Hello everyone!!
Wow, what a dusty blog I have here. Anyway, for this post I'm going to do a little bit of introduction of myself and my passion and journey. To tell you the truth, I don't even know how I was so into this language. I was born in a non- English speaking environment and we lived in a small community, not far from the urban area. However, things I remember were the times when I grew up, my sister bought video tapes of English songs (youtube versions those days :p) and getting prizes for almost every year in English subject during primary school. Mind you, I didn't speak English and I didn't know at that time if I was really good in English or the other students were not paying attention and made me the best student? LOL. Of course, my teachers contributed a lot in my progress. Oh ya, BTW I was, and I'm still good at singing too :P
In secondary school, competition began. We started to mingle with other races and of course they're the best. Still, I was one of the best Malay students in the subject. I was very active, known, popular in school among the teachers, but not with the subjects hahahaha. I was so busy going in and out of school for other activities, or even the weekly events we had. Thus, my SPM result could be predicted with only a few As (you can guess what the subjects are). I asked, of course my English teacher cum my class teacher at that time, what I should apply for university. She said, "If your ambition is to be a teacher, why not become one?" I doubted that decision because my SPM result wasn't strong enough. Guess what? I applied three first choices of English related courses, but given the last choice which Diploma in Sport Science, just like my sister. Well, I wasn't a sport person like her and I was really into teaching at that time. She advised me to just take STPM instead and stick to my decision. I agreed because of two things. One, I have friends and the school was next door. Two, I didn't have to do loans for Diploma and Degree later, which I am so grateful of the decision I made. I had wonderful one and half years doing STPM and actively involved like usual. During STPM, we didn't have English subject, but we had MUET classes. Our teacher exposed us with so many activities, projects and journal writing and I think, that too contributed to my development in English language.
So, ya. I scored Band 4 and applied for TESL. While waiting for STPM result, I was asked to be a sub teacher for three months and that was how my career started. Went into the classrooms with no basic of teaching, lack vocabulary because I didn't speak English that much and lack of self-esteem because the students were better than me. I knew the rules, but I didn't know how to explain. That was a slap in my face as I knew I had to work hard, not to be embarrassed anymore. This is what I also see nowadays, if English teachers lack knowledge or exposure in the language itself. English language is learned through many ways, not only textbooks or dictionaries. Long story short, I was called for an interview and I was the only candidates accepted for that batch. Welcome to UiTM Shah Alam, the place I learned to teach and to educate people.
To be honest, I didn't develop my English here. I only used English in classrooms for presentations and I was the back benchers. I just learned how to teach this and that, how to make lesson plans, how to survive with just rm5 a day :p. I mean, we did learn several parts of English language like phonics, syntax (love love), linguistics (Oh I hate it so much :() but I at that time wasn't really aware of the use so..let it goo..let it goo.. Sem 6, we were sent for three months practicum and that was when I told myself, I didn't want to become a school teacher. I liked the teaching part, making lesson plans, making sure the objectives were achieved and playing games with the kids, but I loathed the politics in teachers' room. Sorry and salute to all school teachers out there who survived. I was just maybe unlucky, but I chose not to teach in government schools. Sem 8, there was this week of finishing schools where some companies came and do their interviews. I dropped my resume to some, did mock teaching and attended the interview. I was called by three companies, and I chose ELS Language Centre to continue my journey, slightly two weeks after our final exam if I'm not mistaken.
My journey started in ELS in June 2010. I was culture shocked when I first had the training. I had to teach foreigners, we were called by our first name (not akak, puan, cik regardless of age and status), different syllabus, different ways of approaches, different schedule and so on. No Malay words were allowed as there were so many expats and I felt so little at that time. I started to realized that I had to catch up real fast if I wanted to stay. I started from the bottom and thank God, the others were supporting as well. I am still little compared to them, but I am a better person now. 7 years in ELS, I learned Grammar a lot. How to use this and that, why do we have to use this instead of that and so many more. I developed my vocab as well as I was forced to speak English 24/7, except for when i'm at home.
The truth is, while writing this, I feel that I really miss this place, the people and the time I had. I wish I could go back as I still have a lot to learn and explore. I was given opportunities to teach in other language centre as well, but only for a short while. ELS contributed so much in my English development. It is just that I regret that I didn't use the opportunity to the max. Well, let's move on before tears come out :P
Then, I moved to teaching tuition for schools and was offered to be a part time lecturer in UTM. Basically, I learned that different levels and types of students need different ways of approaches. I'm glad that I had these kind experiences in my life. I had experience changing career in different industries but education is still in my heart. Thus, after 10 years of graduation, I am now writing again, wanting to share my knowledge and experience to teachers or students or people who want to improve their English out there. Pray that my intention doesn't stop here.
Lots of love,
Miss Ehan.
Wow, what a dusty blog I have here. Anyway, for this post I'm going to do a little bit of introduction of myself and my passion and journey. To tell you the truth, I don't even know how I was so into this language. I was born in a non- English speaking environment and we lived in a small community, not far from the urban area. However, things I remember were the times when I grew up, my sister bought video tapes of English songs (youtube versions those days :p) and getting prizes for almost every year in English subject during primary school. Mind you, I didn't speak English and I didn't know at that time if I was really good in English or the other students were not paying attention and made me the best student? LOL. Of course, my teachers contributed a lot in my progress. Oh ya, BTW I was, and I'm still good at singing too :P
In secondary school, competition began. We started to mingle with other races and of course they're the best. Still, I was one of the best Malay students in the subject. I was very active, known, popular in school among the teachers, but not with the subjects hahahaha. I was so busy going in and out of school for other activities, or even the weekly events we had. Thus, my SPM result could be predicted with only a few As (you can guess what the subjects are). I asked, of course my English teacher cum my class teacher at that time, what I should apply for university. She said, "If your ambition is to be a teacher, why not become one?" I doubted that decision because my SPM result wasn't strong enough. Guess what? I applied three first choices of English related courses, but given the last choice which Diploma in Sport Science, just like my sister. Well, I wasn't a sport person like her and I was really into teaching at that time. She advised me to just take STPM instead and stick to my decision. I agreed because of two things. One, I have friends and the school was next door. Two, I didn't have to do loans for Diploma and Degree later, which I am so grateful of the decision I made. I had wonderful one and half years doing STPM and actively involved like usual. During STPM, we didn't have English subject, but we had MUET classes. Our teacher exposed us with so many activities, projects and journal writing and I think, that too contributed to my development in English language.
So, ya. I scored Band 4 and applied for TESL. While waiting for STPM result, I was asked to be a sub teacher for three months and that was how my career started. Went into the classrooms with no basic of teaching, lack vocabulary because I didn't speak English that much and lack of self-esteem because the students were better than me. I knew the rules, but I didn't know how to explain. That was a slap in my face as I knew I had to work hard, not to be embarrassed anymore. This is what I also see nowadays, if English teachers lack knowledge or exposure in the language itself. English language is learned through many ways, not only textbooks or dictionaries. Long story short, I was called for an interview and I was the only candidates accepted for that batch. Welcome to UiTM Shah Alam, the place I learned to teach and to educate people.
To be honest, I didn't develop my English here. I only used English in classrooms for presentations and I was the back benchers. I just learned how to teach this and that, how to make lesson plans, how to survive with just rm5 a day :p. I mean, we did learn several parts of English language like phonics, syntax (love love), linguistics (Oh I hate it so much :() but I at that time wasn't really aware of the use so..let it goo..let it goo.. Sem 6, we were sent for three months practicum and that was when I told myself, I didn't want to become a school teacher. I liked the teaching part, making lesson plans, making sure the objectives were achieved and playing games with the kids, but I loathed the politics in teachers' room. Sorry and salute to all school teachers out there who survived. I was just maybe unlucky, but I chose not to teach in government schools. Sem 8, there was this week of finishing schools where some companies came and do their interviews. I dropped my resume to some, did mock teaching and attended the interview. I was called by three companies, and I chose ELS Language Centre to continue my journey, slightly two weeks after our final exam if I'm not mistaken.
My journey started in ELS in June 2010. I was culture shocked when I first had the training. I had to teach foreigners, we were called by our first name (not akak, puan, cik regardless of age and status), different syllabus, different ways of approaches, different schedule and so on. No Malay words were allowed as there were so many expats and I felt so little at that time. I started to realized that I had to catch up real fast if I wanted to stay. I started from the bottom and thank God, the others were supporting as well. I am still little compared to them, but I am a better person now. 7 years in ELS, I learned Grammar a lot. How to use this and that, why do we have to use this instead of that and so many more. I developed my vocab as well as I was forced to speak English 24/7, except for when i'm at home.
The truth is, while writing this, I feel that I really miss this place, the people and the time I had. I wish I could go back as I still have a lot to learn and explore. I was given opportunities to teach in other language centre as well, but only for a short while. ELS contributed so much in my English development. It is just that I regret that I didn't use the opportunity to the max. Well, let's move on before tears come out :P
Then, I moved to teaching tuition for schools and was offered to be a part time lecturer in UTM. Basically, I learned that different levels and types of students need different ways of approaches. I'm glad that I had these kind experiences in my life. I had experience changing career in different industries but education is still in my heart. Thus, after 10 years of graduation, I am now writing again, wanting to share my knowledge and experience to teachers or students or people who want to improve their English out there. Pray that my intention doesn't stop here.
Lots of love,
Miss Ehan.
Comments
Post a Comment