Dr. Joan Cutting giving feedback during Text & Discourse class.

Today was, is and will be a productive day.

Finally, am done with the mini presentations and looking forward to the intense ones i.e. 2 major assignments due in April and dissertation. If the sentence sounds glad – yes in a way. Looking back the past six months, I think I have experience loads in terms of academic development. Eventhough, the ride hasn’t been smooth; it provided the necessary kick in my backside to accelerate my learning curve.

This week marks the end of the 2^nd semester. I can’t believe that I have gone through so much learning and reading and grimacing at the fact I won’t be able to see my tutors and friends. I enjoyed the atmosphere during classes – where banter, teasing, laughter intersperse with serious thoughts (this doesn’t sound right, doesn’t it?!) – after classes – chatting with tutors, checking out with friends the plan of the day.

Lemme see if I can recall and reflect important points I have learned in the 6 courses.

(a)   Second Language Acquisition (SLA) – Despite the most theoretical course, everyone goes away remembering ‘low affective filter’, ‘i+1’ and UG. This reflects the tutor effectiveness in delivering lectures and handling workshops. A good point to take away from here – effectiveness.

(b)   Methodology – The most hands-on, practical course. We did loads of micro-teaching, putting theory into practice and putting experiential knowledge into practice. The atmosphere in this class exudes calmness despite the study weight due to the tutor attitude towards learning. A good point to take away from here – Attitude towards empowering learners

(c)   Curriculum – Despite taking the claim as being the least influential in the learners TESOL teaching environment, I would like to politely disagree. Although, the lectures and workshops tend to run over time, I believe it’s due to the tutor extremely deep and vast knowledge which is limitless. Points that reinforced my belief – needs analysis and formative evaluation. New knowledge – negotiated curriculum or syllabus, can it be implemented? Let’s do some action research when we get home. A good point to take away from here – Negotiation.

(d)   Research Methods – The most unpredictable and disjointed course. Why? This is the first time 3 courses are combined – TESOL, Language Education, and Language Teaching – so tutors from these 3 courses taught one subject. A good point to take away from here – yes, the saying – more cooks spoil the broth – holds true. Moderation and better planning needed for any program or academic writing.

(e)   Text & Discourse – The only course that provoke me to actually analyze every tiny detail behind spoken and written discourse. A good or bad thing – good because it hones my criticality – bad because the feeling of mistrust can manifest. So there needs to be a balance. A good point to take away from here – Language is reflected by the people speaking it and there is a personal growing interest to build a Malaysian English corpus (thank you – Drs JC, RD & BM)

(f)    Materials Evaluation & Design – The next most hands-on, practical course. I like the balance and co-relation between discussion and hands-on. What has been discussed is put into practice and discussed again. Sounds very much like a mini action research here. A good point to take away from here – The incorporation of action research in the classroom.

(g)   Teacher Education (Audit) – The course which prepares you to take on the reins of helping pre-service or in-service teachers in a TESOL context. I wanted to learn the gaps which I have made during my training session days. The glaring gaps I have noticed – the lack of creating awareness, personal reflective and professional development during the training sessions I have done. But behavior-wise/attitude is quite a challenge to work on as there are many variables to take into account. Still if I have the opportunity to work with pre-service teachers, I would put this three as support features. A good point to take away from here – Despite the rigidity connected with assessment – it is the most important feature to push development in a reconstructive phase.

Wonder if I should double post this in my SLA blog? Or change the virtue of my SLA blog to a reflective professional blog.

Gua minggu ini tidak dapat meng”update” blog saya.

Sibuk dalam persediaan untuk menghadapi 3 “presentation” dan 1 draf proposal untuk thesis. *ulp*

Akan menukil perasaan dan pengalaman yang dihadapi minggu ini dalam masa yang terdekat – oleh itu, diharapkan saudara serta saudari dapat bersabar!Terima kasih.