Akon ONE DAY cover by K.Kenrick Jairaj

Sunday September 16, 2012

Are you game for English?

AN English centre in Gua Musang, Kelantan was recently transformed into a “play-house” where students and volunteer trainers switched into game-mode to encourage students to speak English.

Board games and fun-filled activities were introduced in the four-day programme titled “Learning English with games”, organised by KJ Generation Resources (KJGR) and Legacy Builders Association of Malaysia.

KJGR principal and co-director Josephine Kumar said that the creative method of teaching English was conducted by eight volunteer trainers from Serdang, Selangor.

Play time: Kids enjoying an indoor game activity while conversing in English.

“They used different games to intermingle with the students and in a way encouraged them to communicate in English,” said Josephine.

Games such as Twister, UNO Stacko, Pictionary, hangman, puzzle searching and “Simon says” were used.

Team leader Rena Esmeralda Mano, 25, said that the event aimed to engage participants in English conversations without feeling pressurised to learn the globally spoken language.

“We were surprised to see some students who were shy and timid at the beginning of the session, becoming responsive and interactive during the programme,” said Rena, who works as a client relationship consultant.

Another trainer, Mervin Raymond, 22, said that besides interacting with the students through games, the team also taught them manners, toilet etiquette and motivated them using video-clips.

The programme saw the participation of about 60 students between the ages of four to 18.

“LEARNING ENGLISH WITH GAMES”

AN English centre in Gua Musang, Kelantan was transformed into a “play-house” when the students and the volunteer trainers turn on to game-mode in its recent endeavour to encourage students to speak the language easily.

The classrooms were full of excitement and became more interactive when the trainers introduced some board games and other fun filled activities.

About 60 students age between 4 to 18 years old participated in the four days special programme titled “Learning English with games” co-organised by KJ Generation Resources (KJGR) and Legacy Builders Association of Malaysia at KJGR’s premises.

“This creative method of teaching English was conducted by a team of eight volunteer trainers from Serdang, Selangor.

“They used different games to intermingle with the students and in a way encouraged the participants to communicate in English without fear and feeling shy,” added Josephine Kumar who is the principal and co-director of KJGR.

Team leader, Rena Esmeralda Mano, 25, said, the trainers used games like Twister, UNO Stacko, Pictionary,  Simon says, hangman, puzzle searching, A.E.I.O.U, identify animal sounds, cat & mouse  chase, chicken & wolf, direction game (one person blind folded and others in the team gives direction) and many more.

“This interesting event is to get the participants engage in English conversation without feeling pressurised to learn the globally spoken language.

“We were surprised to see some students who were shy and timid in the beginning of the session become more responsive and interactive during the two hours programme dedicated for each category according to their age group,” said Rena who also works as a client relationship consultant.

Another trainer, Mervin Raymond, 22, who works as a hotel executive said, besides interacting with the students through games, the team also taught them manners, toilet etiquette and motivated them using some motivational video-clips.

KJGR which was established in Gua Musang since 2009 has been organising various motivational and creative English programmes to encourage participants to learn the language easily besides conducting its weekly English classes including for adults.

Ends.

 

Photo captions:

Pix 1 – Trainers and students are interacting in English as they play the ‘direction game’ at KJGR, Gua Musang, Kelantan.

Pix 2 – Mervin speaking to the participants using some motivational video-clips.

Pix 3 & 4 – Kids are enjoying an indoor activity as the trainers constantly communicate with them in English.

 

 

By: Kumarathevan Balakrishnan

KJ GENERATION RESOURCES promo 2012

Dear friends! This video attached is a promo of our center. Your continues partnership with us in touching & transforming the community in Gua Musang through educational program is much appreciated. 

Please comment and you may share this with others.

  

KJ Generation Resources in Gua Musang, Kelantan, Malaysia is an English center with a difference that has been established since 2009. Helps students of all ages and various races learn English and music the EASY way with the help of foreign volunteer trainers who are English native speakers. 

 

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07 June 2012 | last updated at 07:37am

ENGLISH SHOW: The language is easy to learn if you're willing to try

By Kumarathevan Balakrishnan and Josephine, Gua Musang, Kelantan

RECENTLY, our 4-year-old son asked a few questions about a couple of new English words he learned, and when we corrected some of the mistakes and helped him with the correct pronunciations, he jokingly said, "Oh My English!" and that made us all laugh out loud.

Astro’s sitcom ‘Oh My English!’ is a commendable effort to highlight common errors made by Malaysians in a humorous way.

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It's amazing how Astro's newly launched sitcom Oh My English!, which highlights common errors made by Malaysians in a humorous way, could be so catchy and make an impact on viewers of all ages.

We salute Astro for its effort to promote English in a hilarious and non-judgmental way. It's entertaining and educational.

No doubt the nation's standard of English is deteriorating and speaking "Manglish" has become the norm. We need more initiatives like this to champion the language before it's too late.

There are 10 reasons why Malaysians fail to speak proper English: Shyness; self-pity; fear; being too serious in class; mixing with people who discourage them; comparing with those who are more fluent; being intimidated by people who can speak better; problems in listening and understanding; low self-esteem; and never making an effort to speak.

We should create opportunities to speak English in school and the workplace. We should mix with others who are able to speak the language. We should answer phone calls in English and use every opportunity to speak in English. We should attend English classes.

There are many ways to improve spoken English: Listen to English radio stations, watch English movies and television shows, practise English karaoke songs and enrol for a spoken English course.

Mixing with colleagues who speak good English will really help. English is like a game and it's E.A.S.Y. to learn if one uses Ears to listen, is Attentive in class, Speak what they learn and Yearn to achieve.

Read more: ENGLISH SHOW: The language is easy to learn if you're willing to try - Letters to the Editor - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/english-show-the-language-is-easy-to-learn-if-you-re-willing-to-try-1.91906#ixzz1x6Ceekal

PARA ibu adalah benar-benar anugerah Tuhan kepada manusia untuk mempamerkan kasih sayang-Nya terhadap kita.

Ibu saya, P.Indra yang akan berusia 67 tahun pada bulan November ini, telah menjadi kekuatan besar kepada saya dan seluruh keluarga kami. Dia sering memberi dorongan dan bersama saya pada masa yang baik dan juga buruk.

Beliau memberikan semua yang sekadar mampu untuk mendidik, mendorong dan menggalakkan saya selain dua adik lelaki saya yang lain dan juga seorang adik perempuan sehingga kita berjaya dalam perihal tersendiri. 

Dia tidak pernah lesu untuk berkhidmat untuk keluarga kami dan sentiasa mengajar kami untuk menghormati orang lain dan cinta satu sama lain.

Sebagai anak sulung, saya pernah menyaksikan bagaimana ibu saya bersama-sama ayah saya bekerja siang dan malam untuk menyara keluarga kami sehingga kami membesar dan mendapat pekerjaan sendiri. 

Beliau juga pernah melibatkan diri dalam beberapa perniagaan MLM walaupun selepas ayah saya yang sakit meninggal dunia beberapa tahun yang lalu.

Ketika ayah saya menderita dengan penyakit kencing manis dan juga selepas kakinya dipotong, ibu sering menjaga dan merawatnya di rumah tanpa merungut sehinggalah dia meninggal dunia kira-kira tiga tahun kemudian. 

Saya tahu bagaimana ibu saya mengorbankan banyak perkara semata-mata untuk memastikan seisi keluarga kami gembira. Sumbangan beliau kepada seluruh keluarga adalah satu kisah benar yang tidak berkesudahan.

Sempena perayaan Hari Ibu, saya ingin mengambil peluang untuk mengemukakan puisi dari hati kepada ibu tercinta saya dan juga para ibu sedunia.

Cinta Mama

Pabila seorang anak lahir ke bumi
Sembilan bulan penuh kesakitan...hilang dalam sekelip mata;
Hanya air mata membasahi pipinya
Bukan kerana takut tapi kerana gembira yang tak terhingga

Sebaik saja dia melihat bayinya
Berlumuran dalam darah - warna cintanya
Dia menukar ganti penderitaannya dengan kegembiraan,
Syukur menerima sebuah hadiah istimewa dari syurga

Walau beribu persoalan berkeliaran dalam benaknya
Bermacam-macam fikiran tentang masa depan
Tetapi dia bangun dengan kekuatan baru
Setiap kali dia mendengar tangisan anaknya

Dengan penuh berahi
Dia menghulur payudaranya menyuap generasi baru
Menyaksikan benih itu berkembang
Dari kekuatan demi kekuatan
Sehingga ia menjadi pohon yang berbuah

Oh mama, pabila anda tersenyum
Si kecilmu tertawa
Pabila anda berbicara
Ia menyalakan lilin dalam sanubari;
Suara bonda mendewasakan insani
Dan kasih sayangnya bukan palsu

Mama, pabila anda gembira
Segenap rumah bercahaya
Tetapi pabila anda menangis
Tiada siapa tahu mengapa ...
Kehadiran anda penuh dengan wangian
Dan kasih sayang anda seumpama perubatan

Mama, saya cintamu kerana...

Cintamu mendahuluiku dan mempengaruhiku!

Penghormatan yang setinggi-tinggi kepada para ibu termasuk isteri saya, Josephine (ibu kepada tiga anak-anak yang berharga) dan juga kepada semua bakal ibu. Selamat Hari Ibu! Tuhan memberkati anda semua. Salam sejahtera!

Kumarathevan Balakrishnan

Mama’s Love

MOTHERS are truly God’s greatest gift to mankind to showcase His loving kindness, comfort and encouragement towards us.

My mother, P.Indra from Penang who will turn 67 years old this year, has been a great strength to me and our entire family. She was there for me when I needed her most (in good and bad times). 

She gave all she could to educate, motivate and encourage me besides my two other younger brothers and a sister till we are successful in our own rights.  She never tires to serve us and always taught us to respect others and love one another.   

We’ve seen her working day and night to support our family financially alongside my father until we grew up and found our own jobs. She carried on doing several MLM businesses even after my father who was sick passed away few years ago.

When my father was suffering with diabetics and after his legs was amputated, she used to nurse him without murmuring until he passed away about three years later.  I know how she sacrificed a lot of things just to keep all of us happy. Her contributions to the entire family are an unending story. 

I would love to present this poem from the depth of my heart to my beloved mother.

Mama’s Love

When a child is born

Nine months of pain is gone;

Only tears remain,

Running through her cheeks

Not of fear but of everlasting joy

The moment she saw her baby

Soaked in her blood

The colour of love,

She trades her agony

With the bundle of joy,

A gift from above

So many questions

Runs through her mind

But she wakes with a new strength

Each time she hears the cry of her child

With determination, full of passion

She breast-feeds her new generation

As she watch the plant grow

From strength to strength

From birth to such a length

Oh mama, when you smile

The child laughs

When you speak

It moves the heart;

Your voice carries weight

And your love is not fake

Mama, when you are happy

The whole house is brightened up

But when you cry

No one knows why…

Your presence is full of fragrance

And your love is like a medicine

Mama, I love you!

Tribute to all mothers including my dearest wife, Josephine (mother to three precious kids) and also to future mothers. Blessed Mother’s Day! God bless you all abundantly.  Peace be unto you!

Mdm P.Indra with her grandchildren

Kumarathevan Balakrishnan

COLUMNIST

12 March 2012

ENGLISH: Make an effort to use it daily

By Josephine & Kumarathevan Balakrishnan, Gua Musang, Kelantan.  

THE debate on learning English as an important second language with greater emphasis will go on until the government finds an amicable solution. Hopefully, it would be soon before it's too late.

It's sad to see secondary students and even undergraduates struggling to speak proper English. A friend of mine, who is an English teacher at a private institute, said the standard of English -- both written and oral -- among the younger generation has declined.

In fact, the lack of good communication skills in English among graduates has often been cited as one of the reasons for their inability to get good jobs.

In this era of information technology, knowledge is the key towards enhancing our country's economic development and international relations.

This is where a good command of English is crucial.

English is the most important medium through which knowledge is transmitted. Sadly, according to our Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, many students are still unable to master English despite learning the language in school for 13 years. What's going on?

It was reported some time ago that the authorities in Beijing wanted most of its residents to learn English under an initiative to transform the Chinese capital into a "world city". How about us?

If we want to go global, the fastest is through strengthening our English. It's not enough that only some of our ministers, corporate leaders, English writers and those who studied in English-medium schools can speak the language fluently.

We have to immediately rectify this worsening scenario.

We should create opportunities to speak English in school, work- place, during breaktime and by mixing with people who are able to speak the language well. We should also use English when answering phone calls, making orders at restaurants and chatting online.

#Read more: ENGLISH: Make an effort to use it daily - Columnist - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnist/english-make-an-effort-to-use-it-daily-

Ada Cara Untuk Mempelajari Bahasa Inggeris Dengan Berkesan

PENDAPAT
Selasa Februari 21, 2012

PERBAHASAN mengenai pembelajaran Bahasa Inggeris sebagai bahasa kedua yang penting dengan penekanan yang lebih akan berterusan sehingga kerajaan mencari jalan penyelesaian yang drastik dan baik untuk semua pihak.

Semoga ia akan dapat dilaksanakan dengan cepat, sebelum terlambat.

Adalah amat menyedihkan untuk melihat para pelajar sekolah menengah serta graduan universiti kita bergelut untuk bercakap Bahasa Inggeris dengan sempurna.

Baru-baru ini, semasa kami membincangkan isu ini dengan seorang kawan, K.Andrew Raj yang merupakan seorang tutor Bahasa Inggeris, beliau berkata bahawa beliau juga menghadapi masalah yang sama untuk mendidik pelajar yang menghadiri kelas Bahasa Inggerisnya.

Beliau berkata, tahap pemahaman Bahasa Inggeris, sama ada dalam bentuk penulisan ataupun lisan di kalangan generasi muda masa kini secara keseluruhan agak menurun.

Malah, kekurangan kemahiran komunikasi yang baik dalam Bahasa Inggeris di kalangan graduan universiti telah sering dikatakan sebagai salah satu daripada sebab utama ketidakupayaan mereka untuk mendapatkan pekerjaan yang baik.

Dalam era ledakan maklumat dan kemajuan komunikasi yang pesat, kita tahu bahawa ilmu pengetahuan adalah kunci ke arah meningkatkan pembangunan ekonomi negara kita dan hubungan antarabangsa.

Justeru itu, kemahiran dalam bahasa berkenaan dalam semua aspek - membaca, kefahaman, penulisan, mendengar, kosa kata, ungkapan dan pertuturan adalah amat penting.

Bahasa Inggeris merupakan medium yang paling penting di mana pengetahuan disebarkan.

Malangnya, menurut Timbalan Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, ramai pelajar masih tidak dapat menguasai Bahasa Inggeris walaupun mereka belajar bahasa tersebut di sekolah selama 13 tahun.

Dua tahun yang lalu, ada laporan mengatakan bahawa pihak berkuasa di Beijing mahu kebanyakan penduduknya belajar Bahasa Inggeris dalam proses mentrasformasikan ibu negara Cina itu menjadi sebuah "bandar dunia".

Bagaimana pula dengan kita?

Kita perlu menguasai pengunaan Bahasa Inggeris jika kita hendak mencapai kemajuan secara global. Tidak cukup jika hanya beberapa menteri, pemimpin korporat, para penulis dan warga yang berpendidikan sekolah Bahasa Inggeris di samping sebilangan kecil golongan muda boleh bertutur dalam bahasa berkenaan dengan lancar.

Kita harus bersepakat dan segera mencari jalan untuk memulihkan keadaan yang semakin buruk ini.

Terdapat beberapa sebab mengapa seseorang itu gagal untuk bertutur dalam Bahasa Inggeris: malu; takut; enggan cuba untuk bertutur; bercampur dengan orang yang tidak memberi galakkan; membandingkan diri sendiri dengan orang yang lebih fasih; segan bercakap dengan orang yang lebih fasih; masalah pemahaman dan akhir sekali, tidak yakin pada diri sendiri.

Kita perlu mewujudkan peluang untuk bercakap dalam Bahasa Inggeris di sekolah, tempat kerja, semasa waktu rehat, bergaul dengan orang lain yang boleh bertutur bahasa tersebut, menjawab panggilan telefon, di restoran berbahasa Inggeris dan dengan ahli keluarga.

Penggunaan bahasa itu juga boleh ditingkatkan ketika menggunakan internet – menghantar email, semasa bertemu dengan orang asing (pelancong), di premis perniagaan (pasar raya, agensi pelancongan, klinik, syarikat insurans, panggung wayang, dan lain-lain), menghadiri kelas Bahasa Inggeris atau menyertai kelab/persatuan Bahasa Inggeris.

Pelajar-pelajar kami sering bertanya, 'Mengapakah sesetengah orang boleh bertutur dalam Bahasa Inggeris dengan baik dan lancar?' Jawapannya ialah 'persekitaran'.

Kami sering memberitahu mereka bahawa sesetengah orang boleh bercakap Bahasa Inggeris dengan sempurna kerana mereka telah dibesarkan oleh ibu bapa atau penjaga yang bertutur dalam berbahasa Inggeris dalam konteks harian.

Ia mungkin juga kerana mereka berpendidikan Inggeris dari kecil. Ada yang fasih sebab mereka sering merantau atau pernah bermastautin di negara yang bertutur dalam berbahasa Inggeris.

Sesetengah orang boleh bercakap dengan baik mungkin kerana mereka telah menemui pasangan hidup atau pembantu rumah yang hanya boleh bertutur dalam Bahasa Inggeris.

Ada yang pandai bertutur dalam bahasa berkenaan setelah bekerja dalam persekitaran pejabat/syarikat yang hanya menggunakan Bahasa Inggeris sebagai bahasa penghantaran atau bekerja dalam industri pelancongan dan hospitaliti.

Kami sentiasa memaklumkan kepada pelajar kelas Bahasa Inggeris kami bahawa terdapat beberapa perkara yang "Boleh dan Tidak Boleh" dilakukan dalam pembelajaran bahasa ini.

Seseorang pelajar tidak boleh duduk diam apabila mendengar Bahasa Inggeris bahkan berdiri atau duduk dengan postur yang tidak baik semasa belajar.

Mereka tidak harus menyimpan tanggapan negatif tentang Bahasa Inggeris atau diri sendiri seperti, “Bahasa Inggeris adalah susah untuk dipelajar."

Apakah yang perlu dilakukan ialah, sentiasa memberi tumpuan di dalam kelas. Kami menggalakkan mereka untuk menggerakkan badan mereka semasa belajar Bahasa Inggeris selain menggunakan gerak isyarat kerana pergerakan itu boleh membantu mengingatkan perkataan/frasa yang sukar.

Mereka juga diingatkan supaya belajar untuk mendengar secara teliti, sentiasa mengamalkan kepercayaan positif mengenai Bahasa Inggeris dan diri sendiri.

Contohnya, “Bahasa Inggeris adalah baik bagi saya dan saya akan belajar bertutur dengan fasih!”

Kami sering mengingatkan para pelajar supaya sentiasa senyum semasa belajar Bahasa Inggeris, membaca cerita-cerita pendek untuk belajar dengan cepat.

Mereka juga dilatih supaya menggambarkan diri mereka berbahasa Inggeris dengan lancar selain memberi tumpuan dan menikmati pembelajaran tanpa tekanan.

Terdapat juga sepuluh cara untuk meningkatkan kebolehan mereka yang mahu belajar untuk bertutur Bahasa Inggeris iaitu mereka harus mendengar stesen radio Inggeris, menonton filem dan saluran televisyen Inggeris, nyanyi lagu karaoke bahasa tersebut dengan menggunakan liriknya di samping melancong ke negara-negara yang berbahasa Inggeris.

Yang paling penting, mereka harus mendaftar dengan pusat latihan yang memberi kursus pertuturan Bahasa Inggeris.

Seseorang itu harus sentiasa bergaul dengan rakan sekolah atau sekerja yang fasih bertutur dalam Bahasa Inggeris. Kita mesti belajar bahasa berkenaan seolah-olah mempelajari sesuatu ‘permainan baru’ yang penuh dengan keseronokan dan rasa teruja.

Kami sentiasa mengingatkan kelas kami bahawa: "Bahasa Inggeris adalah seperti satu permainan yang mudah dipelajari jikalau seseorang itu mendengar dengan teliti, memberi tumpuan di dalam kelas, cuba bertutur dengan yakin dan rindu untuk mencapai matlamat!"

KUMARATHEVAN BALAKRISHNAN-JOSEPHINE
Gua Musang, Kelantan.