tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823448375394525840.post280096857927971954..comments2023-10-20T17:52:31.098+08:00Comments on englishoasis: What's with exam techniques talks?Rahmahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16362524820677220788noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823448375394525840.post-59292119081285005552014-05-12T22:03:24.577+08:002014-05-12T22:03:24.577+08:00I agree with you Cindy! Unsuitable for primary chi...I agree with you Cindy! Unsuitable for primary children indeed. In my opinion if you teach to improve proficiency rather than teach to the test, you will achieve more at the end of the day. Once your students are proficient, they can answer any tests or exams. You can polish their exam techniques in the classroom while teaching. What we need to do is to teach for proficiency. Do something that has an impact rather than routine programmes that leave little impact.Rahmahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16362524820677220788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823448375394525840.post-2593759772153164452014-05-12T17:20:25.359+08:002014-05-12T17:20:25.359+08:00Personally, I believe 'talks' are more sui...Personally, I believe 'talks' are more suitable for more matured learners like secondary school students. I don't think talks are effective for primary school students. The way younger learners learn are very different from their older counterparts. <br /><br />I actually have a very strong opinion regarding this matter. For primary schools, 'answering technique' is a big no-no. I wouldn't accept invitation for a one-hour answering technique talk for UPSR students. For me, they are useless. You can't force 11 - 12 year olds to sit down quietly for an hour and listen to you talk and expect them to be better exam takers as a result. Younger learners need to be engaged, and the best way to engage them is by getting them to participate in hands-on and minds-on activities that are fun, interesting and motivating. I also don't believe in emphasising too much of this 'exam thing' in primary schools. At primary level, children need to be taught skills. To some extend, I think this over-emphases on examination-oriented activities (answering technique talk is definitely one of them) is getting out of hand, and I do believe that in some way they hamper students progress in language acquisition.<br /><br />I used to do a lot of talks when I was younger too. :-) And just like you, now I enjoy talking to teachers more. But if I still have to do it for students, I would insist on a focused workshop instead of a talk. I conducted a few writing workshops (not answering technique workshops) last year and I think they're more fruitful and productive - the children had more fun and they learn more. cindyjbjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16048944804974747974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823448375394525840.post-10859086823598551862014-05-02T11:39:26.355+08:002014-05-02T11:39:26.355+08:00how true zainal :) i'm very selective. i do it...how true zainal :) i'm very selective. i do it for friends or ex-students usually. however i must say going out and giving talks raised my confidence level as a young teacher. in those days it was "all systems go"!!! now i enjoy talking to teachers more :)Rahmahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16362524820677220788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823448375394525840.post-81040077749708079042014-05-02T11:13:29.270+08:002014-05-02T11:13:29.270+08:00I used to give similar talks last time but after s...I used to give similar talks last time but after some time, I tried not to accept invitations as I found that I had to spend more time scolding people not to talk and making them focus. This explains why it is quite difficult to get good teachers to come and conduct talk/workshop for students. The experience could be very disheartening.cikgu zainalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02006978046617539115noreply@blogger.com