What does a support aid do? I wondered as I was introduced to the teaching staff on Thursday. As it stands currently, I am supporting the English Department which is kind of vague because support does not allow me to directly teach students, it just means that most of the time, I will be sitting in the staff room, preparing materials for the respective English teachers. For one, maybe I should embrace the school's photocopier machine and perhaps give it a name too! (Since, the photocopier may just very well be my chummy best friend.)
I slept very little for the past few nights possibly because of the recent meeting I had on Thursday in school. That meeting was indeed long. 12 hours to be more exact.
Perhaps, my role there in school will allow me to understand the mechanics of the school management, the morale of the teaching staff and the general sentiments of the school population. But first, I need to remember how to tie my school tie and more so remember the school song.
Somehow, I feel that what I prepared during the month of November and December to facilitate me in my teaching in the coming week seems rather wasted. Nevertheless, perhaps there is a reason or reasons why I am placed at where I am; reasons which require me to identify in due time.
I think it is either due to the rain or some unexplained forces that is the reason behind the recent malfunction of electrical appliances at home.
First, my television keeps changing channels by itself. No, it is not spooked nor is someone using a universal remote control like the one Adam Sandler had in the movie 'Click.' Hopefully the repairman who is coming later in the evening can resolve the problem on the spot.
So, no television, I can live with that for now. However, my computer is now starting to act up. It seems that some of the application extensions have either been corrupted or altered such that my icons are not showing any pictures at all on numerous Window applications. As I am blogging now, I am concurrently downloading the Windows XP Service Pack 2 to help rectify the fault. I really hope that the faults can be rectified! I have quite a lot of stuff in my computer and I really hope it does not get wiped out or else I am pretty much doomed. [Memo to myself: Get a portable storage drive soon!]
What an interesting prelude to Christmas which personally I don't know whether am I looking forward to or not. Somehow, being at the receiving end of Christmas gifts from my paternal family ain't such an inviting thought actually. Perhaps, it is the lingering past that is still speaking to me after all these years.
A gathering of 15 souls from a class of about 40,
About the past, the present and the future,
A special guest in our midst,
more than one to be precise.
Of hopes and dreams,
Of small wishes becoming a reality
Of a rat race that is slowly catching up with us
Of a simple camaraderie
From proclaimed angels,
however much in disguise
To fallen angels
Memories from a not so distant past.
Laughter,
lots of it to be precise.
Not even the passing drizzle,
could dampen our spirits.
Same bonds,
Same friendships
Same clicks
nothing seemed to have changed
What an enjoyable class!
I received a call recently from my secondary school regarding my application on relief teaching. Apparently, and somewhat tentatively also, I will be taking three English Classes: a Secondary 1 class, a Secondary 3 Normal Academic class and a secondary 3 Express class.
My apprehension is the secondary 1 and secondary 3 N(A) class. Basically, I cannot remember what I did for English in secondary 1 other than waiting for the bell to ring and the lesson to be over. The lesson was trite and very much disorganised. I remembered having three English teachers when I was in Secondary 1. For the secondary 3 N(A) class, well obviously, I have had no prior experience in such an academic stream so my apprehension is how to tailor a programme that best suits them and yet can be considered enriching on their part.
Things like Grammar, Language Use, Essays and Comprehension skills and techniques are very much what we learn for English yet, I just cannot picture myself standing in front of a class and telling them about the rules of Grammar. Even I could not even stand such lessons!
Currently, I am in the process of developing my own materials for teaching. I must say that in this process, I find myself constantly thinking of the student's reaction to my materials. It is quite a cathartic effect to some extent, however.
Oh well!
This sounds rather Singaporean but it could be a possiblity
*One redemption per customer - Tall-sized beverage only - Bottle beverages not applicable - Event only in Singapore
The possible scenerios:
One, the crowd comes pouring in at 5pm and immediately dies off at 7pm sharp.
Two, a customer at the counter exactly at 4.59pm tells the counter staff to wait for another minute before taking his/her order.
Three, a customer who loves coffee brings his/her five-year old child and the toddler to the counter to redeem one Starbucks beverage each.
Four, a customer who comes in at 7.01pm tells the counter staff that she has been waiting since before 7pm and therefore is entitled to the invitation.
Five, a customer comes in at 8pm proudly tells the counter staff that the spirit of Christmas transcends across the limitations of time and thus should have a free cuppa on the house.
Six, a customer who is distinctively Singaporean tells the manager that he/she should be entitled to more than one free cuppa since this event is a Singapore event and hence foreigners and all other foreign talents should deserve less.
Seven, a customer who is distinctively NOT a Singaporean tells the manager that he/she should be entitled to more than one free cuppa since Starbucks is NOT a local brand. It's foreign!
Eight, entrepreneurial Singaporeans make a bee-line at 6.50pm for these free coffee and start selling them at 7.01pm not too far away from Starbucks at a lower cost than what Starbucks would charge for something similar. Ka-ching!
Nine, in all spirit of merry-making and Ho Ho Ho, few actually remember to donate the money they would have to pay for their coffee to The Salvation Army.
The above-mentioned scenerios are purely unintentional and come from the perspective of a non-coffee lover.
Finally, my final theory test became my final theory test today.
A special thanks to Greg who helped me answer some of my questions
Now, on to my practical test!