Corporate Shirt

Nice....huh...the fabric is much better than the one we had before (the 'mak guard baju')

Finally...some fashion sense... huhu...

To the 'usher' ladies... sorry girlsss... hikss...

next post - will be auto published at 9am

ESP: English For Specific Needs

Epsilonians.... a directive from your KJ (not Khairy Jamaludin), read on....

English suited for specific needs

By LYNNE McGREADY

MY LAST article on gender-free language generated a lot of discussion and even questions. One question that was raised was “What is ESP?”

I rejoiced at the question because it is a subject that is close to my heart and a topic that I believe needs some discussion.

If people are about to enter university in a country where they will pursue tertiary studies in English, there is the strong possibility that they will attend an English course that is designed to help them become more comfortable with language that is used in their particular course – English for Academic Purposes.

However, since the 1970s (some theorists argue it was the 1960s) when English for Specific Purposes [ESP] was introduced, this term (while still in use) has been replaced by a myriad of courses some of which are entitled:

·English for Business
·English for Nursing
·English for Hospitality
·English for Law
·English for Finance and so on ... The list is growing longer as I write (and as ESOL book publishers wake up to the reality that more and more people want to learn English for their specific purpose)!

These different courses or syllabuses are designed to meet the needs of learners who want to learn how to be able to speak and write in the context of their work rather than the standard General English which, in my opinion (and maybe a little unfairly) doesn’t say very much about its real ‘purpose’ particularly for working adults.

Interestingly enough, to cater for the increasing demand for English that is directly related to work, some examination bodies such as the University of Cambridge ESOL have even introduced examinations that test learners on their ability to use English in these different contexts.

For example, a recent addition is International Certificate in Financial English.
The oft-repeated statement “English continues to gather momentum around the world as the language of international communication” is no less true now and will continue to be repeated again and again as our world shrinks — particularly for vocational and professional purposes.
I am often told, “I want my employees to communicate in English.” To me, this means that they need to improve their English writing and speaking skills. My response generally is, “Tell me a little bit more about your organisation, the industry and the nature of their work so we can provide material that is directly related to their work or their future careers as General English may not be as effective for your employees.”

For example, every industry has its own vocabulary. One might even call it “Specialist Vocabulary” because it is specific to a particular type of work and relates directly to the needs of the learners.

Let me share with you an example. At my age, one tends to spend a little time in hospitals being checked for potential health hazards. So, you spend a few hours in the Reception areas of different departments looking around, reading and listening ... particularly if you are curious about everything.

All around, there are posters that read “International Patient Assistance” and you notice that the “patients” are of different nationalities. You hear different languages spoken and you realise that the hospital is now an international organisation.
The slogans almost sound like “Make Malaysia your health care destination” rather than “holiday” destination!

This means that they are catering for people from all over the world and must ensure that their employees are able to truly speak to their “customers” explaining procedures and services available, giving directions, explaining the use of equipment, etc, and even understanding the cultural differences without the use of an interpreter.

Another good example – some colleges are offering courses to students who are preparing to work in the hospitality industry. They learn different skills relating to the different areas or departments of the hotel – for example, using the hotel reservation system. But can they get their message across to English-speaking guests or understand their needs? Are they able to use more than the standard expressions of greeting, thanking, etc? Can they respond when the guest throws a curve ball at them or simply asks questions that are not in the manual?
In my mind, if we are truly serious about building confidence in our students’ ability to become more confident in English, we need to help them discover and explore English for their specific purpose.

I say, “It is time we started digging deeper into finding the English that is best suited for our specific needs!”



copy&paste from here



next post - auto publish in an hour (8:30am today)

KPTM Silver Jubilee: Dato' Noh Bin Omar

Dato' Noh Bin Omar

Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development

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Kolej Poly-Tech MARA Kuantan will be hosting the Majlis Pelancaran Sambutan Jubli Perak KPTM and Majlis Perasmian Bangunan Makmal Kejuruteraan Elektrik dan Awam on the 22nd of November 2008.

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Dato' Noh Omar will officiate the event which will be held at the Al-Biruni Hall of KPTM Kuantan.

Filler Entry: Sunflower

Playing around with my new camera while waiting for a friend buying this....

and this....

Idiom

Idiomania

By OH TEIK THEAM

(The Star)

CHOOSE the idiom whose meaning is given in the brackets:

1. In the 1965 movie The Sound of Music, Julie Andrews plays Maria, a spirited governess who (is kind and compassionate).

(a) is soft in the head (b) has a heart of stone (c) has a heart of gold

2. After Captain von Trapp has introduced his seven children to her, Maria (eases nervousness) by asking the children to say their names again and their ages.

(a) steps on the juice (b) breaks new/fresh ground (c) breaks the ice

3. Maria and the children (have an excellent and friendly relationship).

(a) keep open house (b) get on/along like a house on fire (c) bring the house down

4. Maria loves the children (deeply).

(a) at heart (b) with all her heart (and soul) (c) in good heart

5. The guests at the party are (dressed in their finest and most formal clothes).

(a) dressed (up) to the nines (b) dressed (up) to kill (c) in their shirtsleeves

6. Maria and the Captain dance (close together).

(a) neck and neck (b) on their toes (c) cheek by jowl

7. Before Maria can finish her dance with the Captain, she suddenly (becomes red in the face).

(a) changes colour (b) shows her (true) colours (c) feels off colour

8. Maria must have (made her feelings apparent), for the Baroness tells her that she (Maria) is in love with the Captain.

(a) held her nose in the air (b) worn her heart on her sleeve (c) turned the other cheek

9. Confused by the whole situation, Maria goes back to the abbey, but she eventually has (a change in her feelings) and returns to the mansion.

(a) a one-track mind (b) a change of heart (c) a swollen/swelled head

10. The nuns at the abbey help Maria and her new family (elude the soldiers).

(a) teach the soldiers a painful lesson (b) wipe the smile/grin off the soldiers’ faces (c) give the soldiers the slip

Answers

1.c

2.c

3.b

4.b

5.a

6.c

7.a

8.b

9.b

10. c

Please Dont't Hate Me

I guess the title caught your attention huh??? hehe....



Well.... please don't hate me for posting.....



this......


emmmmm...... my guilty pleasure.... it's RM8.90 !!!!

just a little something to unwind myself after a hectic day at work...

Honey Nut Delight

Where? Where else.... Kemaman Kopitiam....

No... I am not paid to promote the coffee shop... I am not encouraging you to go there either....

coz... quite pricy n unrelieable service.. (so ? what's the purpose of posting this??) hahaha...

just to torture you.....

ngeeeee.....

sorry......

p/s: next post is set for auto-published at 1pm today

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Nokia N85

A state-of-the-art 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and bright dual LED flash captures clear, sharp images as well as DVD-quality videos at 30 frames per second. Combined with A-GPS it is possible to geotag favorite pictures to see where each photo was taken using the Nokia Maps application or online sites such as Share on Ovi or Flickr.

Each Nokia N85 comes with an 8 GB microSD card, up to 30 hours of music playback time and its high-fidelity sound means favorite tracks can be enjoyed virtually anywhere. Build a personal music collection from the millions of tracks and playlists available from the Nokia Music Store or other online music vendors, or synchronize PC and mobile music libraries via USB cable.
Hmmmmm.... yummm...yummm..... hiksss... ;->

Turkish Delight

A little souvenir from Istanbul....

Miss N_n_ said: It tastes like a potpourri (re:huhh?? she ate potpourri before?? huhu)

What is Turkish Delight?

Turkish Delight, lokum, or loukoum is a confection made from starch and sugar. It is often flavored with rosewater and lemon, the former giving it a characteristic pale pink color. It has a soft, jelly-like and sometimes sticky consistency, and is often packaged and eaten in small cubes that are dusted with icing sugar or copra to prevent sticking. Some types contain small nut pieces, usually pistachio, hazelnut or walnuts. Other common types include flavors such as cinnamon or mint. In the production process soapwort may be used as an additive, serving as an emulsifier

Info from; wikipedia.org

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English Language Preparatory Class

Yesterday I had ELP 1000 class for the last time this semester. Thought of bringing back my old tradition of snapping class photos on the final day of class.

I started taking photos of my students on the final day of class since I started working here, but somehow for the past 2 years it stopped...


Spot the difference.... (clue: left side)

Syida is saying something to the boys... something like this maybe? "Come on guys... let's take a picture with me".... hehehhe...

Syida n the boys. From left; Farhan (Bob), Muhd. Fikri (Mufik), Azzim, Mahzan, Azwan, Helmey n Ruzaini (Jai)

Standing; Adzammia, Azmil, Azzim, Ruzaini, Izman, Fithri, Fikri, Faris n Farhan

Squatting; Hafiz, Azwan, Mahzan n Helmey

Goofing around.... Azwan n Bob

The girls.... from left; Hidayu, Izzati, Amalina, Syida, Husna, Amira, Hidayah n Syikin

wwooppss... there's another student in grey???? hehe...



To all of my ELP 1000 students, I really hope to see you next semester doing your diploma program.... all the best.... God bless...

Phewww...! Finally...

Saturday morning of Oct 18th 2008



HBU 112 n 132 Written Test



Yeahhh... Yess... Yeayyy!! That was Doden screaming in sheer excitement after HBU 132 written test on Oct 18th. (to Doden; haha...That was exactly your reaction right? I just know... ok..)

Semester 3 Engineering students(re: I refuse to use UiTM students coz all of them are KPTM students, right?) must be totally relieved after this semester realizing that no more of HBU classes. Third semester is the final semester that they have to take HBU.

They were quite surprise because it was an essay question... no MCQ questions like before.

For the next in take, there will be no more Civil Defense classes.... seriously??? yess... huh??

Kesatria Negara anyone?? huhu...

Print Screen. How ?

How do you like the new background?? I like it very much. Ngeeee....

I tried to capture the look of before and after for this blog... but I just don't know how to do the print screen thingy.... how lah?

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away"

Obviously, I haven't been eating enough of apples lately... hence the fever n swollen tonsil. I was given 2 days of medical leave (there goes my award for this year's "Staf Tanpa Cuti Sakit" huhu... )

Lost World of Tambun

I have theseeee......

to give away..... yesss for free..!! yess.. for real!! (well... I got those tickets for free anyway...)

4 tickets to the Lost World of Tambun in Ipoh, Perak




Nope... it's not free entrance tickets to the theme park... but tickets to the Lost World of Tambun at the discounted rate...

Promotion is valid from 15 Oct - 30th Nov 2008

Interested? Leave your particulars at my comment box. First come first served basis ok...

---------------------------ss--

Job Opportunities

Especially for KPTM graduates..

Regal Marine Engineering Services Sdn. Bhd. is offering job opportunities to all KPTM graduates.

Check out their website for further information regarding this.

I have the contact person's telephone number, it just that I don't know whether I can publish it here or not, because the letter is meant for the college. Anyway, if you are really interested with this offer, just let me know by leaving your comment here.

Ok... good nite... (it's already 1:15am!! Wednesday morning)

p/s: Most of my entries are auto published, I purposely have it publish around 8am most of the days (re: just another strategy to attract more readers... hikss..) ----> (re: in other words... hehe.. just read between the lines.. hikss)

Best of Luck!!!

It's exams time again... I just want to wish all of my students All the best for your final exams.

Hope to see you again next semester!!! hehe...

MPP Dinner

Dato' Dr. Mohd Razali Agus - Rector of KPTM

En. Ismail B. Hj. Junuh - Director of KPTM Kuantan

Halim - President of MPP


Hidayah (right) the emcee for tonight's dinner. I like her voice n intonation.