Involvement in Campus Activities

Recently, I attended two great events organized by the university students: A Malay theatre: "Selendang Milik Laila"and "Indian Cultural Nite 2008". Frankly, I think the undergraduates have done a fantastic job. It's definitely not an easy task: putting the task force together; coordinating specific duties that require maturity, knowledge and external contact; and ensuring quality product to meet the expectation and satisfaction of the audience.

First, the theatre production - "Selendang Milik Laila". Putting up a live performance requires absolute planning and accurate execution of strategies. Can we imagine a slight blunder backstage? onstage? The actors will get distracted, mood will diminish, and the audience will probably lose their concentration. But the students' production was next to perfect. The actors and actresses played their roles very well. My children like Tok Ketua, and the audience like him too. Tok Chik was another interesting character, typical kampong folk, and a cheeky old man.

The protagonist looked cool on his 60's bike (good prop). Some of the audience and I was just a bit worried about the kampung house or hut..luckily the zink did not slip. Overall, promotion was done early enough (with the banners) which attracted a multi-ethnic crowd. I was there - and it was full house! Isn't that a good indication of success, already?:)Bravo. The technical crew (Rahim & friends) did a fabulous job in supporting the production.A salute to the director and script writer. Finally,I must thank Hadi for his kind invitation. I took my girls with me, and I believe they learned a great deal from the theatre. Here's their photo against the banner. Perhaps, they should turn it into a novel and the sales will go to ASTENA proportionately. Long Live ASTENA.

Next, Pushpa invited me to a UNICS cultural night last weekend. When I told my children about it, they were so excited and couldn't wait for the event. We had all the reasons to be there: 1. Indian cultural dance is our family favourite 2. they promised a non-stop showcase of varieties of Indian dance 3. Navin was the emcee 4. hey, it's free...come on..where can you get anything valuable yet free, these days?

My girls wore their Indian costume, bought in Little India in Penang. It was fun and enjoyable, mesmerizing and captivating. The event was very well organized, guys with walkie-talkie were almost everywhere, even on stage, and there was no hiccups at all. The emcees tried dancing and singing, and that was also pretty entertaining. The most impressive thing about the event is that it was full-house, and the crowd was multi-cultural and multi-ethnic, with students, lecturers, and lots of parents. I was so glad when one of the parents actually won the lucky draw. Of course, the fact that I saw many of my own students and ex-students on stage (Rao's breakdance was fabulous) and behind the succesful production is the next best thing. Thumbs up everybody.

Actually, there are many more events like this on campus and this provides a sturdy platform for our undergraduates to enhance their soft skills and also talent. We don't learn about leadership and team work only in class or through organizing academic and social projects, but also from cultural events like this.

Nevertheless, some may be skeptical and wonder - aren't the undergraduates supposed to concentrate on their studies - revisions, assignments, and projects? Why do they choose to be actively involved in campus activities?? Well, only those who have experienced organizing and participating in campus activities can provide us with the authentic answer.

Finally, lat's have a more balanced life everybody - join the campus activities and make a difference. Varsity days become more colourful with these activities:)

My First Speech

Do you remember your first speech? Or...Did you just deliver a speech? Better still, will you be presenting your speech soon?

Three interesting questions, not so much rhetorical, but enough to invite response among this blogging community hopefully.

Beginners usually prepare well-crafted speeches, sometimes too perfect that they get trapped in the web of intricate language or complicated concepts and explanation. Instead of developing a suitable speech which explains the topic in simple yet clear language, beginners sometimes underestimate their own capability and end up copying or borrowing somebody else's speech.

A ready-made speech may look very good on paper; nevertheless, it may not match the speaker's style, personality, or worse, ability. This will result in a blunder.

I hope it's comforting to say here that you should try to craft your very own speech. It may sound demanding, but if it succeeds, you shall be proud of your masterpiece. A speech can look very simple for a start. Something like an extended outline, embellished with finishing touches like establishing common ground - use of personal pronouns to bring the topic closer to the audience, use of rhetorical questions to make the audience think along the line of arguments presented in the speech, and personalized information.

Other than that, the speech has to be 'designed' with three aspects in mind: timeliness, proximity and seriousness. Think about this - you want the audience to listen to you for 10 minutes. Wouldn't it do them justice by telling them what they want and need to know more, rather than rambling about matters so detached? Bring the discussion closer to the audience, and work on it!

Hmm...easier said than done...? No. Try it and you will see the difference. Believe in your own intelligence, ability and talent. If you have learned about it in class, it's time to find the strength in you to 'design' your own speech making sure that it suits your oral style and oratory skills.

I'm sure many of you have done just that - having designed your own speech, did it take off as you had expected it to be? In reality, the speech shall be your launching pad. Definitely, you need to have some rounds of rehearsals or practices, and some degree of exposure and experience will take you a step further.

Perhaps you could share with us on this blog what it was like - you know, presenting your first speech? Sooner or later, we shall all go through the same challenge, if not in Public Speaking class...in societies, clubs or get-togethers...think positive. It's an avenue to speak up;)

Your Hobby is your Delite:)

Hmm..at a glance, this may look like a title for my girl's Primary Five composition. Yet, never underestimate the power it can bring to your total wellbeing.

Haven't we heard of this catchphrase - laughter is the best medicine? True, but what if we don't laugh much? Afterall, not everybody laughs when he's tickled. I have been taught to laugh like this ..hah...hah...hah... anything more than this is unnecessary and may affect your memory... some ladies only titter, smile, or grin, to express their joy and laughter. If laughter is not the medicine for all - what can be the substitute?

Try this - HAPPINESS. When we are happy, we smile and share the joy with others around us. This way, we can also make other people happy. Isn't this great?

One way to find happiness is to do what you enjoy - find a hobby. By having a pastime, you will not afford any negligible moment in your life. Once you're done with your tonnes of work, assignments, and duties, get hooked to your favourite activity and the world shall shine once again.

If you're one of those who have been buried in the academic books and research reports, never took time off for leisure, this is the time to think of one and create one. Identify an activity that can take your mind away from the hectic workload - if possible, something of a different nature altogether. If your worklife is dull, find something vibrant and colourful. If life is rather sedentary, try out something active involving more aerobics and energy.

These days, other than reading my books, I relate to the internet pages and resources. This definitely enriches my knowledge and broadens my perspective about current issues. Sitting in the office all day is never a problem because I have intermittent classes as well as visits to the library. But jogging at the university mini stadium or swimming with my children enlightens the day. At weekends, window shopping really lifts my spirit. Given a bit more flexibility to the work schedule, I enjoy going places with the family.

Hmmm...people can do all sorts of things just to have more fun and activity in life. At times when the exam is indeed only two weeks away, hobbies can take away some stress for a while. If your pastime does not involve any possible danger, investment of riches and property, or damaging implications to emotions and personality - why worry? Enjoy your hobby coz it can be your best buddy.

So, what's your hobby? If you don't mind sharing it with this blogging community, perhaps someone may take it up the next moment and you shall get new company...

The ESL Classroom is an Empire of Great Minds!.

I was at the First International Language Conference (ILC) organized by the IIUM early this weak - 3rd March to 5th March 2008. Participants and presenters were from 26 different countries around the world. This is a great meeting of great minds - sharing plans, projects, noble intentions, and strategies to upgrade the quality of teaching of three main languages: English, Bahasa Malaysia and Arabic. My paper presentation is entitled : Let Learners Learn from Experience: Ethical Decision Making in the ESL Classroom.

As an academician, I always try to improve my knowledge on ELT as well as teaching methodology to promise more effectiveness in the ESL classroom. This is definitely not an easy task. It entails a lot of reading, some kind of experimenting, and rigorous research initiatives. At conferences like the ILC, I also learn about other methodologies and pedagogical approaches that educational practiotioners can use in the classroom. Some of these ideas evolve, and some are new hybids - technology + ESL methodology, etc.

Most importantly, I also make new friends who are academic researchers like me - glad to know Dr Fawzia from Oman, Brenda-Davies the dynamic Irish duo from Brunei, Dr Farouk from Universiti Kelantan Malaysia, and Monica from Hong Kong. Well, when I present my research paper in Hong Kong, I'll definitely meet Monica again...and we'll find time to see places there, hopefully. I also met my favourite teacher back in MRSM Jasin, who is now Dr Umi...hmm..isn't this great, and isn't it a small world?

Now, coming back to my point of writing this post; I believe that great minds should meet at a platform where there is a sharing of ideas, exchange of opinions, a deliberation of new discoveries. Knowledge is abundant that one person cannot possibly handle it. Knowledge is so majestic that we shouldn't keep it to ourselves. Knowledge is the thrust to all other accomplishments that it should be recorded properly.

The mind works and the mind connects.The mind speaks and the mind hears. The mind is indeed so powerful. Winston Churchill once said, "The empires of the future are the the empires of the mind". But it takes the man and woman possessing the minds to elevate the dormant states of minds to be proactive and thus contribute to an empire.

Let's bring this deliberation closer to the context of an ESL classroom.In the Academic Writing class, students choose a research topic, engage in extensive reading to explore the topic, and write a research paper for submission (15%). For this activity to benefit the students, the process should enrich their knowledge, make them think and connect the reading material to their everyday lives and observation; thus, making them more knowledgeable and matured at the end of the day.

What about the Public Speaking class? The student selects a topic out of interest or curiosity. Then, he reads further on the topic and later presents his research to his classmates (20%). On the presentation day, some minds may remain idle. But, the minds that are most alert, busy processing the input and making sense of the new and interesting facts and ideas, shall leave the class with rich extended body of knowledge.

Knowledge exists everywhere - even in the classroom. Sometimes, students stand in front of the class and present their insights and ideas - hey, that triggers a new idea, a different perspective. Stduents read and write their research paper, write articles and responses in the blogs and newspaper - these are all active minds contributing to "the great empire of the minds".

Research and expansion of knowledge is not an activity that is exclusive to academicians, researchers, and writers alone. When we meet in the classroom, the students should be made to understand that they are themselves researchers, learners, and writers, from their own special domain. They are intellectuals who are entitled to their own opinions and stance; also the freedom to express their thoughts and observations in a non-threatening avenue.

Hence, the classroom is itself a great platform for knowledge-sharing. Yes, the classroom is "The International Learning Conference" where great minds agree to disagree, share insights and discoveries, unravel truths in their everyday experience and encounter, record as well as present their learning and research experience.

Isn't the classroom full of great minds? Doesn't the classroom produce charismatic speakers and dynamic leaders? Isn't the classroom a smaller version of the society outside? Well, we cannot deny that whatever we do in the classroom will shape our habits and behaviour, perspective and attitude, in the real world to a certain extent.

What about you? Do you feel like a budding researcher, writer and presenter, already? "A stitch in time saves nine", so work on it, and you'll graduate from this semester with more fulfilment and self-discovery, hopefully.

Think about it:)

ESL = English as a Second Language
ELT = English Language Teaching
IIUM = International Islamic University, Malaysia

My Boleh-land

Negaraku
Tanah tumpahnya darahku
Rakyat hidup bersatu dan maju

Children and adults, Malaysians from all walks of lives, sing this national anthem with passion, spirit, and HOPE. Every second passes on with a prayer for more prosperity and unity in the country. The world knows Malaysia as a Boleh-land. We make lots of guiness book entries, and we take pride in our local talents and abilities. We also develop in multiple dimensions to be at par with the rest of world - sometimes in leaps and bounds, sometimes crawling.

As a land blessed with rich natural resouces and well-being of its human capital, Malaysia has the right recipe for success in this era of globalization where competition is intense. Perhaps, what it requires is a bit of aspiration and enthusiasm in the people for a better future. In other words, Malaysians should reflect on their dreams, ambitions and visions to improve their own living, setting a higher standard of achievement in every aspect of life. This includes comprehensive planning in ensuring quality education, competitive economy which provides opportunities for business ventures and employment, as well as assurance of better living standards.

The country is now at its crossroads. At this moment, everywhere you go, you will notice political posters, banners and fliers at every corner and strategic place. The talk in town is Malaysia's 12th general election. As a country that believes in democracy, Malaysians are given the opportunity to exercise their democratic rights through voting - provided that you are enlisted as a registered voter:)

Some issues and concerns that I have gathered from the public are: mismanagement of public funds, corruption, public transportation, inflation, increase in crime rate, influx of foreign labour, etc. These problems have posed serious implications to the nation, and requires immediate solution.

Ladies and gentlemen, concerned citizens of Malaysia...

If you were the Prime Minister of the newly elected government, what would be your priority toward the betterment of our beloved country - Malaysia?