Feature ArticleJoking on the Job

Watch Your Language!This section is devoted to tips on English – language tips, study tips – and we shall also beexplaining some of the oddities of the English language. The intention is to highlight some of theareas of English which may confuse or which maybe of general interest to those who wish to gain adeeper understanding of the language.

If a teacher is lateand finds she is in a class all by herself, does it make sense that…

…a TEACHER on time has class?

…an army COOK can make a mess?

…enthusiastic ARCHAEOLOGISTSdig their job?

…a sleeping PLUMBERhas pipe dreams?

…an incompetent DENTIST doesnot know the drill?

of sitting for an international exam (although these tests for young learners are much less formal). The Cambridge Young Learners tests are also designed to be skill-based. This meansthat the focus is on learning and achieving practical English language skills as used by nativespeakers. The reading, writing, listening and speaking components of CEFL’s classes encourage children to speak English and use it actively in classroom activities. This gives themmore practice, more skill and more confidence.

Research has shown that children enjoy studying for and taking the Cambridge YoungLearners tests, including an oral test with a trained examiner. There are many tasks, such asdrawing and colouring, as well as speaking to the examiner, which motivate and inspire thechildren.

In addition to developing English language proficiency and preparing students for theCambridge exams, CEFL’s courses are enrichment programmes. The up-to-date course materials include topics of global interest – historical, environmental, cultural, etc. – to broaden the students’ horizons. In this way, students are encouraged to find out more forthemselves, thus becoming independent learners in the process.

To be the best they can be, children need the right environment – non-threatening, conducive to learning and fun. Not only will they keep coming back for more learning, theywill also learn that learning itself is fun and hence seek out learning for themselves. For further information on Cambridge English For Life courses, call any CEFL Centre near you orvisit CEFL’s Web site at www.cambridgeforlife.org

Answers to Which Is Which?

1. B, A2. A, B 3. A, B 4. B, A5. B, A

Add It Up RightOne; only I was going to Batu Belah.MAKING INDEPENDENT LEARNERS

The way English is taught, and learned, has changed over the years. In theearly days when English was taught in schools in much the same way as anyother subject, students had to learn the structures of the language, the parts ofspeech, how to conjugate irregular verbs, etc. The academic way of learningwas a bit like learning the 12 times table. Nowadays, all of these componentsare still being taught but in eminently more practical ways.

Learning a language is not like learning maths or science, history or geography. With these subjects students are confronted with a mass of factsthat needs to be memorised. Language, however, has to be absorbed and practised. Therefore, the objective for teachers is to make their learners proficient in using the language. That means speaking it as well as writing it.

It has been shown that adults and children, especially, will be better motivated to use a language in a learning environment which is not stressful.How often do children respond to a question about an English class with theall encompassing “BORING”? What this means usually is that their attentionis not engaged. And in such circumstances how can they be expected to learn?

However, if a child perceives learning a language as fun, he orshe will not only beready but also eager tojoin in, participate andthereby acquire the language.

For children, games and other activities are effective media for acquiring language in a non-stressful way. Children are happy to participate withoutthinking that this is a “boring” learning process. The target language to beacquired is part of the activity, and the children use it naturally in a familiarenvironment and in a situation which has relevance to them.

At Cambridge English For Life (CEFL), this communicative method of teachingis used both to help students acquire English and to prepare them for theCambridge ESOL tests and examinations. Courses start for children as youngas 4 years of age and progress by stages to a very high level of proficiencywhich brings enormous benefits for learners studying for exams, moving on tocollege or university or getting a job.

It is important that children should begin learningEnglish at an early age, and with the right methodschildren can learn English quickly and effectively. Itis important, too, that they learn English which ispractical and useful and that they learn to speak thelanguage well. With a good grasp of English at primary school level, children will have a greatadvantage in their future studies.

The Cambridge Young Learners English tests are designed to give young students a reward for their efforts and, at the same time, an early experience

How To Maximise Your Learning ExperienceIf you are looking for courses to meet your own needs or to supplement the work in your child’s school, it will be prudent to visit a CEFL Centre nearest toyou to check out the learning resources and facilities it offers, and to further discuss and explore any particular grammar, language or content areas relevant to your own development programme or your child’s.

If you are a working adult, you will appreciate that using English effectively in the workplace requires a very specific and demanding knowledge of business-centred grammar and vocabulary. Recognising this, CEFL has developed Business English programmes to address your specific business English needs.

Get more from CEFLFor working adults, enrolling in a Business English course with CEFL gets you more than just language tuition – you also get access to a unique range of support facilities and networking opportunities. During your course, you will have:

• unlimited free Internet access, and • free use of meeting rooms (during opening hours and subject to availability).

Did you know…?1. CEFL’s tutors come from such a diverse range of academic and professional backgrounds that we have the knowledge and

expertise to design specialised modules targeted at highly specific needs. Recent work commissions have included:• Preparing a three-level “English for Banking and Finance” course for The Malaysian Institute of Bankers • Conducting a teacher’s training course for an international school

2. CEFL is both an Authorised Centre of the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations as well as a Cambridge International Centre of the University of Cambridge International Examinations.

3. CEFL has successfully run Business English language programmes for a broad range of industry sectors including multinational corporations and public-listed companies.

4. CEFL’s experienced and qualified teachers are committed to providing the best quality English language teaching. Courses are tailored to meet your needs, our staff are always on hand to offer expert advice and our low student-to-teacher ratio ensures you receive a high level of individual attention.

How to get the right language course for youEveryone is different, and we all have our own learning objectives. To help you build the right study programme, follow these four simple steps:STEP 1: Decide what you would like to achieve from your English language studies.

STEP 2: Decide where you would like your learning centre to be.

STEP 3: Decide for how long you would like to study.

STEP 4: Contact Keith / Poi Ching / Lam / Atikah at 03 – 7883 0912 to help you put together the right programme for you.

Do Not Miss Our Holiday Programmes!Selected CEFL Centres will be offering the followingextra programmes during the August school holdays:

• UPSR/PMR Courses designed to helpstudents prepare for their school exams;

• Intensive English Programmes offering intensive study of a range of English language skills: Speaking & Listening; Reading & Writing; Grammar and Vocabulary. Students can choose to enrol for one, two, three or all the modules.

A word having a meaning opposite to that ofanother word is called an antonym. For example,left is an antonym of right. Can you think of moreexamples?

Some words have more than one definition andthese definitions oppose each other. Words suchas fit and mad are called auto-antonyms or “self-contradicting words”.

Study how the definitions of the auto-antonymsin the following sentences contradict each other:• The new army recruit was

thought to be fit until he had a fit.• Is it possible for us to be mad

about someone even when we are mad at them?

Turn to page 4 for some fun practice with auto-antonyms.

Tip of the Day

Feature ArticleJoking on the Job

Watch Your Language!This section is devoted to tips on English – language tips, study tips – and we shall also beexplaining some of the oddities of the English language. The intention is to highlight some of theareas of English which may confuse or which maybe of general interest to those who wish to gain adeeper understanding of the language.

If a teacher is lateand finds she is in a class all by herself, does it make sense that…

…a TEACHER on time has class?

…an army COOK can make a mess?

…enthusiastic ARCHAEOLOGISTSdig their job?

…a sleeping PLUMBERhas pipe dreams?

…an incompetent DENTIST doesnot know the drill?

of sitting for an international exam (although these tests for young learners are much less formal). The Cambridge Young Learners tests are also designed to be skill-based. This meansthat the focus is on learning and achieving practical English language skills as used by nativespeakers. The reading, writing, listening and speaking components of CEFL’s classes encourage children to speak English and use it actively in classroom activities. This gives themmore practice, more skill and more confidence.

Research has shown that children enjoy studying for and taking the Cambridge YoungLearners tests, including an oral test with a trained examiner. There are many tasks, such asdrawing and colouring, as well as speaking to the examiner, which motivate and inspire thechildren.

In addition to developing English language proficiency and preparing students for theCambridge exams, CEFL’s courses are enrichment programmes. The up-to-date course materials include topics of global interest – historical, environmental, cultural, etc. – to broaden the students’ horizons. In this way, students are encouraged to find out more forthemselves, thus becoming independent learners in the process.

To be the best they can be, children need the right environment – non-threatening, conducive to learning and fun. Not only will they keep coming back for more learning, theywill also learn that learning itself is fun and hence seek out learning for themselves. For further information on Cambridge English For Life courses, call any CEFL Centre near you orvisit CEFL’s Web site at www.cambridgeforlife.org

Answers to Which Is Which?

1. B, A2. A, B 3. A, B 4. B, A5. B, A

Add It Up RightOne; only I was going to Batu Belah.

MAKING INDEPENDENT LEARNERSThe way English is taught, and learned, has changed over the years. In theearly days when English was taught in schools in much the same way as anyother subject, students had to learn the structures of the language, the parts ofspeech, how to conjugate irregular verbs, etc. The academic way of learningwas a bit like learning the 12 times table. Nowadays, all of these componentsare still being taught but in eminently more practical ways.

Learning a language is not like learning maths or science, history or geography. With these subjects students are confronted with a mass of factsthat needs to be memorised. Language, however, has to be absorbed and practised. Therefore, the objective for teachers is to make their learners proficient in using the language. That means speaking it as well as writing it.

It has been shown that adults and children, especially, will be better motivated to use a language in a learning environment which is not stressful.How often do children respond to a question about an English class with theall encompassing “BORING”? What this means usually is that their attentionis not engaged. And in such circumstances how can they be expected to learn?

However, if a child perceives learning a language as fun, he orshe will not only beready but also eager tojoin in, participate andthereby acquire the language.

For children, games and other activities are effective media for acquiring language in a non-stressful way. Children are happy to participate withoutthinking that this is a “boring” learning process. The target language to beacquired is part of the activity, and the children use it naturally in a familiarenvironment and in a situation which has relevance to them.

At Cambridge English For Life (CEFL), this communicative method of teachingis used both to help students acquire English and to prepare them for theCambridge ESOL tests and examinations. Courses start for children as youngas 4 years of age and progress by stages to a very high level of proficiencywhich brings enormous benefits for learners studying for exams, moving on tocollege or university or getting a job.

It is important that children should begin learningEnglish at an early age, and with the right methodschildren can learn English quickly and effectively. Itis important, too, that they learn English which ispractical and useful and that they learn to speak thelanguage well. With a good grasp of English at primary school level, children will have a greatadvantage in their future studies.

The Cambridge Young Learners English tests are designed to give young students a reward for their efforts and, at the same time, an early experience

How To Maximise Your Learning ExperienceIf you are looking for courses to meet your own needs or to supplement the work in your child’s school, it will be prudent to visit a CEFL Centre nearest toyou to check out the learning resources and facilities it offers, and to further discuss and explore any particular grammar, language or content areas relevant to your own development programme or your child’s.

If you are a working adult, you will appreciate that using English effectively in the workplace requires a very specific and demanding knowledge of business-centred grammar and vocabulary. Recognising this, CEFL has developed Business English programmes to address your specific business English needs.

Get more from CEFLFor working adults, enrolling in a Business English course with CEFL gets you more than just language tuition – you also get access to a unique range of support facilities and networking opportunities. During your course, you will have:

• unlimited free Internet access, and • free use of meeting rooms (during opening hours and subject to availability).

Did you know…?1. CEFL’s tutors come from such a diverse range of academic and professional backgrounds that we have the knowledge and

expertise to design specialised modules targeted at highly specific needs. Recent work commissions have included:• Preparing a three-level “English for Banking and Finance” course for The Malaysian Institute of Bankers • Conducting a teacher’s training course for an international school

2. CEFL is both an Authorised Centre of the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations as well as a Cambridge International Centre of the University of Cambridge International Examinations.

3. CEFL has successfully run Business English language programmes for a broad range of industry sectors including multinational corporations and public-listed companies.

4. CEFL’s experienced and qualified teachers are committed to providing the best quality English language teaching. Courses are tailored to meet your needs, our staff are always on hand to offer expert advice and our low student-to-teacher ratio ensures you receive a high level of individual attention.

How to get the right language course for youEveryone is different, and we all have our own learning objectives. To help you build the right study programme, follow these four simple steps:STEP 1: Decide what you would like to achieve from your English language studies.

STEP 2: Decide where you would like your learning centre to be.

STEP 3: Decide for how long you would like to study.

STEP 4: Contact Keith / Poi Ching / Lam / Atikah at 03 – 7883 0912 to help you put together the right programme for you.

Do Not Miss Our Holiday Programmes!Selected CEFL Centres will be offering the followingextra programmes during the August school holdays:

• UPSR/PMR Courses designed to helpstudents prepare for their school exams;

• Intensive English Programmes offering intensive study of a range of English language skills: Speaking & Listening; Reading & Writing; Grammar and Vocabulary. Students can choose to enrol for one, two, three or all the modules.

A word having a meaning opposite to that ofanother word is called an antonym. For example,left is an antonym of right. Can you think of moreexamples?

Some words have more than one definition andthese definitions oppose each other. Words suchas fit and mad are called auto-antonyms or “self-contradicting words”.

Study how the definitions of the auto-antonymsin the following sentences contradict each other:• The new army recruit was

thought to be fit until he had a fit.• Is it possible for us to be mad

about someone even when we are mad at them?

Turn to page 4 for some fun practice with auto-antonyms.

Tip of the Day