We were notified about the coursework briefing the night before, and rest assured,

we were all hesitant. We knew what was going to hit us before we even had any idea what it
was. The briefing was given by Mr. Markanthan and we were then handed the coursework
guideline. The coursework is comprised of 3 parts; the first one is the group proposal paper,
the second one is the language camp and the last one is this reflection.
Each group has 3 members and was to conduct one English language related game.
My groupmates, Toh May Ann and Paula Peter, handled the choral speaking competition
which was scheduled to take place during the 3-day language camp in Port Dickson. Before
we began writing the proposal, we searched for the rules and regulations of choral speaking.
We were quite familiar with the competition because we were choral speakers in our school
days, but could not recall the specific rules and regulations.
We compiled the rules and regulations and also made a few changes to the original
one to suit our given situation. After that, we racked our brains for poster designs to the
distributed to the other groups as means of promoting our competition. Even though it was
very rushed, we managed to complete it just in time.
We had to finish the proposal in less than two weeks because we were leaving the
campus to go home for the midterm break. We stayed up most nights to prepare the
proposal because we did not know how to do it correctly. We asked around and each person
had different ways of doing the paper, but our lecturer Madam Nirmala cleared the air for us.
The proposal paper was able to be completed before the mid-term break.
After coming back from our mid-term break, we practiced the songs we were going to
perform during the language camp with all the little free time that we had during the week.
Almost half of our classmates were not around for the weekend because they were involved
with a camp held by the counselling department. It was impossible for us to practise without
them, but somehow we managed to pull off.
The Friday before the camp, we were given a short briefing about the things we
should bring along and the schedule that we were to adhere to during the three day camp in
Institut Latihan Dan Kefahaman Islam Atm (Ilmi). Even though we were all exhausted, we
were still able to feel extremely happy and excited for the camp.
On the morning of our departure, we woke up extremely early. We were at the
location appointed 30 minutes early but there was a miscommunication between the bus
driver and the lecturers, so we departed later than we were scheduled to. We reached our
destination and so began our first ever language camp.
On the first day of camp, my groupmates and I conducted the choral speaking
competition. We were very proud of our classmates because they performed very well and
memorised their scripts, despite the time constraint. We watched them practise until past
midnight and were convinced that they would bring home the winners title because of their
sheer determination and they did win by the majority votes of the judges. The other two
classes did well too, but some of their members had to refer to their scripts while performing.
It was well understood, given the limited time and also multiple games we were all involved
in. We then proceeded with the other competitions; action song, rap song, newscasting and
many more. At the end of the day, our class won two hampers and were extremely delighted
and thankful that it was over.
The next day, we went to SK Si Rusa, PD for our next assessment. Out of 62
trainees, 18 included myself, were the facilitators that were responsible for the children of Si
Rusa while they were participating the games conducted by the trainees of IPGKBA. I
thought I was prepared to facilitate the students because I was always the caretaker for my
cousins, but I was proven wrong. Taking care of people who isnt your family member is
tough because you have to be careful with every word you say or actions that you do
because you do not know their backgrounds.
The students in my group had trouble communicating in English but were proficient
enough to understand at least the simple instructions. They were very quiet and
unresponsive all throughout the time I was facilitating them but as I watched them talking to
each other in their mother tongue, they were as if different people. When they had difficulties
understanding the instructions, I had to physically show them to make them understand.
Some students had harder time understanding and I was forced to communicate with them
in Bahasa Melayu, which I was specifically told not to do no matter how hard it gets. I had
doubts about me being a teacher, but the night after facilitating, I called my mother to ask
her for advices and reassurance, and she convinced me that I still have a long way to
improve.
However, I was surprised when some of the students in my group their treats with
me. It made me realise how these little things push you one step forward, how these little
acts of kindness start a spark in you. It was a memorable experience for me, both personally
and as a trainee. I thought being a teacher, you should only teach but that day, the students
in my group proved me wrong because I can safely bet that I learnt so much more than I
have thought them in that short span of time we spent together.
The lecturers who with us; Madam Nirmala, Madam Norzalina, Madam Noriah and
Mr Mark were all so supportive and were very keen to teach us ways to approach students
the right way. Madam Nirmala taught us to use simple language and involve some physical
movements so that it is easier for the students. Madam Norzalina said that when something
is wrong, it is never the students problem but ours and I could not agree more.
On the last day of our camp, we had a short briefing about the things we should say
in our reflective essay. Every group was represented by a member to speak about the
experiences they had before and during the camp. Each and every one of the 62 of us
gained different experiences; some were funny, some were hard but all were crucial to our
mental, spiritual and emotional growth. Personally, the whole coursework, from the first until
this one I am writing, has taught me something very important.