An Excellent Opportunity to Learn and Exchange Experiences.
From the moment I was informed that my MTCP application form had been accepted, I tried to figure out what my experience in Malaysia would be like. To be honest, nothing that I imagined could have ever described what I was about to live there in 25 days.
I have had the occasion to be in different countries and I have always tried to learn as much as I can from their people and culture. This has helped me understand different lifestyles, ways of thinking, and beliefs.
When I first discovered that Malaysia was told to be 'truly Asia', I wondered why. Later on, once I arrived at the airport, I could clearly understand that. I had never seen such a variety of races and cultures intermingled in ONE single place, united but without losing their separate identities that make each different ethnic group unique. But despite those distinctions, all Malaysians have a lot in common. All of them are extremely lively and enthusiastic, always willing to help not to mention how good they are at bargaining! From the very first moment I made contact with them, I could realize how warm and friendly they are. They always try to do their best to make you feel comfortable and every time you approach them, they will offer you a nice smile. Everybody everywhere I went was always smiling at me and being very welcoming.
The people at IPBA were never the exception to the rule. Our instructors, students at the Institute, authorities and even the people who work at the cafeteria always made us feel like at home. Actually, Miss Maimon - one of our instructors - was really surprised to hear from many of us that we were going 'home', referring to the hostel where we were staying at.
Regarding my learning experience, meeting people from different parts of the world made the program even more interesting and exciting. Although the 24 participants who went to Malaysia on this occasion were divided into two different groups: one with a focus on literature and the other one on the development of classroom skills, all of us were influenced by the Malaysian spirit and became one, sharing not only our knowledge gained in classes, but also our teaching as well as personal experiences.
Cooperation was the clue to success in our class on Developing Classroom Skills. We did a lot of group work and discussed many topics of interest such as how to be a good facilitator and how to highly motivate learners and lead them to meaningful learning in the end. Most of us had something to say from our own experience teaching and contributed to the group in one way or another. From the part of the teachers, I think that the best way we all learnt from them did not come from theory, but from their teaching practices and consistency. They clearly understand the concept of 'learning by doing' and they taught us in such a way that they put all the theory delivered into practice.
Our visits to some state schools were also a precious gift for us. From the beginning, we knew that we would visit some of them and observe some classes, but we never expected the students there to be so welcoming. Most of us felt like staying there for good. The children were so warm and most of them were so talented that I would have loved to have the opportunity to stay there for at least a couple of weeks more to be part of the teaching staff.
I have always thought that the best way to know about other places is by visiting them and being in touch with different people. I can say now that not only have I learnt from Malaysia, but 10 other different countries. Every participant in the program represented a different culture and we discovered a bit of it through our cultural performances and country presentations.
Spending 25 days in Malaysia might have not been enough to really discover the wonders of it. Maybe being part of MTCP is a once-in-a-life-time experience for us. Perhaps some of us enjoyed it more than others or leant more than their peers; however, there is one thing I am sure most of us learnt and is worth mentioning. We have become more tolerant, open-minded, and understanding and our lives will never be the same after spending three weeks together.
I am grateful to all the people who are in charge of MTCP for nurturing us by allowing us to share our teaching as well as personal experiences and culture. We all have been able to enrich our lives through that.
Thank you all for giving us such a great opportunity.
Paula I. Figueroa Mori
Coordinator English Teacher Training Program
Universidad de Playa Ancha, Sede San Felipe, Chile
(attended Developing Classroom Skills: The Effective Facilitator at International Languages Teachers Training Institute (IPBA) from 31 March - 18 April 2008)
Eat your heart out! I am in Kuala Lumpur
Visit to a public school in Melaka
My students in Melaka, Alejandra from Uruguay and me
Class observation
Dancing in Melaka
MTCP participants and instructors
Tasting Malaysian food. Yummy!!!
My friends
Working cooperatively in classes
The 'Developing Classroom Skills' group
Buying souvenirs to take home
Enjoying Melaka
Twin Tower at night
www.kln.gov.my/perwakilan/santiago