MUET WRITING TASK 1

 Text: Teacher Rozanne

MUET Speaking paper consists of 2 parts, Task 1 and Task 1.

Task 1 is a bit 'easy' I would say compared to Task 2 as there are notes and points provided to guide students in answering their task.

Here are some elements in Task 1 Writing Question:

1. Notes: there are 4 main notes provided as a guide to students in answering their task. These notes are placed on the right side of the paper, indicated by 4 separate arrows.

2. Sender & receiver: 

a) the sender's info is usually put in a box generally containing name, email address, and subject & also at sign off

b) the receiver's info is usually just a name mentioned at Salutation 

That's about the elements that you'll find in MUET Writing Paper 800/4

Good luck!

MUET Speaking Tips

 Text: Teacher Rozanne

What's with the Speaking Test?

Honestly, it is actually more challenging. Yep! That's the truth.

Yet, remember that nothing is impossible should you strive for the best.

So, here are some tips that might help you overcome your nervousness about sitting for this paper:

1. Revise and practice on as many past sessions' speaking questions as possible.

2. Practice individually by recording your voice presenting for Part 1 for 2 minutes and ask your teacher to help check that (maybe you can send the recording through applications like WhatsApp or Telegram?)

3. Practice in your groups too (either groups of 3 or 4) and 'plan' strategies so that all of you can 'help' each other during group discussion in Part 2

4. Finally, remember that KNOWLEDGE is the key! So, keep yourself updated with the current issues across fields like Culture, Education, Money, Time management, Economics, and many more! The key is to keep tabs with current issues.

Good luck with your Speaking Test!

 Text: Teacher Rozanne

Learning shouldn't be a daunting task. Instead, it should be fun! So teachers, especially language educators, by all means, make your lessons as ones that students always looking forward to joining them!

For instance, for Reading and Speaking, both skills can be paired so as to engage students' participation though they are far away from you - well, I am talking about online learning for now - and to ensure they 'are glued to the screens' through your entire lesson! ;)

A sample of such activity is to use Pecha Kucha technique. I used a modified version of 3:30 for my smaller class and 5:50 for my larger one. I found this technique from Etacude Youtube Channel, you check the channel on how it is carried out, then make sure that you modify it accordingly, based on your students' level of proficiency and other considerable factors.

Happy teaching! 

Kitchen Makeover - stove

Teks: : Rozanah Zakaria

Kita guna stove hampir setiap hari. Namun, musim PKP ni saya rasa ramai yang gunakannya setiap hari, bukan? Mustahil tak jika kita gunakan stove (dapur) setiap hari tapi masihh dapt kekalkannya supaya berkilat? Dulu saya pernah fikir ianya mustahil, namun PKP menubah kepercayaan saya itu.

Berikut adalah langkah mudah yang saya lakukan setiap hari supaya proses pencucian stove mingguan kita, tidak memenatkan.

1. Lap permukaan stove setiap kali selepas masak. Jika ianya diperbuat daripada kaca, boleh gunakan krim Cif dan span hijau untuk kesan kilat. Jika ianya permukaan logam, memadai gunakan cecair pencuci pinggan, kemudian lap bersih.

2. Cuci tungku seminggu sekali dengan berus dawai dan sabun Cap Kapak (warna hijau tau kuning).

3. Cuci bahagian dalam tungku (tempat keluar api). yang ini juga gunakan dawai besi (penggosok periuk dan krim Cif) untuk menghilangkan kesan hitam.

4. Lap tombol pemetik dapur dengan cecair campuran L.O.C dan Pursue (sukatan: 9 air, 1 pursue, 1 L.O.C). Cecair ini juga saya gunakan untuk lap permukaan kabinet di dapur.

5. Siap!

Akhir sekali, untuk setiap hujung minggu, bolehlah cabut tombol pemetik dan tungku bahagian dalam untuk pencucian yang lebih teliti.

Selamat mencuba!

Salam,

Teacher Rozanne

Appreciate While You Can

Text: Rozanah Zakaria

Oftentimes, we choose to dream on to get what others have. Though it’s not applicable to all, I believe most of us feel that at times.

So, learn to appreciate what we have, while we can. Take for instance, our family members who are around us, staying with us. We see them , we talk to them, we eat together with them every day, usually on ‘auto-pilot’ mode where we don’t even have the thought that we would be losing them one day, or it may be the other way around.

What I learn most during this time is to appreciate those breakfast moments I have every morning. A sharp pang of thought struck me one day that this was a luxurious I’ve been longing for. When my life was once a chaos, always short of time, even for a cup of coffee in the morning with my husband and daughter.

Now, I have plenty of time to cook every morning, preparing a few dishes for us. I often have an hour calm and satisfying breakfast with my daughter and both my parents in laws. No more morning rush that I didn’t even have a minute to talk to my father in law before going to work. What a countless blessings!

This MCO is an eye-opener for me that, despite my aplenty of flaws towards Him, He still grants my wishes. How else I could be ungrateful?

Let’s ponder and appreciate our life and those around us while we can.

Regards,

Teacher Rozanne

Enjoy The Present

Text: Rozanah Zakaria

Before the MCO, I couldn’t really recall the last time I had a proper meal with my family. My life was always on-the-go. Breakfast at the school canteen, lunch that was always skipped, and at timesdinner at the tuition centre. Usually by the time I reach home, it’s already 10.30pm and my daughter would be already sleeping - on the couch waiting for me to get home. What a sad fact. Those were the days, when I seldom got to enjoy that present. At the end of the day, I would regret my busyness that I barely spend even a little time sitting and talking to daughter. Now, with this MCO, staying at home and going nowhere, I start to see the magnificent PRESENT in front of me. I realise now that I am very lucky to have an understanding husband an an obedient daughter. Both of whom I failed to appreciate fully.

God is giving me the chance now to enjoy and appreciate the present. I promise myself that this one opportunity I won’t let slip by any chance. Thank you Allah.

Let’s enjoy the present for yesterday was gone and tomorrow is till uncertain.

Regards,

Teacher Rozanne

Calm

Text: Rozanah Zakaria

 At the first stage of MCO or PKP, I thought I would be doing just fine, yet I started to feel anxious on the second week of it. Thinking of the time when I had the freedom to roam around town after work, wasn’t a helpful one, rather it made me feel more coop up and I start to suffocate even at the thought of it. Then, I realise, I must do something to overcome the bad vibes enveloping me. With that realisation, I know one thing I should do. I picked up the Holy Qur’an. Reciting the verses every day, I get that feeling I had been longing for: calm.

Let’s embrace this MCO calmly and positively.

Regards,

Teacher Rozanne

Leisure Time

Text: Rozanah Zakaria

I used too think I really need extra time for me to really enjoy it with my family. With this MCO enforcement, I was suddenly shocked at the ample time I have, that I wasted most of it with lack of planning. Days gone without me accomplishing anything extra. They were just like any ordinary ones before. Then, I started to think, ‘I shouldn’t let everything drift by without me reaping any benefits of it.’ Then, I plan. Though not too rigid, doing some mental image of what my next day would be, work wonders. So, I start doing that every other day. My life starts to change.

Happy staying at home everyone!

Regards,

Teacher Rozanne

Leisure Time

Text: Rozanah Zakaria

I used too think I really need extra time for me to really enjoy it with my family. With this MCO enforcement, I was suddenly shocked at the ample time I have, that I wasted most of it with lack of planning. Days gone without me accomplishing anything extra. They were just like any ordinary ones before. Then, I started to think, ‘I shouldn’t let everything drift by without me reaping any benefits of it.’ Then, I plan. Though not too rigid, doing some mental image of what my next day would be, work wonders. So, I start doing that every other day. My life starts to change.

Happy staying at home everyone!

Regards,

Teacher Rozanne

Leisure Time

Text: Rozanah Zakaria

I used too think I really need extra time for me to really enjoy it with my family. With this MCO enforcement, I was suddenly shocked at the ample time I have, that I wasted most of it with lack of planning. Days gone without me accomplishing anything extra. They were just like any ordinary ones before. Then, I started to think, ‘I shouldn’t let everything drift by without me reaping any benefits of it.’ Then, I plan. Though not too rigid, doing some mental image of what my next day would be, work wonders. So, I start doing that every other day. My life starts to change.

Happy staying at home everyone!

Regards,

Teacher Rozanne

Kesabaran

Teks: Rozanah Zakaria

Musim PKP ni, saya percaya kesabaran kita sering teruji. Manakan tidak, selalunya dahulu, jika ada apa-apa sahaja yang membelenggu fikiran, kita ada pelbagai cara untuk menghilangkan kebosanan atau tekanan. Boleh keluar jalan-lan atau membeli-belah tanpa ada sekatan.

Namun dengan PKP aatau PKPb sekarang ini, kita seolah 'tersekat' untuk melakukan apa-apa. Hendak ke mana-mana, memerlukan perancangan, kena berfikir samaada perlu atau tidak kita keluar. Kemudian, jika harus keluar rumah untuk urusan tertentu, apakah amalan kebersihan standard yang patut kita amalkan? Semua ini berlegar-lear di fikiran membuatkan sesetengah daripada kita acapkali membatalkan niat untuk keluar rumah jika tiada keperluaan mendesak.

Di sinilah bermuanya ujian kesabaran untuk kita, termasuklah saya. Hendak buat apa-apa, pergerakan kita terbatas hanay di rumah - dan sekeliling rumah sahaja - itu pun kita beruntung jika kita ada halaman rumah seperti yang tinggal di kampung atau yang bina rumah di atas tanah yang luas.

Apa jua keadaan kita, ingatlah tiada yang kekal dalam hidup ini, termasuklah kebebasan yang kita kecapi selama ini. Syukur adalah kunci utama untuk kita 'keluar' daripada 'belenggu' keterbatasan ini. dengan bersyukur dan menginsafi bahawa ada insan di lar sana yang lebih teruk eadaan hidup mereka berbanding kita, kita akan nampak bahawa kehidupan kita adalah sangat indah dan kita akan sedar bahawa kebahagiaan itu bermula daripada dalam diri kita. Daripada dalaman inilah, kita cipta luaran yang kita mahuan. Jangan hanya nampak alasan, namun ciptalah peluang daripada 'keterbatasan' yang sedang kita hadapi ini.

Caiyok semua!

Salam,
Teacher Rozanne

Managing time

Text: Rozanah Zakaria

This MCO , time is aplenty, that one can splurge it freely. Well, I'm talking about myself. Spending time without planning it properly, making me less efficient. *sigh*

On a final note, I eventually put up a brave front (haha!), making a mental mind-map on how I would spend the rest of my days at home. Surprisingly, it works wonders! With just that little change in mindset, I have been progressing quite well and have a small achievement each day!

Bravo to me!

Let's get started with what I do and accomplished day by day.

Happy reading peeps!

Regards,
Teacher Rozanne

Cleanliness

Text: Rozanah Zakaria

'Cleanliness is a part of Iman'.

I know and realise that for a long time since I was a small kid. Been an obedient kid of never-once-played-truant for any classes since then, be it daily or religious classes, I guess I had reap lots of benefits and aplenty knowledge from them. Yet, in it was the sad truth, I never truly embraced them.

During this MCO or Movement Restriction Order, or well-known as Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan or its short form PKP in Malay, this phrase had brought to to a 'new realisation' on its meaning. I finally 'realise' that something is amiss in my life. finally! What a blessing!

Let's take for instance, I usually do daily cleaning on the one restroom I always frequent on the upper floor of my dwelling. As for the rest (another 3 on the lower floor) would be having their turns once in a while - that also sometimes skipped for aplenty reasons. Those days, my life was 'so busy' with so many things to the extend I wasn't sure of what I really wanted in life. Maybe one of it was money, I guess? Well, I guess. *sigh*

But now, almost everything changed. Truly, I start to realise, the one verse in the Qur'an (36:82), 'Innamaa amruhuu, izaa aroo da shai an an yaquu la lahuu kun fa ya kuun', means, 'His command, when He intends anything is only to say to it: Be, so it is.'

Till next time, let's better ourselves in everything we do.

Regards,
Teacher Rozanne

Kelas Online Teacher Rozanne

Teks: Rozanah Zakaria
Foto: Rozanah Zakaria

with beloved kids 

Musim Covid-19 ini, selain kebanyakan orang risaukan tentang kesihatan diri dan keluarga masing-masing, percayalah cikgu macam aku tetap risaukan pembelajaran anak-anak didikku yang terjejas dek limitation face-to-face learning.

Dengan capaian Internet yang langsung tidak membantu, angan-angan untuk laksanakan kelas MUET Speaking menggunakan aplikasi Zoom terbantut! Kecewa sungguh aku!

Namun, aku beritahu anak-anak didik, kelas mesti kita teruskn walau dalam sedikit kepayahan. Dengan hanya bersandarkan kepercayaan sepenuhnya kepada penggunaan aplikasi WhatsApp, alhamdulillah berjaya juga hari ini kelas ke-5 aku laksanakan. Fuh! Thanks to my students too, their determnation really touches my heart!

Kini, masih berbaki 14 hari sebelum tamatnya perintah kawalan pergerakan ini. Harapnya dapatlah aku bersua muka kembali dengan anak-anak murid bagi menyampaikan ilmu kepada mereka.

Sehingg itu, aku harap aku masih boleh bertahan dengan amaran daripada telefon yang 'mengatakan' screen time aku semakin meningkat saban minggu! Apa nak buat, tak banyak pilihan yang aku ada, itu pun, aku gunakan aplikasi WhatsApp Web apabila berinteraksi atau memeriksa hasil kerja serta menjawab soalan anak-anak didik.

Semoga ada sinar di hujung jalan untuk kita semua keluar daripada wabak ini! Jom doa!

Bye!
Regards,
Teacher Rozanne

Syukur selalu

Teks: Rozanah Zakaria
Foto: Rozanah Zakaria

Syukur selalu kerna kita tak tahu bahagian mana rahmat Allah akan menyinari hati kita.

Parking

Teks: Rozanah Zakaria

Rules for parking:

1) Park in the designated area
2) Park inside the parking lot
3) Be considerate when you need to park behind others' car(s), ie shift your gear to Neutral and leave your phone number (can put under your wiper or display on the dashboard so it can be seen) to be contacted.
4) Never! Never! Never park in front of someone's gate! Whatever the reason may be. For god sake, go find a space for your car! Surely walking a little bit far won't do you any harm! *sigh*
5) Park your car responsibly, as you never know, your blocking a car might cause fatal as someone is denied a rush and immediate attention at the hospital for any emergency, simply because of ONE INCONSIDERATE 'parker' (if I may say so)!

Last note, always be considerate. Life doesn't just revolve around YOU alone!

Happy parking! ;)

Live to ease not burden

Text: Rozanah Zakaria

Live to ease, not to burden! Easier said than done. Most times, people are comfortable, or may I say, TOO COMFORTABLE in blaming-game rather than seeking for solutions. It is undeniable that there's quite a number of us who always think positively and look at problems as opportunities to help ease others' burdens instead of making them worse; however, I could say that our daily encounter is these people who love the finger-pointing game the most!

Let's us live our life to the fullest, in the sense that we always seek to understand, rather than always hoping to be understood!

Happy blessed Thursday!

Regards,
Teacher Rozanne

Tackling MUET Reading 800/3 Paper

Text: Rozanah Zakaria

How to read meaningfully? When you start reading a text, set the timer to 15 minutes the most. This is for reading as well as answering those questions posed. Why 15 minutes? This is because you are allocated 90 minutes for all 6 reading texts. So it goes down to 15 minutes per text. Be reminded that it is the MOST, so it is better if you can spare 5-10 minutes extra in the end for you to be able to double check your answers.

Worry that you are not able to finish within the stipulated time? Worry not as your reading has to come with a certain speed. To achieve that, you need a lot of practice for sure! Read and read and read, a lot of materials, so you will get use to reading fast.

Remember, practice makes perfect!

Good luck!

Regards,
Teacher Rozanne

Mahu Kurangkan Kesan Negatif Penggunaan Gajet Terhadap Otak?

Teks: Rozanah Zakaria (Olahan idea daripada Dr Rizal Abu Bakar)
Sumber: Group Telegram 'Neuroversiti by Dr Rizal'

Jika anda tidak menggunakan gajet untuk kerja, agak mudah untuk mempraktikkan 'less screen time' ini bukan? Bagi dewasa penggunaan gajet kurang daripada 4 jam sehari adalah had yang masih boleh diterima.

Namun, jika anda menggunakan gajet sepenuhnya untuk kerja, bagaimana? Mustahil anda hanya mengadap skrin untuk 4 jam, bukan?

Menurut Dr Rizal Abu Bakar dalam 'youtube channel' beliau bertajuk 'Neurobics 101 Tips Untuk Otak oleh Dr Rizal Abu Bakar', anda boleh mempraktikkan kaedah yang akan diterangkan di bawah untuk mengembalikan potensi otak anda ke tahap asal.

Kaedahnya:
Bagi setiap 20 minit penggunaan skrin, berhenti sebentar, pandang jauh (anggaran jarak 20 meter), selama 20 saat. Itu sahaja yang perlu anda lakukan untuk menjaga kesihatan otak anda jika anda bekerja dengan gajet.

Jadi, apa pun situasi anda, pasti ada caranya untuk anda menjaga kesihatan otak dan memastikannya sentiasa berada pada tahap tertinggi untuk memanfaatkan hidup yang indah ini.

Selamat berhujung minggu!

Beban Guru Kurang 2019?

Teks: Rozanah Zakaria

Saya membaca lembaran kata-kata Menteri Pendidikan dalam suratkhabar The Star online. Hmm, I really hope it will REALLY materialise throughout this blessed 2019. Really hoping so as we teachers have been hoping for this for, like, forever?

Jika Malaysia mahu menjadi negara maju, institusi pendidikan mestilah kukuh dahulu. Untuk mengukuhkannya, guru-guru dan para pelajar haruslah diberi peluang untuk achieve their full potential by not giving them unnecessary workload that will disrupt their focus in reaching their full potentials.

Well, that's just my two cents, let's wait, pray and see what will happen in the coming 362 days. 

Happy new year!