On this day, where most people take a break, and go on holiday, why are there still many people working? Is this unfair? Why do I say so? Hawkers, restaurants, shopping mall retail shops, and Teachers do not have time to take a break. Papers to mark, lesson plans to write, administrative work to take note of, the only difference is, you work at the comfort of your home, with your radio blasting at your ear, and trying to take more breaks in between.
As I speak, I keep thinking about what my students are doing. Some of them are doing their homework, some of them are studying for their common tests, some are out enjoying the day with their parents, some are out with their friends and some would be online playing games, chatting with friends or watching TV? Which one of these do you belong to? Why do we have public holidays? So that we can relax, or so that we can work more (like the hawkers, restaurants etc). Some of my students keep complaining that they are very "Sian", and well, this is what most Singaporeans complain about, including me. When you have something to do, you feel "Sian", if you have nothing to do, you also feel "Sian". The only difference would be that when you have nothing to do, it is only because that you know you should be doing something, like studying, but subconsciously, you do not want to do it, so you feel very "sian".
Well that aside, I should need to address another issue. Some of my students, actually 2 lar, asked me to use these 2 techniques, so that students will hand up work. 1st, Be fierce, and stand resolute, just like some teachers, so that students would not dare to delay your work. 2nd, threaten them with detention, and carry out the practice, so that they will not dare to be playful and not hand in your work.
My next question is: Why do you need teachers to threaten, to scold, and to be fierce so that you will only obey? Are you a cow who needs the farmer to whip before it will move forward a step?
Do you really want to see me angry and scold you? It is bad for my health, and bad for your ears, and heart. And NPCC members should have seen me flare up before. You really will not want to experience this 'dark' side of me. And do you guys really want detention? I find it a waste of time, and it is really for students who are poorly disciplined. But if you do not obey the teacher and hand up your work, is it because you are poorly disciplined too? Think again.
I only know one thing, that is to be myself, and those who really know me, I can be really nice to people, but you have to be cooperative 1st, if not, I would only be condoning your acts. Because of my dad, who is a very very authoritative and strict person, I hate it when he scolds me, because it can go on for hours. So I have told myself that I will not do that to others unless forced to. "Do what others unto to you." 己所不欲，勿施于人。
Now, the point about saying all these, is not to hope that I can really transform my students overnight. For all you know, it may not even get to any of my students! I only hope to pass down one message before I ..... The message is :"Think about others before yourself."
If there are no "accidents", I will be leaving this school after next friday, and it is not because I do not want to come back. The main reason is because, the school have no needs for me at the moment. And it will be difficult to apply back to the school. Though I have requested to return back, but I think the chances are slim. I have enjoyed myself throughout my 2.5 months in this school, and have made many friends, seen many students worked harder, and seen students giving up their studies. I am glad to be given a chance to have come here, cos I know in my heart, this will be one school that I can identify with, cos of its character building programmes for the students. But I think it is ok. 所谓：此地不留人，自有留人处。
I only hope that I can continue to keep in contact with these students, and hopefully they can improve under another teacher, and finally grow and become better people in the future. Thank you students, my CT, Zhang Laoshi, and those who were with me throughout. That's all for the day.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
欢迎大家参加博客比赛！
请各位同学到这个网址， http://westspringchineseblogcompetition08.blogspot.com/点击其他伟源中学的学生创立的博客，然后给予一些评语。看到了我的班的学生占了这个比赛的70%， 我都不好意思。哈哈。请各位同学要继续努力发上贴子（posting)，因为老师知道你们能够与高年级的学生一较高低！哈哈。加油吧！请注意以下几点：
1。错别字 - 问题严重啊。不要懒惰，知错能改，善莫大焉。你们可以印出来，然后来找老师，我会告诉你们哪一些词有问题。
2。内容 - 目前为止，我看到一些很生活化的帖子。希望你们再接再厉，想出一个好的话题，让大家来讨论，比如：我前天在报纸上看到一名15岁的学生出手打老师，哈哈！是华文老师呢！
3。到别人的网址去留言。希望你们能给予其他同学宝贵的意见，而非胡言乱语！宁莎与镇豪做得不错，请大家多多向他们学习。
加油咯！
1。错别字 - 问题严重啊。不要懒惰，知错能改，善莫大焉。你们可以印出来，然后来找老师，我会告诉你们哪一些词有问题。
2。内容 - 目前为止，我看到一些很生活化的帖子。希望你们再接再厉，想出一个好的话题，让大家来讨论，比如：我前天在报纸上看到一名15岁的学生出手打老师，哈哈！是华文老师呢！
3。到别人的网址去留言。希望你们能给予其他同学宝贵的意见，而非胡言乱语！宁莎与镇豪做得不错，请大家多多向他们学习。
加油咯！
Monday, April 28, 2008
为什么要教实用文？
由于学生“热烈”要求我写博客，刚好我有一位好朋友向我提问了一个问题，因此想与各位学生分享愚见。这篇言论有一些争议性，不知各位对实用文有什么看法？
这是我的朋友所提出的问题：
我有一个疑问：
为何我们还需要学生写应用文？《华文应用文改革大纲》首次在1977年编写，到了现在已经有31年了。当时的社会环境与今天相比，已 大不相同。要教导学生掌握一项日常生活中几乎没有机会使用的技能，我实在不能信服。我们教学生文学，是因为文学有其存在与欣赏价值。应用文的写作过程是类似‘八股文’般的练习。清朝都已经废除了八股文， 我们呢？我们不能忘记新加坡的官方语言是英语；华文不应该与英文相竞争，而是各事其位。我不是反对教应用文，我只是反对考应用文。难道，我们的华文试卷就没有其他东西可以考核了吗？
文学和语言真的应该清楚划分吗？我认为作为华文老师，如果只教语言，不教文学，文化，传统，实在。。。。。。。
以下是我的回答：
这是一个很值得探讨的问题。问题有两个：1。为何要教及考应用文（现在改名换姓成了“实用文”）？ 2。我们要怎么教一个令自己难以信服的题材，要怎么把它教好呢？
我 本身认为，决策权既然不在我们的手上，那不如，顺水推舟，来一个借题发挥。应用文及作文对我来说是不具有现代意义的，但它既然还存在，必然有其目的。不管 是手写的文章，或是网上的博客，或是日常MSN/email, 与朋友交谈、联络，我们所要看到是一种通顺的文笔，流利且没有错别字的文法。但现实往往事与愿违。如果你们发现我最近有了个博客，而且还有许多学生的联 系，那是因为我校正举办中文博客比赛。很多学生的博客中，文笔还算不错，但却错字百出，要不然就是中英混杂。
我 承认应用文与时代的脱节，但与其以一个它完全没有实用价值的态度来教学，不如将它视为另一个训练学生来写他们的日常交际用语的工具？我将它视为强化学生在 网上的语言表达工具。你们或许也发现了，现在的学生，你若叫他们写一页，他们不就写一页给你，有的还偷工减料，空行或少写几行。如果他们连写都要偷懒，试 想想要他们用电脑以汉语拼音打出来，再去选择正确的字，那可不是要了他们的小命。有空 不妨去看看我那参差不齐的学生所作的博客。
应用文既然改为实用文，必然有其意义。两个作用，我们可以在博客上教他们用正确的字，然后再 以实用文考察。或我们可以在实用文中，加入多一些与日常生活有关的话题，来鼓励学生以华文创作博客，或与中国的朋友交流（现在有很多出国游学的机会，一定 有机会让学生间互相交流）。不知道大家认为以上的提议怎么样，但我相信若能将实用文的内容及如何有条理地报告一个事件，必定能够为他们日后的交际方式 （email, msn, 或真的有学生讨厌打字，而选择写信给中国的朋友？）
以下是我的朋友针对我的电邮发出回复：
我们为何要拐个弯，用实用文来教学生交际？我们应该直接教学生如何用 email,msn 等等来交际。我须要澄清，我绝对不反对教授实用文，我只是觉得不应该花4年的时间来专注教授实用文来应付考试。学生毕业后，就算写了一篇满分的实用文，又 能怎样？我们所生活在的时代应该是一个以transferable skills 为主的时代。
我 是反对应用文在考试所扮演的角色，对我来说，应用文往往只是送分项目。我并不反对考试／考察。只有这样才可以区分学生之间的程度。我也同意我们应该着重于 教学过程，而不是结果。但是，你认为你告诉家长、导师、校长、校董、学生等等，他们会接受这样的理念吗？成绩如果不好，无论教学过程多么有趣，在现有社会 的眼里，都是不可取的。
最后，我也提出了一些看法：
我们都是应用文时代的产物，可能在可见的未来，应用文或实用文将走入历史，但我想提出几点：
1。我们学艺未精，如果连我们的导师等都无法改变这个趋势，那么，我们又该如何以待？
2。 导师说过，近来很多学校有校本教材，我更在星期五周报中读到，有些学校应用星期五周报教学，完全不用课本。我校呢？虽说没有特别强调教课本，但却没有额 外的资源去开创新的校本课程。重点是，如果我们能在可见的未来里看到这些政策正在逐渐改变，那也未尝不值得大家的期待。要得到学校中 文部门的全体投入，制作教材，不是一朝一夕的事，所以尽可能搜集经验，以备未来之需。
3。我所看到的大趋势就是，现在是个过渡期，不管我们有什么不满，现在不妨静观其变，然后做出相对措施。我们现在每走一步，都是在做新的尝试，新的实验，为的是准备在可能的将来里，可以取代过时的产物。
4。 益兄说得对，我们应该积极一些，所以应该多提议如何改进，如何利用现有资源做出调整。我已经说过，要学生去用电脑来打 字，已经是非常困难的事了，如果要运用于考试上，可能得费一些时间进行。目前，用中文来交际，运用于MSN 或Email，还是没有得到广泛的支持，而且身为老师的我们，有时也觉得打字费时，更何况是要求学生这么做。因此，我还是认为这些是长远的考量，但博客，或创 作歌曲，绝对可行。大家不妨想各自的学校提议，绝对能够改善孩子们错别字的问题。但，这却要有耐心，及老师的恒心继续坚持下去，相信从中一到中四都用，肯 定能够提升他们的程度。
5。 最后，我想说的是，实用文绝对不是一定能取分的项目，若是如此，何来优劣之分，为何有人还是不及格，有人却可以文笔流畅，取得满分？现时今日，最大的问题 已经不是要学生做实用文，而是如何再让他们找到对学习中文，讲中文的动力。不管是作文、实用文、感想、理解问答、读后感，或任何与写作有关的作业，只要能 够启发学生，能够让他们找回动力（motivation)， 我认为我们的仗已经打胜了一半。
好了，讲了这么多，我看我的学生应该是睡着了。哈哈。那些有恒心读完又明白这篇博客的同学，你们已经很不错了。加油吧，大家！
欢迎各位同学踊跃投稿，给我一些评语，告诉我，你们对于实用文的感受。可以在你们的博客上写明。谢谢。
这是我的朋友所提出的问题：
我有一个疑问：
为何我们还需要学生写应用文？《华文应用文改革大纲》首次在1977年编写，到了现在已经有31年了。当时的社会环境与今天相比，已 大不相同。要教导学生掌握一项日常生活中几乎没有机会使用的技能，我实在不能信服。我们教学生文学，是因为文学有其存在与欣赏价值。应用文的写作过程是类似‘八股文’般的练习。清朝都已经废除了八股文， 我们呢？我们不能忘记新加坡的官方语言是英语；华文不应该与英文相竞争，而是各事其位。我不是反对教应用文，我只是反对考应用文。难道，我们的华文试卷就没有其他东西可以考核了吗？
文学和语言真的应该清楚划分吗？我认为作为华文老师，如果只教语言，不教文学，文化，传统，实在。。。。。。。
以下是我的回答：
这是一个很值得探讨的问题。问题有两个：1。为何要教及考应用文（现在改名换姓成了“实用文”）？ 2。我们要怎么教一个令自己难以信服的题材，要怎么把它教好呢？
我 本身认为，决策权既然不在我们的手上，那不如，顺水推舟，来一个借题发挥。应用文及作文对我来说是不具有现代意义的，但它既然还存在，必然有其目的。不管 是手写的文章，或是网上的博客，或是日常MSN/email, 与朋友交谈、联络，我们所要看到是一种通顺的文笔，流利且没有错别字的文法。但现实往往事与愿违。如果你们发现我最近有了个博客，而且还有许多学生的联 系，那是因为我校正举办中文博客比赛。很多学生的博客中，文笔还算不错，但却错字百出，要不然就是中英混杂。
我 承认应用文与时代的脱节，但与其以一个它完全没有实用价值的态度来教学，不如将它视为另一个训练学生来写他们的日常交际用语的工具？我将它视为强化学生在 网上的语言表达工具。你们或许也发现了，现在的学生，你若叫他们写一页，他们不就写一页给你，有的还偷工减料，空行或少写几行。如果他们连写都要偷懒，试 想想要他们用电脑以汉语拼音打出来，再去选择正确的字，那可不是要了他们的小命。有空 不妨去看看我那参差不齐的学生所作的博客。
应用文既然改为实用文，必然有其意义。两个作用，我们可以在博客上教他们用正确的字，然后再 以实用文考察。或我们可以在实用文中，加入多一些与日常生活有关的话题，来鼓励学生以华文创作博客，或与中国的朋友交流（现在有很多出国游学的机会，一定 有机会让学生间互相交流）。不知道大家认为以上的提议怎么样，但我相信若能将实用文的内容及如何有条理地报告一个事件，必定能够为他们日后的交际方式 （email, msn, 或真的有学生讨厌打字，而选择写信给中国的朋友？）
以下是我的朋友针对我的电邮发出回复：
我们为何要拐个弯，用实用文来教学生交际？我们应该直接教学生如何用 email,msn 等等来交际。我须要澄清，我绝对不反对教授实用文，我只是觉得不应该花4年的时间来专注教授实用文来应付考试。学生毕业后，就算写了一篇满分的实用文，又 能怎样？我们所生活在的时代应该是一个以transferable skills 为主的时代。
我 是反对应用文在考试所扮演的角色，对我来说，应用文往往只是送分项目。我并不反对考试／考察。只有这样才可以区分学生之间的程度。我也同意我们应该着重于 教学过程，而不是结果。但是，你认为你告诉家长、导师、校长、校董、学生等等，他们会接受这样的理念吗？成绩如果不好，无论教学过程多么有趣，在现有社会 的眼里，都是不可取的。
最后，我也提出了一些看法：
我们都是应用文时代的产物，可能在可见的未来，应用文或实用文将走入历史，但我想提出几点：
1。我们学艺未精，如果连我们的导师等都无法改变这个趋势，那么，我们又该如何以待？
2。 导师说过，近来很多学校有校本教材，我更在星期五周报中读到，有些学校应用星期五周报教学，完全不用课本。我校呢？虽说没有特别强调教课本，但却没有额 外的资源去开创新的校本课程。重点是，如果我们能在可见的未来里看到这些政策正在逐渐改变，那也未尝不值得大家的期待。要得到学校中 文部门的全体投入，制作教材，不是一朝一夕的事，所以尽可能搜集经验，以备未来之需。
3。我所看到的大趋势就是，现在是个过渡期，不管我们有什么不满，现在不妨静观其变，然后做出相对措施。我们现在每走一步，都是在做新的尝试，新的实验，为的是准备在可能的将来里，可以取代过时的产物。
4。 益兄说得对，我们应该积极一些，所以应该多提议如何改进，如何利用现有资源做出调整。我已经说过，要学生去用电脑来打 字，已经是非常困难的事了，如果要运用于考试上，可能得费一些时间进行。目前，用中文来交际，运用于MSN 或Email，还是没有得到广泛的支持，而且身为老师的我们，有时也觉得打字费时，更何况是要求学生这么做。因此，我还是认为这些是长远的考量，但博客，或创 作歌曲，绝对可行。大家不妨想各自的学校提议，绝对能够改善孩子们错别字的问题。但，这却要有耐心，及老师的恒心继续坚持下去，相信从中一到中四都用，肯 定能够提升他们的程度。
5。 最后，我想说的是，实用文绝对不是一定能取分的项目，若是如此，何来优劣之分，为何有人还是不及格，有人却可以文笔流畅，取得满分？现时今日，最大的问题 已经不是要学生做实用文，而是如何再让他们找到对学习中文，讲中文的动力。不管是作文、实用文、感想、理解问答、读后感，或任何与写作有关的作业，只要能 够启发学生，能够让他们找回动力（motivation)， 我认为我们的仗已经打胜了一半。
好了，讲了这么多，我看我的学生应该是睡着了。哈哈。那些有恒心读完又明白这篇博客的同学，你们已经很不错了。加油吧，大家！
欢迎各位同学踊跃投稿，给我一些评语，告诉我，你们对于实用文的感受。可以在你们的博客上写明。谢谢。
Friday, April 25, 2008
Random thoughts
Hmm today, I shall write about some things about myself that I think is funny.
1st of all, I am a cancerian, hail all cancerians! yay! Now this joke happened during my secondary school days, think it was sec 3. The 1st time my English teacher walked into class (A big fat Angmoh) started off class by asking us to introduce ourselves and asking about our zodiac signs. Then, when he reached me, i was acting smart (ge kiang), so I said loudly, Last day of cancer! Then he gave me a very sad look and said: "Oh so sad, Please take care of yourself." I gave him that blur look, and the rest of the class were already laughing away. It was then I realized the joke. Did you get it?
Next, I was the geography rep in class during Sec 3. Apparently, teachers don't always choose the best student to be the rep! Yeah, and there were 2 instances that I could remember. There was once when I was disturbing others in class, talking to them during lesson, then suddenly, my geography teacher shouted across to ask my 3 other friends to stop disturbing me, cos I need to study! haha. Then, there was another instance when I was napping in class (cos it was really boring), and I was woken up by my Geog teacher again, who asked if I was sick, and whether I need to go to the sick bay! haha..
And the next 2 incidents is something that will be in my memory for life. Some of you who have noticed, would have known that my front 2 teeth are dentures. During my Primary 4, I was running along a bench, and I slipped and knocked my teeth on the edge of the bench. Ouch (number 1) , I can only recall that my whole mouth is bleeding, and was sent to the hospital, and there goes my baby teeth.
This is the interesting one. When I was in Sec 1, on this fateful morning, we were given a scolding by one of our NCOs in charge, so he was talking and talking, and the next thing I recalled was when I opened my eyes and saw my 2 front teeth lying neatly on the floor. Then, the pain came, Ouch (number 2)..My whole mouth was bleeding and of course it hurts lar, MY MOUTH HIT THE TARRED ROAD! So I was sent to hospital again, and I laid there for few hours. Luckily my NCO picked up my teeth, and both me and my teeth underwent an operation before they were back into place again. But, by the time it ended, my lips were swollen like 2 sausages, and until now, there is still a small scar on my lip..What then happened to my teeth? The 2 teeth went back into the slots where they belonged but did not have a life of its own, as I refused to go back to the dentist due to the agony he put me through. Well, I regretted it, because my teeth were dead from the moment it was put back. During my JC time, when I extracted it out, it smelt like.... and it was already rotten inside.. So, finally I got dentures, and I just changed into a new pair recently. You must be wondering, so what exactly happened during my Sec 1, and why I did not go for implants (i.e permanent teeth, or denture)?
One set of implant (2 teeth) , where they screw it into your gums, will cost around $8k. Yes, that is how expensive it is. So I have not saved enough for my precious teeth.
And next, it goes that, few years down the road, during one of our NPCC gatherings, when we were all 20 plus, we were reminiscing about the good old days, and we were joking about how our NCOs, and one of our friends, who nearly fainted after he saw me blackout. haha. His face was greener than the leaves. And one of my friend then made this admission: " Actually hor, I was in front of you, but you may not have remembered. But I thought you were playing with me, so I siam (jump) to one side, and then you fell onto the floor liao." Can you imagine how hard we were laughing cos of this? My PRECIOUS front 2 teeth were gone because he thought I was joking with him?? haha.. my precious... All right, we are still friends..and that is also one reason why I get so involved in NPCC.. Now my NPCC story.
I still remembered the days when there was still saturday for CCAs, when the government haven't realised that we are not making enough babies to make Saturday a non-working day. So we went to school early around 7.30am on Saturday morning for NPCC, and we spent about half a day marching, singing songs, and after lunch (my favourite curry maggi mee with luncheon meat and eggs.. Yummy! The only time where maggi mee was allowed to be cooked in school..) , we went on to play soccer, or captains ball, or telematch, or talk crap...But that was the time.. and my class from Sec 1 to 4, had the largest number of people in NPCC, 1/4 of class. So until now, 13 years of friendship, and going on strong. We still celebrate each others birthday, go out frequently to chill out, and share our laughter and woes.. haha.. my dear frens..
Okie.. so much for today's post.. But just for my students who still do not know me much, Cancerians are very emotional and sensitive people, but I am a very optimistic person. It is just that I do not laugh in front of you.. haha..That's all folks!
1st of all, I am a cancerian, hail all cancerians! yay! Now this joke happened during my secondary school days, think it was sec 3. The 1st time my English teacher walked into class (A big fat Angmoh) started off class by asking us to introduce ourselves and asking about our zodiac signs. Then, when he reached me, i was acting smart (ge kiang), so I said loudly, Last day of cancer! Then he gave me a very sad look and said: "Oh so sad, Please take care of yourself." I gave him that blur look, and the rest of the class were already laughing away. It was then I realized the joke. Did you get it?
Next, I was the geography rep in class during Sec 3. Apparently, teachers don't always choose the best student to be the rep! Yeah, and there were 2 instances that I could remember. There was once when I was disturbing others in class, talking to them during lesson, then suddenly, my geography teacher shouted across to ask my 3 other friends to stop disturbing me, cos I need to study! haha. Then, there was another instance when I was napping in class (cos it was really boring), and I was woken up by my Geog teacher again, who asked if I was sick, and whether I need to go to the sick bay! haha..
And the next 2 incidents is something that will be in my memory for life. Some of you who have noticed, would have known that my front 2 teeth are dentures. During my Primary 4, I was running along a bench, and I slipped and knocked my teeth on the edge of the bench. Ouch (number 1) , I can only recall that my whole mouth is bleeding, and was sent to the hospital, and there goes my baby teeth.
This is the interesting one. When I was in Sec 1, on this fateful morning, we were given a scolding by one of our NCOs in charge, so he was talking and talking, and the next thing I recalled was when I opened my eyes and saw my 2 front teeth lying neatly on the floor. Then, the pain came, Ouch (number 2)..My whole mouth was bleeding and of course it hurts lar, MY MOUTH HIT THE TARRED ROAD! So I was sent to hospital again, and I laid there for few hours. Luckily my NCO picked up my teeth, and both me and my teeth underwent an operation before they were back into place again. But, by the time it ended, my lips were swollen like 2 sausages, and until now, there is still a small scar on my lip..What then happened to my teeth? The 2 teeth went back into the slots where they belonged but did not have a life of its own, as I refused to go back to the dentist due to the agony he put me through. Well, I regretted it, because my teeth were dead from the moment it was put back. During my JC time, when I extracted it out, it smelt like.... and it was already rotten inside.. So, finally I got dentures, and I just changed into a new pair recently. You must be wondering, so what exactly happened during my Sec 1, and why I did not go for implants (i.e permanent teeth, or denture)?
One set of implant (2 teeth) , where they screw it into your gums, will cost around $8k. Yes, that is how expensive it is. So I have not saved enough for my precious teeth.
And next, it goes that, few years down the road, during one of our NPCC gatherings, when we were all 20 plus, we were reminiscing about the good old days, and we were joking about how our NCOs, and one of our friends, who nearly fainted after he saw me blackout. haha. His face was greener than the leaves. And one of my friend then made this admission: " Actually hor, I was in front of you, but you may not have remembered. But I thought you were playing with me, so I siam (jump) to one side, and then you fell onto the floor liao." Can you imagine how hard we were laughing cos of this? My PRECIOUS front 2 teeth were gone because he thought I was joking with him?? haha.. my precious... All right, we are still friends..and that is also one reason why I get so involved in NPCC.. Now my NPCC story.
I still remembered the days when there was still saturday for CCAs, when the government haven't realised that we are not making enough babies to make Saturday a non-working day. So we went to school early around 7.30am on Saturday morning for NPCC, and we spent about half a day marching, singing songs, and after lunch (my favourite curry maggi mee with luncheon meat and eggs.. Yummy! The only time where maggi mee was allowed to be cooked in school..) , we went on to play soccer, or captains ball, or telematch, or talk crap...But that was the time.. and my class from Sec 1 to 4, had the largest number of people in NPCC, 1/4 of class. So until now, 13 years of friendship, and going on strong. We still celebrate each others birthday, go out frequently to chill out, and share our laughter and woes.. haha.. my dear frens..
Okie.. so much for today's post.. But just for my students who still do not know me much, Cancerians are very emotional and sensitive people, but I am a very optimistic person. It is just that I do not laugh in front of you.. haha..That's all folks!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Reflection of the day..
I just finished teaching 2 classes today, and I experienced something that was hurting again. Why do I feel so emotional these days? One of my classes realized that some of them need to buck up and scored full marks in their spelling. I am very happy for them. However so, I realized that some of them still persisted their own ways, and did not learn their spelling.
I saw 2 boys making fun outside the class, and one of them suddenly pushed the other guy, and he flew at the door, and landed hard on the ground. Luckily he was not hurt. I called on the culprit who pushed him, and called him over. The guy who was pushed to the ground, flew into a great rage, banged the door, and went into his class and kicked the chair. After which, he stepped out, weeping, and looking very angry, wanting to confront the culprit who was standing in front of me. I stopped him, and calmed him down before speaking to the both of them. Then, both were asked to stay back to talk to me. I wouldn't have imagined what would have happened if I was not around. I think both boys would have gotten into a fight so bad that more would get involved and get hurt. I only felt lucky that I was there.
Next, I stepped into my other class, and again saw the boys fooling around, spraying water at one another and playing PSP. They were afraid that I may confiscate the PSP, and tried to hide it. But I promised to return if they studied their spelling. So indeed they took effort to study, but the work that I tasked them to do, most did not do. That was recess time.
When I went for the last class, I was feeling moody, because I had a very lost feeling, which I do not usually have. Maybe guys do have periods too. haha. I gave them their spelling, and after that, I went on to 念经 to them. I asked them what the meaning of "放弃” is, which means give up. I asked them why are they giving up on themselves, and their lives. While I was talking, I suddenly felt very sad, so sad that I nearly wept out, and my voice started to tremble a bit. I do not know if they realized, but I composed myself and carried on a while more, before getting on to serious work. I could see that most of them understood what i said, but some of them still continued to poke fun of each other in class, which also upset me. However so, I think they got the message across, but whether they will continue to be like that, or they will change for the better, it is up to them.
"I LEAD MY LIFE"
"I AM THE MASTER OF MY LIFE"
Finally, I am glad that I met them in a part of my life. If they change for the better, I will be happy for them, but if they continue as what they are, then I can only hope... Hope that one day, they will understand and see the true meaning of what I have said today. Saying is easier than done. Jiayou bah, my students, and whoever reading this.
I saw 2 boys making fun outside the class, and one of them suddenly pushed the other guy, and he flew at the door, and landed hard on the ground. Luckily he was not hurt. I called on the culprit who pushed him, and called him over. The guy who was pushed to the ground, flew into a great rage, banged the door, and went into his class and kicked the chair. After which, he stepped out, weeping, and looking very angry, wanting to confront the culprit who was standing in front of me. I stopped him, and calmed him down before speaking to the both of them. Then, both were asked to stay back to talk to me. I wouldn't have imagined what would have happened if I was not around. I think both boys would have gotten into a fight so bad that more would get involved and get hurt. I only felt lucky that I was there.
Next, I stepped into my other class, and again saw the boys fooling around, spraying water at one another and playing PSP. They were afraid that I may confiscate the PSP, and tried to hide it. But I promised to return if they studied their spelling. So indeed they took effort to study, but the work that I tasked them to do, most did not do. That was recess time.
When I went for the last class, I was feeling moody, because I had a very lost feeling, which I do not usually have. Maybe guys do have periods too. haha. I gave them their spelling, and after that, I went on to 念经 to them. I asked them what the meaning of "放弃” is, which means give up. I asked them why are they giving up on themselves, and their lives. While I was talking, I suddenly felt very sad, so sad that I nearly wept out, and my voice started to tremble a bit. I do not know if they realized, but I composed myself and carried on a while more, before getting on to serious work. I could see that most of them understood what i said, but some of them still continued to poke fun of each other in class, which also upset me. However so, I think they got the message across, but whether they will continue to be like that, or they will change for the better, it is up to them.
"I LEAD MY LIFE"
"I AM THE MASTER OF MY LIFE"
Finally, I am glad that I met them in a part of my life. If they change for the better, I will be happy for them, but if they continue as what they are, then I can only hope... Hope that one day, they will understand and see the true meaning of what I have said today. Saying is easier than done. Jiayou bah, my students, and whoever reading this.
十件学生想要知道关于他们老师的事（10 things that student want to know about their teacher)
当学生看到新的老师，都会对他们的身世、背景感到很好奇。以下是他们所会向老师“炮轰”的问题。
1。老师，你今年几岁？
2。老师，有没有女朋友？
3。老师，你结婚了没？
4。老师，你的父母是华人还是马来人？
5。老师，你住在哪里？
6。老师，你几时要请我们吃东西（棒棒糖、午餐等） ？
7。老师，为什么你给这么多功课？
8。老师，你去过什么国家旅行？
9，老师，为什么你要做老师？做老师会吐血啊！
10。老师，你喜欢做什么，或你有什么嗜好？
为了满足学生的好奇心，也为了阻止他们对老师的炮轰，我决定把以上的答案公布。以下是我的答案。哈哈。
1。你猜咯，20+
2。为什么你不问我有没有老婆？
3。我的样子像结婚了吗？
4。我是真正的华人，父母也是华人。
5。我住在新加坡的一个角落，蔡厝港。
6。请客不是问题，但要让我觉得是值得的。你们开心，我也请得高兴。
7。你以为我想给那么多功课吗？你们做得越多，我的工作量越大！你们做一份，我做90份。说到底，还不是为了你们好，不做能学到东西吗？
8。我去过柬埔寨、泰国、澳洲、马来西亚、香港、中国、印度等。每年都设法去至少一个国家开阔视野。
9。这个问题我想了很久，最后的答案是为了启发学生，希望你们能够多珍惜自己所拥有的，看看周围其他不幸的人，不要一直觉得你是最惨的，有很多功课做很惨，因为有很多人连上学的机会都没有。
10。我有很多嗜好，但没时间进行。打羽毛球、唱卡拉ok、打桌球、踢足球、潜水、旅行、启发他人、和朋友出门、上网、尝试新的事物、教书，还有很多很多。
1。老师，你今年几岁？
2。老师，有没有女朋友？
3。老师，你结婚了没？
4。老师，你的父母是华人还是马来人？
5。老师，你住在哪里？
6。老师，你几时要请我们吃东西（棒棒糖、午餐等） ？
7。老师，为什么你给这么多功课？
8。老师，你去过什么国家旅行？
9，老师，为什么你要做老师？做老师会吐血啊！
10。老师，你喜欢做什么，或你有什么嗜好？
为了满足学生的好奇心，也为了阻止他们对老师的炮轰，我决定把以上的答案公布。以下是我的答案。哈哈。
1。你猜咯，20+
2。为什么你不问我有没有老婆？
3。我的样子像结婚了吗？
4。我是真正的华人，父母也是华人。
5。我住在新加坡的一个角落，蔡厝港。
6。请客不是问题，但要让我觉得是值得的。你们开心，我也请得高兴。
7。你以为我想给那么多功课吗？你们做得越多，我的工作量越大！你们做一份，我做90份。说到底，还不是为了你们好，不做能学到东西吗？
8。我去过柬埔寨、泰国、澳洲、马来西亚、香港、中国、印度等。每年都设法去至少一个国家开阔视野。
9。这个问题我想了很久，最后的答案是为了启发学生，希望你们能够多珍惜自己所拥有的，看看周围其他不幸的人，不要一直觉得你是最惨的，有很多功课做很惨，因为有很多人连上学的机会都没有。
10。我有很多嗜好，但没时间进行。打羽毛球、唱卡拉ok、打桌球、踢足球、潜水、旅行、启发他人、和朋友出门、上网、尝试新的事物、教书，还有很多很多。
Think about others before yourself.
These are some questions that I think many teachers will ask of their students, and the answers given are always so standard, so I try to see how students think.
1. Students, why did you not do the homework I give?
Sample Ans: Got tests, and so many homework that other teachers give. You only give 1 day or 2 days to do, where got time to finish?
The real scenario:
1. There is really a lot of work that teachers give (but which teacher doesnt give homework except PE teacher? They also gave homework too, by asking you to keep fit!). But if most students can complete, why can't you?
2. I am just lazy, when I see homework, I really have phobia, I rather the teacher come and chase after me, then I stay back and do.
3. I rather play the computer, playing games is better than writing work! Or I play the computer for more than 3 hours a day, after that so tired already, how to do work? Might as well go to sleep.
4. Wah, CCA is more important, I rather go for CCA, than do work, so much more enjoyable!
5. Simply can't be bothered. Heck care lar, do you think doing homework can help me pass?
Isn't it true? Come on, I was a student once, how can I not know what you are thinking? So give me a break, treasure what you have got, and really go and DO YOUR HOMEWORK!
Next,
Question: Students, why do you keep on talking?
Answer: Sorry, next time will not do it again. ( Liar, I know you will make noise again!)
Real Scenario:
1. Because I have ADHD, and I just can't stop talking or moving about.
2. The more likely case: Because I just feel like talking, and can't keep my mouth closed.
3. Also highly likely: I need attention, I need the guys or gals in class to take notice of me!
If you talk, you not only disrupt the lesson, but it makes learning difficult. Before you talk, ask yourself, is it necessary to talk? Think about other's feelings.
If you do not want to do your work, think about your poor teachers who have to keep hounding you, think about your parents who will be disappointed when your poor teachers call them up and tell them the problem, and think about what is your purpose of coming to school to study. Thanks.
1. Students, why did you not do the homework I give?
Sample Ans: Got tests, and so many homework that other teachers give. You only give 1 day or 2 days to do, where got time to finish?
The real scenario:
1. There is really a lot of work that teachers give (but which teacher doesnt give homework except PE teacher? They also gave homework too, by asking you to keep fit!). But if most students can complete, why can't you?
2. I am just lazy, when I see homework, I really have phobia, I rather the teacher come and chase after me, then I stay back and do.
3. I rather play the computer, playing games is better than writing work! Or I play the computer for more than 3 hours a day, after that so tired already, how to do work? Might as well go to sleep.
4. Wah, CCA is more important, I rather go for CCA, than do work, so much more enjoyable!
5. Simply can't be bothered. Heck care lar, do you think doing homework can help me pass?
Isn't it true? Come on, I was a student once, how can I not know what you are thinking? So give me a break, treasure what you have got, and really go and DO YOUR HOMEWORK!
Next,
Question: Students, why do you keep on talking?
Answer: Sorry, next time will not do it again. ( Liar, I know you will make noise again!)
Real Scenario:
1. Because I have ADHD, and I just can't stop talking or moving about.
2. The more likely case: Because I just feel like talking, and can't keep my mouth closed.
3. Also highly likely: I need attention, I need the guys or gals in class to take notice of me!
If you talk, you not only disrupt the lesson, but it makes learning difficult. Before you talk, ask yourself, is it necessary to talk? Think about other's feelings.
If you do not want to do your work, think about your poor teachers who have to keep hounding you, think about your parents who will be disappointed when your poor teachers call them up and tell them the problem, and think about what is your purpose of coming to school to study. Thanks.
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