INSTITUT PENDIDIKAN GURU

KAMPUS GAYA, KOTA KINABALU.

PROGRAM IJAZAH SARJANA MUDA PERGURUAN

DENGAN KEPUJIAN (PISMP)

TEACHING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (TESL)

(AMBILAN JUN 2019)
KERJA KURSUS PELAJAR

NAMA PELAJAR HO CHIT FOOK

NO KAD PENGENALAN 000716-12-1941

KAD MATRIK 2019072340008

KUMPULAN/OPSYEN PISMP, TESL SK1 (AMBILAN JUN 2019)

TEACHING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
(TESL)

NAMA KURSUS CREATIVE WRITING

KOD TSLB 3252

KREDIT 2

SESI JANUARY-MAY 2021

TUGASAN TASK 1: READER RESPONSE ESSAY

TARIKH HANTAR 12 FEBRUARY 2021

NAMA PENSYARAH
MDM CAROL VAL MADIN
AKADEMIK
NAMA PENYELARAS KURSUS MDM CAROL VAL MADIN
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIVING LECTURER’S FEEDBACK

I hereby acknowledge that I have received feedback from the lecturer and I have also referred it
and understood it.

…………………………………..
(HO CHIT FOOK)
Date:

Page Content
1-2 Cover
2 Content
3-7 Compilation of the four poems
8-9 Reader Response Essay
10 References
The Caged Bird by Maya Angelou

A free bird leaps

on the back of the wind

and floats downstream

till the current ends

and dips his wing

in the orange sun rays

and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks

down his narrow cage

can seldom see through

his bars of rage

his wings are clipped and

his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings

with a fearful trill

of things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom.
 The free bird thinks of another breeze

and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees

and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn

and he names the sky his own

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams

his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream

his wings are clipped and his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings

with a fearful trill

of things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom.
Dreams by Langston Hughes

Hold fast to dreams

For if dreams die

Life is a broken-winged bird

That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams

For when dreams go

Life is a barren field

Frozen with snow.

Things that are under your control Your Beliefs

By Caleb LP Gunner Your attitude

Your thoughts

Your perspective

How honest you are

Who your friends are

What books you read

How often you exercise

The type of food you eat

How many risks you take

How you interpret the situation

How kind you are to others

How kind you are to yourself

How often you say “I love you.”

How often you say “thank you.”

How you express your feelings

Whether or not you ask for help

How often you practice gratitude

How many times you smile today

The amount of effort you put forth

How you spend / invest your money

How much time you spend worrying

How often you think about your past

Whether or not you judge other people

Whether or not you try again after a setback

How much you appreciate the things you have

Chase your passions by Matt Hogan

To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people

and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics

and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty,

to find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better,

whether by a healthy child,

a garden patch,

or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has

breathed easier

because you have lived.

This is to have succeeded.

 Based on the compilation of four poems, the Caged Bird by Maya Angelou, Dreams by
Langston Hughes, Things that are under your control by Caleb LP Gunner and Chase your
passions by Matt Hogan. Each poem has its on specific characteristics and underlying
uniqueness.

First and foremost, the caged bird is a poem that compare and contrast two kinds of
birds. The one who is free in will while another is unfree due to trap in the cage. The poet is
indirectly depicting the race-based oppression faced by the American African in United
States. In reference to the poem, a lot of metaphors are being used such as the free bird
leaps and the caged bird sings to emphasize the degree of oppression towards the
American African. I feel empathy towards them but it is the reality till now. Race-based
discrimination and oppression is ubiquitous. This kind of oppression demoralizes a
community which renders their future bleak. The world community should be united despite
of racial and religious differences as we are all stepping on the same ground.

Furthermore, the 2nd poem which is dreams is written by Langston Hughes. He

emphasizes the importance of chasing our dreams as soon as possible. The poet also
discusses the consequences of not chasing our dreams quickly. The last two lines of the two
stanzas demonstrates how catastrophe the impact towards an individual for chasing the
dreams too late. I can reflect my current situation to this poem. This poem reminds me of
chasing my own dreams before it is too late. I have a lot of dreams that I want to achieve but
I am still lost and unsure how to begin the first step. This poem is really meaningful and
relatable to me personally. We need to make a prompt action now to achieve our dreams
before we end up in remorse and unsatisfied.
 Moreover, the 3rd poem written by Caleb LP Gunner, this is actually one of the
motivational poems to motivate myself, us to be a better person. We are going through ups
and downs daily, sometimes we success or to no avail. In life, we faced various dilemmas,
each decision that we make leads to different outcomes. However, we can change these
outcomes by changing the decision the we make, the way we handle and approach the
dilemmas. This poem is very effective to develop self-reflection and self-evaluation towards
development of self-actualization. For instance, I realized that one of my weaknesses is I am
a hot-tempered person thus I should learn to be more patient. We human being, will only
realize our weaknesses when we are fully aware of it either through comments or criticizes
from others.

Last but not least, poem by Matt Hogan reminds us to always do things that we are
passionate in. We will be more likely to succeed in life by indulging ourselves in our passions
as we are more interested and passionate towards it. We achieve our optimal happiness
when we invest towards our passions. Example, I want to be a teacher, I will fully focus on
developing myself as a better teacher, educator etc. I want to be whatever I truly eager to
be.

In conclusion, these poems widen our horizons regarding world occurrences and makes
us aware of our lives.
 REFERENCES

Maya, A. (1983). The Caged Bird. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48989/caged-

bird

Yarnall, L. (2019, August 1). Caged Bird. https://www.litcharts.com/poetry/maya-

angelou/caged-bird

Langston, H. (2002). Dreams. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/150995/dreams-

5d767850da976

Gunner, C. (n, d). Things that are under your control. https://becomingunbusy.com/poems-
about-life/

Matt, H. (n, d). Chase your passions. https://movemequotes.com/an-amazing-thing-

happens-when-you-get-honest-with-yourself/