A thank you note for all the good and bad comments I really aprreciate it.

"Traditional teaching vs. Modern teaching methods"

21 Comments - Show Original Post Collapse comments

GRaXie Paradise said...

Kath!!! i really like ur post!! everything is about teachers. easy for me to understand how the current issues about education!!!

August 21, 2009 12:39 PM

Genghis said..

Hello Katherina,

I also hope to become a teacher in the future. While searching for some methods in teaching, i happened to drop by your site...
I'm enlightened to your idea. It is not that necessary to totally change the methods of teaching.

TNX...

September 3, 2009 3:29 AM

gilbert said...

thank you on your educational profile that I been used as my reference in my study in education course.

December 7, 2009 11:09 PM

jakeerali said...

hi, thank you so much, as a part of my studies, your post helps more in my research about the teachers and clear all doubts in exceptional way. thank you, hope more from u, have a good time

December 9, 2009 12:48 AM

Rohan Dhanraj said...

:-) Gud Stuff!

March 14, 2010 10:55 PM

jais said...

gud article

April 10, 2010 11:38 PM

kelly's page said...

hi kath,
I like your article...as a future educator a have a dough on what way of teaching I'm going to use in my student,as I read this,it gave a idea on how and what way i well use..

July 23, 2010 7:28 AM

Ashwin said...

Just a small note.. ironically this article is about teaching and everyone here wants to become a teacher. However the grammar, spelling and structure used is very poor. So i suggest setting a better example.

August 5, 2010 6:50 PM

slgrif22 said..

Good information!..I am currently working on my Masters in Special Ed. and my topic is Constructivism vs. Traditionalism in the Special Education Setting and I have to find surveys to administer to teachers and students surrounding constructivist teaching. If you know of any surveys related to this topic I would greatly appreciate the help. I seen how knowledgeable you were pertaining to this topic and hope that you may know of information surrounding these teaching practices.
Thanks,
Shannon

September 25, 2010 9:45 PM

shreeya said...

Kath you are really a nice guy. as in my point of view in future teachers would be replaced by rabots. And one robot will be teaching one or two students not more than that.

Kath i would like to do friendship with you. If you are insterested please respond

January 14, 2011 5:28 AM

malou said...

The ideas are very educational. I learned a lot.

June 27, 2011 11:28 PM

readers said...

I think your post is very useful for me, but would you show me some of the references about the traditional teaching... thanks

October 21, 2011 10:43 PM

iresha said...

It's really valuble, I saw this while i was searching net to gather information for my research in Dip TESL.So thanks a lot for doing such work for all of us.

November 24, 2011 7:59 PM

My work for taylors(LAW AWARENESS WEEK)

Sunday December 15, 2011

Learning about legal rights

By KATHERINA MARIE
educate@thestar.com.my

IN a bid to raise awareness on people’s rights under the law, Taylor’s Law School organised the Law Awareness Week in collaboration with the Malaysian Bar last month.

The event, themed “Taking Rights Serious-ly”, was aimed at helping people with no legal background to know their rights and understand the laws that affect them.

The event was also aimed at encouraging the public to come forward and air their concerns on legal matters that they were facing, especially those living in the surrounding communities who did not have the funds to engage lawyers.

The event kicked off with a public forum featuring Malaysian Bar vice-president Christopher Leong, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) senior professor of law and legal adviser Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi and Association of Women Lawyers secretary Goh Siu Lin.

Leong officiated at the ceremony.

Distinguished speakers: (From left): Taylor’s University law lecturer Justina Chen, Leong, Goh and Dr Shad Saleem.

Dr Shad Saleem spoke on “The Right to Counsel in Malaysia” while Leong spoke on “The Right to a Fair Trial”. Goh’s speech on “Women’s Rights” received wide applause from the students.

Also present were Taylor’s University (Taylor’s) vice-chancellor and president Prof Datuk Dr Hassan Said, Taylor’s Law School dean Harmahinder Singh as well as lecturers and students of the school.

“The students are able to put into practice what they have learnt in the classroom and at the same time learn about responsibility through community service and outreach,” said Prof Hassan.

The event also raised awareness on the institution’s Legal Aid Centre, which provides pro-bono legal advice to the public.

Besides providing free legal advice to clients, it also contributes to students’ clinical legal education.

The Legal Aid Centre, which has been operating since March, is open to the public every Wednesday and Friday, and students take turns to be on duty with a lecturer to guide them on the cases that come in.

The centre has handled over 20 cases so far, mostly related to tenancy and landlord agreements, family law, employment matters and many more.

Law student Lena Chua said, “Even though I have not had a chance to handle a case, I am confident that this is where I belong. This is what I want to do. Studying law helps me to know my rights and also helps me to educate the public on their rights”.

Student Jack Lee said the experience gained was invaluable. “Having to deal with cases at the centre will help us improve our communication skills and handle clients in the future,” he said.

An international student from Sudan, Habiba Mukhtar Abubaker said the event enabled her to meet people from the legal fraternity.

“I got to hear their thoughts on issues concerning human rights which has provided me an insight to the issues involving indigenous people,” she said.

http://thestar.com.my/education/story.asp?file=/2012/1/15/education/10060550&sec=education

My writing

Sunday December 11, 2011

Reaching for their dreams

By KATHERINA MARIE
educate@thestar.com.my

FROM the time she was a young child, Nor Atiqah Hamid would sit with her mother, poring over interior design magazines as she looked for ideas to spruce up their house.

Her mother Datin Rohaya Wahab is interested in the latest trends and designs for interior decoration and she was glad when her daughter decided to pursue a Diploma in Interior Design.

Nor Atiqah, 20, was one of 133 Malaysian Institute of Art (MIA) graduates who received their scrolls at a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur recently.

“My mother helped cultivate my interest in interior design and she was very supportive throughout my course,” she said.

Proud graduates: The best student award recipients holding up their certificates at the ceremony.

Alice Sia Lee Peng, who graduated with a diploma in music, attributed Josh Groban’s hit You Raise Me Up as her “lifesaver” that helped her through the tough times while studying.

“Each time I felt down and missed home, the song would encourage me to strive even harder because of my family back in Sibu,” she said.

Fellow graduate Yee Jun Liang, who has started work at an advertising and multimedia company, said the knowledge gained at MIA has prepared him well for the workplace.

Meanwhile, Jessica Edward, who graduated in graphic design, said she has started her own clothing line and is conducting business through social networking sites.

“I plan to open my own business and have my own brand one day,” she said.

Other award recipients who were recognised for their outstanding achievements were Chai Wan Ni, Pan Kien Siong, Michelle Cheong, Lee Yi Tian, Seah Ei Wen and Ong Boon Koon.

Chan Yun Kang who received the best student award for graduating with a CGPA of 3.83 furthered his studies in Birmingham City University in the United Kingdom.

“We are fortunate to witness the graduation of these students who have worked hard for their success today,” said National Visual Arts Gallery director-general Datuk Mohd Yusof Ahmad, who presented the awards to the graduates.

“Graduation fills students with a sense of great pride. Graduates must be well prepared for the challenges,” he added.

The institution’s board of directors chairman Dr Yoon Pooi Kong, general affairs director Khoo Ee Ping and respective head of departments, also attended the event.

“MIA is a niche institution for the arts and creative fields,” said Dr Yoon.

“MIA was also audited under the Malaysia Quality Evaluation System (MyQuest) and was one of 20 institutions which attained five stars out of the 210 audited,” he added.

http://thestar.com.my/education/story.asp?file=/2011/12/11/education/9910331&sec=education

Covering an event and writing it for my cousin

Sunday December 18, 2011

Heritage through art

By KATHERINA MARIE
educate@thestar.com.my

TANJONG Plc celebrated the nation’s rich cultural history through its annual Tanjong Heritage Art Competition for the 11th year running recently.

Students from higher learning institutions in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Penang participated in exploring and interpreting the diverse legacy of Malaysia through their artwork.

The company’s chairman Datuk Robert Cheim said, “It’s a pleasure that after a decade, the competition is growing strong showing our commitment to the preservation of our nation’s treasured past which showcase our heritage.”

“Our heritage is an irreplaceable source of inspiration and it is vital to pass this appreciation on to future generations,” he added.

Ahmad Hisyamuddin showing off his winning artwork.

The competition was divided into five categories — namely oil and acrylic; charcoal, pencil and ink; water colour; print-making and mixed media.

It attracted a total of 1,168 entries from 17 institutions.

Only 20 pieces of artwork were shortlisted to win prizes. The first, second and third prize winners received cash prizes of RM 3,000, RM 2,000 and RM 1,000 respectively.

Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam student Ahmad Hisyammuddin Abdullah stole the show, winning first prize in both the oil and acrylic and mixed media categories.

He also received the consolation prize in the charcoal category.

Ahmad Hisyammuddin took home a total of RM 6,300 for his art, which told a story of his childhood in his hometown of Marang, Terengganu. His paintings depicted a tale of his parents selling traditional cakes to support the family as well as his own hardship of being the youngest of 10 siblings..

The budding artist said, “I cherish my heritage and I wanted to portray the importance of this treasure that I grew up with.”

“I really miss it, and that is why my drawing is about my dad, who is also a handicraft man. He is my biggest inspiration and also the reason of my success today,” he added.

Equator Academy of Art, Penang student Gayahthri Asokan who won first place in the print-making category said, “Art is something that makes me feel beyond everything. It shows us what we can’t see and what we wish to see from a different perspective.”

“I draw to show something out of the ordinary,” she added.

Meanwhile, Alfa College student Lee Kar Yun took home the first prize in the water colour category. The other proud winners were Diu Su Thao, Sik Ming Hong, Syafiqah Rosli, Suhaila Suhaimi, Mohd Khiruddin, Chong Soon Leong, Soon Mei Ling, Tan Yan Yao, Khor Ah Chin, Teoh Yi Ming, Wan Hanisah Wan Mat, Allyson Koay, Tan Kar Men, Loh Jia Yee, Jonathan Abel, Saw Siao Hoon, Tan Fwu Long and Soon Mei Ling.

http://thestar.com.my/education/story.asp?file=/2011/12/18/education/10043521&sec=education

my first article

Sunday December 11, 2011

Commercial collagen

By KATHERINA MARIE
educate@thestar.com.my

STEAMED with chili and garlic, the tilapia fish makes for a delicious meal, but a Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) researcher has discovered that the spiny-finned freshwater fish is a rich source of collagen.

The discovery offers consumers a halal alternative for the important protein, which is traditionally obtained from pigs and cows.

The collagen was discovered by UPM Faculty of Food and Science Technology lecturer and researcher Prof Dr Jamilah Bakar.

She then introduced it to biotech company Bionic Lifesciences, which included the ingredient in its bird’s nest product.

The improved final product was displayed at the Biomalaysia 2011 Conference and Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur recently. Bionic Lifesciences director Prof Mohd Saleh Yahya and UPM deputy vice-chancellor (Research and Innovation) Prof Mohd Saleh Jaafar signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to seal the collaboration between the company and varsity to commercialise the product.

Prof Mohd Saleh said UPM’s objective for the collaboration is to enhance research and development for the biotechnological processes.

“This collaboration will help to provide technical assistance and knowledge and will be beneficial for UPM students to further their research on collagen,” he said.

Prof Jamilah shared that she had spent 12 years on the research.

“I actually started my research with gelatine which is used in almost all the food products and from there, I discovered that gelatine is obtained from collagen by hydrolysis,” she said.

“Collagen is used widely in the food industry as a food supplement in capsule, beverage and tablet forms.

Students and visitors looking at the raw collagen sample and the range of products it could be used for at the signing ceremony.

“Society is starting to realise the importance of collagen in maintaining skin health, improving immunity, activating muscles and treating joint pain,” she said.

She added that prior to this, collagen had to be imported from China and Korea as there was no local source.

“We are the first in the region to produce halal aquatic collagen.

“The cosmetics industry can use it for its anti-ageing properties and include it into facemasks, hair products, nail products, creams and even directly into beverages because it is halal,” she added.

http://thestar.com.my/education/story.asp?sec=ed&file=/2011/12/11/education/9966464

The feelings of falling and failing

I realise one thing today,that this 3 words with different meaning can ctually relate to each other in a wierd way. Anybody almost everybody have this feelings in them, which sometimes that feelings is really hard to figure out.
These words strike my head when i was sending a fowarded msg and got a reply that made me wonder. Falling can be a fall in life that causes failing...falling can also be falling, or having feelings for some1...the reason this word sounds almost similiar because there is something we dont see or dont wish too, that can direct us to something.
The feeling of not sure will only happen wen you allow yourself to fail and take that fall as a lesson. By putting that feeling of failing and not allowing yourself to fall again. I actually realise that feeling is the best feeling that one can have which can be complicated. The failing feeling is a falling feeling that will give you a goog feeling.

Goal Quotes

A goal without a plan is just a wish. - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

In the absence of clearly-defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily trivia until ultimately we become enslaved by it.

- Robert Heinlein

We are what and where we are because we have first imagined it.

– Donald Curtis

You must have long term goals to keep you from being frustrated by short term failures.

- Charles C. Noble

In life, as in football, you won't go far unless you know where the goalposts are.

- Arnold H. Glasgow

Shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you'll land amongst the stars.

- Les Brown

If you don't know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else.

- Lawrence J. Peter

If you want to make your dreams come true, the first thing you have to do is wake up.

- J.M. Power

How am I going to live today in order to create the tomorrow I'm committed to

- Anthony Robbins

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.

- C.S Lewis

Making a decision was only the beginning of things. When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that will carry him to places he had never dreamed of when he first made the decision.

– from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped

– Anthony Robbins

Nothing happens unless first a dream

– Carl Sandburg

I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.

- Jimmy Dean

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.

- Winston Churchill

cruelty in life

Everyone wants something in life, love, money, success, recognition ... Yet too many people fail to realize their desires, and nearly all of them for the same reason. They seem to go whichever way the wheel turns, as if they have no control over their situation. If their vehicle takes them to places they never intended to be, or crashes into the brickwall of utter despair, that's just the cruelty of fate....but sometimes the cruelty in life teach u to be stronger to wake up and move forward..

my new motto

I will set my goals as high, and promise i won't stop trying till i get there.
I will not say i have fail bit i will tell that i have discovered 1000 ways that can cause failure.
I must consciously design my goals to direct myself to success by self improving myself in everything i do by giving it extra effort to work harder and be a better person.
I will, I can, I must

letting things out.. over stress...how do i feel...n y understnding me is difficult

letting things out.. over stress...how do i feel...n y understnding me is difficultShare

ME>33
Just because i have been quiet all this while, dosen't mean i dont have anything to say, its just that i don't want to waste my time saying it because no wont will ever understand. If I do judge people from my first impression on them, well that is how everybody will judge. I do rather wait forever for the perfect somebody to show me the perfect life, than settle for anybody who don't really have an idea who I am now. i have been unpredictable and spontaneous at times but it has help me to understand life better. In a way, i thoght I am a forgiving person but i realise its hard to forgive and forget and i have finally understand why is that now.
If i just enjoy being unique or wired dosen't make me childish because it makes me happy to go on. I do rather look immatured or over matured and just have fun than rather care what other people think about me or what they are going to say about me.Sometimes i can really be over confident, other times i just feel really insecure but for me its normal and isn't a crime to feel such a way.
My family, friends and my student means everything to me but some times i just want to be alone just to figure out myself who I want to be. i sometimes envy to see people who can fit in so easily n have an easy life without even working hard to be somewhere, when i have been trying with all my strengh to just help out my love ones to make life better. i really hope that sometimes these people who i care so much can just understand mefor why i do this.
I am opinionated and stubborn, but i am loyal, sincere and caring at times because i dont like showing feeling because it is not necessary. But i have promise myself to be the best if i choose to be in something in my life and whoeva who comes in to my life should want the best for me. Even if i can be the most annoying person.
just please stop making me fel guilty. I really hate it when someone makes me feel guilty to get their way in things, just give me a chance because i m really trying hard to not let anybody down. As who i am, i will always be the same person who i was eventhough things has change and i will still be there if you need me, i will listen if i have too, i will let out problems in me to make you understand, i will be as understanding as i can for thats all i can do, and maybe stick up for anything which comes in my way no matter what happen.

MAkiNg cHoiCes....

people might think i m going mad. but i jt dunno why there are so many of choices in this world.i never knew making one will be so difficult. i never had problems choosing and making a decision when it came to shopping buying shoes or my food or even my ice cream flavour but i now it is making me stress to actually make decision in work.. is it because the money is blinding me..but in a way i am not doing anything wrong..i m using it for all good purpose to give a helping hand to my family and to pay up myself without being too dependent on parents cause i m 21..for me 21 is abt taking responsibilities of yourself like my expense, my studies, my entertaiment n blah blah...

Waking up in the morning today with my mind so unpeacefull cause of un made decision running thrugh my head. I couldn't even stop thinking of it when i was brushing my teeth. i was figuring n calculating on my mindwhat i m gonna do, how much i will get n how m i gonna fit in with classes n tuition n all other things. Thinking about last night and the choices i hv to make today morning is stressful cause i m not able to think right on what to do and what to say to my teacher at work and see the importance of it specially my studies because both means a lot to me. i wish someone can make decision for me like how when i was small my parents did but now all my parents say is "ur big enough to know what is right ma"

i was still wondering what i need to do till lunch time but something jt help me to think more like a fantasy story said by some1wise to help people, this is mayb jt a small decision to be made from other bigger decision that i hv to make in the future. it can be stressfull with problems occuring in you making you feel guilty or however but its maybe jt a test to from god to see how you manage it.. though i dont believe so much in god but mayb this is how it works..n there is solution to it..it depends how u gonna take a step foward to solve it face it.

i discovered one thing today, that our lives are made up of choices that we hv to make, sometimes you make the right 1 n sometime the wrong 1 but remember to always stay POSITIVE, because no matter how bad things are now, life can always change for the BETTER, though its difficult to chosse because there are many choices, but it has to be done because there are bigger decision out there compared to mine.. and if they can make one, so can i, all i hv to do is do it n dont regret

the stupid thoughts running in my head...

Jt had to let out the thoughts that have been running in my head that kept me wondering for days as i think abt it.. as i realise a few things. The principle in life is abt competing againts yourself. Its abt self-improvrment abt being better than you were the day before. Its how you work for something by thinking big while doing small things, so all the things around you go the right direction, that might lead u to a small succes. It 's also like how you have to consciously design the steps you take towards achieving your goal by finding ways to direct yourself towars success. I personaaly feel that trying is no harm because if u fail it makes u stronger to try even more harder.. its like you are not human if you dont do mistake cause the best way of learning is through ur mistakes. Then i can say to myself proudly" i did not fail but i discovered the many ways how a person can fail'... its basically a cover line... but it works :0 yea!!
For the people, who say that u have to change..ask them to look at thier own mirror..it could be broken for they fail to discover themselve. The changes in you is the up n down that makes you wiser that keeps u on the move and by never giving up..its like taking the advice of the great king of pop advice to look at the mirror and also in helping the people..in making the world a better place..in changing for the better...

Experience to Language learning

My second language is “Bahasa Malaysia” which is known more better as the Malay language. I speak it with a fairly neutral Borneo accent, though this tends to change depending on who I'm talking to at times. I enjoy trying to mimic different regional accents like trying to speak like how the west Malaysian do with a lots of juncture and a slow way by adding the short phrases like le, ke, meh and many more. This is one of the reasons which are possibly why I developed such an interest in languages and learning TESL and speaking it in a wired way and also mixing the way I talk with the different regional of the east and west to get my own attention.
I moved with my parents when I was six years old and grew up in Sabah in the east side of Malaysia and stayed there for 15 years. This is when I used to have a bit of difficulty trying to speak like the Kadazan and the natives people there in Sabah with a thick way of pronouncing certain words because my first language was English. Thus, knowing that I stayed in Malaysia and the national language was Malay I had to know how to speak it in order to survive in Malaysia. I found a lot of difficulties when I transferred from Kuala Lumpur to Sabah but I was lucky and did not feel island because I had my elder sister with me. Things did not feel wired, when I spoke to her and my family.
But things were different when I started to go to school. I had to learn Malay because almost everybody spoke Malay in school. So I first tried speaking to them in English and the look at me n said “ooi na tengok ba orang ptih cakap” which means “hey... Look at how white people talk”. I felt so bad so I went back home and ask my Kakak at home who is my maid from Indonesia to help me because I spend most of my time with her because I had busy parents who I only see them on Sundays. So she came up with an agreement for me to learn and acquire Malay with conditions if I teach her English, she will teach me Malay. So everyday when I wanted something I had to ask her in Malay if not she wont answer me and that was how I improve and acquire Malay besides learning it at school as a compulsory subject.
On the other hand, being the only Indian at school in Sabah. I was always the center of attraction because there were a few of Indians there and Indians were highly respected because they were all doctors and somebody there. Besides that being an Indian and being good in my English because it was my mother tongue, I had my own advantages because lots of people didn’t know how to speak good English so they wanted to be my friend. In order to learn it, they needed my help so I had lot of friends because being able to switch and adopt myself to them and the surrounding.
So basically that was my experience to language learning which I learn a lot besides just acquiring it I also learn how to suit in a group.

changes...........

in my ife there is ups n down which i enjoy a lot which makes me a better person. but there are things in life where i wish i can correct it and wish it can be corrected. it took me time to forget my pass and what i did and how many people i hurrt and wish how i didn't do all of that mistake in life. but i realise its normal to do mistakes in life, it teaches u a lesson that you will not forget something to remember.by making mistakes it helped me to change myself by wondering what i can do now to make everybody around me to look at me differently.by being the responsible person i am now and carrying and wearing a mask showing the good side of me and trying to cover the pass i had makes me stronger everday to be somebody. sometime i wish i had a life i had at my pass instead of the life now.but it made me realise the life i have now is the reality that shows how we should live life. enjoying lifewith the hard way sometimes is the best way of happiness because you work hard for it and the simple things in life makes u really happy and realising that is the biggest changes in life..that ll show u.. who u really are inside n not outside... i can say i have change but have i. i dont really know..but the changes in my life now might not be the best thing for me but i know it will in my future..................Kt

I AM A MALAYSIAN, BUT ARE YOU.. What i think

In a country where race, religion and our differences not just creating boundaries between ethnic communities but also within racial group, makes you wonder who you really are? People might say’ I am a Malaysian” being proud of it even though they don’t look like one and they should not be look down by other people, just because they look strange. This happens to a lot of Malaysians with mix marriages and peer regional places which are influence by different racial and culture. But still, all Malaysian should be treated equally fair, for we share the same vision to be united with Malays, Chinese, Indians and others. We might look different, for the Malays might look like Chinese, and Indians look like Malays but this does not change a thing. It all depends on the individual itself to carry oneself and showing other people your true origins and culture in the public within yourself. Besides that, we should know we are a multi racial country and there are many faces of Malaysian. Lastly we all should just be recognized as Malaysians’ and not for what we look like outside. So be proud of what you are and do not let these boundaries to question you and ask what I am…

What is an Adjunct? In my understanding

What is the definition of an Adjunct? The word derives from the Latin word 'adiūnctus' meaning 'to join to'. The definition of Adjunct is an element in a sentence that, whilst not essential to the structure of the sentence, amplifies its meaning. An adjunct establishes the circumstances in which the actions expressed by the verb take place.
Examples: Yesterday, tomorrow, after
Adjuncts are used to refer to particular peripheral roles and how these peripheral roles can also be realized in other ways. In the process we'll discover some interesting ways in which languages can differ from one another. One kind of difference involves a distinction that is made in one language but not in another. In other words, two different sentences in one language correspond to one ambiguous sentence in the other language. Another kind of difference involves alternate ways of conveying the same information. One language may express in adjuncts what another language expresses within the verb itself. An adjunct is used in a sentence that may have certain parts of a sentence that convey information about how, when, or where something happened
He ate his meal quickly (how) David gave blood last week (when) Susan went to school in New York (where)

CRITICAL ESSAY

Sociolinguistic is one of the major concern that exist in the language and society which is also the connections between the language and the society and the way we use it in different social situation. From the articles we have found and studied, we have understood better on the origins of the language. We also explored a lot in the different types of languages used and the article business language which we found caught our interest the most.
In this article we can see from the picture clearly that a business deal is being done. It also shows us, how two different people who do not share the same common language try to come to an understanding to make business. Thus we can also see that they have reached an agreement with each other. In this picture also we can predict that they had to face a rough time trying to understand and communicate. There are a lot of optical illusion that can be answered and question back from this picture.
Besides that, this article shows us that we still used the pidgin which was used in the 19th century where it was used to communicate with the mix people, for shipping and trading routes. This two people had made their way to understanding by using one of the first dominant languages in the world. With the existence of pidgins, business dealing has become much easier in the world these days. It has help human realized that things can be done in other different alternate ways.
On the other hand, there are many small differences that are not taken count. Such as the personal appearance of the people with their dressing code and the culture differences which are obvious with the cup of coffee and the Chinese tea glass. The picture also shows us the two different trade marks that show us the development of the country. In the picture we can also see overall the differences of culture, regions and ethics of a person which pictures the people today.
Lastly the scope of a language can be as wide as possible. But it can be one of the easiest ways to learn and adopt it. It basically just depends on the individual in acquiring it in their own ways to benefit it.

What role does social factors like gender, age, class and ethnicity play in language use.

What role does social factors like gender, age, class and ethnicity play in language use.


There are many factors that can influence the language that a person uses in today’s society. There are many factors such as age, gender, class, ethnic and many more which are very important to develop the language being used. These factors are important for it plays the role to classify the group of a speaker through the language.

Gender is one of the factors which play an important part in language. Gender is divided in to two categories, male and female. A female and male tend to talk differently in many ways, which differentiates them from each other. The female tend to speak very softly and polite for they don’t have a deep and husky voice when they speak. For the male, they tend to talk very loud with a high pitch of voice. Due to the differences of gender the tone of speaking of a person is affected.

Thus age is one of the other factors which influence the language as well. The age is one of the main matters for there are many groups of people. There are the young ones, adult, teenagers, and many more. The teenagers tend to speak with a different slang to look cold. While the, older people tend to speak in an advising way. While the young children have their own way of speech, where they have just learn how to speak and have different ways to communicate.

Besides that, the classes are also on one of the factors, where they are divided in to high class, middle class and low class or categories as educated and non-educated. A high class person might talk very good English with proper grammar such as business man, lawyers, doctors and many more. The middle class people talk differently where they mix the language with other languages. The low class people language might be mix with the village style of speaking.

Lastly is the Ethnicity, which is an ethic group of character, background, or affiliation of a person. The classification of a population that shares a common characteristic, such as, religion, traditions, culture, language, and tribal or national origin. This influences the language because there are many different ethnic in Malaysia such as the Malay, Chinese, Indians and others. The ethnic is influence by the multi culture of this country. This is the reason why some individual might have different way of talking due to the mix tradition, culture and religion which affects the language we speak.

These roles is very important as it plays a important part in language and how a it affect the sociolinguistic way of speaking a language.

What is bilingualism?

Bilingualism is the ability to communicate in two different languages, using two languages in some proportion, in order to facilitate learning by student who have a native proficiency in one language and are acquiring proficiency in others. There are many definitions of bilingualism, for example, a person does not have to speak both languages with equal fluency to be a bilingual. It is very common for bilinguals. Some people have been bilingual since birth, due to their parents. I define bilingualism simply as using two languages depending on the fluency of second language.
Fluency in a second language requires skills in listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Some bilinguals are people who were thought by parents who can each speak a different language at home and by friends who spoke different language in school. In some countries like Malaysia, especially those with two or more official languages due to the multi racial, schools encourage bilingualism by requiring intensive study of a second language.
In Malaysia, we can learn many languages due to mix marriage, friends, schools and many more. This happen to a lot of students and it is an easy way to learn when you come from a different background. Having the ability to be bilingualism or multilingualism is a great advantage because this will allow you to suit any environment at any time. Thus, you will have the benefits of job for your ability of speaking skills. I personally feel, learning a language is fun and the easiest way for it helps you a lot in future.

Traditional teaching vs. Modern teaching methods

Traditional teaching vs. Modern teaching methods


Our society these days are divided in to two different way of thinking on the education. Some believe that modern methods are better than the traditional method of teaching but yet these two methods are both a successful way. In my opinion, every method in teaching is the same for they deliver the same message to the students. Therefore there are pros and cons to it as well in these ways of teaching.
The pros for traditional methods are that teaches shouldered too much of responsibilities for teaching in the classroom to make sure everything they thought were understood by the student. Thus it was a good method, where there was efficient communication between teacher and students. There was also the typical way and a controllable class where the teacher would teach on the blackboard, explained, asks students to copy and made sure students paid attention and listen. Besides that, the traditional way in disciplining students in school and teaching them was an effective way in building a good characteristic student where students were afraid of their teacher and respect them.
Talking about the pros there are cons to traditional method way where students were to afraid to ask their teacher questions. Thus students get board of the same way of teaching method done by the teacher which is on the blackboard and listening to the teacher talk while they sit down in class and heat up their chairs. Besides that, disciplining the students with canning and scolding is not a sufficient way for students get traumatizes in school.
On the other hand, the pros of modern method in teaching help a lot where there is a centered classroom which is created by the teacher and accepted by the students. In modern method students are aware of their learning process through the computers. Thus with the help of computers teachers prepare their work in their thumb drive and present it to the class through slides show which is an easier way. And students can do their studying and their work all in the computer without depending 100% on their teacher in schools. Besides that, there is also classroom contract which consists on agreement between teachers and student regarding on how each will contribute to and behave in the classroom to start building a student’s expectation towards independence. Therefore students even have a bonding relationship with their teacher to be their friend so that they can share their problems to the teacher without being afraid.
As for the cons of the modern method of teaching students become too independent where they think they don’t need guidance from anybody because they think they can accomplish anything by themselves. Thus with the use of computers in school children gets distracted with online games and websites to browse on besides their studies which will cause them distraction. . Besides that saving all data’s in the thumb drive can be a problem when there is a virus which can also cause the students and teacher to get to comfortable and depend too much on technology and forget other better tools in teaching. Thus students also begin to be too comfortable with their teacher as their friend in schools and forget their responsibilities and respect over the teacher.
Lastly, I feel that the teaching methods should be balance because it both brings good intentions in educating a person for the better future of everyone. Thus it sends out the same message even in different way but yet it is useful.