Happy Teacher's Day

Salam.

Today, the 16th of May 2011, Malaysia celebrate its own Teacher's Day. This date was chosen because on the same day in 1956, the Federal Legislative Council of the Federation of Malaya endorsed the Razak Report, one of four reports of the Education Committee regarding education in Malaysia. The document, known as the Razak Report after Tun Abdul Razak who was Education Minister at the time, became the basis of education in Malaysia ever since. Although it is not an official school holiday, celebrations are usually held on May 16, or earlier, if it falls on a Saturday or Sunday.

And the first paragraph is copied from Wikipedia and definitely not my own. But at least I did some homework on the history of it. Let's keep that aside will you?

On this glorious day for Malaysian Teachers, I would like to wish HAPPY TEACHER'S DAY to all teachers. Without teachers, there will be no astronouts, no soldiers, no politicians and so on. And I will be a teacher starting next year. I hope. But I will be one. And I'm glad to be one.

This year Teacher's Day theme is "Guru Penjana Transformasi Pendidikan Negara". Or in english it might sound like this "Teachers as a generator for the transformation of the National Education". Em. It might be very long but that's better than coming out with "Transformers Fight, Cybertron Lose, Autobot Win, Game Over". Am I right? Towards a certain extent, yes.

Here I would like to thank teachers from my former school Tadika KEMAS Limbong Kapal, Tunku Raudzah Primary School and Sultan Abdul Hamid College. Also lecturers from Teacher's Education Institute, International Languages Campus and University College Plymouth St. Mark & St. John. Without you, I may not make it this far in my career.

Let us strive for the better future of our children

Thanks for reading.


Salam.

Considerations in Selecting Literary Text

Salam.

Yes. This might sound academic but who am I without academic? For todays short lecture, it will be about selecting literary text for students.

Background of students
Choose literary text which is related to the students. As an example, Malaysian students better at visualising paddy fields, terrace house and a Proton Wira. You shouldn't jump into the classroom giving them literature about oak trees or Mahatma Gandhi. I didn't say its not appropriate but let the students get some language first okay? Get something local such as 'Mousedeer and crocodile'. Its epic and the students love it.

Student's Stage of development
A very useful one I suppose. Without proper checking, students may be bored with your lesson. Yeah. Get it right. This will help teachers make selection of proper text and preparing suitable activities for the children.

Their Interest
Children these days love Incredible Hulk than Snow White. Why? Because they're on the screen! Kids mentality towards literature has change over these years and as teachers, we need to adapt to it. There are short stories with Rapunzel as the heroine. Why don't you go for it?

Content of the Text
Superman is not suitable. Why? Because it will raise questions. Get something simple and believable. The Hungry Caterpillar and Giant Potato can be good.

Language
You are not teaching Shakespeare to the students. Simple language are good enough. Its useful to expose them to the language. If they find the language is too hard, then you're not a good teacher. I'm just saying.

That is some part of it. There maybe more but I will address the general one in my post this time. This is because I'm too lazy. Even my dissertation are moving like snails. Maybe snails are faster.

That's it for now. Thanks for reading. Not to forget Chitravelu, Sithamparam and Teh Soo Choon for writing such a great book about ELT Methodology. The way I explain might be harsh but understanding is everything. Their book is awesome you guys should check it out. Until next time.

Salam.