Assignment Tittles

THIS BLOG PRESENTS TO YOU

ABOUT

INTERVIEW WITH ENGLISH TEACHER

Acknowledgement

    Assalamualaikum

             

         We would like to share our experience and challanges we faced in order to finish the task given. At first, we made many calls to a lot of kindergartens, but the result was dissappointing as there are no kindergarten that was willing to give us cooperation. However, it is too early for give up. Then, we decided to search for the kindergartens ourselves by foot. Little Caliph agreed to give us cooperation but to find the second kindergarten was really hard for us because we had to make an appointment first with their headmaster. For the second kindergarten, the teacher agreed for the interview. We were so happy our hard work paid off. The staff told us to come again for the interview the next day. However, we were greeted with a bad news as soon as we arrive on the next day for the interview; the interview is not allowed because of some reasons. We then agreed to allow Nabilah to do the interview alone at Kedah as she already found one there. Three of us made an interview at Little Caliph. The lesson learned, we should ask the leader first before make a decision and be patient of what you did because Allah will give the best thing to us.

      Firstly of all, we would like to thank to Allah for give me strength and good mind to think for finish this assignment. Without our strength, maybe we can’t submit this blog on the punctual time. Alhamdulillah, we also learn to be more grateful.

     

       Secondly, the special thank goes to our helpful lecturer, Miss Siti Sara binti Mohd Ariff who has the attitude and the substance of a genius in English Pre-school subject.  She gives a best support towards her students to guide them to do an assignment. Without her guidance and persistent help this work paper would not have been possible.

      Another special thanks to our beloved parents. They never stop to support and guide us for our education. Every single word they told us is really inspiring. Thank you to our friends for sharing ideas regarding this assignment. Even though they are busy with their assignment, they are willing to sacrifice their time and effort to help us.

Interview with Tadika Diglosia

Assalamualaikum, I’m one of the students from International Islamic College, taking diploma in Early Childhood Education and I have been assigned to do an interview with an English pre-school teacher for my English for pre-school course, but first, can you please introduce yourself?

My name is Fauziah Mohd Hussain. I opened up this center way back eight years ago when I came back from Kuching and after I resign from my career as an assistant manager in bank. So, initial reason why I opened up this center is to fill up my own children with Montessori education, actually. She was about three years-old, I thought why not I share my knowledge and experience with other children as well. This is why I opened up this center. It is a very pleasant experience actually.

Oh, you said you’ve been working for eight years already?

It has been my eighth years in this center. This center has been here for about eight years.

Can you tell us about your experience in working in the pre-school setting?

A lot. A lot of experiences. The best moment is when the children come out with the ideas, the children came to me and say that “Auntie Zie..” (that is what her students call her) when they were reading and tell me this is this this this and this. And when I did my Science project on the life cycle of a frog, the children were very excited and that was the best experience that I,  as a pre-school teacher had with the children. There’s a lot actually. Eight years in this center, there’s a lot of experiences. The best part is when they came one day; “Hi auntie Zie, you look so pretty today.” It makes my day.

To teach pre-school English, what are the methods that you used?

I am a true believer of the Montessori method. I still do Montessori method of education to the children because I find that it is a very beautiful method that you can use. If we relate in Islam, we as the Muslims, it also correlate well, actually. We did not documented it, whereas Montessori documented it what should we do from A to Z. For example, in the practical life, the simple thing as how to use the toilet. I am truly a believer of Montessori ways and I also do the Islamic method as well, but the main is Montessori.

From your observation, how successful the method was?

-Very successful. We don’t want to pressure the children. We don’t want to put too much pressure on the children so we did it by learning through play because Montessori is about learning through play and the result is excellent. The children are happy to come to school and we do it in not a very formal way (the learning process). We made it as light as possible but filled with education method. I feel that it is very successful. They didn’t even know that they are learning, but the hidden objective is there, because with the Montessori apparatus, the children looks like it is a plaything, but we as the educator, we need to understand, what is the hidden objective of it, so we need to emphasize on that.

In your opinion, what is the importance of teaching English for pre-school?

Very important. We are not in the rural area (Jitra, Kedah), but we are a little distant from urban areas.  It is very important, because we are surrounded by native language, our mother tongue is Bahasa Melayu. At least, when the children come to the school, the learn English. At least they have the background and the foundation of the English. It is important because when the children goes to the primary school, they have the basic English in them, so it will encourage the children to go to further and be more confident in front of their friends. I really think it is important.

For the parents to teach English at home, can you suggest a few examples?

They should speak English. There are not so many ways that we can emphasize on English unless you give the vocabularies of English to the children. At least the parents who have the background of English, give as much vocabularies as possible to the children and they wouldn’t found that it is an alien language to them. But it depends on the parents actually, I can’t say that they have to do a specific way to teach their children, because it depends on the background of the parents. That is why when they come to the school, I give as much as possible vocabularies to the children. Besides that, the parents should read a lot to the children. We don’t need to introduce bombastic words to the children, just read them story books with short and simple sentences.  Back to your question before, what is my good experience in teaching, the parent came to school one day “Auntie Zie, Afiq(her son) wants me to read The Star, so I have to buy The Star for me to make Afiq knows that I read English newspaper. That’s the best moment actually.

When you teach pre-school English, are there any barriers for you?

Not really, actually. Only for the first few months or days when they come to the school, they do not know what is ‘line up’ or ‘make a circle’, but the barrier is very very slight. I don’t have that much barrier with the children. The barrier is at home, actually because here at school, we give the same vocabularies, the same words and the same sentences all the time, so they will understand. For example; if I say ‘tidy up, children’. For the first few days they may not know what is tidy up, but now, they already know. They know what is tidy up, they know to ‘line up’ to take the food, they already know ‘wash your hand before eating’, there are not much barriers except for the first few days and months maybe when we give more and more vocabularies and they will take some time to absorb. There are not much barriers actually, because the children can absorb things well.  The barrier is at home actually, in our environment, between their friends.

Do they respond well to your instructions?

I have to use dual language, but sometimes I don’t. If I use difficult language, I have to use dual language. Or I do the action, for example I want them to move back, I’ll say ‘move back’ and take the children and move them to the back. It’s not that hard, actually.

Apart from the teaching method that you are using, are there any other methods available that you know?

The Islamic method of course, but I have to cooperate with Ministry of Education guidelines. I did the bridging for six years old children to fulfill what the ministry needs by the end of the year. There’s not much difference actually.

Do you separate your students according to age?

Yes and no. No when in the morning when they do the circle time. Montessori is the method where you put all the age together but she believe that the small children will learn something from the older children. When I did the Montessori exercises, I did not separate them but when I need to go for the KSPK method from the ministry, I need to separate them. But there are not much time when they got separated. They still mingle around together, especially in the morning, when they are eating, when they exercise outside, and before they go home, there are free choices activity, where they can choose what they want to do, that one, I didn’t separate them.  You could see that they mix around together. That’s the beauty of it.

To encourage the children to learn English, what are the specific commitments for parents?

Speak English. Give as much vocabularies as possible to the children, give the good English CDs to them. You know there are lots of English programs that are very good for the children out there. If the parents are afraid that the children would not understand, use dual language.  It will take a very short time for the children to understand actually. From the age of 0 to 6 years old, give as much language as possible to the children because that is their absorption period.

What are the commitments for the teachers?

My teachers speak English. I encourage my teachers to speak English, I even told my teachers to not talk to me if they don’t speak in English. Like I said, the barriers are not around school but the environment. We are surrounded by Malay community, and we use mother tongue, we could not avoid that criteria.

Okay, I think that is the end for our interview. Thank for having me.

Video with Tadika Diglosia English Teacher

Several Picture of Tadika Diglosia

Finally, I'm arrived !

The Snake Game

The children will feel suitable when sit there

Lastly, the playground that make children happy! :)

Interview with Little Caliph

Assalamualaikum.w.b.t I’m Nur Aziemah bt Ramli. This is my friends, Farah and Ika. Thank you for cooperate with us and teacher, can you introduce yourself?

My name is Siti Hashima. Before this, I am studying at International Islamic College same like us. And I am 24 years old. Nickname Is Teacher Shima.

Teacher Shima, for how many years have you been working in preschool setting?

For 3 years.

And I hope you may have many experience here. Can you tell us something about experience in working here?

The experience is more to dealing with children. Then, she taught a slow learner . For the first time, he did not know how to read and he knew to read after Teacher Shima taught him. Finally, he can read a one book. Among the many experience, Teacher Shima felt, this is best experience that she had so far.

Nice experience and I wish I get the experience too in future. Teacher Shima, what are the teaching method that you use for teach English?

Many teaching method that we use but usually I use flash card to teach them.

Is it good for children? How successful the teaching method that you used to teach pre-school setting?

It Is very good if we know how to use. This is successful because children enjoy it when learn through flash card.

For us, English is second language and we have to learn English to get a job. So far, what is the important of teaching English for pre-school?

The English is important to children because everywhere use English to communicate with others.

Some parents will teach English from beginners and expose their children with  English word. What are good example to teach English for children at home?

We should use English when we talk with children for example use simple word to communicate with them like: “Can you help me?” “What you want to eat?”

So, they know how to speak English at home. I know that too, you have a hard situation to handle the children. What are the barrier when you teach pre-school English?
Teacher Shima didn’t have barriers because she thought that children is “special” that Allah gives to us.Whatever they did, we have to accept it.

If any child is naughty and active. How do you undertake based situation?
First, Teacher Shima will hug, kiss and advice. If they cannot listen, I will use reinforcement first then gives the punishment.

Teacher, do you know about another teaching method that we can use?
We can use game because children like to play.

Lastly, what are the specific commitment for parents and teachers to teach English and do you think that commitment is most suitable for children to learn English.
 Parents and teachers must work as a team to make a child good and communicate in English. This is good way to encourage them learn in English.

Thank you teacher for cooperate with us again and I hope all the answer, I will use in future. Thank you! 

Video with Little Caliph English Teacher

Interview for Little Caliph

Several Picture of Little Caliph

Alhamdulillah, after a long journey, lastly we here ! :)

See ! there's a shape at the wall

Reading Corner

Look! there also have a caterpillar. Child can learn the alphabet

The floor

Islamic manners at the wall 

Number at the stairs

The door

Aziemah, Teacher Shima, Syafiqah, Fara

Comparison between Tadika Diglosia and Little Caliph

Method: Tadika diglosia is a kindergarten that uses Montessori method as their main method. They emphasize on learning through play as they believe the children will learn more through play than formal learning session.Montessori is beautiful method. English is the medium language use around the center . Most instruction are given in English too.Tadika Diglosia mixes children from age four to six toplay together as they believe the smaller children will learn from other children and vise versa. This is also an Montessori beliefs.

Environment: Tadika Diglosia is located in Taman Tunku Savina,Jitra,Kedah. It is very spacious center with 4 classes, an art corner,outside,eating area and the offside. There is mini playground located at the yard. The yard is very spacious and suitable for outdoor activities. The decoration inside the center is suitable for children. There are many words hang on the wall for children to see. They use mini table and chair  to make it easier for the children during  the learning process. The teachers also speak to each other in English to encourage the children  to speak English.

Method: Little caliph use a flash card to teach the children. Because they belief that flash card can make children easier to learn and they will enjoy it.

Environment: Little Caliph is located in Sri Gombak,Selangor. The kind of kindergarten is terrace home and the place at corner load. There is label every part of wall and floor so it easy to children know the information. Other than that, they also have reading corner, dining hall for eat, playground to encourage them to develop 5 sense and motor skills, lastly they use the hall to give children perform prayer so that they easy to do a prayer. For the language, they use bilingual language for communicate between teacher and pre-school students because of some of them cannot understand. 

THE BEST METHOD

Although there are a few similarities regarding the environment for both pre-schools, if we have to pick a pre-school which we prefer the method more, we would choose Tadika Diglosia. As mentioned before, Tadika Diglosia practice the Montessori method and they prefer teaching their students using hand-on experience; which is through play. We thought that it is interesting because it is easier to teach children by having fun than formal ways. Eventhough the children may not know that they are going through learning process, the teachers know what is the purpose of the activity and manage to deliver the learning context. We are also impressed with the center that uses English fully though it is not situated in the big cities like Kuala Lumpur, but small town of Jitra, Kedah. The teacher did say that it is not easy for the first few weeks, but the children will eventually catch up since that is their nature. Because of the two main reasons stated above, we chose Tadika Diglosia for the kindergarten that we prefer more.

Actor Musical Drama

Narrator

Mak Tanjung

Melur

Pekan

Musical Drama

There was once a tale about a scared cause called ‘batu belah batu bertangkup’. It was feared greatly by the villagers. It is said that the cave can be open and closed by continuous calling and people who got in will never go out anymore.

Once upon a time in nearby village, there lived Mak Tanjung with her two kids, Melur and Pekan. Her husband just passed away, so she has to raise her two kids alone.

One day, Mak Tanjung wanted to eat mudskipper eggs and she went to the river to catch the fish. She was so happy when she captured three. After an hour, she arrived at her home.

Mak Tanjung  : Assalamualaikum.

Pekan           : Waalauikumsalam, mak.

Mak Tanjung  : what are you doing?

Pekan           : I’m drawing our picture.

Mak Tanjung  : Where is your sister,Pekan?

Melur            : I’m here,mak.

Pekan           : Wow, there is big fish. It’s been long time , I don’t eat fish.

Pekan’s song  : Mak just come back from the river and she got three fish.Finally, I can eat fish,finally I can eat fish.

At the same time, Mak Tanjung called Melur. Melur didn’t hear it because Pekan is singing very loudly. Then, Melur noticed it and scold her brother.

Melur’s song  : Pekan! Pekan! Don’t sing anymore. I want to talk with Mak.

Melur           : Yes, Mak. Why you call me?

Mak Tanjung : Melur, this is mudskipper fish. I think there is egg inside. I had been wanting to eat it for a long time. Can you cook for me?

Melur          : Okay, Mak. But I don’t know how to cook it.

Mak Tanjung :Use this fish to make curry and fry the eggs. I’m going to search for firewood. If I’m late, you eat first with Pekan but don’t forget to leave some egg for me.

Mak Tanjung’s song : Bye! Bye! See you again. I will back from the work. Please wait for me.

After Melur finished cooking, she kept some egg for her mother. It is getting late and Mak Tanjung still not home. So, Melur decided to eat fish with Pekan since he has been crying.

Pekan’s song : Melur, I’m hungry, I want to eat. Please give me the food. I’m really hungry.

Melur’s song  : You can eat now. One for me, one for you and one for our Mak. But just eat one egg only. Please, don’t ask me again.

Then, they started to eat. But Pekan just ate the egg only.

Pekan       : Mmmm…the egg is very delicious.

Melur        : Pekan, don’t just eat the egg. Eat with the rice too.

Pekan       : I’m just finish eat my egg. Please give me some more.

Pekan’s song  : I want some. I want some more. Please give it to me.

Melur’s song   : This is for you. This is for you. Please don’t ask again.

Melur       :  We don’t have much. Take mine.

Pekan immediately ate the egg that his sister gave to him. The egg is so nice. After he finished it, he asked Melur for more again.

Pekan    : I want the egg more. It is not enough for me.

Pekan’s song  : Please! Melur! Please! Melur! I want to eat egg again.

Melur’s song  : Enough! Enough! Enough for you!

Melur     : There’s no more. Just eat the rice with curry. Another egg is belong to Mak.

Pekan didn’t satisfy with the answer, he kept crying and asking. Even Melur tried to stop him but it didn’t work. Suddenly, Pekan ran to the kitchen and took the egg under the plate.

Pekan’s song  : I found it! I found it! I can eat egg again.

Melur   :  Pekan! The egg is belong to Mak. Don’t eat it!

Pekan just ignore his sister and ate the egg happily. After a few minute, Mak Tanjung arrived at home. Melur immediately served her mother food.

Mak Tanjung : Where’s the mudskipper egg, Melur?

Melur           : I did keep some for you but Pekan ate it all. I tried to stop him but………

Mak Tanjung : So, there’s no more for me?

Melur           : I’m so sorry,Mak. Please forgive me.

Mak Tanjung’s song  : Why you all do this to me? 2x

Melur          : I’m begging you. Don’t feel sad. I will find again for you.

Mak Tanjung : How come you can find it? It’s so hard to catch the fish. Actually, I really want to eat the egg.

Mak Tanjung looked at Melur and Pekan sadly and left towards the words. She feels sadder because their children not love her anymore.

Mak Tanjung’s monologue : Why they do this to me? It is not enough I give love to them?

Mak Tanjung’s song  : Why? Why? I have nobody. I want to go far from this house.

Then, Mak Tanjung decided to leave her home and run towards forest. Melur and Pekan chase their mother from behind. They shouted and cried for calling their mother to back.

Pekan   : Mak, don’t leave us. Please forgive me. I will not do again.

Pekan’s song  : Mak, Please! Please! I’m begging you. Forgive me.

Melur    :Please think of us, Mak. We will be alone if you not around.

Mak Tanjung just ignored them and she went to “Batu Belah Batu Bertangkup”.Melur and Pekan had no energy to stop their mother. Mak Tanjung called the cave to open.

Mak Tanjung’s song  :“Batu Belah Batu Bertangkup”. Open the door. I want to go in.

Suddenly the cave opens. As soon as she step into the cave, the entrance of the cave got closed. Melur and Pekan cried hardly in front of the cave but their mother will never come back.

Pekan’s sing : There's no one in this world that can take your place
                      Oh, I'm sorry for ever taking you for granted, ooh
                      I will use every chance I get
                      To make you smile, whenever I'm around you
                      Now I will try to love you like you love me
                      Only god knows how much you mean to me
They are very upset and walk back home sadly.

The moral of the story is don’t be selfish and please respect your Mother.