My happy students

It was in 2002 when I first did my practical in a secondary school. I was in the Methodist Girls School and I was teaching the Form One students English. I taught the medium class and I found that most of them didn't like to do their school homework. Since I was under practical whereby I would be assessed by my lecturer, I always made sure that all of them passed up their work. I elected a leader for each group and she had to count those books and inform me if someone didn't pass up her exercise book.

We trainee teachers were taught to hold a 5 minutes induction whereby we could prepare anything to stir-up the student's interest. We usually started with questions and then slowly led to our main topic. We even had steps by steps presentation of our lessons. Then followed by practice and enrichment/remedial activities.

Those students who were able to follow the lesson would finish up their work and do some enrichment activities like project work or research. The weaker students would be given a remedial lesson whereby the teacher would try to make the lesson easier. In that way, those weaker students gradually caught up with the lesson.

Our objectives for the lesson had to be achieved. Otherwise, we failed and needed a repetition of the lesson. 

I was there for only 10 weeks and I grew fond of my students. On the last day of my teaching, we had a party. I bought KFC, bread, tuna and even ice-cream. 

Goodbye to them and I was posted to SYS Batu Gajah and I taught in a boys' school for the first time!