it is not the end...

Without realizing 14 weeks have just gone with a blink of eyes. Soon we will be leaving UPM. (Sigh….) This will be my final blog for this topic. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all my lecturers in UPM. You all have really polished us!
Thank you once again!

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IN THIS COURSE.

This course has made me aware of many things in terms of coming up with a project paper as well as exposure to the different types of literary writing that we have. In this course we are required to come up with two papers, position and research papers. Both helped me to improve my critical thinking as well as writing skill. I just wish I could have taken the EDU 3067 course before I take this EDU 3234 course. This is simply because I think I could have really improved my analysis as EDU 3067 entails many notions on how things are viewed, the approach and many other essential topics solely on literature. However, I am happy with my work.
Looking at the readings that we have done in class, well it is extremely useful and remarkable. Every moment was a knowledge receiving moment in the reading of literary text classes. We had many discussions that were thought provoking. We have read about many famous figures’ writing. Let it be their letters or diary or speech or anything. It is fun learning these types of literary text as we get to know about the writer’s attitude and things like that. So now if I ever to read a letter, a diary or a speech I think I will be able to detect certain things about the writer (it is going to be very helpful for me in the future).
In short, this course has moulded me to become a better literature person as well as a good critique and most of all a frequent BLOGGER!

Martin Luther’s Speech…

In today’s class, on the second hour, we discussed on the speech of Martin Luther King. I would strongly say that it actually deserves the fame and recognition that it has now as it is really well written! (as I only saw it on paper yet to hear the speech which is available in the website entitled English as Second Language). We thoroughly examined the language of the speech- the sentence structure, the choice of words and many other elements which it is really rich with. The speech actually has a very strong message that can make one ponder on the idea of equality, segregation and discrimination.
After the discussion, my lecturer talked about how important is speeches and put forward the question why we Malaysian do not have or examine any speeches from our very own great people in the country? This made me to think! Yes, actually we should expose Malaysian with the speeches that would some sort create awareness and instill patriotism in the young ones. Our father of independence Tunku Abdul Rahman’s speech should be revealed to all Malaysian so that we would and will have the strong sense of belonging to the country. I think in the future I will take the effort to put in practice what my lecturer has suggested as I think it is very important and very convincing. I will share with my students the speeches that our statesmen has spoke so that the young ones will benefit out of it, will know more things and will break the rules of not knowing anything on the convictions that they have made.

Gaining some insight from the movie History Boys

After having much excitement watching, the movie The Freedom Writers, we watched another movie entitled “The History Boys”. This movie is a British movie so it is sophisticated in terms of the language and also the portrayal of the issue depicted in the movie. Overall, it is an interesting movie. The plot of the story plays a big role. It has the captivating nature that made me to hook up with the movie. I wanted to know what is going to happen next…next…next…

In this movie, one of the prominent issues that I think should be highlighted here is the expectation that a student has on his or her teacher. I think I did and do have certain expectations on my teachers. And from the movie I have learned the teacher’s part well- meeting the students’ expectation is not that easy! (Lesson for the day-I should not expect more from my teacher).

Apart from that, in the movie, there were three teachers teaching 7 boys. Different teacher had a different way of approach in his / her teaching. Well this part is very useful for future teachers like me.

In the movie, there is also an issue on homosexuality which I don’t know how to elaborate more. The issue on this is not that serious but it does cause a death!
In short, History Boys is a sophisticated, classy movie that one can watch when they need some boost on how a teacher can eventually have great satisfaction on the profession that they are attach to.

Reading "diary"

Where do you express your deepest self? Well one of the answer would be in a “Diary”. Writing diary is something like you are keeping track on your stuff, expressing your inner most thought…and extra. The audience of a diary is none other than the diarist simply because it is very much personal. BUT for a little change…try to read someone’s diary! It is interesting…you can really know a lot of things about the diarist through his of her diary entries. Recently in class, we discussed Andy Warhol’s diary entries. Only after the discussion and much input from my lecturer, I gained some insight about the significant of reading a diary. The example given was Virginia Woolfs diary entries whereby she talks about her struggle to write. Reading a diary actually creates a particular effect on the reader. I could see this, in the movie The Freedom Writer too. The teacher, Erin encourages / made her students to read the diary of Anne Frank to expose them the personal suffering that she went through which can be a boost to her students. Thus reading famous’ / important people’s diaries do give you and impact! Now I am in the process of reading Virginia Woolfs diary…

The movie-THE FREEDOM WRITERS!

The freedom writers! An interesting, motivating and most of all an inspiring movie for all teachers and teacher trainee I would say. The story line of the movie is remarkable! This movie is actually a boost for a person like me. After being so long as a teacher trainee, only this semester (6th) I started to have the strong feeling to become a teacher, to be in the field of education and to serve for the young ones. By watching this movie it has reinforced my recent feelings to be a teacher, a good teacher! This movie definitely has left a very great impact on me.
Even though the situation or the scenario in Malaysian school is not that intense as in the movie but I think such exposure gives me a better idea of the challenge a teacher undergoes and as well as the power of A TEACHER! A teacher can do wonders! They can reform the thinking of the young generation which is extremely amazing. Thus, I came to a conclusion that there is nothing impossible for a teacher…everything is possible!
Basically many good notion and teaching strategy can be grabbed from the movie. The different approach that the teacher, Erin, uses to tackle her students is something to look upon. It gives me an idea that teaching is a process...a learning process for a teacher! Apart from that, the dedication that Erin has towards teaching makes me to salute and admire her. She had to sacrifice many things in life in order to achieve her goal and give the best in her field. She did not regard teaching as a “job”, for her it is beyond that. What counts in this profession is self satisfaction that one gets when the product is out there. I just hope this inspiration in me will never fade but grow for the better!

A sudden change in my research paper.

It is a Sunday morning, and I was reading The Straits Times while slowly sipping my hot white coffee. I was flipping the pages and suddenly my action stopped and my mind was into my research paper. I thought for myself ‘there isn’t much that I can research on if I stick to the 2 short fictions, A White Heron and Boys and Girls.’ The story Barn Burning by William Faulkner came to my mind. It actually has a quite similar plot line with A White Heron whereby the climaxes of both the stories are making moral decision. Thus, I thought I can write more and research more by looking at the similarities of both stories on how the authors presents / portrays their theme of growing up. They next day I went to my supervisor’s office to discuss the insight that I have gained. However, I couldn’t locate her. Hence, I went on the next day, Tuesday and luckily she was there. I told her about my notion and she said that it is convincing. She asked me for a write-up. I gave it to her after two day which is on Thursday and now I am still waiting for her second approval.

My research topic / draft is APPROVED!

I worked on my research paper over one of the weekend and I passed it to my supervisor on a Tuesday and she said that the next meeting would be on a Friday. However it was canceled due to her busy schedule. We met on the following Friday and the good news is –my topic for the position paper is accepted. She said that I am on the right track after reading my draft for the proposed topic –the portrayal of the theme growing up in “A White Heron” by Sarah Orne and “Boys and Girls” by Alice Munro. My supervisor said that she wants to hand in our full/final draft by / on the 14th Mac 2008. Thus it would be easy for both parties as- she can go through our work thoroughly and if there is any mistakes to work on then there will be two weeks gap for us before the due date. I will start working on it soon because there isn’t much time leftJ

New project- Celebrations in Malaysia.

We are now engaged with another big project I would say. It is about creating a website / CD compilation on all the festivals/celebrations that are celebrated in Malaysia. It is basically divided to 3 parts whereby the first one is culture-base, the second one is religion-base and the third one is on other celebrations such as Valentine’s Day and many more. We are also to come up with the ways on teaching / exposing students to all the celebration. I personally think that it is terrifically a good idea on working this kind of project. This is simply because it helps us, the future teacher trainee to be knowledgeable about almost all the celebrations that are celebrated in our own country Malaysia. I am working on the Indian New Year celebration. The best part is I discovered many things that I do not know about the celebration even though I am an Indian origin. Well it happens. Now, I am quite happy that I at least have learned something new. I am really looking forward for the final product of this project as it will be really fun to know more about celebrations!!

Now I know the importance of presenting one’s own position paper.

I am one the early person to present my position paper and even at that moment I did not know the importance of the activity of presenting one’s position paper. But later, as my friends are presenting and as my lecturer was asking the same pattern of question to my friends who were quite out of track, I could see the rationale of the presentation and thus I could see the importance of the presentation. When, one is presenting a position paper, it is in a way trying to convince the audience on their stand or what we call as thesis statement. Presenters are expected to come up with some sort discussion on their stand. This not only makes us, the presenter bold, but more confident in way. Apart from that through the questions of my lecturer, we the presenters get a more appropriate idea on how to tackle the points and the discussion of the points in order for it to strongly hold up the thesis statement. Being an audience for this kind of presentation makes one to be more critical in their thinking. When my friends are presenting, sometimes I agree with what they say and sometimes I don’t. When I do not agree with them, I will justify myself why I say so and this helps me to be more critical!

My research topic

After much consideration, I have made up my mind to work on the portrayal of theme of growing up in “A White Heron” by Sarah Orne and “Boys and Girls” by Alice Munro. I have decided to work on this topic because I think these stories could be very much relevant for my students who are in the process of growing up. In both stories, the main character faces problem internally as well as externally in their process of initiation to adulthood. It applies to school students who are on the same boat as the main characters. Apart from that, I have also chosen these stories because I understand the stories well and I think I am comfortable working with it. Over the weekend I am going to start to do my write up because my supervisor is going to meet us somewhere next week. I think I can do it because I already have the flow of how I am going to do my writing in my mind.

reading an autobiography

“Reading an autobiography would be boring!” This was me quite sometime ago. But thing has changed now. Now I can read anything. Anything at all! Thus autobiography is no exception. How do you categorize autobiography? Entertainment? Educational? Well, I personal think that an autobiography comes under both entertainment and educational. You read it for pleasure thus it can be entertainment but as you read you learn a lot of things hence it becomes educational. I have read the autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi, Tun Dr. Mahathir and a few more. The most recent one would be an autobiography of Nelson Mandela. Well, reading an autobiography is actually quite interesting I would say. Sometimes it can be very motivational too! It exposes us on how well-known people went through their life. The hardship, the sacrifices, the achievements and everything is just there, written nicely and compiled. But how trustworthy is the written version? Well they can always exaggerate things right? It has been always a question mark for me.

Research paper.

Well, now moving I am moving to the next stage I suppose. From position paper to research paper. I am cracking my head thinking about the research paper that I am going to come up with. Meeting with my supervisor for the first time did help me to get some ideas on what can and cannot be done. I am very much keen in working with local literary text. I always think that priority should be given to local writers but…. I am having a hard time looking for the resource for local text, authors and etc. OR is it me looking for the materials in the wrong side of the world? By hook or crook I have to at least have something to show my supervisor by the next meeting if no it will be too late then. I just hope I can make my mind fast.

Done with my position paper –Clinging to the past fails Blanche-

Wow, I have done it! I am done with my position paper. The next step is to present it. The main points with the textual evidence are to be presented through a power point slide presentation. The presentation will some sort decide whether I have done the paper in the way it suppose to be! I just hope (sincerely hope) that I have worked on the paper in correct way. Well, I learned many things throughout the process of coming up with a position paper. Even though it does not differ much from the writings that I have done all this while, but now I think I have learned the proper way to tackle it. I am able to organize my writing better now I suppose. Coming up with a thesis statement and the main points are the foundation. If the foundation is strong and reliable then there are no worries!

The more organized way to come up with a paper.

Done with my thesis statement “Clinging to the past fails Blanche”, now I am working on my main points to support the mentioned thesis statement. I have to come up with 5 main points in order to support my thesis statement. I would say that NOW I have learned the proper way to come up with a paper (any paper – essay, article, research, position). This is simply because I can see the development in me through following the method that is being used in the course EDU3234. First, I chose the literary text that I am going to work on. Secondly, I worked on thesis statement and now I am working on the points that support my stand. Doesn’t it sound organized? I think it does. I am almost done with my points and I think after getting the approval from my lecturer, I will start working on my position paper. The due date isn’t so far.

Thesis statement.

Coming up with a thesis statement is not an easy job! I wrote more than 3 times on the board – each time with an improved version but it was all rejected. Finally, Dr. Edwin helped me out come up with a more appropriate one. After going through the process of creating a thesis statement, I would say that the whole process is interesting and beneficial. It has actually given me a clear and vivid picture of how a thesis statement should be. I reworked and reworked and reworked on my thesis statement and that has made me (a little bit) knowledgeable. Many of my friends too through went through the same process. Some of them were lucky as their first attempt itself was successful but for some theirs were only approved after more than 8 trials. Interesting right! A number of my friends came up with a really good thesis statement. It sounded professional. Some of them also came up with funny statements. The funniest would be the thesis statement that says “Unicorn is real. It proves the wife is crazy”. Even though it made me laugh to the maximum but I appreciate the way my friend thinks. I think he is trying to argue something that is different from the rest. Overall, coming up with a good thesis statement is very crucial as it is the foundation of a paper. The process that I went through is really an awakening!

Musée des Beaux Arts by W.H Auden

Simple poem with a profound / philosophical message! Here is where the problem lies. Sometimes I just feel I am so stupid because I couldn’t get the points of what all the poets in the world trying to say…or is it that I do not find pleasure in exploring their points? Or is it that I like to make my very own meaning out of it? What ever is it…it is literature – something to be appreciated and analyzed. Doesn’t it sound funny? Do you analyze something that you appreciate? Well I doubt I do. Hmm… let’s compare love and literature (as both deals with arts). You appreciate love and that is the reason why you don’t analyze it right? May be that is why people say love is blind. In the case of literature since you analyze it – it has eyes! Justified-deal!
Well, let’s get back to the track. The poem entitled Musée des Beaux Arts by W.H Auden is what I want to talk about. Reading the poem once…well to be frank it didn’t make me to even look at it again. Why? Well may be I didn’t take my regular cup of coffee and that made all the difference. The title in the first place weren’t attractive and the poem –DuLL. That is what I thought initially but after a few readings, I found something interesting, something thought provoking and that made me to think. The first stanza itself sounds motivating. The third one focuses on the painting of ‘Fall of Icarus’. Then I got the connection. It is something that is very general in the beginning and has been specified towards the end. It is about life! No matter what happens in this world- life still goes on! Thank you W.H Auden for the reminder. We will be discussing this poem in class next week or shall I say in 3 days times. Let’s see what happens…to be continued.

Fall of Icarus- the painting

Browsing the internet, searching for the painting entitled “Fall of Icarus” I found ample of images popping up. However, there were only two images that were very close to what I was searching for. The first one is a painting which involves two human with wings, one falling and the one looking at it. The other painting is hardly focusing on the fall of Icarus but in a way it is more attractive and lively. Looking at it closely, I realized that only the legs of Icarus sticking out of the water. Perplexed which is the most accurate one; I printed out both of the paintings.
After much discussion with my fellow friends, I was convinced that the painting which is more colourful and basically not focusing on the fall of Icarus is the exact one. The question “why this one” kept popping in my mind and to answer that I went back to the internet and yes I got the answer! The painter Peter Breughel actually in a way wanted to portray that the Icarus event as a non-significant one. He is telling the world that what ever happens life still goes on! The sun is still shining, the ship is still sailing and…and…
Discussing the same issue in class, I think I am on the right track.

EDU 3234

As for this semester we are required to take EDU 3234 Reading and Project Work for Teaching Literature in ESL Context course. I think this course would be a heavy one as it basically deals with project papers. Position paper and research paper are the two main projects that must be completed within 14 weeks.
As for the position paper, a thesis statement needs to be developed. After, listening to the explanation on how a thesis statement should be, I think I have to revise my understanding on it. All this while, I thought a thesis statement is some sort of a topic but only after entering the first class of EDU 3234, I have a clear picture of a thesis statement. Meanwhile as for the research paper, there will be a supervisor to guide and as for me it is Cik Sharifah. I have not thought about the topic that I am going to work on as I am only going to cross the bridge when I come to it.
Even though this course might be a weighty one, the advantageous part of it is that it will definitely expose me to the massive world of literary materials (which I hardly explore).