teaching aids such as linguaphone

Today's Star online reports that DPM suggests using more teaching aids such as linguaphone to help students improve their English. Pro and Con in using linguaphone. For language teachers, they are well aware of the methods (and i am using this word as an education jargon), and their plus and minus points. Personally, linguaphone has its advantages, but its main disadvantages is the cost. The govt. will have to spend thousands and millions of ringgit to place these sets into schools, and in time, they will become white elephants. Besides, one set, for how many students? Meaning, how many students can use the linguaphone set at any one time? Use the tape recorder and play the recording for the whole class????--then what is the point of having the teacher? In addition, which English will be taught via linguaphone? Who is the model? Hmmm...not for it, ultimately...

Watching a variety show...there is this young man from Taiwan who is quite impressive with his tricks. Hmmm...i guess magic is one thing that i would like to learn...but they are all expensive (to learn the tricks are expensive)....ah well...no pain, no gain...I have tried once, incorporating magic tricks into the English lesson. Quite good. especiallly the mathematical tricks.

hai...have a lot of work but mind very blank now...mind wants to relax and surf net...hai..must force it to do some work...documentation to do...read news about an aide to the Selangor exco, who fell to his death...hai...dun want to say too much...but politics sure is dirty...assuming there is foul play: suicide, murder? assuming no foul play: sleep walking, slip and fell? dunno lah....politics sure is a dirty game...I shall stick to be an academic...

The future of English in malaysian schools

The forum on the future of English in Malaysian schools gave me two insights--one, irregardless of what happens, what policies may be changed, what decisions have been made, i still hold that responsibility to be an English educator and make that difference to the people, and students who come into contact with me. Two, the forum attracted parents as well, and it was good to see this healthy state of concern among parents. I hope there will be more expressions of such concern by parents, educators, etc.

A visit to the Pink Triangle

Went to visit the Pink Triangle Foundation (PTF) in KL. I always thought it was a 'gay' orgnization. Not really, yes, they do work for the gay community (HIV+, educating on safe sex awareness, etc) but the acting executive director told me that actually seventy to eighty percent of their work is on the drug addicts, mak nyah,..generally the marginalized...the community of people forsaken by their parents, village, etc. People who are drug addicts and who have no hope in life....
What good work they are doing...never mind about the morality of it all (I guess some people would brand these as 'sinners', 'low-educated' etc), but I am greatly impressed with the work that is being done by Pink Triangle Foundation. Keep it up you guys in PTF. By the way, they are looking for funds. So if anyone dunno what to do with their spare cash....give a thought (and your money) to PTF.

healthy living

been eating less rice lately, more intake of vegetables. Boiling red beans now. I was told red beans is good for liver and blood. Had black beans soup for dinner. Was told it is good for liver too..hahhhah...dunno how true these are, whatever the case, i like red beans anyway....

Fantastic MELTA conference

It was a fantastic MELTA conference at JB last week. As usual, was in the organizing committee and lots of "bonding" and "fireworks"--missing books (found later), rubbed shoulders and trampled toes (figuratively speaking), etc...but it went well. Lots of participants, more than we anticipated; I guess, the royal presence made an impact, plus our innovative campaigns (MELT-A-HEART)...well done Jimmy,...hmmm.....but what a week...really busy, and will need a good holiday lah....