My Tesl Family

Dear blog,

I'm just doing a short post today. Just to reminisce my time with them.

I don't really know how long we have been parted. But I'm pretty sure I have started to miss them. Though with all the apps n techs nowadays, it doesn't change the fact that everyone of us is busy with works so is hardly to text each other.
Hope to see u guys soon on graduation day!

See ya...

Interactive English Corner Board

Dear blog,

I have come to my senses today to share with you about my interactive board that I did during my internship at Sk Balun last year. I came about to make the interactive board since my mentor asked me to decorate their worn out English corner board. So, I decided to make it more interactive to students. Basically, this board is aimed to make students participate in using English outside of the classroom. At least the students have the channel to use their 'learned  English' in class to outside context. On the board itself, I provided some cool information and some interesting games and quizzes. I noticed that, the students liked to jot their thoughts and tried the quizzes on the board. To me, it is one way to encourage students to learn English. As a matter of fact, students need our encouragements and motivation to learn. 

Here I provide some pictures for you to take a closer look.
The board may not be as interesting as what you thought it to be, but at least I did what I supposed to be doing to provide opportunities for students to take part in an authentic language learning.

There's nothing like maintaining the English environment in school...

little things that hopefully will go a long way!

SPP Interview

Dear blog,

Been a while since I posted the last post.

I'm very grateful for having successfully done with the SPP interview for the position 'Pegawai Perkhidmatan Pendidikan Gred DG41'. Thanks to Emak and Sis for the doa and the motivations you gave me all this while. I couldn't make it without both of you. 

It was really nice to be called for the interview last Wednesday at Jabatan Perdana Menteri, in Putrajaya, precisely on the 20th April. Alhamdulillah. The interview went well than I expected. My inteview team did a wonderful job and everyone gave each other support. My utmost thanks to my interview Whatsapp group for the early and last minute sharings before the interview begun. 

I had been under a lot of pressure since I got the interview call but in all honesty, I went through it just fine. Honestly, we've been waiting for this for so long. Granted, I prepared extra hard for the interview but that's absolutely fine. Do what you have to do to get good marks and impress the panels. I executed the session  so well especially at my introduction and answer part. The only part I could have been improved was during the answer session with the SPP panel. I should have answer the question a bit longer as I gave quite short answer. Nevertheless Tn HJ Jamaluddin was satisfied with the answer that I gave. Alhamdulillah. 

The preparation for the interview reminded me of myself preparing for examinations every semester. It also reminded me of the many study weeks I had to compel myself to be in my room with notes all over the place. Indeed there are many stories to tell. One that I remember vividly was that I isolated myself into an empty room. I settled my things there and made myself comfortable for two weeks long. I did went out of the room to meet my friends n to look for food, of course! Just that, I needed a time and space for doing my crazy revision. So, to be told, I spent most of the time in the room, reading and churning the notes and books. 

The feeling of being too overwhelmed and nervous for something, had made me who I am now. I always wanted to come prepared before hands. I will blame myself for the lack of preparation. Perhaps I could take things easier next time. Breath in....breath out.... PHEEWWWwww.....

In the mean time, It was especially great to meet some friends there. Always wonderful to learn that my friends are doing well. And there I was till late afternoon with Hamdan waiting for my other friend to finish his interview session. 

All in all, I hope that everything will turn up well and I wish that the results will be soon wonderful. May Allah grant my wishes to be able to enjoy the benefits of the teaching profession. Inshaallah...

Here, I would like to share some of my early intros and some questions given by the interview panels. Enjoy.

1. Introduce yourself and tell us why you want to become a teacher.

So, my answers were simple yet okay.. 

Basically its up to you how you want to introduce yourself..

.....

....

Assalamualaikum wbt, and a very good morning to Tn HJ Jamaluddin, Madam Aina, and my fellow friends. It’s good to meet you.

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Muhd Jabar Ainal Yakkin Bn yusuf.

I am 24 years old and I’m still single. I come from Slim River, Perak.

My father is a mechanic and my mother is a full time housewife.

I have two siblings. I am the youngest of the family. 

I completed my study in Teaching English as a Second Language from Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Ipoh. Prior to that, I graduated in 2015 with CGPA 3.71.

I enjoy reading and blogging during my free time.

Since graduation, I have been working at a tuition center as a teacher.

Having done school based experience, practicums, and internship at 8 different schools; I have had exposure to the teaching field and the working environment in a school.

During my study in IPG, I joined the Art and culture club, and the Speakers’ corner club.

In 2014, I became the Vice president of the Art and Culture bureau under the Jawatankuasa Perwakilan Pelajar IPG Kampus Ipoh.

I also had an opportunity to become the secretary of the ‘Whiz Kidz’ language camp held in Kuala Kangsar last year. 

I appreciate all the experiences I’ve gained so far, they’ve made me a responsible person towards my work.

I wanted to become a teacher to be able to teach and learning at the same time. It is valuable to me as a teacher to be able to stimulate the children to learn.

I’ve always been grateful to be in this education field, I feel I should contribute what I have learnt and experienced over the years.

I believe that education is the foundation of success. Insyaallah.

...

2. Berikan pandangan anda mengenai pencapaian PPPM setakat ini.

    

    This basically a KBKK question. If you are well aware of the PPPM, and the current success towards developing the education, then it shouldn't be a problem for you. Quite easy though.

3. In line with the MBMMBI, how can you strengthen the English language in the classroom. Describe a lesson.

The third question was posted by the major panel, Mdm Aina. 

My answer was something like this; 

The English language should be taught in authentic manner. Students shouldn't be learning the language in class per se and not for the sake of exam only. The students should be able to use it inside and outside the classroom, especially to apply it in their daily life.

For example, (here I come, explaining about a lesson) hehe

In listening and speaking lesson, students can be taught on how to ask and give directions.

According to year 2 syllabus, under the 'Where Am I' topic, students are taught to ask and give directions. Eg: turn left, turn right, go straight, etc. based on what I had done in class, I brought my students outside of the class, and the activity was conducted around the school compound. Students are expected to do a listening and speaking activity by asking and giving directions to their friends. Not only that, by doing so, the students not only learn the language, but they learn how the language is used in the real life. At home for instance, they might tell their brothers and sisters on how to give directions and what not. Therefore, by providing such lesson we are able to strengthen the English language in an authentic manner. 

4. Namakan timbalan menteri pelajaran.

    

    Luckily I’ve looked up for the names before went for the interview.

    Answer:   YB Dato' P. Kalamanathan  

   (I pronounced it wrongly at first and was corrected by the panel)

We entered the interview room at 10.am and went out exactly at 10.30am. It was a relief and I was smiling when it was finally over. Be confident, present your thoughts strongly and show your passion towards the job. Inshaallah..

#patientlywaitingfortheresult

Thats all there is from me, till next time...

Book Review

Dear blog,


Today I want to do a book review on Erica James novel entitled 'A Breath of Fresh Air'.
I bought this novel on Sept 2015 last year and I honestly didn't like it. It just couldn't keep me interested and took me months to finally get around to finish it.


After tragedy, how do you find love again? Don't ask me, ask Charlotte. Charlotte is the main character of the story. She was too depressing after the death of her husband. I just couldn't understand why she had to be so guilty about Peter's death while the fact that she didn't love him! 
Well, I know somehow she felt guilty because she asked for divorce from Peter and that saddened him. The very same day Charlotte asked for divorce, Peter was killed in a tragic accident. So, Charlotte was feeling overly guilty till she couldn't figure out her own feelings towards Alex. Here comes Alex, the bachelor next door. Nevertheless, they ended up being together at the end. Cliche'. 

I tried so hard to finish this book. I had to finish something that I have started. The book bored me to death. Too many nosy people, and irrelevant characters which I think not helpful to the plot. This however was enough to make me look for another book to read. I had to force myself to read every single pages every night before going to bed. I always find myself reading the novel half way through because this novel lacks excitement and character.

There wasn't anything special or surprising elements about the story. The outcome was predictable from reading the first few chapters. I felt so tired reading this novel and when I finally finished it, I felt so much relief. Now it can sit with the rest of the books on my shelf of disappointment.

Its good to read, seriously!
Happy reading people..

I'm on the edge of glory...

Dear blog,


A week ago, I got my interview call. I'm very happy. In fact, by the time I told my mother about it, she burst into tears. I have been waiting for interview call since four months ago. Quite a long time tho. I don't know how am I suppose to feel now. Even I am happy, I still feel sad and confused. Will I be doing fine for the interview? God knows how I feel right now. The feelings are all mixed up. Dear God, please help me get through this feeling and keep me calm during this month. 

God, I'm screwed!.. No, I'm not! I know for a fact that I'm gonna get through this just fine. How can you be so sure about that? I don't know, really..! I appreciate everyone's endless supply of affirmations about the good fortune that I'm gonna get, but nothing can deny the fact that the Titanic has hit the iceberg and now I'm on a sinking ship! Look, you have no idea what kind of pressure I'm under. Not if I can help myself! I sort of lost my way for the moment. I know there's much to do at this point of time. I feel like I wanna give up!

Being an adult isn't something easy. The responsibilities, the job, financial, everything! Though we have our hard times, true friends always find a way to help you find your way back. I know somehow, my family and friends out there always pray for me for my future. And I'm too, hoping that everyone of us gonna get the best in life. Deep down I'm scared. Seems like many of us have started with the revision. How about myself? hmm.. I know something to be true, that I have limited knowledge about many things. I think I just need to take it slow and listen to my heart. May the sparks of hope shine brightly as I go on with this life.