A Lifetime experiences
Written by:
DARREN CHEW HUNG ZHEN
HAWWA NAFAHATH
NUR KHAIRIN ARINAH BINTI MOHD RIZAL
We have been wanting to take part in such voluntary projects as First Teacher Project (FTP) for years now, ever since we came across the idea from a TV show. So when our lecturer Ms Sun Wei presented us with the opportunity to join FTP, we could barely contain our excitement..
Making a positive difference in people’s lives from the comfort of our very own homes seemed too good to be true. Our journey in FTP began with a briefing session by Dr Chua as he guided us step by step on how to go about the lesson, considering all of us are inexperienced. It made things easier for us, especially since we only had to familiarise ourselves with the given materials prior to every class. Of course, we were fully encouraged to be creative in the way we conducted the lessons.
The main goal of FTP was to provide parents with sufficient knowledge and skills so that they were able to teach their children from what they’ve learned. The biggest highlight was the process of meeting the mothers and getting to know them. We were extremely grateful to have encountered the mothers in our group, as they were very cooperative and interactive. From the first class, we felt comfortable because all our conversations just flowed so naturally, and this made us look forward to each lesson we had with them.
As psychology students, academic teaching and applying the theories of human development along with child development learnt throughout our studies helped to better understand individual learning styles, because the pace of learning, the styles of learning and how far the mother has gained knowledge varied. Working with mothers who were already familiar with what was being taught and mothers who needed more time to achieve what was taught made us more initiated and motivated to help them learn. It also made us guide the mothers in the right direction to teach their children, neighbours, relatives, and their community to canalise their abilities in the right direction
While preparing for our first lesson, we felt terribly nervous, as we were only students and had no background in academic teaching. We believe that the skills we demonstrate are as critical to ensure their academic success. Thus, the help and guidance from the supervisors are invaluable. Their constant support and feedback have brought us through this journey with the mothers.
As of today, we have seen a vast improvement for each lesson, and the way we conducted our classes was as seamless as it gets. We also took up another group of parents with complete ease, as we have seen a tremendous amount of growth among our group mates.
As of today, we have seen a vast improvement for each lesson, and the way we conducted our classes was as seamless as it gets. We also took up another group of parents with complete ease, as we have seen a tremendous amount of growth among our group mates.
When Ms Sun Wei gave us another opportunity to teach a second group of parents, we took that opportunity without a doubt at all. We know that if the three of us were teaching those parents together, it would be an experience of a lifetime that we would forever cherish. Being a part of the group was what made this whole journey so special, and we’d definitely do it all again as long as we’re together. The way the mothers’ faces lighted up when they saw us, and the bond we share, will always have a great place in our hearts.
Not only is FTP teaching mothers, but also has helped us improve and build our social skills in a professional setting and made us be more responsible and helped us to stay committed to the purpose. In addition, this was helpful as we are about to step into the real world after studies and any day when we have kids this teaching would help us as well and a long way to teach to our kids, nieces, nephews, and cousins. We are forever grateful to Ms Sun Wei for giving us this opportunity where this experience will always stay close to our hearts.
Above all, we are grateful and feel privileged to be students of SEGi College, without which we would not be here today.
Visit to Shelter
Written by:
SAFIAH AISHAH BINTI MOHAMED YABUDEEN
TASIRAN SAADAHTUL ABADIAH
YUNITHA A/P SELVA RATNAM
Overall, it is such a great experience to be involved in the teaching project as it has trained us further in terms of teaching skills and to tailoring it to the student’s learning pace respectively. On top of that we are greatly enthusiastic to be able to connect and share informative knowledge to the refugee where education is limited exposure for them. Through the experience, it was intriguing to see the refugee’s determination during the lesson which resulting a really good learning outcome. Although there is a quite challenge in terms of language barrier, we managed to express mutual understanding through simpler context. Hazarah hardly express herself yet she is responsive and fast learner. Thus we have taken a strategy for her to express the lesson sometimes and to see her progress improving it is such a great accomplishment for us. Besides that the materials provided by the organiser are very informative and it contained effective learning following today’s trends which can be utilise by the refugee student for their knowledge and teaching towards their children.
Most of all, we were given the opportunity to visit the refugee student house aimed to understand better of the culture as well creating better interactions since virtual meetings are limited and sometimes were challenging due to technical issues like internet connection. Through the physical meet up we were able to interact and observe better on the skills of the refugee student as well the children. Hazarah and her children are fast learners and able to catch up lessons easily. We were invited warmly with various types of food and despite the small space during the gathering, we were creating a heart-warming interaction. We have learnt a lot from the interactions such as the positive mind set of Hazarah in which despite her young age, she is able to raise her two young children thus not only we teach lessons but we also learn good aspects of Hazarah’s experiences.
The FTP project is one of the projects that is truly close to our hearts as it is a platform for us to help the refugee to learn. We’re truly feeling grateful for the amazing opportunity that has been given to us because this is not only a platform for us to learn and share our knowledge, but also helps us to prepare ourselves for our future. We were being able to not only utilize and improve our skills but also to gain new skills in terms of communication, body languages, patience and adaptability. Most importantly, being able to develop and establish the rapport with the refugee was definitely one of the precious relationships that we can ever gain.
Education is a treasure for them
Written by: Samantha Yap Ai Ching
First teacher project it was one of the awesome experiences I got. It was started with a refugee where I met her in this project, she is a very smart people, that she already know the basic of english. So, I have to change my teaching strategic to teach her. For instances, showing her what are the ways she could use to teach children, what kind strategics will make children more engaging and a more fun place to learn. It was fun until one day I received a bad news that her parents wouldn’t allow his/her to learn anymore, it was sad to hear that because she is a very potential student, she can understand three different language such as Bahasa Malaysia, English and her own native language, which is very helpful if she have the opportunity to be a teacher to spread the knowledge to other refugees. However, the experiences with her was fun even though it was a virtual meeting, we hadn’t met in person yet. Meeting her virtually already that fun, what can it be when meeting her in person?
Moreover, the another class I’m currently having with a refugee mother, it was interesting and fun too! For this class I have to use back the traditional teaching methods because her basic was as good. However, we manage to communicate with her with Bahasa Malaysia bit by bit. Interestingly，she is a very passion when comes to learning, and very patience to listen to us. She made me realised that actually there are still a lot of kind human in the world, no matter how hard they are living in the current there are always a little space for them to express happiness and appreciation. The smile she show me, a warm welcome from every class always made me very happy to see her again. I want to thank her for giving me the opportunity to learn from her and learn to cherish what we have.
Overall, from my experiences has shown that not all women were receiving from some other eastern countries compare to Malaysia, majority of them hadn’t changed their thoughts from norms, some women were even constrained from having education by their parents, thinking women should do something that women do. But should it be like that? For us receiving education is very normal but for them is treasure, if they have the opportunity to receive educations they will cherish and enjoy every classes they have. Thus, I hope that people should cherish the resources we have espcially receiving knowledge. One said:” Knowledge has more value than gold.”
