"Debate" vs "Argue"

"Agree to disagree:)"

With aspiring undergraduates waiting to test their English speaking skills in an English as a Second Language (ESL) climate, what can be enacted and created to assist them in grooming themselves for career demands? What can indeed be the platform to groom undergraduates to use English in a way closest to real-life context, meeting the challenge of interview quality, as well as employability? On this note, please be rest-assured that almost everybody in the country can speak English, by now, and to be a cutting-edge graduate, you should be able to communicate with confidence, persuasion, and impressive language.

Recently, the Vice Chancellor of Universiti Putra Malaysia(UPM) reported that “Proficiency in the English language is the second most important characteristic sought after by potential employers,” (the Star online, May 13, 2008) in a research which was conducted by UPM’s Alumni Centre involving more than 4000 recently graduated students. In fact, English competency forms an integral element in the success of the country’s National Higher Education Action Plan. So, mastering English is fundamental, and mastery entails the ability to use English in group discussions, group decision making, academic presentations, competetions, and ultimately - debate.

Yuppp:) We argue much with friends and foes, we quarrel and win the arguments with our siblings, we put together our so-called 'communicative competence' and emotional artilleries to win these challenges embedded with sarcasm, ad-hominems, and god knows what...Come to think of this oftentimes-gratifying experience, how much evidence and facts do we have to summon to win the 'battle of wits-and-whatsoever'? At the end of the day, you may discover that to argue is in fact to merely share ignorance... period!

Debate, on the other hand, is entirely different from a mere argument. To debate is to share your intelligence, deliberating on matters and issues at hand, supporting claims with facts, details and evidence beyond reasonable doubt. The fact that you'll be designated to opposing camps can be a blessing in disguise. Being well-read, you shall anticipate the opponents' points and prepare your rebuttals to bring down their claims. And what about you? Muster enough courage, collate all facts and figures pertinent to the motion and your stance, and convince the speaker that your proposal is superior. Hmmm...because it's a battle of intelligence, where brainpower and intellect collide, debates offer a much professional and ethical speaking avenue to evaluate matters.

Can everybody argue? Perhaps. Can any Tom, Dick, and Harry or Salleh, Ah Meng, and Kumari, debate? Yuppp:) Why not? Try it, for the sake of future employability, and pure exchange of insights and observation, and you shall feel the difference. Debate, and "make a difference."

So... if you are currently a debater, have debated, will be debating, etc., please drop us one line or two to share your thoughts and experience. Inspire others to be like you, doing what you do best, enjoy most - debates.

The avenue for debating at UNITEN is definitely by joining the English Debate Society or EDSoc. (from 17th August 2006). C U there.

Cheers, Zue

A Special Number to Remember 06.07.08

06.07.08

Let's observe a very interesting phenomenon happening in our lives today - as represented by this smart combination of a special day in a special month in a special year. Weddings? Birthdays? College registration? Take a look at it again, and figure out if you actually have a special event happening today in history. Better still, do you have a special number/ combination of numbers, in your lives? You are invited to share it with us here.

As for me:

My first car - 97.65

My wedding anniversary - 05.10

My first baby - 09.08

As for today 06.07.08 :)

Farah: We went around Putrjaya and it's so much fun.

Nadia: We saw pelicans,flamingos, and engrets at the Wetland...life is definitely beautiful and wonderful.

Emir: I finally finished my homework and I got "cingget pocen."

Dad: My headache never seem to disappear. But this entry is my idea...

Zue: I dedicate my professional life as a lecturer cum academic blogger. Also, today, I shall complete my academic article entitled "Connecting with ESL Learners in the Blogosphere." I sincerely hope more of my students and friends will speak their minds in this blog.

Now, I hand it over to all of you to share wonderful moments happening on 06.07.08, and wonderful, magical, unforgettable numbers in your life.

cheers:)

Now, I'm the Dream Scientist:)

So, did you have a good dream last night, or was it a nightmare? Ohhhh...why bother talk about it when it's over, right? Wrong! Dreams appear in our lives, of course in our sleep, with its very own significance.

I always dream of my late mom and dad. Of course, I miss them so much and sometimes, I create triggers to invite such dreams. This way, my sleep becomes more meaningful, yeah. Now, don't tell me that I sleep because I need to, so I can recover from fatigue and whatsoever....I sleep because I find it so rejuvenating, and wholesome, and rewarding...and that it is also an ideal form of relaxation - to be free from all worries, responsibilities, drudgeries, anf the list can go on.

ok..I'm derailed. We're not talking about sleeping here, but dreams.

Now, just like the wonderful Mariposa fairyland we used to flutter and reside when we (gurlz) were children, dreams occupy some kind of platform in our head? brain? mind? that it's become so attached to our lives. Since the scientists can't concur on the whereabouts or whatabouts, I may as well take the liberty to say that dreams exist to accompany us in this long journey called life.

As a friend or foe, dreams sometimes make explicit our instincts and intuitions. They also become our punching-bag, launching pad, or trampolin. Have you ever had a deja vu? where you meet someone in your dream and later meet the same person in real life? Now, who needs another psychic who works hard to interpret our dreams, when the psychic is already alive and kicking in your head?

To quote Wikipedia, "There is no universally agreed biological definition of dreaming. General observation shows that dreams are strongly associated with rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, during which an electroencephalogram shows brain activity to be most like wakefulness. Participant-nonremembered dreams during non-REM sleep are normally more mundane in comparison.[1] During a typical lifespan, a human spends a total of about six years dreaming[2] (which is about 2 hours each night[3]). It is unknown where in the brain dreams originate, if there is a single origin for dreams or if multiple portions of the brain are involved, or what the purpose of dreaming is for the body or mind."

Call it dream prophesy, dream nation, dream analysis - they are all the same thing. They are evidence of how we are so attached to this magical "company" that is sometimes our muse, conscience, and guardian angel. There are already so many songs devoted to the beauty of dreams. (Guess I may invite Natasha and Qila to help me here - check out:) their response soon. People my age...remember - EVERLY BROTHERS - ALL I HAVE TO DO IS DREAM (1958) which is my true favourite; CULTURE CLUB - THE DREAM; and of course Mariah Carey's dream numbers...

DO you have a favourite song on 'dream' that you'd like to share with us? Or perhaps, you'd like to share with us your thoughts on dreams? I'm not hinting anything, but some of you may want to turn into psychics and start talking about dream interpretations...interesting, yeah.

Till we meet again, may you have a memorable dream everytime.

Welcoming the New Semester:)

Soon, the new semester will open and I certainly hope to meet enthusiastic undergraduates who are determined to succeed academically as well as socially, emotionally and spiritually. Theory and experience has taught us a great deal about interpersonal and intrapersonal strength in coping with challenges in the university. Let's pray that you take heed to this and muster more courage in your struggle for excellence in tertiary education.

Easier said than done? But things always have to start with something, somewhere, so let it begin with my kind reminder cum advice.

I guess I'll be teaching public speaking this time around, but there's no confirmation yet. If so, I'd be more than excited. Really, I just can't wait to groom more public speakers, scout talents for UNITEN EDSoc.'s debate team, and witness a whole class of future leaders speaking up their minds on issues and matters of importance and grievance, planning for their immediate future as well as the nation, deliberating ideas, and debunking invalid arguments. Let's just say that I anticipate a class of active and enthusiastic learners wanting to polish their public speaking skills, and not to forget, budding talents who are grasping with theory and interested in further practice on the public speaking challenge.

If you are a writer, not yet a speaker, you are also most welcomed to join the circle. I believe that speaking and writing are so beautifully connected. The only difference lies in how much guts you need to speak your mind. Seriously! But if you don't care about guts, face, and pride, and your only concern is passing the course with flying colours - then public speaking course will turn the writer in you into a fantabuluos public speaker. Just remember to talk a lot outside class, guess that's a handy kit:)

You may want to visit this link and read my simple article on the speaking-writing connection. hopefully, this piece of mind will motivate you a bit more...

<http://ezinearticles.com/?Public-Speaking-Challenge-And-The-Writing-Connection&id=1137252>.

Looking forward to seeing all of you again in the real classroom, and the speaking community.

The Ronald Mac Donald's Sports Challenge

Let me share with all my readers my daughter's fun video at Mac Donald's Alamanda Putrajaya...fun basketball trick..he..he..

It started like this. Ronald came over to Alamanda and entertained the children. They had great fun, as usual. I took my children there to join the events. First, they had a colouring contest. Nadia did a good job and won 3rd place. She received a goodie bag, a cap and a trophy. It's our first time joining Ronald's party. Here's a photo of Nadia and Ronald.

I have heard about Ronald's cheerful personality and talent to attract the crowd...thumbs up to Ronald Mac Donald coz that afternoon, the kids were all so entertained and had lots of fun and laughter. He was promoting healthy lifestyle through sports - so they had simple aerobics, sports quiz, and most importantly, sports-based games. Farah volunteered to play basketball and she had no idea what Ronald actually had in mind. Farah had to hold and contain SIX basketballs...and she did a good job...Luv u darling. That's definitely a tough job. Most importantly, that was a tremendously exemplary sporting spirit from a kid... Thank you Ronald Mac Donald for a wonderful family weekend.Hmmmmmm...and here's Farah's video...he..he..he...