Tuesday 5 July 2011

What you can do with English?

Assalamualaikum WBT...

Today I want to share something very important. As a Muslim, it is a responsibility to spread Islam teachings. As one character of The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is Tabligh which means to deliver. As the years pass by, we live in a modern era where people only look up to intellectuals and those who are educated. Therefore it is our duty to educate ourselves, in order to spread the teachings of Islam.

In a sense, English can play a big role. By knowing the language, we will be able to spread more teachings of Islam. If we only know one language, i.e Malay, therefore we can only speak to those who know Malay. If we only know Arabic, then only those who speak Arabic will be our audience. However, if we know a language which is known by many people, just imagine the number of people who we can speak to. Just watch this video if you don't believe me.


Needless to say, English is being spoken around the world. Other languages such as Arabic, Mandarin, Tamil and French, also being spoken in most countries. Therefore, I strongly believe that English will can help ud do many good deeds in our lives and in spreading Islam. Unless...you know a few other languages...

Happy reading! ;p

task during holiday.

Assalamualaikum.

To my DLEP 1113 & DLEI 1113 students. Your tasks during the holiday are: 

1) Update your blog. Please write about yourself. What's new. Any interesting experience. Anything. 
2) Leave your email here (in the comment section), I will email you the notes.
3) DO NOT do anything stupid during the term break and be safe.
4) Do not extend your holiday. Please be back on time. I miss you guys...hahaha

Tuesday 28 June 2011

Is it confidence, mastery or attitude that stops you?

Assalamualaikum dear bloggers. In today's entry, I wanna share the experience that I had when I was (still am, and forever will Insya'allah...) in the classroom with my students.

Among the students which I taught, I am known as 'The Lecturer Who Does Crazy Things'. It is actually true because I like to do activities that make the students think, discuss and speak English. And sometimes sing. In my personal point of view, by making ourselves comfortable with something that we are not used to, will help us to feel better about it. And that is what I am trying to do with my students. I just want them to feel comfortable and not feeling awkward when they are using the language.

I realize that not all students have good command of English. And on top of that, there are a lot of the students who are very afraid to speak when they were asked to do so. Especially when they have to use English as the medium of communication.

To be good in doing something, we need to be able to feel good doing it. We need to acquire comfortability (is there such a word...hahaha). By making ourselves comfortable, it will be easier for us to do what we have to. For example, when we go to a new place where the environment and culture are different from our hometown, it takes us some time to fit into the community and to perform our daily routine. This is simply because the way things work there is not the same. Therefore, the first few weeks will makes us feel a bit awkward and a bit uncomfortable. And what happen is that we may get into some troubles or making mistakes, which is very normal.

The same goes in acquiring and learning a language. English for example, is a language that is not being used by many in our society. Therefore, it is some thing that people are not comfortable in. If we are not comfortable and always feel bad about using the language, it is almost impossible for us to be able to be good in it.

So, that is why I make this environment in my classroom. I want all my students to feel that using English is actually something good and comfortable. I am not going to focus on grammar and else, as long as my students are able to use the language confidently. And when I see this happens, it is the greatest feeling to me.     It's the most satisfying moment and all the hard work seems to be very worthy.

BUT, there are still students who are not using English as much as some other students. And this makes me wonder why... I am never gonna be mad if their English is broken because, it is not a day's work to develop such skill. But what's worrying me is that, some are very hard to try...not even trying. And this actually is very-very frustrating. It makes me wonder... What is it that stops these students from trying to improve themselves? Is it confidence, mastery or their attitude? Hurmmm... I need opinion...

Tuesday 7 June 2011

Learn to speak 'Orang Putih', not becoming like 'Orang Putih'.

Assalamualaikum and good day to everyone. Well I hope that everybody stays happy and healthy always.

Thing that i want to share/discuss today is as mentioned above.

Is it true that if we learn English, we will be exposed to so many negative influences?

In my humble opinion, I think that it is not English who brings the negative influences. In fact, English actually brings more good deeds instead of negativity. To share one experience, someone said to me that if we use too much English in our life, we will  lose our culture and heritage one day. For me, I would say that those who say this are paranoid. Scared of changes. Coward. 

I don't think that by using English, we can lose our identity. Mohd Zul Hadi Bin Haji Kamardin will always be Mohd Zul Hadi Bin Haji Kamardin. I will never be Robert something, I can never be Michael or Steven or Roger. I was born a Malay, raised as a Muslim, which I forever will be. English doesn't change any part of that. What it changes is just the way i see things. I no longer want to see or hear gossips. I no longer care about what others would think when I do something which I need to do. And I don't have to be a cliche. A typical Malay. I want to be advance, and still, practicing Islam, and living my life as a Malay. 

Different. Better. That is what English has made me to become. I am different. I want to be a Malay who speaks brilliantly in English. And I want to see many more Malays able to be as I am. Yes, it is hard. It is never easy. But there are people who can't accept this...accept who I want to become. I say different, and they see weird. And i just pay no attention to that. Just make sure that i stay focus on what I wanna do and who I wanna be.

My comment about these people? Like i said, coward. Because changing and leaving our comfort zone is very2 hard. And to achieve this, a lot of things must be done. Many challenges must be faced. Because that is what life is all about. Do things and face challenges. Never stop and never go backward. Always move forward. And if you are not brave enough to change, then you never will. 

My prayers is just this, so that my people can see and focus on the benefits, instead of going around the bushes of negativity. And become a better people, do greater things. So that others will never able to oppress my people...which are your people too. Amin~

Thursday 19 May 2011

The Beginning : Do You Like English?

Assalamualaikum and hello everyone! Welcome to my humble page. I hope everybody has a great time learning English.
So, why English? Language of the world? Key to knowledge and success? So that you can get job easily? Every person in this world has the rights to say it and see it the way they want. But to me it is very easy. I like the language. Yes, true story. I like the language and this brings me many positive impacts. For example, I don't have to worry much about crappy subtitles while watching English movies and TV series. I can understand them without bothering the subtitles.
It's weird sometimes that I laughed so hard while others wondering what is it so funny about the scene. Some said I'm a 'Mat Saleh celup' but hey, don't blame me if you can't understand something funny. And i like to listen to songs and it happens to be that most of my favourite songs are in English. I just feel the connection, something that I don't find in my mother tongue.
Work? I don't think we learn English so that we can get a job. And don't really think if we're good in English, we can get a nice job. I just think that I like the language, and it helps me to become a better person. A happy, fun and motivated person. But still, it's just a language. How can a language has that much impact on a person's life? I have my answers...how about you?