Screening at College, 9.30am, 29 August 2008

 

We are going to have our own private screening for everyone in the college… MAD about ENGLISH.

And it is FREE ! Of course, the college is paying.

But isn’t it GREAT… MOE students have to be carted to the cinemas for this but we get our own private viewing… of course… no popcorns allowed… but this is just a little sacrifice for a ticket that is going for $6 and more (on weekends)…

And if you REEEAALLY want to watch and are having lessons, tell your lecturer you are giving him a movie treat… here in the college… BRING him along… it is a EARLY Teacher’s Day celebrations!!

See you at the AUDI !!

Speak from the Heart

I wrote these comments for the Beijing movie 

 

pix from destination360.com

I haven’t seen the movie but I was in Beijing less than a month ago and hardly anyone bothered to speak English. Unfortunately, they didn’t even try, not even the games volunteers. In fairness, it was far easier and faster for them to converse directly (tho I asked the questions in English) with my two canto/mandarin speaking companions.

 

So, as Singaporeans, are we ‘lazy’, just like the Chinese in Beijing? Do we find it ‘easier’ to speak like we speak (Singlish), and not bother to Speak Good English? And what should be our motivator to Speak Good English?

 

Why is this acceptable English?
*like – “She’s like so gorgeous.”
*my bad – “I smashed your car, my bad”
And not words like , makan, alamak, d sounds replacing T/th (eg- ‘do dat’ instead of ‘do that’) etc.

 

I love our Singlish. I have lived outside Singapore for nearly 12 years and I use it every chance I get. I am an ESL teacher who enjoys injecting a little bit of Singlish in my classes, it has caused no harm. When a young country like Singapore is seeking a spirit, a uniqueness, why not proudly turn to our Singlish, the language that truly erases all race and cultural boundaries, defines and unites us as One People.
                        

                                                                                                                       ~ Ms Joy, HK ~

Speak Good English Movement (SGEM)08

Hi everyone

College will be having a series of fun activities for this year’s SGEMovement from 25 – 28 August 08:-

• Re-writing song lyrics
• Writing a ending to stories
• Reading  Circles

Interestingly, there is a movie which is about the Chinese learning English for the Beijing Oympics 2008.

Since winning the bid to host the Olympics, China’s citizens have been stricken with what they call ‘ying wen re’ – English fever! Beginning a passionate love affair with what was once the forbidden tongue of the ‘decadent’ West, “Mad About English!” follows the inspiring and heart-warming efforts of a city preparing to host the world by learning English. With half a million or more visitors expected during the games, the stakes are high for our endearing cast of characters for whom speaking English is now national service! (Yahoo Movies)