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DOKUMEN STANDARD KURIKULUM DAN PENTAKSIRAN (DSKP) Click here

MEB 2013-2025 Click here

Unforgettable Experience

Today’s the last day of my School Based Experience (SBE) in SJK (C) Taman Connaught. I can tell you that the feeling is bittersweet, though it's only a five-days-experience here.  Knowing that I won’t have to wake up at 5am anymore is relieving, but I’m definitely going to miss the school and the people.

Okay first, let me tell you about the school. Good? Bad? Different? Ordinary? "OK je"? Make sure you don't skip the entire blog... You will know after this...

The Very First Day

Traffic jam ...

It was our first day. In order to leave a "good" first impression on the people we met, five of us decided to depart early from our hostel. The school is located in Taman Connaught area, and it takes around only 15 minutes to arrive, if you go there by car. Since five of us are not local and none of us has car, so we had to take Grab. But you know what? The fare was really high! It could be high up to RM 35 for a round trip.   Okay, let's don't talk about the fare. So we arrived.  A woman (that time we had no idea who she was) was standing just in front of the gate, bowing to every student, including us. Hmmm...I bet she's a teacher? 

"Good morning, teachers." She greeted us and smiled. Her smile was like the sun lighting up the sky-- so heartwarming.  Five of us felt so strange as we have not yet introduced ourselves to anyone else. How could this woman know us?

"Good morning." We replied awkwardly and gave her a toothy smile. 

Lim Bee Khim -(Principal)

After searching here and there finally we arrived- principal's office. We were informed that principal was not yet in the office so we had to wait. Meanwhile we clumsily took out our offer letters and put them on table. It's Monday and the school was going to have assembly in the morning. There're lot of teachers passing by, they were all looked in a hurry. We just stood there like five lemons (doing nothing)...

"Hi, please have a seat." A familiar sound came from behind. We turned to our back. Yes, that voice...that woman at the front gate... Gosh. Is she the principal? We were stunned.

"Oh, thank you!" we replied and then quickly got some chairs and sat down. She gave us a long lecture (I mean, she's introducing the school) but I didn't hear a word she said. I guess I was demonstrating my "pro" skill of sleeping with eyes open. 

After assembly, we went back to the place where we were assigned-- "Bilik Operasi". However the first thing that we did was looking for the canteen. We were really like hungry wolves (as usual) that hadn't eat anything for days. On our way to canteen, there were a lot of students passing by, and ALMOST everyone of them did the bowing action at us and greeted us. Again, we felt so strange. Was this the culture of this school? It really opened my eyes...

Bow, Bow, Bow 

Bowing has already become a routine, even culture of this Chinese school. Before class, BOW. After class, BOW. When they saw us, BOW again... Bow, bow, bow... It's ALMOST everywhere. There was an incident when a girl almost bumped her head on me when she bowed in front of me. I was like... Huh, what are you doing?? By the way, have you ever experienced receiving a 90 degree bow from someone? That feeling... Damn GOOD! 

Statue of Confucius in one of the corners of the school.

Anyway, let's go back to the history. 

The tradition of bowing in Chinese culture originated from the kowtow. Kowtow is a show of respect by kneeling and bowing so low that one’s head touches the ground. In fact, in Han Chinese culture the kowtow was the highest form of respect and was done in front of the Emperor, as well as elders, superiors, and cultural objects of worship. Over the time, standing and bowing replaced the kowtow. Click here to learn more about "bowing"

Why bow? Because bowing shows that one has a lower status than the other person. It’s also a gesture of respect. It conveys the message that the other person is stronger and more powerful. And this school practiced Confucius teaching. That's why you can see why bowing is everywhere.

Temporary Wushu Teacher

On Wednesday morning, we were informed that we had to stay back after class and attend extra-curricular activities. Goshh... What I hate the most had finally come. That's still not the worst part. I WAS IN CHARGE OF WUSHU CLUB. I just discovered that I don't know anything at all about that. Can you imagine a Chinese teacher who has got body coordination difficulties teaching Wushu to a bunch of kids? Well, that would be quite funny... I would rather sit quietly in the chilly Bilik Operasi and do my assignments. 

However, things turned up to be quite okay, at least not that worst... I was relieved when I knew that the kids had their own "wushu sifu". Thanks God, at least I don't have to show them the awkward and stupid side of me. 

They were all sweating in the big, warm hall.

In the big, warm hall, I walked around and monitored the kids. I praised, corrected and adjusted their positions. They sweated but they all did the actions very seriously. My feelings were indescribable as they looked at me and said "Thank you." I just don't know how to describe... 

After that I had a conversation with the sifu, hoping to learn something from him. The sifu said a sentence to me, that I would never forget. He said (in Mandarin): "Are you the new teacher? (I nodded) You are really good. You can become my assistant!" He said with a smile on his lips. The words "You are really good" hit me hard. Am I really good? I thought I am bad? His words really enlightened me. I was encouraged that no matter how bad or how incapable I am, I don't have to care much what others think of me.  Life is too short to care what others think.

How does it feel to be called "teacher"?

Most annoying question: Teacher, can I go to toilet?

Scary, but fabulous!

"Teacher, can I go to toilet?" 

"Teacher, what is you name?"

"Teacher, are you new?"

"Teacher, how old are you?"

"Teacher, how to do this?"

"Teacher, can you come here?"

I really had headache dealing with all the questions that started with "Teacher". However, when students say "thank you" to you because you have enlightened them, that feeling is more than just touched. They have learned something from you, and that's priceless. 

My Biggest Regret

I realized I was never proactive. Whenever I found free time, I didn’t look for ways to learn more from my mentor, Ms Loo. Instead, I focused on my assignment and other works. I should have pushed myself outside of my comfort zone, and did the bare minimum. 

I’m thankful for this experience, because it helped me to see many good patterns, learn new skills and discover different culture of a primary school. I am really grateful for all the memories and experiences I was able to have because of everyone here.

Until next time,

Tsiaoming

Four of us only in this photo. (hashtag: YongQiWhereAreYou?)

HI!

Hi. This is my personal blog. I will be sharing all my teaching ideas and fun classroom activity on this blog soon. Welcome!