Songs & Lyrics

This is one of my favourite songs recently...

The lyrics and melody suit me just right...

I sometimes wonder...

Will I die so beautifully?

Songs are entertaining and most of the times, they bring along the feelings of many people. I love lyrics in many songs, no matter what kind of language they are written in, as long as I can understand the meanings. In a language classroom, I think a teacher should allow the students to write lyrics of their own. The teacher could choose songs which are slow in pace, then, asks the students to change the lyrics using their own words. This is a way to promote the creativity of students in writing. I believe that the students are capable to produce many amazing lyrics than what the teacher had expected. The teacher then allows the students to share their works with their peers by singing the lyrics out. I had tried this once with a group of Year 6 students in the classroom and the feedback was great. I think language teachers should try this out.

Dear Diary,...

Through diary writing, people are able to enhance their writing skills, jot down special moments to keep as memory, voice out words which couldn’t be said, and many more. Children like to write about things happened in schools or their friends; teenagers prefer to write about their lovers or some family matters; whereas the adults would write about almost anything, anything that they would never want anybody to know. Well, it is actually very interesting to read the old stories in a diary if you have one which you had kept for years. Somehow, I do not have one for myself anymore, due to an embarrassing experience and some particular reasons. As I was a young kid; I used to have a few diaries, which I wrote many of my personal feelings in it. But somehow, I decided not to write any, since my brother took one of my diaries and read it out loud in front of my father and mother when I was 15 years old. It was a so shameful situation.

After that incident, I create a philosophy of mine...

[Some words could be spoken, but never to be written,

cos’ if they’re found, that might be the day you’ll be doomed.]

Anyhow, I do request my students to write a diary record once a week. This is to create the opportunity for them to write about their experiences and feelings, while practicing their writing skills. They are allowed to write on any event or experience but the content has to be a true one.

Online Task FOUR

1. Think of at least 3 benefits of using speeches by famous figures, in the classroom.

• Learn to become a better speaker
• Learn to write proper and appropriate speeches
• Improve the English language competency

                                        {a simple audio-visual speech sample)

2. Go to www.youtube.com and find the audio-visual on the speech. In not less than 50 words, state would the audio-visual be of any use in helping understand the speech better? State your reasons.
By using audio-visual in the classroom, teacher is able to achieve the objectives in the teaching and learning process more effectively compare to using audio alone. Sounds stimulate a person very well, however, together with the visual aids; a person is able to have a clearer picture of about the speech. It is better that the audience is able to view the background, scene, or facial expression of the speaker because that effect promotes better understanding. Besides, it is also entertaining and authentic to be used in the classroom.

3. Who is Martin Luther King?
Martin Luther King, born on 15th January 1929, appeared to be an American activist and an outstanding leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movements. He fought hard to gain equality of rights for all. In 1964, Martin Luther King received the Nobel Peace Prize and he was also the youngest person to receive this high honor in history. At 6:01 p.m. on April 4, 1968, King was fatally shot at the Lorraine Motel.

4. Based on the question below, analyze the features of the given written speech:
a. What is the purpose of the speech?
The speech is a message of HOPE. In his speech, he hoped for equality so that people can live in peace, without any discrimination and racism. His speech was a tool to break the chain of the unfairness.
b. What is the tone of the speech?
Martin Luther King used the repeated sentence ‘I have a dream’ with a persuasive tone.
c. What interesting major feature(s) can you see from the speech?
The repetitions of the sentence ‘I have a dream’ make his speech immortally memorable and also the use of interesting, stimulating and contrasting metaphors.
d. Any interesting facts that you can gather based on the background of the speech?
Martin Luther King is a symbolic figure with his speech ‘I have a dream’. He successfully shared the hidden voices of the blacks who were ill-treated at that time. This speech of his, inspired many people to have trust in their capability and beliefs.

5. Suggest a while-reading activity that can be derived from this particular speech.
Analyze the speech, part by part.

Online Task THREE

Knight of courage across the region,
With sword and blade covered with sins,
Fight for the nation and democracy,
Born as an eagle flying thru difficulties.
Tones of failures and bonds wounded him,
For freedom he fought and triumph over it,
Nelson Mandela, a man with believes,
Dare to fail, dare to be,
A hero of revolution we see!

-by Baby Teh Ling Chee-

Online Task TWO

1.       Do we have a canon for Malaysian literary works? Let’s say we do, who do you think are in it? Consider the fact that their works are well-known and most importantly included as pasrt of the school syllabus-(both in BM and English)

• KS Maniam
• Usman Awang
• Muhammad Haji Salleh
• Dina Zaman
• Shirley Lim Geok-Lin

2.       The poems by Erica Jong raise some feminist issues. What are they?

        Love, sex, and affection

3.       Do you think they are suitable to teach at the secondary school level? Explain.

Yes. Secondary school students, who are in their teens, are also in the process of learning how to be an adult. They eventually have to deal with love and conflict in life while they are moving into their adulthood. Therefore, works written by Erica Jong can be one of the ways to open their minds. However, the teacher has to choose carefully which poems to use because not all her poems are suitable.

4.       Is Hillary Tham’s poem more suitable?

I would say that both Hilary Tham and Erica Jong’s are suitable for our secondary school students. Erica Jong’s writings are probably a little more complicated compare to Hilary Tham’s poems.  For an example, ‘Becoming women’, is a good piece of work as a teaching material, which talks and describes about women experiences in puberty.

5.       The short tale from the Native American group is about a girl who is unsatisfied with her life. How is this a universal experience? Can it teach our students anything?

The short tale is a universal experience because it is always a human nature to be dissatisfied with things in life. No matter how much we have, or how good is life, human can never get enough, and would ask for more. The story is mirror to the reality in this world, and provides good moral values.

6.       From internet source find out more about Langston Hughes. From your findings about his background, tell me about the dilemma he conveys through the poem CROSS.

Langston Hughes is a mix of a black and a white, and that makes him in dilemma due to the uncertainty of himself. He is confused for being a child of multiracial decent, and for that, he struggled with his identity, until he realized to be proud of his heritage, regardless he had gone through so much in between.

7.       I find “Dinner Guest: Me” laden with irony and sarcasm. Briefly state if you feel the same.

Yes, I do. The irony of this poem is when he was invited by a white to a fancy restaurant, where he thought that was not a place he belonged to.  It is certainly a very bad feeling for him when he was questioned about his race with the tones of sarcasm by the white people. In the poem, he did mention about his unhappiness and dissatisfaction. 

8.       The experience in the poem Harlem is one that is true for many people. Do you agree?

Yes, the poem is closely relates to many people by bringing meaningful messages in it. 

9.       Langston Hughes fights for the voice of his people. What is the movement called?

Harlem Renaissance.

Online Task ONE

FOLKTALES
The Son of the Turtle Spirit is a folktale. List some of the well-known folktales from Malaysia.

• Si Tanggang
• Mat Jernin 
• Badang
• Sang Kancil Helps Kerbau
• Sang Kancil and the Crocodile

List some of the possible issues found in “The Son of the Turtle Spirit”

Love, fate, fengsui and spirits.

 

Are those issues universal in nature or are they only relavent in the Chinese culture?

Love and fate are both universal issues, where as it is a Chinese culture to be strongly believe in fengsui and spirits. 

 

FABLES
What are the other morals that can be gotten from the other fables by Aesop? (List at least TWO)

• The Tortoise and the Eagle – if men had all they wished, they would be often ruined. 
• The Bear and the Two Travelers – Misfortune tests the sincerity of friends.
• The Shepherd’s Boy and the Wolf – There is no believing a liar, even when he speaks the truth.
• The Two Frogs – Do nothing without a regard to the consequences.

MYTHS

One well-known literary figure from the Elizabeth age used Ovid’s Pyramus and Thisbe as a model to one of his famous plays. Who is he and what is the play?

William Shakespeare – A Midsummer Night’s Dream

 

LEGENDS

List some of the most popular legends we have in Malaysia

• The Seven Magical Wells
• The Legend of Mahsuri
• The Mysterious Giant Footprint
• The Fairy Princess of Gunung Ledang
• The Dragon of Lake Chini
• The Legend of Princess Santubong
• The Fury of Laksamana Bentan

 

The legend provided in the module is that of King Arthur taken by Book of Le Mort d’Arthur (The Death of Arthur) by Sir Thomas Malory who was an expert in Arthurian Literature. The module suggests that you think of how of you could adapt the text for students as it is written in an archaic language.

 

1. Who is Thomas Malory?

The famous English author, Sir Thomas Malory (c. 1410 – 1471), was the complier of the famous English classic, Le Mort d’Arthur. He had the identity to be known as a Warwickshire knight due to the development in his interest in politics during the 15th century. Sir Thomas Malory gained his eternal fame by writing and creating the immortal Le Mort d’Arthur.

 

2. When was Le Mort d’Arthur written?

It was said to be written in the 1450’s while Thomas Malory was still in prison and was completed in 1469 to be one of the greatest and major works of prose fiction in English.

 

3. How many books/parts are there in LMDA?

There are 21 books (arthurian-legend.com).

 

4. What is book 8 about?

It is about The Death of King Arthur.

 

5. Who were the two people who had an affair?

They were Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere.

 

6. Book 6 has a strong connection to a popular modern fiction which is now a movie. What is the title of the popular modern fiction?

King Arthur and Merlin: Lancelot and Guinevere (2004).

 

7. State three well-known facts about King Arthur / his time as a King

• King Arthur's sword.
• Betrayed by Sir Lancelot, his greatest knight.
• Being raised by Sir Ector who had a son named Kay.

 

Think of two ways in which you can use folktales/fables/myths or legends in the classroom. Explain briefly.

1. Role-play in the classroom would be interesting and suitable for the students in learning literature. By playing the roles in folktales/fables/myths or legends, the students could learn more about the characters, setting, theme, etc. I believe that role-play is an effective way of developing listening and speaking skills, meanwhile, the students are encourage to build self-confidence and reduce anxiety while learning literature.

2. Students can learn to write their own stories after some reading is done. Their creativities appear to be astonishing as they are believe to be able to create stories based on their real-life experiences or imaginations. Students might begin to adapt at first, and then slowly proceed to their own creations. This is a good way to promote more reading and writing opportunities in literature learning.

 

 

 

Fairy Tales

Fairy tales are my favourite. The best Fairy Tales in live action movies that I watched was The Never Ending Story (1984) and I could never get bored watching it over and over. Everything is so exciting, beautiful and magical in this movie!

About Fairy Tales, I love the concept of

“Happily Ever After”, and this phrase seems to a DREAM to every young girl. Well, I know that I am not that young anymore, to have such fantasy or dream; and of course I know about reality because I had seen so much as I grow older. However, I am a Pisces, and for that reason, I am born to be a dreamer. Therefore, it is very normal that I actually do fantasize and dream, more than anybody else around me. By the way, I have very good imaginations too. And my habit of imagining myself in a Fairy Tale would just turn on easily, right after I read or watched one.

I’d always love the Glass Slippers in Cinderella, having long and silky hair like Rapunzel, a prince who rescues me from danger, and many more. I even dream of having a crystal clear glass casket to lay in, when I die someday. That would be so cool! Most of all, I desire to wear beautiful gowns, attending balls, and then to dance with somebody I love, just like living in the world of Fairy Tales. Erm… I guess a white gown with glittering sparklers would be something great, especially the dress in the cartoon, Cinderella (1950 version).

I personally prefer Fairy Tales in live, than in texts! I enjoy watching all kinds of movies about Fairy Tales and could never want to miss any of them. There is a list here where all kinds of Fairy Tales movies can be found!!! Check it out and see which you had watched before and which you had missed out.

http://www.mrqe.com/lists/live-action-fairy-tales/the-best-to-worst-liveaction-fairy-tales

　

The Princess and The Frog Prince

One of My FAVOURITE....

Fairy Tale comes TRUE

when you're wearing a diamond ring of

Disney's Enchanted Ring from Poh Kong Jewellery