Merry Christmas to all our readers!

It's one week to Christmas Day and I'd like to take this opportunity to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy and prosperous New Year.

It's also two weeks to the end of the ELC and PET contracts.

Many of the ELCs and PETs have already left Malaysia on their annual leave. Some have gone back to their home countries to spend Christmas with their families. Some have gone on trips to Vietnam and Bali to soak up the culture and the sun. Yet others have stayed on here in Malaysia. I will be heading back to Australia this Friday to spend time with my family before taking up a new post in the UAE next year.

As for the other ELCs and PETs, well they will all be taking on new challenges in the new year. Some are hoping for positions with the new project in Singapore; some will be joining the CfBT teaching staff in Brunei; some are going to work in Vietnam; one is going back to teach in South Korea and two are going to take some time off before deciding what to do. Others will be staying on here in Malaysia to pursue further studies, to continue their work on a volunteer basis or have jobs in various educational institutions. To those who have not yet decided what to do next year, I hope something your way comes soon.

This is my last post and so I wish you all the best in whatever the future brings you and look forward to hearing about your exploits.

Mr Ron

The Future

Hi once again from the CfBT KL office with a belated update.

I’m sorry that I haven’t written for a while, but although there has been a lot going on, we’ve not been in a position to say too much.

Since I last wrote, as you all know, we have heard from the MoE that our ELC and PET contracts will not be renewed for 2008 and many of you have already found alternative employment. Some people saw the writing on the wall and left early for greener pastures in China, The UAE and Cyprus to name but a few places. Pauline is busy sorting out cars, leave entitlements and plane tickets while Rozanne is busy processing tax forms and sorting out bonuses etc. Jan & I are preparing final reports for the office and CDC (as well as looking for another position).

Our cousins across the divide fared better with their contract negotiations and you may have seen the recent e-mail from Chris advising that their contract has been renewed for a further two years with an increase in teacher numbers and an improved package. For more details, see the Brunei website.

Thanks to all those who have sent in their Contract Completion Feedback forms and we look forward to the rest soon. Much good work has been done in the states, districts and schools which is reflected in the comments. You will all be sorely missed by those teachers and students whose lives you have touched during your time here.

So what exactly has been happening of late? Even before we heard the bad news from the ministry, there were moves afoot to expand our business here in Malaysia so that we were not solely dependent on the ministry for our income. You all know of the very successful PIERS Projects that we have had over the past two years and, with several other potential sponsors in the pipe-line, it looks like an expansion of that programme could well be on the way. Stay tuned for more news as it comes to hand.

Across the causeway, a ‘letter of intent’ has been signed with the MoE there for a programme of Teacher Consultants to be placed in secondary schools. They will be working with the local teachers to help with English, methodology and enrichment activities. Can’t say too much just yet, but keep an eye out for job advertisements in the coming weeks. (There will probably be a page on the CfBT UK website with job descriptions and application forms.)

As some of you will already know, we have a small Corporate English programme that has been going for a while now. Well, that is set to expand, with several prospective clients, and to help it on its way, we are having a Business Development Workshop here in the office on the 26^th November. Neil McIntosh, our CEO from the UK and Jonathan Greenwood, the new Director for International Operations will be attending. This will be Jonathan’s first visit to Malaysia I believe.

So, as you can see, we have not been idle but have been seeking to add value to the several strands of our business operation here in Malaysia. Some of you may be involved in that expansion; others will be returning home or furthering your careers in far flung parts of the world. Many of you will be leaving this week, the rest in the next few weeks. Whenever you leave, I wish you ‘Selamat Jalan’ and wherever you are next year; I wish you all the best of luck! Please keep in touch and let us know what exciting things you are doing.

Mr Ron

2nd Perlis TD Conference review

Some of you were involved in the recent Perlis TD Conference in Penang and from what I hear, it went off really well.

Steve says, "...there was a constant buzz among the participants and I think this year was much more about developing teachers than just training teachers and my lot are beginning to see the difference. ... I have had lots of positive feedback already about the event and you all."

Thanks to those ELCs who took time out from their busy schedules to give of their knowledge and help develop the Perlis teachers. If anybody has any photos please e-mail me and I'll put them up on the blog, or if you have any other comments/feedback, YOU can post a comment here.

No News!

I've tried to keep the Upcoming Events updated with news of the meeting that was supposed to take place between those in power in the Ministry of Education and those that hold the purse strings. Unfortunately this meeting seems to get postponed at the last minute. I believe it was rescheduled for today and I will let you all know if it actually went ahead as soon as I know. Pauline is at CDC this afternoon so we should get some news 'straight from the horse's mouth' so to speak.

I'm heading to Tasmania tonight to help my Mum celebrate her 80th birthday and will be away for a week. However, if there is ANY news I'm sure Chris will let everybody know.

I know this is a very trying time for those who feel that they would like to continue working in Malaysia for CfBT. Do you hang around and wait to see what happens or do you make a move now? Some have already taken the plunge and left for greener pastures. We wish them well, and who knows, we may see them back one day.

Ron C.

ELC movie

OK, so it's Sunday afternoon, Jan's in Australia and I'm bored. I remember Vance sending this website around a while ago, so I thought I'd give it a go. You can view the results of my labour (which wasn't anywhere near as long as Trien's thank goodness) by clicking on the following link.

ELC Movie

Go ahead, make my day and make your own movie. It's really easy!

Announcing the arrival of...

Our daughter Melody Angelica Harris [who] was born this morning, September 2, at 8am in Taiping General Hospital. Trien was in labor for 20 hours, but didn't need a c-section. Little Melody weighs in at 3.9 kilos, and is 55cm tall. Both Trien and Melody are fine. Well, Melody does have a pointy head from being born, but that should go back to normal in a few days.

When I went to see her first time, she opened her eyes, and we looked at each other for 45 minutes straight. It was the first time she had opened her eyes. Needless to say, Daddy is already madly in Love!

CONGRATULATIONS to John & Trien!!!!!!!!!!!!

MoE/CfBT Annual Conference in Malacca

Well it finally came to pass that THE conference actually took place! After the July date was postponed in late June there were some who wondered if it ever would happen. It did, and I think I can safely say that it was a success. So thank you to all who participated: ELCs, PETs, Ministry representatives from CDC, Language Officers from state and district offices, guest speakers, and the hardworking staff from the CfBT office who came and helped out or who stayed behind to keep the ship afloat.
I have uploaded two photo albums, appropriately named Malacca Day 1 & 2, the first of which shows what went on when we were supposed to be getting ready for our photo on the first morning and the subsequent tea break. The second shows the ELCs' group discussions and presentations and some more morning tea shots. There were lots of little meetings going on all around the hall. Thanks to Becky Stannard for taking the time to 'spy' on you all!
Unfortunately, I can't put Powerpoint presentations directly on the Blog, but have converted three of them to photos which you can download to read the content. If you want the actual presentations I can e-mail them to you on request.
Once again, thanks to all who took the time to come to Melaka, and when we hear the outcome(s) of the meeting that Dr Haili talked about, rest assured we will let everybody know.
Ron Coveney