Alhamdulillah, I finally received the writer's copy although it was only the students handbook :) Thanks to Sheila (ELTcs) for the kind thought. I was one of the module writers and would certainly be proud to keep a copy. This programme is a brave new idea by the Ministry of Education where for the first six months, Form 1 students will be immersed in only listening and speaking activities. More schools have been identified for the programme. It would be nice to know the feedback from schools and how well the programme is going for this is 'revolutionary' to me and to most of you out there too. I was made to understand that the theory underpinning this is dialogic teaching. Basically, it is about getting students immersed in 'talk'. You can read more about it here.
Those who can Do Those who can do more TEACH
i may sound pessimist, but there should be some modifications to the present directive given on how OPS english should be conducted in classrooms, what now with the emergence of PT3 test for form 3 students.
ReplyDeleteYou're not being pessimistic at all. My question is..can teachers do listening speaking for six months without worrying about exams? If we can give them six months of listening and speaking (in Form 1), then the programme will be successsful. This revolutionary method challenges teacher beliefs doesn't it. I'm not saying it is very successful or it will fall flat but it does challenge our normal practices as a teacher. I'm interested to know how it went in your school :) Hope you can share.
ReplyDeleteAssalamualaikum Puan Rahmah,
ReplyDeleteThank you for coming to our school (SMK Bandar Tenggara) for SPM program last year. I am Nurulfalah. I think OPS-English is an interesting new addition to the English syllabus. When I attended the related course last month, I was quite pessimistic as well but as long as the teachers try to be positive and enthusiastic towards this change, I believe all is well. Actually, I will be doing my Masters research on OPS-English implementation starting from this month. I want to suggest the implementation of drama techniques to help ensure the success of OPS-English, If it is possible, and since you are one of the module writers, can I contact you in case I have problem about the module?
Wassallam Norfalah,
DeleteIn sha Allah. All the best in your masters :)
Assalammualaikum, Puan Rahmah..
ReplyDeleteRegarding OPS English, up till now i'm still not clear how the program should be conducted in the real classroom.. this program is aimed for Band 3 to Band 5 schools which we obviously know most of the students have low proficiency in English. I exprienced myself where i could hardly get response from the students due to they don't have the background knowledge of the language. Since the programme is merely targeting on aural and oral, therefore the students are not allowed to have any written work in the class - this is what I was told during the course. My problem is, the students have difficulties noticing the words, and remember the words or sentences if they are not allowed to write anything. I did raise this question before, and their response was, the students are allowed to have written work but only as homework, in which I don't think the weak students are able to know how to spell and even still remember words they learnt in the classroom.. So, Puan..maybe u have a clearer explanation on this matter? Thank you in advance :)
Wassallam,
DeleteI understand your problems but I am not able to answer them as my role was only to build the module. You can direct your questions to your JU who has been trained in the district. He/She may be able to help you better. My apologies and all the best!