The returning of things

Assalamualaikum and a very good day to everyone!

The following things should be collected from the respective persons:

1) Speaker's Corner Certificates
For those of you who had participated in Speaker's Corner for the previous July - November semester (be it as an emcee or speakers), you can get you certificate of participation from Madam Kiranjeet (Head of English Department) when you return in January.

2) Answer Key for Critical Thinking Textbook
For both classes (9M3 & UK6B), you can get your answer key from Ms. Sharina Salmi Azmi (Lecturer for A-Levels) when you return in January.

3) Final Exam Answer Scripts
For both classes (9M3 & UK6B), you can get your final exam answer scripts from the lecturer that is going to be teaching you part 2 for IELTS.

Goodbye UiTM

Assalamualaikum and a superb day I bid to all of you!

My last day at UiTM is on the 27th of November. It has been more than five years here at UiTM as both a student and an educator.


Among the pleasant memories shared throughout the period that I have been in UiTM:


As a student:


During my pre-degree studies for TESL (equivalent to STPM/A-levels/Matriculation)

I scored a perfect 4.00 GPA for the first semester.

I did a short radio drama and drama. I learned the basics of public speaking.

I met interesting people throughout the whole course of study.


During my Bachelor's Degree in TESL (equivalent to a US bachelor's degree).


7 times dean's list awards (throughout the entire course of study).

Best student award for the bachelor's degree in TESL.

I graduated with First Class Honors (allows direct access to PhD without having to do a Master's degree if I would like to do it that way).

I took part in two slots (one hour each) for the 50-hour non-stop English debate organised by the Faculty of Education. The record is published in the Malaysian Book of Records.

I took part in as a ticketing and promotion personnel for the Whoa! Willow musical play held at Pangung Bandaraya in K.L.

The play got quite a good coverage on television and in newspapers.

I became a research assistant for the Ministry of Education for the analysis of Geography and History results for PMR.

I learned a lot about behavior, different points of view and ways of living from the many people that I had encountered.

It had taught me not to focus on the differences between people but the commonalities that we share.

It had also learned a lot about love, friendships, working in groups, and the value of hard work and perseverance.

It had taught me to be appreciative and thankful for the people that have always been by my side through the ups and downs of student life.


As an educator:


My students at INTEC had taught me many things directly and indirectly about life and their generation's (although I'm not that old myself) point of view on things. I will always remember the good times we had and also I'll miss all of you! :-(


In general, lecturers at university teach for 18 - 24 hours per week (which can be tiring too. At schools, teachers teach for a maximum of 24 periods but each period lasts only for about 40 minutes. Let's do some math: 24 x 40 minutes = 16 hours per week.


A commonality that teachers at school and university share is that hey also have to attend meetings, organise/manage events, prepare for lessons, mark papers and invigilate examinations.

For those interested in becoming an educator, please prepare yourself mentally and physically to handle the stress and pressures of work and the patience required to convey information to your students.

"Why can't we get all the people together in the world that we really like and then just stay together?
I guess that wouldn't work.
Someone would leave.
Someone always leaves.
Then we would have to say good-bye.
I hate good-byes.
I know what I need.
I need more hellos.”

Snoopy quotes
(Fictional character from the comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz)

Where will I be working next?

I'll be working at Masterskill University College of Health Sciences in Cheras, Selangor from December 2008.

The courses offered at this university are mainly medical courses: pharmacy, nursing, etc.

I'll most probably experience new things here since it's a private university: management, classes, students, facilities and job advancements.

Hopefully, it will be a very good place as well. ^_^

Final Exam (ALEL10) Tips

Section A

Reading

I - Circle the key points in the question and search for the key words in the reading text.

- Main ideas are usually found in the first few lines of the paragraph.

It can sometimes be found in the middle or at the end of the paragraph.

- The answer can be found directly in the reading text. Rephrase your answer as necessary.

- ALWAYS answer in full sentences.


Grammar

II - Be careful with singular/plural verbs and nouns.

- Be careful with present tense/ past tense/ present perfect and past perfect.

- Revise on contrast markers (Although, In contrast, On the other hand, etc.)


Critical Thinking

III - Study and revise on inductive and deductive arguments.

- Don't just read the question once, read it at least twice and think before you answer.


Section B

There are only two types of essays that are going to be tested:

a) Compare and contrast

b) Cause and effect


You will only need to answer ONE type, be it compare and contrast or cause and effect.


You should master both types of essays and remember the organisation pattern that I have taught you for putting points in your essay.


Refer to the sample answer scripts for the previous tests and work on improving your own composition.