications. Meaning to say, constructivist theory also includes social activity and therefore, the activities are not fit with the theory.

Question 7
In 1980s and early 1990s, there was a major debate on ‘whether the computer was “master” of or “slave” to the learning process (Higgins and Johns, 1984). In relation to your evaluation – was the computer a replacement for teachers, or merely an obedient servant to students?

Teacher is the best way to gain knowledge no matter how good or advance the technology will be. For me, computer provides us some ‘easy way’ in learning. Besides that, handling computer is beneficial as it will be useful for jobs requirement. I don’t think that computer will be our so called ‘master’ because the technology invented for the use of human being. Therefore, it is up to us to interpret it either in positive way or bad way.

Question 8
Would you like to use the application yourself in your future work?

Yes? Give reasons:

This application is very useful for teacher as well as students. It enhances the knowledge as well as to give some idea for teacher in teaching students in class. For future references, I may use this application to teach in class. For instance, I will use the techniques in teaching grammar or improving my student’s vocabulary by doing some games that might be attractive to them.

No? Give reasons:

Question 9
Suggestion / recommendations

Last but not least, I recommend the website to all teachers who teach English to be use in class. Even the class has no technology equipment; teacher can use the idea so that student will not be bored by traditional material or way.

Hola everybody!!

assalamualaikum wt

To start with, let me introduce my self.. my name is Md Norhaliq Hj Md Nasir..my friends usually called me -haliq-aliq-aji- Im a link program student from IPG Kota Bharu,Kelantan. i was born in Seremban but my negri's dialect seems to be not so good and weird..

Im married with A wife Rabiha,(there are 3 forms left..want to fill in?) and currently i have to share my love to another person which is my lovely daughter, Hani Sofea..she is 1 year and 6 months old now..
Besides studying, i also do some part time jobs such as a promoter in shopping complex, supervisor in some event and also a distributor..i sell instant coffee to any warong or places that need my product..so if you guyz want some extra energy drink to stay up doing assignments late nite, dont be shame to ask me keyh!! dont worry..its cheap!!

computer in my life is very much important..but most of the time i used it for entertainment..i rarely go to the cinema..besides..it has been 3 years i didnt go there..usually i download movies from Ares or Bitcomet or Limewire..now im busy with finding educational materials for my daughter..she likes to play with my computer..sometimes we have to fight in order to use the computer.(the pic shows how stressful she is). Ok..before i end my first entry for the day let me answer these initial question first..

What computer software you know how to utilize?

not too much for the time being..i knew some software such as Ares, Bitcomet,Limewire,all media players, `easy download softwares that needs you to click Next until finish'..games software like warcraft, red alert,counter strikes..all kind of microsoft office except excel..i can use excel if anybody teach me to use it..

What computer hardware skills and knowledge do you have?

the knowledge yes..my brain is full of info about the hardware but the skill...bwek...sometimes i dont know which wire should be fit in but im trying to learn about it as i have bought one by one to complete my desktop

What computer / Internet activities do you have and/or oftenly engaged in? e.g download songs, upload videos.

usually i step in to my friendster and i always sign in my YM..i dont download anything but movies..

i think that all for now..im not so friendly with blogging but i will try to learn =)

hai

hai to all
this is my first attempt to make a blog.actually im not so sure about this. daa..