Physics-E-Portfolio

30^th June 2009, Tuesday.

I have been too lazy to start this fourth journal. It is hard to start writing anyway. I wish that the holiday is here, without any worries to face the examination. Time seems so fast. After the examination, I will go to Ipoh for doing my practicum. I will allocate at SMK Seri Ampang which is only 15 minutes from Ipoh town. And I realize my biggest problem for this moment is practical itself.

I am too afraid and nervous to teach in the real situation which is I will be teaching form 4 students. It is freak me out. I really do not know how to handle a various type of students. What will happen if I teach a bad manner student? Can I face it? How about a genius or a very good student? Can I teach them well? Can they understand what I am trying to teach since my content knowledge of Physics was not so good? Can I implement all the affective ways to teach in class? Did I already prepared myself mentally and physically to face all of this teaching and learning in school?

Too much questioning in my head now, and I am worried about that. One of the reason I’m worried about is I am not really good in English either in communication and writing. That's why I am so worried to speak up in the class. Furthermore I am worrying that I can not deliver well the content knowledge during my lesson in the classroom in term of not really fluently and proficiency in English languages. On my previous reflection, I already mentioned about my weakness such as lack of self-esteem, easy to get nervous, does not have confident and also poor in content knowledge of Physics. All the problems still haunted me. The problems are also the reasons why I am worrying about my practical session. Seems like all the problems are connected each other. Huh. I have lack of confident to speak English, I am afraid that people will laugh of me because of my ‘Mang-Lish’ and students will not understand what I am trying to teach because of my ‘broken’ English.

I am also scared if the students ask me unexpected question which make me blank and getting blur what should have I answer the questions. I do not want to get embarrass in front of my students. Besides that, I am totally afraid that the students not feel fun and enjoyable during class because of no such of interesting activity which can nurture curiosity in Physics.

I realize that English is very important especially when I am going to teach student in Science and Mathematic subject. And I have to teach Physics in English. Besides must mastery in content of subject, I also should have capability to speak well so that I can deliver well the content. Then, the student will understand during the lesson. I must do something to improve my proficiency in English in order to speak well, to understand the content of subject, to teach effectively and to be more confidently. So, from now on I must work hard to ensure everything going smoothly.

From a journal “Ways to improve your English” suggest that we can start our own English blog or journal. Even for people who don't have to write in English, writing can be a great way of properly learning the kind of vocabulary we need to describe our own life and interests, and of thinking about how to stop making grammar mistakes. I think this is a very good suggestion and that’s why I decided to write my reflection in English so that it will help me to improve my English writing.

According to information that I read in internet, one of the best ways to improve my vocabulary in English is to read more. Reading is clearly linked with a larger vocabulary, especially if we seek out books in unfamiliar genres or about unfamiliar topics. Nonfiction in a wide variety of fields can improve our vocabulary and general knowledge. Literacy in fiction is also highly beneficial. As we read, make a note of unfamiliar words, look them up, and write down the definition.

Another suggestion to improve our vocabulary is to use the dictionary. Create flash cards of unfamiliar words and practice them in the train, on the bus, or when we wake up in the morning. Try to practice words in a variety of environments so that we really learn them, and make sure to use the words in daily sentences as well so that we can grow accustomed to using them correctly. If I hear someone using a word that I don’t recognize, look it up! But make sure that we use an English-English dictionary. Trying to use a bilingual dictionary less and switching to a monolingual one can help you to stop translating in you head when you are speaking or listening, and other useful English vocabulary can come up while you are using the dictionary.

Besides that, from a journal “How Can I Improve My English?” it highlights that the more you speak with English speakers, the more you will improve your English, both in pronunciation and vocabulary. Talk as much as possible. Then, I take this opportunity talking to people around me even its just simple communication which is using a simple English will help me to improve my English. Everyone can speak, but because of our environment which likes to use our mother tongue as daily communication, it will make some other people feel awkward and sometimes their feel weird.

I am aware that it is important to have a good communications in English because I believe no matter who we are, learn English is very important. I can't avoid it and do not avoid it before I am getting too far behind.

I have to make sure that I always be well prepared in conducting my class so that I can conduct the lesson well. I have to make sure that the student will be focus on learning session, the student will under control and not misbehaviour. From the preparation, it will encourage me to well-prepared about the content which is going to deliver to the student. I will ensure the entire task well managed and going smoothly. I must put some more effort to explore and understand in order to integrate knowledge and skill for me and my students.

I will make sure that I started reading newspaper especially NST and practicing speaking English among my close friends (actually to ensure my tongue not looks like to twine around). Besides that, I also have to spend time to do some revision the content of the syllabus. Even sometimes I am feeling hard, I know everyone will support me. I have to put more effort to make it successful.