This is an entry which is long due. This semester I have not been using this blog at all in relation to my teaching. I have not been able to allocate the time and attention to update. Partly also because I could not take my students to the Cyber Lingua Lab to use the computer facilities or even to encourage them to create their own blogs.
So,from this moment,I announce that this blog will be stopped temporarily!
At the back of my mind, I wish to write on some lessons that I want to share here.
I'll see. Perhaps,I'll concentrate on writing article review or books read. Possible!
Till I write again!
Showing posts with label Message. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Message. Show all posts
Friday, March 26, 2010
Monday, April 13, 2009
Letter to D3B1
My dear beloved students of D3B1,
It was a pleasure having all of you as my students. Unfortunately, I was unable to teach you after what had happened to me last February. I really felt appreciated when the whole class came over to my house, with fruits and a stalk of rose, 2 days after I lost my baby. That was a thoughtful gesture ,indeed! Thank you.
I pray that all of you will do well in your final examination for all subjects.
I also would like to apologize to those who felt hurt when I criticized or commented strongly on your outlines and your language usage. Don't give up,ok?
I will see your papers again for the final examination and hopefully you will do the best.
I hope all of you will stay thoughtful and a pleasure to teach.
With lots of love,
Pn Shima
It was a pleasure having all of you as my students. Unfortunately, I was unable to teach you after what had happened to me last February. I really felt appreciated when the whole class came over to my house, with fruits and a stalk of rose, 2 days after I lost my baby. That was a thoughtful gesture ,indeed! Thank you.
I pray that all of you will do well in your final examination for all subjects.
I also would like to apologize to those who felt hurt when I criticized or commented strongly on your outlines and your language usage. Don't give up,ok?
I will see your papers again for the final examination and hopefully you will do the best.
I hope all of you will stay thoughtful and a pleasure to teach.
With lots of love,
Pn Shima
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Welcome D3B1 (Sem 2009)!
It has been a while since I updated my teaching blog. This semester I’m rather frustrated for not getting a class at the Cyber Lingua Lab. Every semester, I use the lab as I like to integrate the activities in class using the facilities at the lab. Unfortunately, I do not have the opportunity to do so. However, although it has been a month, I finally get a lab session every Wednesday night as our class session.
While I’m writing this, all of you are supposed to reflect on what you have learned so far. I’m going to ask you to post it in your blog after this. This might be the first time you ever created a blog.
Today is also the submission of your outline for your term paper, which is 10 % of your total score.I’ve looked through at the outline and these are some of the general comments:
1. Some of you did not do sentence outline as required.
2. Grammatical errors occur and I assume obviously you are not making full use of the grammar and spell check available.
a. Subject verb agreement
b. Tenses
c. No articles
3. Sentences are too long and unclear.
4. Sentences are incomplete. Some sentences without a verb.
5. Words are not appropriate. They sound like direct translation from Malay.
6. Ideas are not well developed.
Don’t despair though! This is just the beginning. You have ample time to improve your writing in your first draft later on.
Before that, I wish you a good mid-term break as this is our last class for this week. Don’t forget to look at Chapter 1, 2 and 3 of Writing Academic English and work on it during the break. It will help you a lot in writing term paper.
Till we meet again!
While I’m writing this, all of you are supposed to reflect on what you have learned so far. I’m going to ask you to post it in your blog after this. This might be the first time you ever created a blog.
Today is also the submission of your outline for your term paper, which is 10 % of your total score.I’ve looked through at the outline and these are some of the general comments:
1. Some of you did not do sentence outline as required.
2. Grammatical errors occur and I assume obviously you are not making full use of the grammar and spell check available.
a. Subject verb agreement
b. Tenses
c. No articles
3. Sentences are too long and unclear.
4. Sentences are incomplete. Some sentences without a verb.
5. Words are not appropriate. They sound like direct translation from Malay.
6. Ideas are not well developed.
Don’t despair though! This is just the beginning. You have ample time to improve your writing in your first draft later on.
Before that, I wish you a good mid-term break as this is our last class for this week. Don’t forget to look at Chapter 1, 2 and 3 of Writing Academic English and work on it during the break. It will help you a lot in writing term paper.
Till we meet again!
Monday, August 11, 2008
English Only Policy Revisited
Dear students,
It has been your fifth week of classes for this semester. I've really enjoyed all my classes; mainly because I love teaching although I need to teach for 23 hours per week. It's considered as heavy teaching load but it's not a big problem for me as I don't have to think about administrative work as compared to when I held a post before. I could now think of more effective and creative way to improve my teaching methods.
Over the years, I've reflected and evaluated on what works and what doesn't. I'll keep doing activities that I found enjoyable as well as educational. I like to give a lot of opportunities for all my students to use English in all skills, not just listening to me. For this reason, I'm very strict about using English all the time whenever we have English class. I'm so upset when you don't respect this by ignoring this rule. I've informed about this rule in my first class for all my classes. Now, I'm going to remind you again. Please read this posting here!
I hope all of you understand my intention. If you want to improve in your English, you really need to show that you are serious about it.
Remember my trademark, "ENGLISH ONLY!"
It has been your fifth week of classes for this semester. I've really enjoyed all my classes; mainly because I love teaching although I need to teach for 23 hours per week. It's considered as heavy teaching load but it's not a big problem for me as I don't have to think about administrative work as compared to when I held a post before. I could now think of more effective and creative way to improve my teaching methods.
Over the years, I've reflected and evaluated on what works and what doesn't. I'll keep doing activities that I found enjoyable as well as educational. I like to give a lot of opportunities for all my students to use English in all skills, not just listening to me. For this reason, I'm very strict about using English all the time whenever we have English class. I'm so upset when you don't respect this by ignoring this rule. I've informed about this rule in my first class for all my classes. Now, I'm going to remind you again. Please read this posting here!
I hope all of you understand my intention. If you want to improve in your English, you really need to show that you are serious about it.
Remember my trademark, "ENGLISH ONLY!"
Monday, August 4, 2008
Welcome D1A4
Hello everyone!
Welcome to my class. Although you only start your class today,you need not to worry about being left behind. We'll catch up.
By the time you read this,all of you have created your 10 songs and also the title of your album.
Now,I'm going to show you how to create your own blog.
Welcome to my class. Although you only start your class today,you need not to worry about being left behind. We'll catch up.
By the time you read this,all of you have created your 10 songs and also the title of your album.
Now,I'm going to show you how to create your own blog.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Welcome D3D2-BEL311-July 2008
Hello there!
It's your turn to create your blog now. I'll demonstrate to you in a few seconds.
Before we begin,how are your classes so far? I hope you are doing well and are ready to get good results for this semester.
In my previous posting to other classes, I've mentioned how I do this CD activity every semester and the outcome of this activity. I'm always excited to read the postings done by my students. All the activities that I've created have the learning objectives in mind. I expect everyone to be serious in completing each task as you are going to use English a lot. Don't worry about making mistakes or feel shy. It's part of learning. I realize you are going to expose yourself to the world. Anyone can drop by your blog and give comments. You need to be open about this. Of course I will not embarass you but I will look at your errors and point it out in general,either in class or through my blog postings.
Now, you are going to create your blog and put your first posting.
Hope to see you in blogosphere!
Please leave comments so that I can link with you immediately.
It's your turn to create your blog now. I'll demonstrate to you in a few seconds.
Before we begin,how are your classes so far? I hope you are doing well and are ready to get good results for this semester.
In my previous posting to other classes, I've mentioned how I do this CD activity every semester and the outcome of this activity. I'm always excited to read the postings done by my students. All the activities that I've created have the learning objectives in mind. I expect everyone to be serious in completing each task as you are going to use English a lot. Don't worry about making mistakes or feel shy. It's part of learning. I realize you are going to expose yourself to the world. Anyone can drop by your blog and give comments. You need to be open about this. Of course I will not embarass you but I will look at your errors and point it out in general,either in class or through my blog postings.
Now, you are going to create your blog and put your first posting.
Hope to see you in blogosphere!
Please leave comments so that I can link with you immediately.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Welcome D3D1-BEL311 July 2008
Hello everyone!
This is the second week of your class. How are you doing so far? I hope you have enjoyed the lessons. On your first day of BEL311, I've given you the information about the course, such as the Course Outline, the Scheme of Work, sample of Term Paper, sample of discussion questions and sample of final examination question.
In your second class, I've asked each of you to create your own trademark after giving your nicknames. I found that this is the fastest way for me to remember your names. Besides that, I can also see who are more confident and who still need to develop the skill.
Another activity that I like to do at the beginning of my classes is the CD Activity. I've done this activity for a few semesters and found that all my students
have enjoyed this activity. I've also enjoyed reading the titles that were created by them and to be done within 15 minutes in class. Reading the postings has revealed more than just names and basic personal details. It is so enriching and fulfilling.
While typing this, all of you are typing the review about your CD Album Activity. I can't wait to read all your postings.
I will also demonstrate how to create your own blog after this.
So, till we meet again.
Please leave comments so that I'll be able to link with your blog.
This is the second week of your class. How are you doing so far? I hope you have enjoyed the lessons. On your first day of BEL311, I've given you the information about the course, such as the Course Outline, the Scheme of Work, sample of Term Paper, sample of discussion questions and sample of final examination question.
In your second class, I've asked each of you to create your own trademark after giving your nicknames. I found that this is the fastest way for me to remember your names. Besides that, I can also see who are more confident and who still need to develop the skill.
Another activity that I like to do at the beginning of my classes is the CD Activity. I've done this activity for a few semesters and found that all my students
have enjoyed this activity. I've also enjoyed reading the titles that were created by them and to be done within 15 minutes in class. Reading the postings has revealed more than just names and basic personal details. It is so enriching and fulfilling.
While typing this, all of you are typing the review about your CD Album Activity. I can't wait to read all your postings.
I will also demonstrate how to create your own blog after this.
So, till we meet again.
Please leave comments so that I'll be able to link with your blog.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Welcome D1C1-Semester July 2008
Welcome to BEL 120,D1C1!
How are you doing so far? I hope all of you are adjusting well to campus life.
Today is our first session at the Cyber Lingua Lab and we will meet here fortnightly. We will have various online activities when we use this lab and I hope you will enjoy the lessons and use the opportunities you have to use English.
Remember to use English only!
You are going to create your own blog now.
In your blog, I want you to reflect and report on the activities that we have done during the lessons, outside the class or when I ask you. You can also blog anytime you like. Please use proper English. No SMS or chatting language in this blog.
Are you ready? I'll demonstrate to you how to create your own blog and take you to blogosphere.
How are you doing so far? I hope all of you are adjusting well to campus life.
Today is our first session at the Cyber Lingua Lab and we will meet here fortnightly. We will have various online activities when we use this lab and I hope you will enjoy the lessons and use the opportunities you have to use English.
Remember to use English only!
You are going to create your own blog now.
In your blog, I want you to reflect and report on the activities that we have done during the lessons, outside the class or when I ask you. You can also blog anytime you like. Please use proper English. No SMS or chatting language in this blog.
Are you ready? I'll demonstrate to you how to create your own blog and take you to blogosphere.
Monday, July 7, 2008
New Semester - July 2008
Too busy to update on my new classes for this semester which start today. Will update this entry soon.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Reflection for D2B3
Here we are in our last class for this semester. I've asked you to reflect on what you have learned throughout the semester in your blogs. I hope to hear from you in your final posting for this semester. However, your postings do not have to end. You can still continue and we can still keep in touch online even though I will not be teaching you anymore.
Best of luck for your final examination!
Best of luck for your final examination!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Online Paragraph Writing_BEL260 PLK
Dear all,
You have just completed the online interactive paragraph writing activity. I've also asked you to post it on your blog. What I want you to do next is to look at one another's paragraph and try to identify the topic sentence, supporting details and also the concluding sentence of that paragraph. Comment on their blogs.
Is there unity, coherence and cohesion in the paragraph?
Please commment on one another's paragraph.
What do you think of this exercise?
Does it help you to understand the process of writing better?
Please post your comment here.
You have just completed the online interactive paragraph writing activity. I've also asked you to post it on your blog. What I want you to do next is to look at one another's paragraph and try to identify the topic sentence, supporting details and also the concluding sentence of that paragraph. Comment on their blogs.
Is there unity, coherence and cohesion in the paragraph?
Please commment on one another's paragraph.
What do you think of this exercise?
Does it help you to understand the process of writing better?
Please post your comment here.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Simple Present Tense / Present Continuous Tense
Please do this activity to know how far you have mastered Simple Present and Present Continuous. When do you use Simple Present Tense and when do you use Present Continuous Tense?
1. Go to this page
2. Go to this page
3. After you have read the tutorial, try doing the exercises by going to these pages
a)Exercise 1
b)Exercise 2
How's your score? Did anyone score 100% at the first go?
If you have any questions based on this activity,please post in the comment section here.
Keep on practicing!
1. Go to this page
2. Go to this page
3. After you have read the tutorial, try doing the exercises by going to these pages
a)Exercise 1
b)Exercise 2
How's your score? Did anyone score 100% at the first go?
If you have any questions based on this activity,please post in the comment section here.
Keep on practicing!
Friday, January 18, 2008
BEL 120 Results
Dear BEL 260 students,
I've put up a 'poll' regarding your BEL 120 final results according to your respective classes on the sidebar of this blog. Please click on your result. Nobody will know your identity,don't worry about that. I just want to have a rough idea on the overall performance of each class for the last semester.
YOU ONLY HAVE TO VOTE ONCE!
PLEASE DO IT BEFORE 31ST JANUARY 2008.
Thank you for your cooperation.
I've put up a 'poll' regarding your BEL 120 final results according to your respective classes on the sidebar of this blog. Please click on your result. Nobody will know your identity,don't worry about that. I just want to have a rough idea on the overall performance of each class for the last semester.
YOU ONLY HAVE TO VOTE ONCE!
PLEASE DO IT BEFORE 31ST JANUARY 2008.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
English Only Policy
My dear students,
I'm sure by now all of you know that I expect all of you to use English all the time,especially with me. All communications with me ,in class, outside class, through the phone, SMS, even among your classmates,especially when I'm around.
I also informed you that I seldom get angry, but I will be very angry if you do not respect my 'English Only' policy. You often see me smile but I'll be very annoyed if you do not try to use English with me or with your friends. I'm sure you have seen how my facial expressions changed when that happened.
In other words, change your 'channel' to English mode on your way to my English class. As I've mentioned previously, it won't be easy to do that just during your speaking exam week. So many times I've seen students who might have lots of ideas but failed to express it in proper English words. Malay words will accidently come out from your mouth because your are thinking in Malay. How am I going to evaluate an English speaking exam when Malay words are everywhere in your sentences?
Of course I'm not saying that you should neglect your mother tongue. Being good in English doesn't make you less Malay. Read my Malay blog for evidence.
I must say that I was quite shocked to find out that only a few of you were 'forced' by your English teacher to use English with them all the time. I remember how when I was at school, my friends and I would speak in English to our English teachers.
I realize though that this could create barriers. For this reason, you might not want to speak to me at all. Since you are not able to express yourself, I will not be able to hear your thoughts and feelings. I believe that's partly why I want you to blog. This helps me to connect with you.
I hope I've made myself very clear here and I believe you understand my intention.
Finally, if you really need the urge to communicate to me in Malay, do it in my Malay blog. Use proper Malay there. Yes, I'm that strict!
I'm sure by now all of you know that I expect all of you to use English all the time,especially with me. All communications with me ,in class, outside class, through the phone, SMS, even among your classmates,especially when I'm around.
I also informed you that I seldom get angry, but I will be very angry if you do not respect my 'English Only' policy. You often see me smile but I'll be very annoyed if you do not try to use English with me or with your friends. I'm sure you have seen how my facial expressions changed when that happened.
In other words, change your 'channel' to English mode on your way to my English class. As I've mentioned previously, it won't be easy to do that just during your speaking exam week. So many times I've seen students who might have lots of ideas but failed to express it in proper English words. Malay words will accidently come out from your mouth because your are thinking in Malay. How am I going to evaluate an English speaking exam when Malay words are everywhere in your sentences?
Of course I'm not saying that you should neglect your mother tongue. Being good in English doesn't make you less Malay. Read my Malay blog for evidence.
I must say that I was quite shocked to find out that only a few of you were 'forced' by your English teacher to use English with them all the time. I remember how when I was at school, my friends and I would speak in English to our English teachers.
I realize though that this could create barriers. For this reason, you might not want to speak to me at all. Since you are not able to express yourself, I will not be able to hear your thoughts and feelings. I believe that's partly why I want you to blog. This helps me to connect with you.
I hope I've made myself very clear here and I believe you understand my intention.
Finally, if you really need the urge to communicate to me in Malay, do it in my Malay blog. Use proper Malay there. Yes, I'm that strict!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Sunday with BEL260 PLK
Welcome to my blog! Congratulations! You have succeeded in creating your blog without my guidance at all. What you need to do is transfer what you have presented in your own blog. You may write about anything that you like about. Just remember to use proper English. No short form; SMS or chatting language.
Since we only meet once a week, the rest of the time we can meet here, in blogosphere. Hope to read more about you and don't forget to leave your comments here so that it will be easier for me to link with your blog.
Hope you have enjoyed the activities.
Since we only meet once a week, the rest of the time we can meet here, in blogosphere. Hope to read more about you and don't forget to leave your comments here so that it will be easier for me to link with your blog.
Hope you have enjoyed the activities.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Hello D1S1!
We meet again. This is our second class and your third day attending classes in UiTM Johor. How’s everything so far? I hope you are enjoying yourselves. We are going to be in Cyber Lingua Lab every Wednesday evening.
As I have informed earlier, you are going to create your own blog after this. For the first entry, you may start by writing about why you have chosen the name of your blog, or reflect on our first class when we got to know one another or even write more about yourselves. It’s really up to you, as long as it’s in English. You may write on whatever comes across your mind. You can always edit or delete if you don’t like what you have written.
Once you have created your blog, please leave comment here so that I can easily bloghop to your blog.
Happy blogging!
As I have informed earlier, you are going to create your own blog after this. For the first entry, you may start by writing about why you have chosen the name of your blog, or reflect on our first class when we got to know one another or even write more about yourselves. It’s really up to you, as long as it’s in English. You may write on whatever comes across your mind. You can always edit or delete if you don’t like what you have written.
Once you have created your blog, please leave comment here so that I can easily bloghop to your blog.
Happy blogging!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Welcome D2B4!
Welcome to my blog D2B4!
This is a special entry for your class since I will start the first class at the Cyber Lingua Lab 2 this afternoon. I'm not sure if you already have a blog but by the end of the lesson today, all of you are going to create your own blog. In my class, you are going to integrate blogging activity with your BEL260 lessons. I hope you will enjoy the activity and I'll see you in blogosphere often besides our normal face to face lessons in class.
This is a special entry for your class since I will start the first class at the Cyber Lingua Lab 2 this afternoon. I'm not sure if you already have a blog but by the end of the lesson today, all of you are going to create your own blog. In my class, you are going to integrate blogging activity with your BEL260 lessons. I hope you will enjoy the activity and I'll see you in blogosphere often besides our normal face to face lessons in class.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Books To Share
Has anyone got the chance to read the 'Notebook' I recommended earlier?
That was not the only book that I've read by Nicholas Sparks. Try reading 'A Walk to Remember',also has turned into a motion picture. Other books that I've read written by this number one 'New York Times Bestselling Author' are 'The Wedding', 'Message in a Bottle' and 'Nights in Rodanthe'.
Over the weekend,I've read Michael J.Losier's 'Law of Attraction'(this is not a novel) and currently can't wait to start Paulo Coelho's 'Like the Flowing River'.
P/S: Secret to share - I believe my strategy to score A in my English throughout my primary till secondary years was to read lots of English novels. Which other subjects you could actually have fun a night before the examination except English?
That was not the only book that I've read by Nicholas Sparks. Try reading 'A Walk to Remember',also has turned into a motion picture. Other books that I've read written by this number one 'New York Times Bestselling Author' are 'The Wedding', 'Message in a Bottle' and 'Nights in Rodanthe'.
Over the weekend,I've read Michael J.Losier's 'Law of Attraction'(this is not a novel) and currently can't wait to start Paulo Coelho's 'Like the Flowing River'.
P/S: Secret to share - I believe my strategy to score A in my English throughout my primary till secondary years was to read lots of English novels. Which other subjects you could actually have fun a night before the examination except English?
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Letter of the Week
To my dear students,
How I miss all of you so much! Thanks so much for all your wishes and ‘doa’ . However, you must probably feel ‘happy’ too, as you don’t have to come to class and do all the activities that I always instruct you to do. Emm, don’t lie to me! I know.
Anyway, I realized that these 2 days have been a bit serious lessons for all my classes. On Sunday class, I had to give a test and a quiz and also lecture. For Monday class, I talked about Speaking final exam and in the evening class I talked about thesis statement and topic sentences and use the textbook.
I also related to all of you about how I became sick and must have ‘bored all of you to death’ about my busy schedules. Anyway, it just goes to show that I’m only human and not a superwoman.
I have also informed all of you about how much you need to improve on your grammar. Upon checking your essays, reading your writings at your blogs, most of you really need to work hard on your grammar and some of you on word choice and even spelling. You also need to speak English all the time, especially in my class and while communicating with me or with your friends.
Till I write again!
How I miss all of you so much! Thanks so much for all your wishes and ‘doa’ . However, you must probably feel ‘happy’ too, as you don’t have to come to class and do all the activities that I always instruct you to do. Emm, don’t lie to me! I know.
Anyway, I realized that these 2 days have been a bit serious lessons for all my classes. On Sunday class, I had to give a test and a quiz and also lecture. For Monday class, I talked about Speaking final exam and in the evening class I talked about thesis statement and topic sentences and use the textbook.
I also related to all of you about how I became sick and must have ‘bored all of you to death’ about my busy schedules. Anyway, it just goes to show that I’m only human and not a superwoman.
I have also informed all of you about how much you need to improve on your grammar. Upon checking your essays, reading your writings at your blogs, most of you really need to work hard on your grammar and some of you on word choice and even spelling. You also need to speak English all the time, especially in my class and while communicating with me or with your friends.
Till I write again!
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