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Want your children to grow up as friends? This article maybe can help you.

Try these tips from Parentlineplus.org.uk.

1. Age differences mean that siblings will be at different stages of learning. So introduce activities that all age groups can participate in. Encourage older siblings to help the younger ones with an activity, to make older children feel more important.
2. Dont rush to stop an argument
3. Dont take slides it will make them think you have a favourite
4. Teach themhow to cooperate
5. Remind children to talk through problems
6. Encourage them to think of others
7. Remain clam. It will remind them that it’s not such big deal and will help them to listen to you.

                                      Edited by Peanut

I read one book that I think very useful. Title of the book is Bilingual Children: a guide for parents and carers wrote by Foufou Savitzky, London Language and Literacy Unit, South Bank University, 1994.

Here some tips I think can help all of us…enjoy it!!!

• Always talk a lot to your child in your language. Even when the child is too little to understand you should talk to them about what you are doing when you are cooking, writing, shopping etc…
• Teach your child nursery rhymes and songs in your own language.
• Tell your child stories in your language. Encourage your child to join in with the story telling.
• Talk to your children about what they did at playgroup, nursery or school in your language. If they use English words repeat what they have said using your language.
• Don’t be frightened to use your language in public. If some people don’t like it, it is their problem not yours.
• Make sure that your child knows the names of the different languages he speaks.
• Check that your child knows which language has which name.
• Take your child to concerts, plays, poetry readings, films etc. where they will hear people using your language.
• Try to make sure your children play with children who speak the same home language as they do.
• Find out if there is a community language school in your area where your language is taught. Your child might benefit from attending classes there.
• Try to find books written in your language for your child. If there aren’t any try to make your own or ask someone else to help you.
• Make your child feel proud of your language.
• Don’t laugh or tease your child because of her accent or if she makes mistakes

Here I like to share something which is I used in my Class. I used songs to tackle my students in learning English language. According to my research many students in Sabah especially in rural areas think English Language is difficult. After doing my research for four months at one of SMK in Papar area, students more attracted to learn English by using songs.

For example I’m using song in teaching literature. Because as we all know literature will be a lil bit dragging for teenagers. So I selects many songs that we can use during our teaching-learning. But when you choose the song make sure the lyrics and the content have a same meaning with what we want to teach.

Here I have a few song lists that I think can help you:-

Environment: “Ikan Keke”

Social Issues ( Teenagers Problems ) : Perfect by Simple Plan

Life’s Brief Candle ( Form 3 ) : Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Simple Plan

The Dead Crow ( Form 3 ): Colours of the Winds

Sonnet 18 : Bring Me to Life by Evanescence

People : Only You by Yellowcard etc.

Language teachers can and should use songs as part of their classroom teaching repertoire. Songs contain authentic language, are easily obtainable, provide vocabulary, grammar and cultural aspects and are fun for the students. They can provide valuable speaking, listening and language practice in and out of the classroom. Some key reasons songs can work exceedingly well in the foreign language classroom include the following:

1. Songs almost always contain authentic, natural language

This often contrasts the contrived, stilted language found in many student texts. Of course songs can also go to the other extreme by using overly crude, foul or otherwise objectionable language. With careful screening, an extensive library of usable songs for language learning can be compiled.

2. A variety of new vocabulary can be introduced to students through songs

Looking to boost student vocabulary with useful phrases, vocabulary and expressions? Songs are almost always directed to the native-speaking population so they usually contain contemporary vocabulary, idioms and expressions.

3. Songs are usually very easily obtainable

Cibemba and Silozi non-withstanding, songs are usually not that difficult to obtain. Local sources may be available including the students themselves. There’s always the internet which can connect you with song downloads in all but the most obscure languages.

4. Songs can be selected to suit the needs and interests of the students

In English especially, so many songs are available that selection of songs with suitable themes, levels and vocabulary is not at all difficult. Allowances can also be made for complexity or simplicity of language, depending on the students, by selecting and using suitable songs.

5. Grammar and cultural aspects can be introduced through songs

Most if not all songs have a recurring theme or story. So excerpting cultural elements is usually a possible, but often overlooked aspect of using songs. I still use “Hit the Road Jack” sung by the late Ray Charles to illustrate spoken contractions. He uses spoken contractions is virtually every line of the song.

6. Time length is easily controlled

Whether you have an hour, 30 minutes, or only 15 minutes or so, a song can be used in the course of a planned lesson. Use of songs is very flexible.

7. Students can experience a wide range of accents

A good thing about songs is that you can expose the students to many different kinds of English. British English, American English, Caribbean English are all widely available through songs. Accents too are well represented by songs from different regions and in a variety of types and formats. Gospel, soul, R & B, Pop, Rock, Reggae, Jazz and other styles change not only accents, but vocabulary and usage too.

8. Song lyrics can be used in relating to situations of the world around us

Songs have been used as vehicles of protest for civil rights, workers rights, even prisoner’s rights along with an untold number of other causes. They’ve expounded on pollution, crime, war and almost every social theme or cause. We won’t even mention how many songs are about, related to or explore the theme of sex.

9. Students think songs are natural and fun

Well actually they are, aren’t they? Fun, even silly songs abound in English. Some singers actually made a career out of them. (Ray Stevens, anyone?) They make offbeat, fun changes of pace with classroom use.

These are only some of the many reasons songs are useful in the language learning classroom. They contain authentic language, are easily obtainable, provide vocabulary, grammar and cultural aspects and are fun for the students. They provide enjoyable speaking, listening, vocabulary and language practice both in and out of the classroom. So EFL, English as a foreign language, ESL, English as a Second language and foreign language teachers should all consider using songs as a regular part of their classroom activities.

There are many ways to improve your vocabulary. When working to improve your vocabulary it’s important to know your goals in order to best choose the way in which you want to learn. Reading can be a great way to improve your vocabulary. However, it won’t be much help on a vocabulary test next week. Here are a number of methods to help you improve, and expand, your English vocabulary.

1. Vocabulary Trees Vocabulary trees help provide context. Once you’ve mapped out a few vocabulary trees, you’ll discover yourself thinking in vocabulary groups. When you see a cup your mind will quickly relate such words as knife, fork, late, dishes, etc. This overview to vocabulary trees provides will help you get started. Here is an example of a vocabulary tree.
2. Create Vocabulary Themes Create a list of vocabulary themes, include the vocabulary, a definition and an example sentence for each new item. Here is an example of a household appliance vocabulary theme sheet.
3. Use Technology to Help You Watching DVDs is a great way to help you understand native speakers of English. Using all the fancy options watching individual scenes can help make DVD use into a vocabulary learning exercise.
4. Specific Vocabulary Lists Rather than studying a long list of unrelated vocabulary, use specific vocabulary lists to help you prepare for the type of vocabulary you need for work, school or hobbies. These business vocabulary word lists are great for industry specific vocabulary items.
5. Word Formation Charts Word formation is one of the keys to success for advanced level ESL learners. Advanced level English exams such as the TOEFL, First Certificate CAE and Proficiency use word formation as one of the key testing elements. These word formation charts provide the concept noun, personal noun, adjective and verb forms of key vocabulary listed in alphabetical order.
6. Visual Dictionaries A picture is worth a thousand words. It’s also very helpful for learning precise vocabulary. There are a number of excellent English learner visual dictionaries for sale. Here is an online version of a visual dictionary dedicated to jobs.
7. Learn Collocations Collocations refer to words that often or always go together. A good example of a collocation is to do your homework. These lists of important verb + noun collocations will help your learn some of the most important.
8. Use a Corpus Corpora are huge collections of documents that can track the number of times a word is used. By using a corpora, you can find which words are often used together with target vocabulary words. Combining corpora use with vocabulary trees is a great way to learn key vocabulary for specific vocabulary target areas. You can get started by visiting the British National Corpus.

Tips:

1. Use vocabulary learning methods to focus quickly on the vocabulary YOU need to study.
2. Don’t make random lists of new words. Try to group words in themes. This will help you memorize new words more quickly.
3. If you have the time, and even if you think you don’t have the time, try to add context. Writing a few example sentences using new vocabulary will help you remember the words in context.
4. Keep a vocabulary notepad at hand whenever you are reading in English.

Kembalilah…kepada ku. Sayangilah diri ini……lagu ni aku dengar di radio hot.fm tadi petang. Terbuai juga hati ini bila mendengar lagu si Misha Omar ni.

Kelmarin jam 4.30 petang aku terima satu panggilan. Dari nombor pun aku tau itu panggilan dari siapa.

“Hello….[diam]. Walaikumsalam[diam]. sihat.ko sihat ka?[diam]. kenapa ko cari saya ni?[diam]. Rindu?hahahahaha[diam]. org rumah sihat? baby sihat?[diam]. ok lah saya sibuk bulih ko call lain hari?[diam]. walaikumsalam[diam].”

Semenjak aku jawap panggilan tu sampai sekarang ( jam 1:06am) aku masih tidak dapat tidur. Memikirkan dia… terimbas kembali kenangan cinta pertama aku.

Dia berasal dari Kuala Penyu dan berkerja di Labuan. Dan aku ketika itu aku masih lagi menuntut di sebuah kolej yang tidak perlu disebut namanya.  Ketika itu aku gembira, bahagia walaupun tidak mempunyai restu dari keluarga ku.

Tapi kami berjauhan. Selama  tiga tahun kami berjauhan. Sekadar membuat panggilan dan bertukar sms. Tidak cukup dengan itu kami juga berutus surat. Kerana waktu itu aku sibuk menghabiskan masa pengajian ku. Dan dia kerja.  Setiap kali cuti am barulah kami berjumpa. Tapi masa itu tiada langsung keraguan yang tersirat dihati.

Sampailah satu ketika kami memutuskan untuk bertunang. Aku waktu itu tidak punya perkerjaan kerana masih menuntut. Terpaksa berkorban menyimpan duit untuk membeli barang hantaran. Kadang-kadang aku juga  terpaksa top up kredit dia. Sebab alasan dia mau simpan duit. Aku pun menurut jugsa kerana aku cuba memahami dan bertolak ansur.

Tinggal sebulan masa untuk melangsungkan pertunagan…

Dia call menyampaikan berita yang sedih. Dia tidak dapat melangsungkan pertunangan dengan ku atas alasan yang ku fikir tidak munasabah. Dia memberitahu bahawa adik lelaki dia sudah terlanjur dengan perempuan lain. Demi menyelamatkan adik lelaki dia, dia kena berkahwin dengan perempuan tu. Aku bingung…kenapa lain orang yang buat hal, lain orang yang kena tanggung???

Ku pandang barang hantaran ku…berderai airmata aku memikirkan hal tersebut. Dia memutuskan hubungan dengan aku setelah aku bersabar dengan karenahnya.

Dan hari itu…seminggu sebelum harijadi ku dia call. Dia mahu aku datang di majlis perkahwinannya. Atas sebab sayang dan kasih, di awal subuh lagi aku memnadu ke terminal menumbok untuk menaiki feri ke Labuan.

Sampainya aku disana, ku lihat dia tersenyum gembira di samping pasangannya. Kakaknya memanggil dan menceritakan segalanya. Dan sekali lagi berderai airmata ku.

Rupanya selama ini kepayahan aku bersabar sia-sia. Kerana dia tidak dapat menahan diri dan terlanjur bersama perempuan tu. Perempuan yang di katakan terlanjur dengan adik lelakinya.

Aku pasrah dan dengan senyum ku ucapkan Selamat Pengantin Baru dan beredar dengan deraian airmata.

Kini sudah 5 tahun berlalu, aku masih mampu tersenyum sekurang-kurangnya nama muslim yang ku beri dulu masih lagi diguna. Dan aku masih tersenyum kerana anak perempuannya dinamakan sempena nama ku.

Kini dia ingin kembali kerana dia mengaku tersilap langkah…

Ku coretkan di dalam blog ini bukan untuk mengaibkan sesiapa. Ku tahu abang menbaca blog ini selepas ku sms alamat blog ini padamu. Aku tahu kakak marah padaku. Sebab gara-gara abang belum tukar nama APF tu. Secara jujurnya…jangan tebus kesalahan abang dengan wang ringgit. Itu tidak bermakna buat ku kerana atas kejatuhan ku dulu aku bangkit dan kini…aku menjadi wanita yang cekal dan berkerjaya.  Aku tidak berniat untuk kembali dengan abang. Pelihara dan jaga rumahtangga abang. Bagilah keutamaan untuk anak abang yang satu itu.

Kenangan kita berdua pasti tersimpan rapi hingga kini tapi untuk kembali kepada mu adalah amat mustahil sekali. Kerana hati ku masih sakit walaupun sudah lama ku maafi kalian berdua.

Biarlah aku kongsi perasaan sayang ini bersama orang lain yang baru aku kenali…

I got this book from one of my students. Thanks for her coz gave this lovely book. I really like it. Maybe because of the color of this book. It is pink……what a wonderful color!!!

Unfortunately, I’m not wasting my time here to talk about pink color…but I want to share something with all the readers. This novel “The Mummy Diaries” wrote by Rachel Johnson for me its totally awesome.

Its a real life story as a mother…as a wife…and as a women with own carrier. This book is not hard for us to understand. She wrote this lovely novel not using a jargon words or even a single difficult words. Each sentences in this book is very light and easy to understand.

The content in this book actually more  focusing to the women real life. For my opinion you need to read it  and when you read this book…I’m sure you will remember your mother or maybe understand what they feel about us as their child.

The Mummy Diaries  wrote by Rachel Johnson

Published by Penguin Books:London