Happy Chinese New Year to all friends, visitors and students. May all of us fulfill our dreams this year!
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| (Credit: Google Images) |
Monday, 31 January 2011
Sunday, 30 January 2011
MELTA 2011
Here's another opportunity to learn and network in English Language Teaching.
(credit: MELTA)
20th MELTA International Conference
"English Language Education and Global Learning: Policy, Practice, Performance"
Primula Beach Resort, Kuala Terengganu
30 May – 1 June 2011
We welcome presentations that engage with the following sub-themes :
-Curriculum
-Reading
-Writing
-Oracy
-Grammar
-Vocabulary
-Multimedia
-Literature
-Workplace Literacy
-Pedagogical Approach
-Online and Distance Learning
-Outcome-based Learning
-Special Education
-Formal and Alternative Assessment
The conference also promises the following special events :
- MELTA-Smart Kids Way With Words Competition ( Malaysian schools)
- MELT-A-HEART (Corporate and individual)
- Basil Wijasuriya Award for Best Malaysian Teacher Presenter
- The Creative Teacher Showcase Award
TO PARTICIPATE:
Download the following forms:
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION FORM
http://www.melta.org.my/images/proposal_form_MELTA2011.doc
REGISTRATION FORM
http://www.melta.org.my/images/REGISTRATION_form_MELTA2011.doc
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
Submission of Abstract and biodata : 26 February 2011
Registration and Payment : 15 April 2011
Submission of full paper for Conference CD* : 15 April 2011
*Papers submitted for inclusion in the conference CD will be considered for publication in either of the two MELTA journals (Malaysian Journal of ELT Research and The English Teacher) as well as the SASBADI-MELTA ELT Series. The CD will have an ISBN.
Should you need further assistance, please contact MELTA at
Malaysian English Language Teaching Association
G-11-2, Putra Walk ,
Taman Pinggiran Putra,
Bandar Putra Permai,
43300 Seri Kembangan,
Selangor,Malaysia
Tel: 03-89453137 / +6017-6047490
email: meltaconference@gmail.com
website: www.melta.org.my
(credit: MELTA)
20th MELTA International Conference
"English Language Education and Global Learning: Policy, Practice, Performance"
Primula Beach Resort, Kuala Terengganu
30 May – 1 June 2011
The Malaysian English Language Teaching Association (MELTA) has been hosting its conferences for 20 years now, in line with its mission to extend the borders of education and learning. This year, the theme focuses on English Language Education and Global Learning: Policy, Practice, Performance.
Our lives are inextricably intertwined in this borderless world and we are all witnesses to this new reality. Nations are investing heavily in revamping their education policies to ensure that future generations are prepared for the rigours of the global economy. These new policies must translate into concerted efforts to ensure that students are equipped with knowledge of the world – its cultures, environments and social systems. We need Global Learners who possess the knowledge, skills and attitude needed to critically evaluate and understand the world around them. They need to appreciate cultural differences and rely on this knowledge when participating in this multicultural, interdependent world.
English Language Education plays an especially important role in moulding global learners. The English language classroom provides the right platform for skills development, and learning opportunities for understanding and empathising. The time is right to evaluate the role of English Language Education in Global Learning. Are the right policies in place and are they being realised through accurate practice and measurable performance?
This conference aims to bring together policy makers, administrators, practitioners and researchers to deliberate on this important theme. Malaysian teachers are especially encouraged to use this platform to share and make an impact on the ELT landscape.
We welcome presentations that engage with the following sub-themes :
-Curriculum
-Reading
-Writing
-Oracy
-Grammar
-Vocabulary
-Multimedia
-Literature
-Workplace Literacy
-Pedagogical Approach
-Online and Distance Learning
-Outcome-based Learning
-Special Education
-Formal and Alternative Assessment
PRESENTATION FORMAT
Presentations may be in the form of paper presentations (30 mins), Teacher Showcase (30 mins), poster presentations (30 mins), workshops (60 mins), panel discussions (60 mins) and commercial product demonstrations (30 mins). All presentations shall be made in English.
SPECIAL EVENTS
The conference also promises the following special events :
- MELTA-Smart Kids Way With Words Competition ( Malaysian schools)
- MELT-A-HEART (Corporate and individual)
- Basil Wijasuriya Award for Best Malaysian Teacher Presenter
- The Creative Teacher Showcase Award
TO PARTICIPATE:
Download the following forms:
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION FORM
http://www.melta.org.my/images/proposal_form_MELTA2011.doc
REGISTRATION FORM
http://www.melta.org.my/images/REGISTRATION_form_MELTA2011.doc
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
Submission of Abstract and biodata : 26 February 2011
Registration and Payment : 15 April 2011
Submission of full paper for Conference CD* : 15 April 2011
*Papers submitted for inclusion in the conference CD will be considered for publication in either of the two MELTA journals (Malaysian Journal of ELT Research and The English Teacher) as well as the SASBADI-MELTA ELT Series. The CD will have an ISBN.
Should you need further assistance, please contact MELTA at
Malaysian English Language Teaching Association
G-11-2, Putra Walk ,
Taman Pinggiran Putra,
Bandar Putra Permai,
43300 Seri Kembangan,
Selangor,Malaysia
Tel: 03-89453137 / +6017-6047490
email: meltaconference@gmail.com
website: www.melta.org.my
ICELT 2011
ICELT 2011
International Conference on English Language Teaching
“Teaching English as Performing Art”
ICELT 2011 invites papers on all aspects of ELT and English Language StudiesDeadline for Proposals: 30th June 2011
18-20 September 2011
Swiss-Garden Golf Resort and Spa
Damai Laut, Perak
Organized by
Saturday, 29 January 2011
Teacher Talk 15:Year One Textbooks Errors
What are your views? Comments welcome.
(credit: NST Online)
2011/01/04
letters@nst.com
I LOOKED at the 2011 Year 1 English textbook and to say I am shocked by the contents is an understatement.
The book is riddled with errors in grammar, vocabulary and sentence structure, more than what I have seen in previous textbooks.
Obviously, it is a poor, half-hearted attempt at writing a textbook by people who do not know the language well.
These are some of the errors (in italics) I noticed:
- He closed his eyes and fell aslept. (p28)
- Is it a pin in the tin? (p29)
- Vary the song with other actions. (p 33)
- Pat saw the map. (p41) (The correct expression should be "looked at")
- Pupils take turn... (p45)
- What do you like to have as a birthday gift? (p54)
- Pupils name the picture and segment it. (p55) (How do you segment a picture? It should be "segment the word")
- Our flag has four colours. There are blue, red, yellow and white. (p 59)
- Tom picks the mug. (p61) (It should be "picks up")
- Paste in it the book. (p62)
- After the word is formed, pupils blend to read the words. (p65) (What are the pupils blending here?)
- Pull out the two triangles apart. (p70)
- Fold both bottoms up on each side. (p70)
- Eat less sweet. (p82)
- Stress on the phonemes... (p91) ("on" should be omitted)
- Repeat the process alternately. (p95)
There are also errors in structure and logic. On page 52, in the rhyme on days of the week, Monday and Saturday have been inadvertently left out.
Expressions like "chalks, coloured pencils" (p73) should be written as "pieces of chalk" and "colour pencils". On page 112, "horse saddle" is stated as a form of transportation. Why is "saddle" used in this phrase?
The title "So Hairy and Scary" (p121) for a topic on animals that include giraffes and crocodiles is inappropriate. Another title, awkwardly written as "One word to many" (p132), could have been better worded. And throughout the book, pupils are asked to "chant" a poem or rhyme. In this context, the word "chant" is incorrect.
I lost count of the number of errors; there are just too many. Ideas and sentences are poorly linked and many of the rhymes and poems border on the ridiculous.
Writers should be cautious when writing poems. Just because we have "poetic licence does not mean we do away with sense and logic.
I noticed that there were three writers and four editors for the book. I cannot understand how not even one of them noticed the errors.
The book is published by Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka, but I am wondering whether the Curriculum Development Centre (Pusat Perkembangan Kurikulum) and Textbook Division (Bahagian Buku Teks) vetted the book before publication.
Don't all divisions in the Education Ministry work together on such matters? Why have the concerns raised by the public about the English language fallen on deaf ears?
With so many blunders, I foresee a bleak future for our education system. This is certainly not the way forward.
Teachers who are proficient would have a good laugh over the textbook content and resort to other resources when teaching English. Those who are oblivious to the mistakes will be teaching inaccurate language.
Sadly, young learners are the victims and will start off the new year learning broken English.
As far as English is concerned, we're off to bad start.
SANDRA RAJOO, Ipoh, Perak
(credit: NST Online)
2011/01/04
letters@nst.com
I LOOKED at the 2011 Year 1 English textbook and to say I am shocked by the contents is an understatement.
The book is riddled with errors in grammar, vocabulary and sentence structure, more than what I have seen in previous textbooks.
Obviously, it is a poor, half-hearted attempt at writing a textbook by people who do not know the language well.
These are some of the errors (in italics) I noticed:
- He closed his eyes and fell aslept. (p28)
- Is it a pin in the tin? (p29)
- Vary the song with other actions. (p 33)
- Pat saw the map. (p41) (The correct expression should be "looked at")
- Pupils take turn... (p45)
- What do you like to have as a birthday gift? (p54)
- Pupils name the picture and segment it. (p55) (How do you segment a picture? It should be "segment the word")
- Our flag has four colours. There are blue, red, yellow and white. (p 59)
- Tom picks the mug. (p61) (It should be "picks up")
- Paste in it the book. (p62)
- After the word is formed, pupils blend to read the words. (p65) (What are the pupils blending here?)
- Pull out the two triangles apart. (p70)
- Fold both bottoms up on each side. (p70)
- Eat less sweet. (p82)
- Stress on the phonemes... (p91) ("on" should be omitted)
- Repeat the process alternately. (p95)
There are also errors in structure and logic. On page 52, in the rhyme on days of the week, Monday and Saturday have been inadvertently left out.
Expressions like "chalks, coloured pencils" (p73) should be written as "pieces of chalk" and "colour pencils". On page 112, "horse saddle" is stated as a form of transportation. Why is "saddle" used in this phrase?
The title "So Hairy and Scary" (p121) for a topic on animals that include giraffes and crocodiles is inappropriate. Another title, awkwardly written as "One word to many" (p132), could have been better worded. And throughout the book, pupils are asked to "chant" a poem or rhyme. In this context, the word "chant" is incorrect.
I lost count of the number of errors; there are just too many. Ideas and sentences are poorly linked and many of the rhymes and poems border on the ridiculous.
Writers should be cautious when writing poems. Just because we have "poetic licence does not mean we do away with sense and logic.
I noticed that there were three writers and four editors for the book. I cannot understand how not even one of them noticed the errors.
The book is published by Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka, but I am wondering whether the Curriculum Development Centre (Pusat Perkembangan Kurikulum) and Textbook Division (Bahagian Buku Teks) vetted the book before publication.
Don't all divisions in the Education Ministry work together on such matters? Why have the concerns raised by the public about the English language fallen on deaf ears?
With so many blunders, I foresee a bleak future for our education system. This is certainly not the way forward.
Teachers who are proficient would have a good laugh over the textbook content and resort to other resources when teaching English. Those who are oblivious to the mistakes will be teaching inaccurate language.
Sadly, young learners are the victims and will start off the new year learning broken English.
As far as English is concerned, we're off to bad start.
SANDRA RAJOO, Ipoh, Perak
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