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

Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!

Click on the picture to make it bigger so that you can read the text.

The count down is on! Not long to go now! Next week is school holidays and I know some of you are headed overseas for a well earned bit of R&R. Then it's down to Melaka for the chance to catch up with all those team members that you either haven't seen for a few months, or in some cases, haven't even met yet! There will be a chance to hear some words of wisdom from Professor John Stannard and find out just what Stephen Hall has been doing with all that data he's been collecting from some of you. For the majority of you, it will also be an opportunity to meet the new Director of CDC, Dr Haili bin Dolhan, for the first time.
Firstly though, some of us from the KL office are heading on over to Brunei next Wed to Sat to attend their teachers' conference and then we'll join you in Melaka.
So travel safe and see you there!!

What a Romp it was!

The PIERS teachers from Negeri Sembilan had a fun weekend getaway in Port Dickson recently. The PD Romp, as it’s fondly called, was organized for about 120 rural primary school teachers by the CfBT PIERS team – Mark, Karen, Fain, Azlina and Prabha. This annual PIERS event featured a mixture of academic and team-building activities, with the purpose of enhancing the teachers’ confidence in speaking English language, learning new skills in language and methodology and increasing motivation.

This year’s PD Romp was greatly spiced up by the participation of some very talented trainers – Mike & Cathy, Rob & Kim, Jerry Bishop and Chris Frankland. They led groups of PIERS teachers through specific academic sessions on drama, literacy remediation, language games, jazz chants and loads of other fun stuff! We also had a great show of support from the CfBT KL office: Iki designed and ordered goodies for all the teachers, Everlyn spent her entire weekend helping us out at the Port Dickson Rest House, Andrew Caie sportingly joined us for the Fancy Dress Ball, and Chris Bell led the teachers in the canoeing activity at the Eagle Ranch Resort!

A big THANK YOU to all of you...what a great team we have here at CfBT!