Movies

There are few things to take into account in selecting appropriate movies to teach language such as cultural factors, age factors, and religious issues. Students may have no background knowledge of the elements mentioned above. It is important if teachers can find a movie with common issues such as environmental to avoid confusing in students understanding while watching the movies.

Students with low-level proficiency may face difficulties in watching movies therefore, what teachers can do is to find the appropriate films for them to watch. Some of the older films can be use for the poor students. They prefer to watch films with physical, rather than verbal humour because it helps them to build understanding or to get the message in the films. For examples, Stagecoach, Groundhog Day, Forrest Gump, and Witness are suitable for the poor students. There are funny films that can be use in the language classroom such as Freaky Friday and Nine to Five; the students will find it easy to understand based on the characters’ actions, expressions and body language. Besides known as funny films, it has underlying message that students can use for further discussions.

Some important issues that need to be dealt with when using movies in teaching language are; firstly, teachers should inform the students that they are not supposed to understand every word in the dialogues. They should be able to understand the main idea of the story. Secondly, teachers should bear in mind that they are teaching the language using films as an aid, for instance English, not showing the films. The students may misinterpret what they should do while watching the movies. Therefore, clear instructions need to be given before view the movies. Thirdly, teachers should view snippets of the movies, not the entire films to encourage their thinking skills.

Variety of activities could be done by using snippets of the movies. The teachers can ask questions to stimulate the students thinking skills such as;

1. What do you think had happened before?
2. Why the character did take the actions?
3. Where do you think he is going?
4. What do you think will happened next?

Apart from that, in vocabulary lesson, students can be asked to describe the character’s appearance and attitudes. This activity will help to enrich their vocabulary. Other than that, the students can do discussions on the snippet of a crime movie about the appropriate punishment to the criminals. This activity will lead to their higher order thinking skills because they have to judge from all points of view before make any decision.

Using songs in a research-based activities

Songs can be a good source in research-based activities because there are varieties of songs that carry meaningful messages to our life. Some songs can be as eye-opener because we can reflection on our action and judgement on certain issues. Songs can be a motivation towards people who have problems in their life. Apart from that, its melody can be a remedy for depression because our mind can relax or free from the problems. At the same time, we are refreshing our memory so that we are able to think wisely how to handle our problems. Many admit that songs can cheer up their mood; its beautiful tunes help to lighten up their life.

It is suitable to use songs for research paper because it has significant messages that can be discussed on. For instance, a song entitled ‘Daughter’ by (I’ll tell you guys later…) can be used to highlight the issue on relationship between parents and daughters. It provides advises and useful for both parties to keep their relationship strong. Moreover, both parties can reflect back on their taken actions. Lastly, by using songs for research paper, one can explore more than one single issue to make it more attractive to read on.

You are a survivor

Previously, Ras Adiba Radzi was known as a journalist in TV3. She was an active and ambitious person. After involved in a car accident in 1997, she had a spinal cord damaged, which made her paralysed from the waist down. She had a major operation in Sydney to reverse her paralysis that caused her RM300, 000. She got the donation from the public, individuals and from our government. The operation failed to cure her disease and she has to use wheel chair to move. Her attitudes during the treatment were positive and she wanted to be able to walk again. Unfortunately, it does not happen to her. She has to use the wheel chair forever.

Eventhough she is now become a disable person, it does not demolish her spirit to live life as usual like before. After the incident, she became the spokesperson for the disabled in voicing out their problems living in our country. She encourages herself and others to be more confidence in their life no matter on what condition they are. Today, Ras Adiba Radzi is known as a sportsperson participating in disabled games. She continues to show grit and determination in this field. On the celebration of the National Youth Day rally held on 15th May 2006, Ras Adiba received a special award – the Malaysia Boleh Fighting Spirit award. This is because she continues to push herself despite her disability. She is a good example for the disabilities to model her.

I could not imagine myself to be in her position. I might lose my spirit to live due to my disability. I might be crying for the first few months because I would not be able to walk anymore. Furthermore, I could not afford to have big amount of money for the operation. In my opinion, if family, friends and society show their support, I might be able to handle myself as good as I can. I wonder whether a disable person can still be in teaching profession or not. Otherwise, I might have to let go my job as a teacher and continue my teaching as a private tutor in my house.

This is my story...

This time, my task was to write my autobiography. I considered it as my first writing of my own autobiography because I never had a chance to do so and I never think of it. Though it only a simple autobiography, I found it as a bit challenging to complete it. My lecturer had provided a list of particulars that I can write on and I manage to write almost all of it. At first, I thought it was easy to write an autobiography but I was wrong. I have to select the important and meaningful events so that when my lovely lecturer read mine, she could sense my feelings and thinking too. Autobiography can be a platform for people to express and share their thoughts about life experience and to motivate others in moving on with their life. I believe that it will be interesting to read autobiography because I can gain knowledge about many things from their story. I do hope that my lecturer will enjoy reading my autobiography.

Samuel

We have to do a five minutes presentation on the position paper in addition to the position paper assignment. Therefore, I’ve prepared the presentation using the Power Point as required. This was the second last stage before we submitted the assignment to the lecturer. I did a simple slide show of the short story entitled “Samuel” by Grace Paley. For the purpose of this assignment, I examined on three aspects that were the used of modals, the setting and the choice of words applied by the writer. Besides that, I have to inculcate my own opinion of the story. It can be from my experience, readings or current issues. I was pleased when the presentation went well. Mine was short and simple and I don’t know whether it had satisfied my lecturer. Last but not least, I’m happy that I’ve done this assignment in time.

Kit Kat or Snickers?

Today’s lesson was about the argumentation on two candy bars – Kit Kat and Snickers. We were divided into two groups and have to list out few criteria such as price, advertising appeal, nutrition facts, taste etc. of the candy. We have to present and defend our statements of the candy. I was in the Kit Kat group and we started listing out the positive criteria. It was exhilarating when a group of people started to voice out their opinion because we have to think of positive elements that are useful for our product. This is what we called healthy argumentations…hehehehe. So, we presented our findings and selected three important criteria for the candy. The criteria were the price, ease of consumption and nutrition facts. The reason for the selected criteria was that it provides the important information of the candy. It should be legal and approved by the involved parties and to ensure the consumers’ right.

Apart from that, this activity develops the thinking skills because we are to give information about a product. The argumentations should be held in a positive way so that any problems occurs could be solved in harmony. As for me, my favourite candy is Kit Kat because I like it more compared to the Snickers. Go Kit Kat!