Remedial Instruction For English Language Teaching Workshop
Upon completion of the course, every participant received an extremely rare certificate from the US embassy. |
We were trained by Dr Kay Davis, a specialist who flew all the way from the US. While I was wearing 3 layers in our air-conditioned room, she was sweating. Lol. |
We had the privilege of being trained by an unbelievably experienced specialist from the US who had taught in third world countries, like Africa & the Middle East, where comforts & resources are scarce. She had to work in extreme conditions & teach English in a setting where the language is a foreign language to students who have had very little exposure to the language. Sounds very much like my situation except mine would comparatively be more like a walk in the park.
She spoke her mind & she was not afraid to question what she thought was wrong in both our country & hers. I respected her a whole lot for that. She has an unimaginably strong background in education & she has every right to be heard. I wish that we could ask the same questions & not be mistaken as anti-establishment. As a common teacher, we are told to shut up & do as we are told. Imagine the kind of slur we'd get if we questioned any policy.
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Some of the activities we took part in. |
I will apply as many of these as I can before the end of the year & share them with you on my blog so that we may all benefit.
I got to rub shoulders with many accomplished teachers & listen to their stories about their past struggles & their latest achievements. I received many practical tips for my classrooms too just by sitting with them during lunch or dinner or going out for coffee. This is one of my favourite things about attending courses/workshops.
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We had lots and lots of group work & discussion. Perhaps we should do more of this in our classrooms? |
During this course, we were told that the ministry is currently focused on the remedial students in Form 1 & Form 2. It's about time we moved the focus from enriching our best students to looking at how to uplift remedial students who most probably make up the bulk of Malaysian students. They require a different approach from those with better proficiency.
Meanwhile, I'm going to try my best to invite my trainer, Dr Kay, the embassy rep, Rosie & other reps from the US embassy to my jungle school. It'll be unbelievably epic for my students who have never seen Westerners before. It'll also really blow their minds! And, hopefully, push them to attempt greater aspirations.
Pray for my success & stay tuned as I apply what I've learned during the workshop & share them with you on my blog.
Lucky you!!! You're a rising star... I didn't get called up for anything till at least a good 10 years or so after I joined the service. Sidelined all the time, others got to go, yet to be "discovered"...till so much later. Sobsssss!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou were a hidden gem. Not being called for courses like these does not make us inferior teachers. We make ourselves superior from our desires & our actions.
DeleteI was only called up because other people could not go. I usually get sidelined from such courses too.
But it's okay. It's not the end of the world. We can always reflect, innovate & develop on our own.
Anyway, having a meal with you is already like an LDP. I'm absorbing all the brain waves. Lol.
So when are you inviting me out for dinner next? Wink! Wink! LOL!!!
DeleteAt the end of this month, I'll be in Sibu to resupply. Let's meet up then!
Deletethis is a great prgram I would say.. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, it was!
DeleteSounds like an awesome experience for you and I like the idea of them possibly heading over to your "jungle" school and doing a show and tell of sorts. Let us know if that ever happens! Maybe I should send you/your class postcards from here just so they can get mail from outside Malaysia. Let me know if you are interested as I think it would be fun!
ReplyDeleteSure. You can address your postcards to "Students of SMK Katibas" from Friend of Mr Yong.
DeleteYou'll probably see your postcards on this blog one day. lol.
Mentor, will I get to hv dinner with grandmentor one day? :P
ReplyDeleteHard to say... The chances of it are very unlikely.
Delete