Moon Raya Diwali

The FSTEP Batch 4 participants in Team Bristol undertake an English Communication project called "Organizing an Event". They call the function "Moon Raya Diwali" to celebrate the three festivals, namely Chinese Mid-Autumn festival, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Deepavali.

In this project, the participants enhance their English communication skills in these areas:

• Holding a business meeting
• Putting proposals to the vote
• Electing committee members
• Working in cooperation and collaboration
• Performing as the Master of Ceremonies or emcee

The proceedings of the Moon Raya Diwali function are captured in these videos.

The emcee, Shima, starts the function with the salutations.
Then, she introduces her co-emcee, Chin VS, the leader of Team Bristol.


The Organizing Chairperson, Puteri Muna, giving the welcome speech.

Kim Chow, English facilitator of Team Bristol.

Shima and Chin VS giving an introduction to the Bristol Movie before it is shown on the screen.

Teams Manchester, Southampton and Milton Keynes displaying their showbiz skills.

Teams Manchester, Southampton and Milton Keynes displaying their showbiz skills.

Shima and Chin VS thank the guests and invite them to the foyer for lunch.

Click to view photo album "Moon Raya Diwali"

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Pink Party

Mr Wong Chin Cheong, organizing chairman (2nd from left) and committee members

The modern art of teaching brings the real world into the classroom.

One of my English simulation projects is “Organizing an Event”. In this simulation, the participants learn how to use English communication in holding meetings, proposing new ideas, putting proposals to the vote, forming committees and conducting the proceedings in a dignified manner.

In their project, the FSTEP Batch 3 participants in the Team Franc proposed a colour theme. They were split on the choice of colour so a vote was taken. I voted for blue but the majority was in favour of PINK.

PINK? I had my doubts initially. I thought that PINK was unsuitable for the guys. My misgivings were finally laid to rest. When the entire Team Franc appeared in PINK, they created a sensation!

I soon realized that PINK was more than just a colour theme. It was the colour of unity and solidarity for Team Franc. The reason? The participants were placed in different classes after a recent reshuffle but were reunited for the English class. So, on the day of the event, PINK represented a special bond of friendship.



May PINK keep the Franc friendship alive no matter where they are or who they become. May God bless them in their internship and also in their career prospects.

Click here to view the Pink Party photos

In this video, the participants ask Kim Chow to give an impromptu performance.



The following video shows the Pink Party warming-up.

Practice Makes Perfect

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.

Practice makes perfect is what the young graduates believe in. They practise repeatedly until they get the sounds rights, the format right and the rhythm right. I salute their passion and drive.

This video proves that the Triple P Rule can deliver commendable results. Triple P stands for patience, persistence & perseverance. It also simply means practice, practice, practice.

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Practice Makes Perfect

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

SELECTING THE RIGHT CANDIDATE 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.

This methodology helps the trainees to think in English, speak in English and write in English. They improve their pronunciation by installing correct English sound files. They enhance their communication skills by reformatting their sentence construction. They bring their lines to life by following the rhythm of the English language.

The energetic graduates' passion for learning English is shown in these videos.

TEAM 1
In order of appearance: Tasha, Hidayah, Syarah, Chin Cheong, Xiao Jun, Alif


TEAM 2
In order of appearance: Dalila, Syarah, Bavaani, Zalila, Suriati, Lavania, Rashidah


TEAM 3
In order of appearance: Suarrdy, Norliza, Mira, Norbaizura, Yin Yin, Nawar, Sarmila

Practice Makes Perfect

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

RESOLVING CONFLICT 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 (in order of appearance): Lavania, Xiao Jun, Tasha, Chin Cheong, Hidayah, Norbaizura
Conflict: Sales Executive Olivier cannot work with Todd the Manager


Team members (in order of appearance): Alif, Dalila, Suriati, Syarah, Bavaani, Zalila, Nawar
Conflict: Staff are protesting against the management for restricting their telephone facilities



Team members (in order of appearance): Norliza, Suarddy, Sarmila, Mira, Yin Yin, Sarah, Rashidah
Conflict: The Workers Union is confronting the Management about unfair company policies
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Practice Makes Perfect

The FSTEP Batch 3 participants in the Team Franc 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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FRANC-ly speaking, they love to sing

Singing on stage gets the adrenalin flowing and gives our self-esteem a welcome boost.

Two members from Team Franc in FSTEP brushed up on their diction, overcame their stage fright and added a feather in their cap.

This video shows Suarddy Parman aka AWESOME ADY in action. He sings “Hero” and works the girls up into a frenzy.

Here is vibrant emcee, Liza, introducing the singer, Nur Dalila Zainudin aka SIZZLING DALILA who sings “My heart will go on”. Dalila practised hard on her diction, voice control and body language. A commendable effort!

The FRANC drama

I salute Team Franc in FSTEP who plucked up the courage to perform an English drama on stage. They could have opted for a mime performance, but they decided to do something more challenging. They put their heads together and came up with the script. Then, all the performers had to practise their lines frantically. Finally, they stepped up to the stage and put their communication skills to the test. Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

PART 1 - THE ABSENT-MINDED PARENTS

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PART 2 - AT THE CLINIC

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PART 3 - IN THE TAXI

PART 4 - SAY NO TO OLD FOLKS HOME


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The cast:
Father: ALIF
Mother: NAWAR
Daughter: SHIDAH
Doctor: TASHA
Nurse: SYARAH
Taxi Driver: SARAH

They beat me flat

I am their English teacher but when we play a game of Charades, they become my teacher. In fact, they are so good that I have to raise the white flag in defeat. They simply beat me flat!

Goodness gracious, these at FSTEP who underwent the INTEC programme (Intensive English Course) amaze me. Their reservoir of English song titles and movie titles is stupendous. I guess they must have listened to every song and watched every movie.

They call me their English sifu. After the Charades, I humbly relinquish my sifuship!

God's great love will keep us together

As Team Tulip in FSTEP are approaching the end of the INTEC programme (Intensive English Course), they are asked to do the final team project – organizing the farewell brunch.

It is a project that encourages English communication in planning, holding meetings, putting various proposals to the vote, forming working committees (logistics, food, entertainment, invitations, etc), reinforcing teamwork and stimulating creativity.

I am absolutely amazed by the results. Every part of the programme is organized with a touch of class. Every task is executed with a high standard of excellence. Every member fulfils their duties with enthusiasm.

I am confident that this group will bring value to the financial sector and serve their organizations with pride and passion.

In my farewell speech, I dedicate this song to them:

Smile an everlasting smile
A smile will bring my tulips to me
And we’ll never say goodbye
We’re near though we are far apart

You think that I don’t even mean a single word I say
It’s only words and God’s great love that keeps us together

To all my beloved members of Team Tulip, I wish you all the best in your future endeavours. I love you all.