[HARAS] CHALLENGES IN LEARNING ENGLISH

English might be a popular language to learn, but this does not mean it is a simple language to master. Hence, learning English is mandatory for us in Malaysia to upgrade its economy and become a developed nation. Now, various official matters have been using English. But, there are many challenges people face when learning English. Moreover, Bahasa Malaysia has become our mother tongue language, so we don’t have the opportunity to practice it.

The first challenges that I face in learning English language is using grammar such as nouns, pronouns, adjectives and adverbs correctly. It is tricky to use the correct grammar. We won't be good at it unless we practice it, but we will only be practicing it in school as we often use our first language to communicate daily . Grammar is very important. Incorrect use of grammar can confuse the person we are speaking to and even change the meaning of what we are saying, what is more if the listener is good in English, they will notice immediately if we make an error.

Next, vocabulary is always a challenge to me. English has one of the biggest vocabularies of all languages. It can be very confusing to master. Moreover, using the wrong vocabulary in writing or in conversation is noticeable and will weaken the text.

As we have different races here in Malaysia, all of us did use our own language to communicate. Depending on the first language of a person, it is always difficult to pronounce certain words properly. The variations of English too is difficult to understand. For example, the differences between using formal and informal language or the differences between spoken and written language. This always leads me to be using the wrong forms of English in conversation nor writing.

English language is one of the most popular languages to learn and maybe the most spoken language around the world. Many people choose to learn the language to get better position to get job or communicate more effectively with more people from around the world. Hence, I will be reading more books and watch more English documentary programmes to improve my English.

Written by : Haras

[ALL] UNFORGETTABLE FIRST DAY IN KPTM KUALA LUMPUR

               On the first day of college, I woke up quite early, took a shower, had my sahur and a chat with my roommate. I got ready as quickly as possible, in order to catch our Sidek bus that would take us to the college. Along the way to our destination, I had mixed feelings – all anxious to experience my new life in college and wondering on what type of people I would be surrounded by, whether they are easy to get along with, whether they are helpful and nice. Suddenly I was fascinated by the colour of a building that stood tall in front of the bus. I was thinking what could it be, not knowing that was the premise where I would be spending my next three years there.

               Walking through the gate, I was telling myself, this is a new chapter in my life, I have to be independent unlike those days in school when most of the things were guided by parents and teachers. Entering the orange building, I overheard seniors sharing their moments during their semester break while lecturers and students exchanged greetings. They seemed so comfortable with each other. On the other hand, I was feeling so all alone not knowing where to go since I did not know the location of my class. Furthermore, I did not know anyone there. I look all around me when I noticed a security guard telling a student to wear his identity card. Then I realized even though we don’t have any specific dress code, it was compulsory for us to wear identity card wherever we are within the compound. Then, I came across someone that happened to know where my class was.
  

               As I entered my class, I saw emotionless faces. I did not know what to expect from them. So, for a moment I decided to be alone and sat at a corner in front of the class. I observed that boys were easier to get along with each other than girls. Suddenly, a girl sat next to me. This is the perfect chance for me to make friends, so I gathered my guts to greet her and introduce myself.  She responded.  After a while, a young lady entered the class. At first, I thought she was one of us. When she started to stand in front of the class, greeted and welcomed us before briefing on the course contents and all, I realized that she was our lecturer. In school, we could differentiate between students and teachers by the way we dressed but here in KPTM, we are free to dress as long as we stick to the rules and regulations of the college. Among the things she emphasized on was there would not be any spoon-feeding anymore as we were used to in school. She gave us advices and tips on how to excel in whatever we do. Everyone seemed motivated by her talked. Later, the emotionless faces when I first entered the class turned to happy faces as one by one introduced ourselves to the class. Since then, we tend to know each other better.

               We dismissed on the first day eager to face the upcoming days with more experience. Before going back to our hostel, I decided to have a look around the college to familiarized myself with the facilities available, so that it makes my times there easier. Finally, for the first day I walked to the gate again to hop on to Sidek bus that would take me back to the hostel with a new goals and determination to strive for the best at KPTM KL and to have good friends as the saying goes “you are who your friends are”.  The first girl that sat next to me is my best friend so far.

 

SNEAK PEEK TO THE ORANGE BUILDING THAT I HAVE MENTIONED EARLIER 

Written by : Haras, Dayana, Izleen, Suraya