CRITICAL REFLECTION

NAME

: NABILAH BINTI MANSOR

I/C NO

: 920122-04-5138

MATRIC NO : 0610/1863

CRITICAL REFLECTION

One of the greatest challenges for teacher in creating effective language learning
resources in our primary ESL classroom is the language barrier. As English language
here in Malaysia is our second language or L2, teachers faces more challenge in
producing spot on resource or language teaching material that can assist teacher in
teaching. What I have learned in task A really open my eye on the importance of doing
further research to enable me to come up with one graphic organizer. There were many
works by academician all over the globe regarding on material selection and adaptation.
Though their findings really help me in the material selection and adaptation process,
the fact is that it can differ from countries to states. The reason is that teachers in
Malaysia such as I, tends to overlook the necessity of our learners language needs.
Apart from that, not many teachers are gifted in producing outstanding materials
simply because we are used to follow or using what is being prepared. Textbooks and
activity book does ease burdens of teachers in preparing the teaching and learning
materials. The drawback of this is that the teacher will use and recycle the material until
new one emerges in the market. Here the concerns about the effectiveness in of the
materials in the market would raise further questions such as the cost effectiveness of
the material mentioned and the right method to accompany the teaching of language
skills. Having said this, the material selected should be in par with the Malaysian
curriculum ranging from its level, content and practicality. Simplifying the content such

as the text could raise up learners confidence and ability to read a once difficult to
understand text (Westwood, Peter 2005).
In task B, teachers need to be creative in associating lessons with materials they
have adapted. It is essential for a teacher to put the learners learning needs at all time.
Although our Malaysian curriculum has pre-set the objective of learning English
language in Malaysian ESL classroom, there is always room for improvement. Before I
did this assignment I didnt really care about the kind of material I used. It just has to be
something that I think is interesting and can be made in the required time. I didnt really
care about the type of material I used and whether I want it to last or just simply throw it
away after Im done with it. My materials mostly must help me to achieve my objectives
and it matches the skill that I want to teach. This is as far as I get in my personal criteria
of material selection. Ive to plan and write a lesson plan for 60 minutes lesson based on
the KSSR syllabus. My lesson plan is focusing on Language Art and the intergrated skill
is writing skill.
Next, I have to creatively adapt, design and exploit the teaching and learning
materials for the lesson planned in 15-20 minutes. I have to come out with an own
created video. I like the part, whereby I have to create a video using Windows Movie
Maker. I feel contented when I finally get an own created video. The task requires us to
record a video which should be in the format of a childrens show. We recorded a kid
show entitled English World and we chose the topic Animals. We chose to record the
video at Taman Ular Negeri Perlis because there are quite a lot of animals in there.
During this task, I have a problem whereby I have admitted at Putra Medical Centre for
a week and it ruined the smoothness while completing the task. I reluctantly have to ask
for Madam Nor Azurawatis consideration to extend the submission date for us. Luckily
Madam was very a considerate person and shes giving us excuse to submit the
assignment on the next 2 days. I was very thankful to her kindness and care. Thank you
to my group members for their supports and help during this task. The idea of this
assignment is really attracted me from the beginning because we can compile all the
videos and utilize it during our teaching and learning session later.

Nowadays, teachers are asked to venture new method of teaching but must
coincide with the Malaysian curriculum standard. Shifting the standard slightly higher
will enable us to use or even come up with more teaching materials that can be used to
assist in our teaching of the language. This might me good for the more proficient
learners but could be severe for the lesser ones.
Therefore teachers will always find it difficult unless the teacher is well
equipping with knowledge of some degree. Here, teachers also need to improve
themselves by getting more resources available and practicing it with different level of
learners until the right method achieved. One way to achieve this is by performing
consistent check and balance or simply by using checklist during and after lesson. This
will weed out method and technique which are not relevant thus maintaining only the
reliable technique. In this task, we have to design a check-list to evaluate the teaching
and learning materials for our lesson.
The last task is Task C is equally important where I myself could point to my
strength in my preparation, administration and reflection to the lesson presented. I learn
that I need to improve in numbers of areas. This will serve as my benchmark on how
effective my method of selection and how well I adapt the materials to suit my learners
learning needs. Lastly, I learned a lot from this project whereby I know certain areas of
my short comings. Ive promised to myself to alter the short comings and be a better
teacher one day. Me myself could not wait to see the compilation of the videos from my
peers. Thank you once again to my lecturer for these brilliant ideas. It benefits us in
many ways.

(1005 words)