NASIHAH BINTI GHAZALI.

(013-4381839)

Title: Desperate Measures by Maheswary Ponnusamy

1) Justification for the story chosen based on the selection criteria for young
learners.
- First of all, the story is written by an experienced author who taught English in
government schools for almost 30 years before taking early retirement. She has
published fiction for children for the Malaysian market, and now resides in the
Philippines (silverfishstories.blogspot.my, 2014).
- The story is only played in Malaysia. The pupils can easily understand the setting in the
story. For instance, the author used Subang Jaya and Kapar.
- About the language used, it is not really simple but not too complicated. As the children
have a reputation for being natural language learners, for very good reason they can find
the meaning of the words which they do not know by using dictionary. So that, almost
without exception, they can understand the story plot easily.
- The pupils also can learn many new vocabularies that will help them to use in their
essay writing.
- Plus, the language used also helps to give a clear imagination to the pupils about the
story. It is a kind of futuristic story which give them a clear perception of their future life.
- The story is about teachers and there is an environment at school-life. It also emphasis
on the value of friendship.
- The story has an interesting plot attractive illustration that helps the reading habit of the
pupils and to capture.
- The plot and the chronology is in sequences so that it helps the pupils to understand
what is the story about.
- The story also instills moral values that can develop the positive attitude and attribute
among the pupils.

2) Evaluation of the multicultural elements in the story

- The story have different characters of different races such as Mr.Lim, Cikgu Hashim,
Miss Lau and unknown character which is from the different race too.
- The story also mentioned about how Indian pray at temple and how they arrange the
marriage. Both of the culture remain used till nowadays.
- It is also included how the different people from different races greeted the others. They
have different style and different language used. Here, the teacher can inculcate the
value of politeness in speaking and teach them how to socialize with people from
different culture, races and religions in their daily life. It also tells the readers how to
respect the others.
- The story also mentioned the food that they consume or used to consumed. For
instance, the non-Muslim can have wine while the Muslim are prohibited. Here, there is
an element of the religion taught in the story.

3) Explanation on how to adapt the story for a Language Arts lesson

- The individual learners in the second language classed in differ in many ways, at every
level of instruction. So, there are many activities that can be adapted for a language arts
lesson.
- For instance, the teacher can use simulation and role-play to give them a real
understanding. It because some learners thrive in a highly social and interactive
environment.
- Teacher can ask them to play the role of every characters. Instead of only understand
the plot of the story, the pupils can enhance their speaking skills. They automatically
know the communication skills. New concepts and vocabulary are more meaningful
when presented as pairs of binary opposites.
- They also have vivid imaginations and respond well to stories of fantasy. They need to
know how to feel about something in order to learn it well. Primary-age children learn
through oral language; they are capable of developing good oral skills, pronunciation,
and intonation when they have a good model.
- Because of their short attention spans, they need to have a great variety of activities, but
the teacher must keep in mind that children of this age tire easily. They require large-
muscle activity, and they are still rather unskilled with small-muscle tasks. Teachers of
primary students must give very structured and specific directions and build regular
routines and patterns into the daily lesson plans.
- Through role-play or simulation, the teacher can provide them with the real costume,
music background and decorate the setting in classroom. It is because the classroom is
designed to encourage the second-language acquisition. It is the role of the teacher to
provide the pupils with an environment in which they are surrounded by messages in the
target language that communicate interesting and relevant information.