The Changes

Paper 1

Section A
Graphics/Stimuli
(short texts, charts, notices)
10 questions

Section B
Relational Cloze
10 questions

Section C
Closest in Meaning
6 questions

Section D
Comprehension
•    non-linear (1 text) – 6 questions
•    Linear (1 text – factual, narrative, etc) – 8 questions

Total: 40 questions (1 mark for each question)

Paper 2

Section A
Guided composition (non-linear and/or linear)
1 question – 25 marks

Section B
Literature components
•    Poems – open-ended questions (2 questions – 3 marks)
•    Novel – open response with textual evidence (1 question – 12 marks)

Section C
Summary writing
1 question – 10 marks

Total questions: 5
Total marks: 50

The New Format in Full

PMR English Language New Format 2012

[notification type="info"] Your views teachers?? [/notification]

(image from AFP/Getty)

In the meantime, however, consider the ramifications of online learning experiences on the demand for TESL work. Some of the best online colleges offer programs related directly with education and literacy simply because these emphases almost go hand-in-hand with the online college experience. Perhaps you’ve even seen TESL programmes available online. If you’ve partaken, then you know how easy language-learning comes to people on the computer.

If you haven’t taken any online TESL classes, then consider the success of Rosetta Stone and other highly interactive independent language learning software. If you wanted to learn English as a second language, wouldn’t you forgo being taught by an instructor in exchange for giving some software or otherwise online means a try first? This might be where the TESL industry is headed – down the drain that is.

Or this is being looked at all wrong. The inability for someone to communicate with other individuals can be pretty inhibiting when it comes to learning a foreign language. Rosetta Stone and similar software is incredibly popular, but does such stuff replace the importance of real world conversation in developing new language skills? Let’s hope so, for the sake of all those people out there who want to make a living teaching English as a second language.

The reason we don’t simply have a HAL 9000-esque computer at the head of every classroom or ever will is because no matter how much we try to spin the revolution of online education, without the interaction of an active being, especially when it comes to language learning, there’s little hope of establishing permanent knowledge wells in the minds of individuals. But don’t get too cozy, because the aforementioned future teacherbots could provide the interaction simple computers can’t replicate. Who knows though, maybe the robots will need real life ESL before they can teach it?

So, what do you think? 

Educators around the world are currently enamored with ideas of academic revolution in light of the recent celebrity of educator Salman Khan, founder of the Khan Academy. Khan’s idea is simple: offer free video lectures online for kids and adults to watch at will and on their own time to better their academic performance. But it’s more than just the Khan Academy’s non-profit information providing that’s getting it so much attention. Salman Khan has some big ideas about where he thinks traditional education is failing and where his model could change the way we’ve been teaching each other since the dawn of civilization.

The Khan Academy doesn’t do anything that an online college doesn’t do, except it removes tuition from the equation and is more diverse and meant for growing minds. In fact Khan never intended to do much with his program except help his nephew who was struggling through his math class. Originally Khan was simply making video lectures for his nephew to use so he didn’t get too far behind the rest of the class. That’s when Khan started thinking though: what if millions of other kids were in similar problems? Maybe, Khan thought, kids simply can’t all learn as fast as each other. That’s why he devised a system where children can get the teacher experience, but via video, which can be stopped and rewound and played as many times as the child needs.

Khan’s technique caught on fast. Bill Gates got wind of it, investigated, and was so impressed by what the Khan Academy had to offer that he currently uses the program to help his children stay ahead in school. Salman Khan has been featured on the Charlie Rose show on PBS, Comedy Central’s Colbert Report, as well as NPR and CNN. People want to know what Khan has to say and Khan wants to say it.

Essentially, according to Khan, we have the school day and the homework that follows sort of backwards. Khan thinks we need to have children experience lectures at home through online means, instead of sitting in a quiet classroom while a teacher talks. This allows kids to go at their own pace, which is harder to do with a teacher and fellow students. Then, afterward, children should attend schools where the time spent there is used for communal comprehension of the material, test taking, and tutoring from adults. The problem, according to Khan, is that everything right now is focused on students being alone, yet having to work at an identical pace as everyone else. Fix that, and most kids will eventually grasp the material and the resulting test scores will prove it, so says Khan.

The ramifications of the Khan Academy are pretty astounding. We might be standing of the start of a revolution in the way we educate children. As more and more people the world over are getting access to the Internet, Khan’s strategy might take shape on a global scale. One computer with a connection can teach an entire village’s population of children. You can’t compete against that with traditional classroom techniques. If enough research indicates that this model has big results, there’s no reason it won’t be adapted as the 21st century way to educate children.

More info on Khan Academy: http://www.khanacademy.org/

Winners List
1st Prize: Lee Sze Leing, Student from Universiti Putra Malaysia

Consolation Prizes (4x):

• 1. Murni Salina Binti Saharudin, Student from Universiti Industri Selangor (UNiSEL)
  2. Hung Yu Ling, Teacher from SMK Seri Patiambun, Limbang
  3. Nuramirah Zaini, Student from Universiti Teknologi Mara, Shah Alam.
  4. Ang Julee, Student from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai.

Congratulations to all winners.

Winners, please check your email. If you do not receive our email, please notify us as soon as possible.

On another note, we only received 3 entries from male participants out of the 40 entries. Perhaps, they are not attracted with the prizes? Anyway, keep on supporting TESLMalaysia.com and we will strive to provide more useful materials and interesting contest.

The next contest will be in May. The grand prize is cash prize of RM200+books! So Watch Out!

So English language teachers, do you think this is a good move? Will there be complaints later on that other subjects are getting lesser attention particularly our national language, Bahasa Malaysia? What should be prioritised then? Share your thoughts and let your voice be heard.

Company Details:
EduMind Resources Sdn Bhd
NW-03-22, Cova Square
Jalan Teknologi
Kota Damansara, PJU 5
47810 Petaling Jaya
Selangor DE

Tel: +603 – 6142 3431
Fax: +603 – 6142 6031

If you’re interested, please contact:
Nicholas Chan
Principal
Edumind Learning Centres
Email: nicholas@edumind.com.my
Website: http://www.edumind.com.my

Address

Hangar 1, Complex B,
Lapangan Sultan Abdul Aziz Airport,
47200 Shah Alam,
Selangor

Contact Person
Noorjehan Bt Saiful Anwar
jehan@dilog.com.my

Company Description
Dilog Training & Services Sdn Bhd (DTS) operates a training centre that provides basic engineering training for aircraft engineers and technicians. The English Department is currently conducting a recruitment drive for the post of English Instructor. Hence, we are inviting those with one of the qualifications detailed below to submit their updated resume by 15th of November 2009. Shortlisted candidates shall be contacted by the HR Department of DTS.

Requirements
• Applicants must possess at least a Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree in any one of the following; TESL / English / TEFL.
• Applicants with 2 to 3 years of experience in teaching or training are encouraged to apply for the post.
• Fresh graduates/Entry level applicants are also encouraged to apply.
• Applicants must be confident, independent and possess good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must be proficient in the English language.

Please submit your resume to jehan@dilog.com.my if you’re interested.

7 and 8 June 2010 (Kuala Lumpur)
11 and 12 June 2010 (Kuantan, Pahang)
17 and 18 June 2010 (Kuching, Sarawak)

For more information, please go to http://www.melta.org.my/2010/

Again, Happy New Year!

The service allows you to choose what you want to learn at your own pace. According to the information available on MyLine portal,

MyLinE is different from other available online language learning resources in several aspects. The following are some of its distinctive features:

1. Learning resources for higher education: The learning resources are designed and developed specifically to meet the academic and professional needs of students at tertiary level.

2. Resources for learning English and learning in English: The instructional materials and activities include not only resources for learning English, such as input and exercises on grammar and language use, but also informative resources in English on various disciplines and professions, such as information on the career path of a specific profession.

3. Interactive and self-explanatory activities: The pattern of information presented contains input on a topic, exercises to reinforce understanding of the input and answers with explanation to provide feedback on students’ performance.

You can visit the website at http://myline.utm.my/