English in Action (1)

The FSTEP Batch 3 participants in the Franc Class will soon start their internship in local financial institutions. They are polishing up their English communication skills at the workplace.

SOCIAL SKILLS is one of their English Communication projects. The trainees are divided into 3 teams with each team creating their own scripts and bringing their scripts to life.

Here are their actions captured on film.

Team members: Nawar, Xiao Jun, Syarah, Hidayah, Mira, Tasha, Zalila


Team members: Chin Cheong, Yin Yin, Lavania, Norbaizura, Sarmila, Suriati, Alif


Team members: Suarrdy, Bavaani, Sarah, Dalila, Rashidah, Norliza
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Michael Jackson, Timeless Thriller

Michael Jackson's influence reaches far and wide.

In 2007, a prison consultant in The Philippines, Byron Garcia, introduced a morning exercise routine in the Cebu provincial jail. He taught the prisoners the dance movements shown in Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video. The "Prison Thriller" video became an internet sensation with over 23 million hits.

According to AFP, tourists flocked to the Cebu jail to watch 1,500 inmates perform a special dance tribute to Michael Jackson who died yesterday at age 50.

To these prisoners and countless people around the world, Michael Jackson is a music legend, a pop sensation and a global icon. He is a timeless thriller.

Thanks, Fara. You've made my day!

With some tricks of the trade, Fara got both of us on this billboard.

Can somebody tell me the location?

One of my FSTEP Batch 2 graduates, Ms Fara Izwa, sent me an email with some glamorous attachments.

Dear Miss Kim

How are you doing, Miss Kim? I drop you an email because I miss you so much. You are my best English teacher ever.

Attached here are our pics taken during our last day at INTEC. I've edited these pics especially for you. Hope you like them.

Regards,
Fara

(Fara Izwa)

Fara and Kim Chow showing off their traditional wear.

Hand in Hand

This dance called “Hand in Hand” is performed by two physically-challenged dancers, Ma Li and Zhai Xiaowei. Both lost their limbs in car accidents. Ma Li lost her right arm and Zhai Xiaowei his left leg.

Watch their spectacular dance and splendid choreography - a breathtaking interpretation of how people overcome life’s frustrations and reap the joy of love.

Watch it on full screen to enjoy the full impact of the dance. It's okay if your eyes are misty. We cry not for broken bones but cry in celebration of the unbroken human spirit.

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Young People, Great Example (1)

Zahrin at the Thunder Match Technology outlet in Carrefour Subang Parade

This young man surprised me as an excellent example in customer service. His name is Zahrin and he works as a technician for Thunder Match Technology at the outlet in Carrefour Subang Parade.

I bought a certain brand of antivirus software that ran into installation problems. At 6.15pm I rang the service centre and spoke to Zahrin. He told me he finished work at 7pm that night and advised me to see him the next day. However, I was desperate to get the antivirus installed so that I could use my laptop without any virus wiping off my data.

Zahrin told me to reach his office by 6.30pm but there was no way the traffic could allow me to perform this feat. I demanded to speak to another technician. Unfortunately, Zahrin was the only technician on duty that day, and of all days he had to leave early that day. I raised my voice indignantly. Zahrin did not react to my outburst. He remained calm, cool and composed. He told me to drive over to his office immediately. I grabbed two laptops and raced to Subang Parade.

I reached at 7pm. Zahrin began to install the software on my personal laptop. Then, I quietly pulled out another laptop and asked him if he could remove an old antivirus program. Although I had uninstalled the program, the antivirus was still lurking around in the computer, and prevented me from installing a new program. Zahrin was very knowledgeable. He knew exactly what the problem was and had the perfect solution.

In the end, Zahrin could only go home at 8pm - an hour late. His dedication as a customer service provider has made me a very satisfied and thrilled customer. The service centre charged me RM10 for each laptop. For all the trouble I have caused them, I would be pleased to pay more.

Dear Zahrin, you are the best! You have shown excellent performance in customer service! Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

Zahrin with a colleague at the customer service centre