Why turn to Australia for English language teachers?

Jaydee The Star Publication Date : 07-04-2010

I refer to Hussaini Abdul Karim’s letter “Get it right, it’ll speak volumes for our English” (The Star, April 6) in which he says, “The best, practical and cheapest way to teach or re-teach our students the English language at primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities is to bring back retired British-trained English teachers.” What about British-trained Malaysian teachers or even Malaysian students who have been trained in Britain or those who have been trained by the British-trained Malaysian teachers? There is a plethora of English language expertise that the Government can tap on. It is difficult to comprehend why the Government is turning to Australia for help with the English language in Malaysia. The Australians speak English with an accent which is difficult to understand. They use slang and idiomatic expressions which are not commonly heard of in the rest of the world. Can you imagine how a person from China would sound if he had learnt English from a Frenchman? That is exactly how out-of-place our Malaysians would feel if they learnt English from the Australians. English has become a foreign language in Malaysia. To learn English in Malaysia, however, Malaysians are fortunate to have an abundance of resources for all ages, especially in the form of entertainment. Our local English language teachers should make use of all these resources like websites, TV shows, radio, newspapers and magazines, and not depend fully on the textbook and workbook with the sole aim of getting students to score As in the examination. Making use of the listening skill is imperative, too. Give students practice so that they are aware of how words are strung together and pronounced. I think that getting British trainers to teach the trainee teachers to use these resources will see better results in the long run than getting a few Australian teachers to teach a handful of students on a short-term basis.

Our Angels

Hi Jade, Justin and Joel -

Jade - you have grown into a beautiful young "lady". Since you started at "Fun Gates" kindergarten your mannerisms have improved alot. Congratulations you were the STAR student of the class for the month of January.

Justin - haha you show signs of a smart boy even though you're just 17mths old. You are active and have remarkable memory.

Joel - in a few days time you'll be a month old. You have grown a lot and have become quite cubby. Though you look very much like Justin, many people comment that you'll be more handsome with your double eye-lids.I am sure both of you will grow up to be active, smart and handsome boys.

Keong Hee Huat Chye - Two cubs for Tiger Year

Hi Jade, Justin and Joel,

In just a few days’ time the sound of fireworks, firecrackers, drums, gongs and cymbals will fill the air as we herald in the year of the TIGER ! Wow! Justin, I can hear you “Rrr…oo.aaa..rr! – (at your loudest) .Yes we need you to roar as loud as you can. Perhaps Jade should join you too and we of the OOI legacy will echo it. We have every reason to roar as heartily as we can as the storks will be delivering two golden cubs this year ; one supoosedly in March and another in September.

Baby Joel couldn’t wait till March. He was eager to join us and to collect his share of “angpaus”. He’s the BIG ‘angpau’ that came early from the God of Prosperity. Justin you are a big brother now and Jade, of course , you’re the ‘tua chee” ( eldest sister ) of the OOI siblings.

Joel Ooi Chong Wei ( 2.5kg) was born on 11^th February 2010 ( 28^th day of 12^th month ) in the lunar calendar year of the TIGER.

This year we had planned to usher in the year of the TIGER in Penang with a reunion get-together with po chor over lunch at 66 Cantonment Road and dinner at “Nyonya Breeze”. We had wanted to make it a memorable one for everybody as it’s going to be the first time that our family is joining our Penang folks. It’s been years since we had had a warm family reunion at home. Po Chor is now 85 years old and felt it befitting to celebrate it with her. All these have to be shelved due to the grand arrival of baby Joel.

For a few years since your dada got married we had been having reunion get -together in a restaurant in’ Ipoh We always tried to make each reunion gathering as meaningful as ever. Our family was small then and we once had combined family reunion with Ee Poh’s family. In 2008 we had a lunch gathering with your Koong koong ‘s family. Last year we had Aunty Amelia’s parents and Nicky to join us.

Each time when new year comes I just can’t help reminiscing fond memories of the good old time that I had. In those days in Argyll Road we would all sit together at the round marble table in the dining hall. Dinner time was at 6pm and every one would make it a point to be punctual. There was wide array of nyonya cusines prepared for the reunion table. For soup there was salted vegetable ( kiam chai) duck soup, pig maw , or abalone. Chicken dishes were usually in curry or steamed -sauce form; then there are pigs’ throttle and “jew hoo char “eaten with fresh salad. My granny made the best “fatt koh” or ‘huat koay’(in Hokkien) It’s a must at the altar to usher in the new year as it’s believed to bring prosperity. Then there’s the “ti koay’ ( Chinese dodol).We all had fun when we were young , helping to make cookies like love letters and ‘koay bungkek’ ( white rice powdery cookies in shapes of animals )

Sad to say much of the old days traditions have been neglected and forgotten. We used to make it a point to visit all our relatives. Today we just visit close relatives of immediate ones. Happiness was when we came home with our pockets swelled with ‘angpows’. Most families (especially city folks ) hold their family reunion in hotels and restaurants . Progress and development have taken their toil on traditions and customs except for some die-hard ones. This gives us the wake-up call to hold steadfastly to some practical ones and preserve them as best we can.

Hi Jade, Justin and Joel

In just a few days’ time the sound of fireworks, firecrackers, drums, gongs and cymbals will fill the air as we herald in the year of the TIGER ! Wow! Justin, I can hear you “Rrr…oo.aaa..rr! – (at your loudest) .Yes we need you to roar as loud as you can. Perhaps Jade should join you too and we of the OOI legacy will echo it. We have every reason to roar as heartily as we can as the storks will be delivering two golden cubs this year ; one supoosedly in March and another in September.

Baby Joel couldn’t wait till March. He was eager to join us and to collect his share of “angpaus”. He’s the BIG ‘angpau’ that came early from the God of Prosperity. Justin you are a big brother now and Jade, of course , you’re the ‘tua chee” ( eldest sister ) of the OOI siblings.

Joel Ooi Chong Wei ( 2.5kg) was born on 11^th February 2010 ( 28^th day of 12^th month ) in the lunar calendar year of the TIGER.

This year we had planned to usher in the year of the TIGER in Penang with a reunion get-together with po chor over lunch at 66 Cantonment Road and dinner at “Nyonya Breeze”. We had wanted to make it a memorable one for everybody as it’s going to be the first time that our family is joining our Penang folks. It’s been years since we had had a warm family reunion at home. Po Chor is now 85 years old and felt it befitting to celebrate it with her. All these have to be shelved due to the grand arrival of baby Joel.

For a few years since your dada got married we had been having reunion get -together in a restaurant in’ Ipoh We always tried to make each reunion gathering as meaningful as ever. Our family was small then and we once had combined family reunion with Ee Poh’s family. In 2008 we had a lunch gathering with your Koong koong ‘s family. Last year we had Aunty Amelia’s parents and Nicky to join us.

Each time when new year comes I just can’t help reminiscing fond memories of the good old time that I had. In those days in Argyll Road we would all sit together at the round marble table in the dining hall. Dinner time was at 6pm and every one would make it a point to be punctual. There was wide array of nyonya cusines prepared for the reunion table. For soup there was salted vegetable ( kiam chai) duck soup, pig maw , or abalone. Chicken dishes were usually in curry or steamed -sauce form; then there are pigs’ throttle and “jew hoo char “eaten with fresh salad. My granny made the best “fatt koh” or ‘huat koay’(in Hokkien) It’s a must at the altar to usher in the new year as it’s believed to bring prosperity. Then there’s the “ti koay’ ( Chinese dodol).We all had fun when we were young , helping to make cookies like love letters and ‘koay bungkek’ ( white rice powdery cookies in shapes of animals )

Sad to say much of the old days traditions have been neglected and forgotten. We used to make it a point to visit all our relatives. Today we just visit close relatives of immediate ones. Happiness was when we came home with our pockets swelled with ‘angpows’. Most families (especially city folks ) hold their family reunion in hotels and restaurants . Progress and development have taken their toil on traditions and customs except for some die-hard ones. This gives us the wake-up call to hold steadfastly to some practical ones and preserve them as best we can.

Re-captulating 2009

Dear Jade and Justin ,

Soon the year 2009 will come to a close. It's this time of the year once again that we look back at all the events that took place. Of course there are wonderful and happy events that bring cheers to the family. Life is not a bed of roses nor is it one of thorns and pains. What is important is that we are able to overcome all adversities and weather them well. It's the faith in God that has made all well for us. Jade remember the hymm that you used to sing in the car - "GOD you are my guide !! That's it - HE's always behind us to give us the strength to trod on. Through his blessings 2009 favoured us well ! It's a year of good tidings.

The year 2009 started with a big bang ! It was the wedding of the year for the Ooi Legacy on 16th January 2009 ( ten days before Chinese New Year ) . It's the wedding day of Uncle Chien and Aunty Amelia .

Another great event of the OOI Legacy was in May. That's when we received Ah Ma back for good after working about 2 years 10 mths in Oman. She's back here to be with her loved ones especially with you both. This occasion has made Kong Kong's 66th birthday a meaningful one. As I blew out the candles to the chorus of the birthday song I silently thanked God for granting me the wish for a happy united family. It's the the start of the long-overdued happiness of taking leisure walks with you two in the playground of Lakefields and the opportunity to be with all our loved ones here in Kuala Lumpur .

This year has been well-filled with travels. In March I went with Uncle Chien and Aunty Amelia's family to Bangkok. Uncle Yau Siew was also there with us.

In July Ah Ma and I took advantage of the free-and -easy trip to Taiwan. We travelled around the length and breath of Taiwan , back-pack style using public transport on a shoe-string budget.

In October , just before Justin's 1st birthday we took a trip to Guilin. We joined the Concept Travel Agency package tour there. We had an enjoyable time feating our eyes to the beautiful scenery there and came back refreshed !

We were in Macau and Hong Kong from 17th to 21st November. Uncle Ti was with us and we had an enjoyable time touring the 'Las Vegas of the East' ( Macau ) and the cosmopolitan city of China ( Hong Kong)

True to Ooi legacy tradition we had family gatherings for birthdays , Fathers' Day and Mothers' Day.

SMJK Yuk Choy had a fund-raising dinner at Sunway Ballroom on 29th Auguast. Kong Kong had a wonderful time meeting up with my former students and catching up news of them from those days in Yuk Choy up to today.

As I always believe steadfastly, life has it's manifesto of happiness and sadness. This year has it's share of sadness and disappointments. What's important and gratifying is that success and happiness far outweigh the negative aspects. Thanks be to GOD !

This year saw the demise of a great lady who had played an influential part in the OOI legacy especially that of Kong Kong 's childhood days. She's your Sar Ee Po chor , the nightingale of the Beh sisters who sang with you, Jade=, each time you visited her. May her soul rest in peace !

It's just hardly two weeks before we usher in the year of 2010. It's the time of the year when resolutions as we recapitulate memories of 2009 and reassess our success and failures to reinforce ourselves to face 2010.

Together we shall prevail to make a full score of 10 in the coming year.

With GOD's guide I am sure we will

MACAU - The Las Vegas of the east the city that never sleeps