Borneo

Borneo is an island divided among three countries: Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. Malaysia occupies about 25% of the island and this land is home to the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak. Borneo is home to one of the oldest rainforests in the world. In terms of Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak can be referred to as Eastern Malaysia. Furthermore, it is home to the indigenous Iban people, who are the native people of Malaysia.

Kek lepis of Sarawak, Malaysia.

In July, a large cohort of Fulbrighters went to Kuching, Sarawak in Borneo for the well-known Rainforest Music Festival. After weeks upon weeks of not seeing one another, it was nice to be reunited in a new place filled with culture, great food, music and most of all, great company! Although Sarawak is a Malaysian state, I felt as though it was an entirely different country. Kuching has a predominantly Chinese and Christian population, which is very different from Terengganu, Malaysia where I was living. The layout of Kuching reminded me of a Sante Fe, New Mexico with its rich art and unique streets and storefronts. Sarawak is also home to one of my favorite Malaysian snacks – kek lepis (layered cake). This is a cake made with many layers and colors. It is made especially in Kuching.

Musical instruments of Borneo.

Outside of the city of Kuching, we went into the rainforest to see wild orang utans! I stood in amazement as I saw these intriguing animals swing from tree to tree and play with one another in their natural environment. What really amazed me (and freaked me out) was how similar the orang utans’ mannerisms are to humans. We also ventured into the Sarawak Cultural Village to experience the Rainforest World Music Festival which featured artists from literally all over the world, playing variations of music and using multiple languages and dances. It was a huge intercultural, worldly party in the middle of a rainforest with great food and drinks as well as even better music! The people, style and art of Sarawak really pulled at my heartstrings. Kuching will forever go down as my favorite city in Malaysia.

Two men from Spain who invited their own instrument. It was similar to drums, but made a
very distinct sound.

My friend Norma and I on the seashore of Sarawak, Malaysia.

The sunset that can be seen from the northern shore of Borneo.

My friends and I hanging out before the night concerts began!

One of the many concerts at the famous Rainforest Music Festival.

A New Avenue

Helping students outline ideas for their essay.
(Photo courtesy of SMK PNZ)

“What makes Malaysia special?” I asked my 4 Science class in late June 2012.

As the students pondered the somewhat vague question, our special VIP sat in a small, wooden chair in the back of the classroom. Mr. Scott Rauland from the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur came to visit our school and meet the teachers and students of SMK Permaisuri Nur Zahirah. The students were even more nervous than usual, due to this “stranger's” presence in class, but I watched thoughtfully as they reflected upon the seemingly weird question. After what felt like a lengthy minute or two of awkward silence,  students slowly and hesitantly started to respond.

A meeting with Mr. Scott Rauland, from the U.S. Embassy,
and the Terengganu State Education Department
officials before Mr. Rauland came to visit my class.
(Photo courtesy of SMK PNZ)

"Beautiful islands?" a girl hesitantly and softly exclaimed in the front row.

"Perfect," I replied as I wrote it on the board. 

After a few more students nervously and unconfidently responded, other students began to understand and enthusiastically started to participated.

“Many cultures!” shouted a young girl from the back.

Assisting students with the "final touches" for their
poster featuring "Why Sports Make Malaysia Special."
(Photo courtesy of SMK PNZ)

“Excellent!” I responded.

“Hari raya!” an energetic boy said.

“Food!” another stated.

“Baju kurungs!”

For 80 minutes on that hot, June day, with our special visitor, I facilitated a conversation about Malaysia, led by the students using English. As students shared their thoughts, I carefully drew a venn diagram on the board, in order for students to visually understand what I was getting at.

The biggest circle in the middle of the diagram said, “Malaysia,” and the circles branching off of the center said things such as “food,” “holidays,” “cultures” and so many more. Upon each circle, we continued to expand on each idea.

For instance, I posed the questions of “What kind of foods?” or “What different 

cultures are there in Malaysia?” 

Students soon became so interested in the conversation. Although the dialogue was in English, the students were eager to participate because the subject content related to each of their own identities. It was as though this foreign English language was becoming less and less foreign, as they discussed in regards to their own cultural context.

Helping students with captions for
their poster. (Photo courtesy of SMK PNZ)

Up to this point, I was having difficulty capturing the interest of students when it came to English. I tried games, jokes and several different avenues. However, with the exception of about five students, I could not generate participation. Furthermore, I could not eliminate the shy and nervous culture that is typical in an English classroom in Malaysia. To add, although this particular class was my strongest one, I felt that no matter what I tried, I continued to run into a brick wall. Therefore, I was initially quite nervous when I was informed that Mr. Rauland would be coming to visit and that he would be sitting in on my class to gain a better idea about what role a Fulbright ETA plays in the classroom.

Students from Class 4 Science presenting
 "What Makes Malaysia Special."

The week before his visit, I frantically read through ESL books, searched through Google and reached out to fellow ETAs to get ideas for a lesson plan that could be partially successful. After searching, thinking and devising a plan, I could not find anything that I felt would be a hit to my students. Therefore, I reflected back to the times I  felt most at ease speaking beautiful Italian as a second language. What I remembered was that I enjoyed speaking Italian the most when I was talking about my own background and family. Consequently, the idea occurred to me that my students in some way could “educate” me, their teacher, as well as Mr. Rauland about their own background.

Two students from Class 4A1 presenting "Why Fruits
Make Malaysia Special."
(Photo courtesy of SMK PNZ)

Hence, the “What Makes Malaysia Special” project ensued, and it was just what my students needed, in order to use English and share their own story. By relating English to their own culture, it made the foreign language come alive for them.

Poster by a student group who presented "Why Weather
Makes Malaysia Special.

Students working on their posters!

The conversation in class with Mr. Scott Rauland on that hot, June afternoon was only the beginning of a six-week long project, and two   other classes joined in on the project as well.

Throughout the end of June and during July, the students worked in groups to represent the topic of Malaysia that they felt was most special. First, the groups wrote English essays, beginning with an outline and rough draft and ultimately creating a final, well done essay. Second, students created a poster board filled with pictures representing their topic. Finally, students developed presentations that they presented in early August when our next VIP, my dear friend Frannie, came to visit. Moreover, all of the posters were showcased on a "What Makes Malaysia Special" board that I created for the school. During the remainder of the year, teachers and fellow students enjoyed the colorful board and were impressed how students used English to showcase

and share their own country and culture.

Poster by a student group that presented "Why
Different Cultures Make Malaysia Special."

From start to finish, the project was a wonderful learning experience, not only for my students, but for myself. As my students utilized and developed their English ability, I learned more about Malaysia and my students' culture. Also, not to mention, I experienced the immense importance of relentlessly working towards finding new and different avenues for students, in order to make a subject come ALIVE.

With some creativity, reflection and effort, new avenues in the classroom can culminate a newfound energy and enthusiasm. My class’s new avenue led us on a memorable and fun, yet informative, six-week journey as a classroom that allowed us to dive deeper into
Malaysia while using English!

The "What Makes Malaysia Special" board showcased at the
school.

VIP, my dear friend Frannie, with Class 4SC after they made their
presentations!

4 Science students and I with our special VIP,
Frannie who came to visit me in August and
watched student presentations!

Article #3 - A Life without Seasons

Here is an article that was featured on July 11, 2012 in the Southtown Star!

http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/opinions/13724675-474/a-life-without-seasons.html

Building Muscle and Building English.

My mom and dad helped me lace up my first pair of soccer cleats at the age of six. After eleven years of playing consistently and seventeen years later, I never thought my love for soccer, as well as running would be beneficial during my time in Malaysia.

Every Monday night at 5:30pm, my roommate and fellow English Teaching Assistant, Christina Chavez, and I, lace up our running shoes and head to the nearby track at her school, SMK Nasiruddin Shah, for weekly jogging club.

Jogging Club with honorary members, Hannah and Zach, during their visit to
Malaysia in June!

Catching a break after a run!

Christina initiated this active club with students at her school back in April. Christina’s school is about a five-minute walk from our home, and a two-minute motor scooter ride. In addition, many of Christina’s students are from our village, live very near to the school or live in hostel (dorm) accommodations at the school. So, there are always students around wanting to participate!

After participating in Jogging Club with Christina and her students, I decided to open up the club to the students at my school, although many live quite a distance away from my village as well as from the track. However, despite the obstacles for my students to attend, my students have come to participate as well!

With our gym shoes on, we stretch and get our muscles warmed up with the students on the red tar track. Believe it or not, many of our students choose to run barefoot even though they do have a pair of gym shoes. We continually ask them if it hurts, but they always say, “No, no. It’s fine. Fine.” So, with shoes on or off, we set off running laps in the hot, yet setting sun.

Some students take it quite seriously, while others just use it as a means to simply chit chat with Miss Nina (Christina) and I. After the running session, Christina has the students write down their number of laps in hope that they can improve, while I unleash the soccer ball.

With my legs a little tired and sweat running down my face, I start dribbling the ball around and attempting to juggle it. Within minutes, students come to join. 

Now, the first time I brought the soccer ball out, the boys were a bit shocked. Girls do not play football (soccer) in Malaysia, so the idea that an American, and especially a female American, could do something with a soccer ball was a bit mind-blowing to them. However, slowly and steadily, I would kick the ball to one of the boys and he would kick it back. At first, they were trying to kick lightly to be easy on me, but with the power I kicked the ball back with, they got the point. Girls can play.

Since April, we run and then play football (soccer). The boys will now play with me, and I even got some of the girl students to play as well. Remembering the days back when I wore my little blue and yellow soccer jersey when I played on the team my dad coached, I take time to show the girls how to kick the ball and what part of the foot to use. A few of them have gotten it down!

While the activity is fantastic, a natural benefit from having jogging club has been channeling an outlet for students to speak English in a more kinesthetic environment. Through jogging club, and especially through kicking a soccer ball around, I have been able to get through to students that I otherwise have a difficult time connecting with in the classroom. Running and football are two so-called “languages” the students and I both speak, which allows them to be relaxed and comfortable. So, while I use basic English conversation with them on Monday nights, they do not even realize how much they are learning.

While strengthening their legs, enhancing their football skills and getting energy out, little do they know they are building their English. 

"Terima Kasih"

“Terima kasih” means thank you in Bahasa Malaysia!

And, a big “terima kasih” to you- all my friends, family, readers and supporters

Your unwavering support has allowed me to better spread my wings and fly while here. Of course, any experience in life comes with some high peaks, as well as some low valleys. You all have allowed me to navigate the successes as well as challenges that have I encountered while here.

A package from America! Whenever I receive a package or
letter, the principal puts it on my desk! Such a nice surprise!

Your words, emails, phone calls, skype dates, Facebook wall posts, letters, cards, pictures, support, prayers and kind thoughts have made all the difference to me. They definitely do not go unnoticed. Thank you for giving me the inspiration, strength, motivation and confidence to take on every new day here, as well as reminding me consistently that I have a lovely home and wonderful community to come home to in November. In fact, every piece of mail I receive goes on my "Happy Wall" in my bedroom, where I hang up every card, every letter and every photo I receive from home. It is the first thing I look at every morning when I awake, and last thing I look at every night before I go to sleep. In addition, every email I receive goes in my special "Happy" section within my email!

At the same time, I want to comment on the fact that I realize I am two months behind in my blog posts! No excuses, other than the fact that I was in complete “heaven” when my courageous and beautiful family came to visit me in June :)  In addition, sometimes I have a very difficult time finding the exact words to convey what I do here! However, it is my personal goal to keep my blog updated weekly throughout the four months ahead! So, continue to stay tuned and thanks for your support!

Thanks for joining me during the first six months of my Malaysian adventure, and I look forward to having you right there with me during the remaining four months.

See you all soon!

I always let my students look at the envelopes of the mail I get from home! They love to look at the stamps and see English addresses! It really thrills them and gets them excited to speak English! Here are two of my students with an envelope!