Training Students in English Competition Experience

It could be very hard for a novice teacher to train students in various of competitions. It could be tougher when both teachers and students teach and learn at home. What are the tips that could help a novice teacher to overcome all these? Here are some of my tips in guiding my pupils. 

First, I read through the concept papers, rules and regulations clearly when I was noticed to train the pupils. I brainstorm of some possible questions that could be asked by the parents and students. 

After have a clear picture regarding the competition, I came out with a plan to train them, including briefing and scheduling the meeting with the students. Then, I have a discussion with the teachers to select which pupil is the best for each different competition. I reported the progress to Senior Assistant of Co-curricular and asked for suggestions. After that, I contacted the pupils for their willingness and parents for their consent. 

When everything is ready, then have a WhatsApp group with all the participants and teachers involved in. This may decrease misunderstandings. Then, you may definitely proceed to your training part. Training is totally based on a teacher's creativity. Of course, having a short briefing on the concept papers with the pupils and parents is the utmost important. Then, you may start your training. 

The last tip would be communication. Communication is always the important key. As having good communication between teacher-parent or teacher-admin is every important, therefore, the choices of words and tones are very important. Always be humble and smile when talk to anyone of them. Be firm when you're doing the right thing, accept comments and suggestions with an open heart. 

As a novice teacher, we should also accept new challenges and be positive with everything given. When you are in the right attitude, everything will be smooth. 

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Computational Thinking Course Reflection 1.7.2021

CT Level 1 tutor and participants

        Computational thinking is a way of thinking using tools to solve problems. There were a few concepts introduced in this CT course which were decompose, pattern recognition, abstractions, algorithm, and evaluation. I couldn't image how computation thinking skills can be integrated in lesson however, the tutor had given us some inputs through activities such as group discussions.

            

            The importance of CT skills integrating in lessons is to train pupils to think. Therefore hands-on activity are necessary. A well-planned project-based learning is a form of CT activity. Students should be able to decompose the requirement of the task and completed it through brainstorming and applying some of the CT skills implicitly. In the era which public examinations is no longer emphasised in primary schools, the education is shifting to a brighter future. Teacher's role as a facilitator is more important while chalk and talk is no longer fit the education trend. Pupils learn through deriving content knowledge from that what they have been doing. That's the current trend! 

        After the four-day level 1 course, I found out the importance of project-based learning. Project-based learning with guidance will help the pupils to cultivate CT skills in their daily lives. Even how to make a cup of coffee or hot chocolate is also a type of CT skills involving abstractions and algorithm. After having project-based learning, this is where the teaching takes part. Teachers should be able to guide the pupils to think of the causes and effects of the subject matter. You can even let the pupils to share what they have gained from the project! That's also one kind of CT skill. 

        

        To conclude, I believe project-based learning is one of the easiest approach to enable pupils to attain CT skills implicitly. This course is a fruitful course and I wish to continue the second and third levels.

 

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A Toastmaster

Have you ever heard of Toastmasters? When I heard this at the very first time, I thought there were a group of people toasting bread or doing research on how to make tastier bread in the club meeting. If you have never heard toastmasters club before you could probably think like how I thought. 

        I've signed up as a member in 1st June 2021. It was such a remarkable day. I have finally made up my mind to be a toastmaster as I have decided to step out of my comfort zone. In a multicultural country, we are surrounded by a lot of languages, however English is out second language. 

    Frankly speaking, I'm an English teacher. I didn't get good grade in all English proficiency test. I was so desperate after sitting for the tests for times and I gave up in the end. I tried to read books, listened to podcast but it doesn't really help. I was thinking for years that if I'm not good in English, how I can guide my students to be excel. Having struggled for years and I'm finally a Toastmaster.

    In the club meeting, you can take up as a role player, or just sit in and listening to speeches. You may also challenge yourself to be a table topic speakers. You may get feedback from the evaluator on the suggestions to improve you way to delivery your speech. It has no hard feelings at all. If you don't want to sign up as a member, you can always be the guest! That's really an advantage! 

    If you're interested in improving your leadership skills, you should join toastmasters club! In the club you can begin with role players such as timer, ah-counter and etc. Each role will be assigned different tasks and you can learn different skills in different positions. You may also challenge yourself to get involved in the area roles, division roles or even district roles. By taking up different roles, eventually you will grow.

    If you have no interest as I have stated above but you have a certain aim or goal, toastmasters club can help you. There are a few Education Pathways which  are available for you to choose from. However, before that, you must be a member. 

   Do drop an email with me if you want to visit my club. Before I sign off, you can also jump from club to club to expand your networking. It's super fantastic! Due to the pandemic of COVID-19, all club meetings and contests are done virtually. Give yourself a chance, be the guest in one of the toastmasters club.

Visit the website: https://www.toastmasters.org/the-navigator

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Wakelet Jouney

    As teachers, we should always get ourselves updated to the current trend. In this technology era, we can't stay ourselves away from technology. In teaching career, more and more applications are coming in. There are too many applications such as Google Meet, Zoom, Edpuzzle and etc. In the end, I chose Wakelet. 

    Wakelet is a free, only platform, which is interactive and it functions more like a blog. I found it's interesting as it's convenient and user-friendly. With a few clicks, we can have our collection by inserting Giphy, images or text. Students who are below 13 years old are not allowed to have an account but they can still be the contributors. Anyone can share idea in the shared Wakelet collection.

    Another function newly introduced by Wakelet is Wakelet Space. Based on my understanding, it's another separate space for us creating under the same account. We can simply jump between spaces. Our collections in Wakelet has become more organised. 

    Furthermore, Wakelet comes in handy and simple. Creating texts, insert YouTube links will be at your finger tips. Do you know how to type text? Do you know how to copy and paste links? If you know, then you're ready to ride the Wakelet Wave!!! 

 If you want to find out more about Wakelet, do visit my Wakelet https://wakelet.com/@yvOnne194 or you can send me an email. 

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Oh Yes! Amigo Game Presentation

In 2019, our team had presented the Oh Yes! Amigo Game during an innovation competition organised by JPN Perak and we've gotten Gold Medal for this competition.

Again, for the Oh Yes! Amigo Game (Version 2), we have also gotten Gold Medal during the 5th CAIELTS organised by LaRis Labuan. At the same time, our innovation had also been selected by the participants as the most popular innovation under the Creative and Innovation Exhibition category. This is a recognition of the hard work for the team. 

Coming soon, I'm planning to take part in MELTA 10th MIRCELE Online 2020 with my innovations. It's on 7th November 2020, which I still have about three months from now. I should work harder in order to join this poster competition. 

Hope everything can be smooth. 

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