MINDEF Memoirs

February had been a quiet month, pretty much routine except for the excitement of watching and rejoicing in Alman’s growth spurts…more babbling, chuckles and first baby steps. Tidied up my front and back garden, discarded some suffering plants and rehoused some others to try and give them a new lease of life. Did my first spinach lasagne as milk booster food for Alman’s mama and ended up loving it myself.

But the tempo speeded up during the last 4 days of the month, bringing a lovely beginning for

my work in the new year. I conducted a 4-day course called “Better Spoken English” to 52

Ministry of Defence staff members. The largest class I ever had before this comprised 37

participants. I was apprehensive at first, wondering if I could run the programme effectively

over such a big group, but it turned out to be one of the most engaging and  memorable

workshops I have ever conducted.  

I came up with a new way to help me remember their names in class. It is quite embarrassing to

get peoples’ name mixed up till the last day, let alone forget someone’s name altogether. I

prepared names of famous pairs, including cartoon and fairy tale characters, those I was

familiar with too and put them in thematic groups. Couples had to come up and tell the class

about their characters….talk, sing or act as they pleased as long as it was all done in English.

Many were nervous at first, being unfamiliar with the characters, but they diligently did their

research and gave a good presentation in the end, even if some of them had to read from their

notes. From Jack and Jill to the fable of Hensel and Gretel, from Beauty and The Beast to David

and Goliath, from Cleopatra and Julius Caesar to Prince Charles and Lady Di…..there were

always interesting points for discussion. None was too childish, archaic or remote for this group

of twenty-something to fifty-something. They were game and though faltering quite

frequently….they were in. And that’s what matters most of all.    

As usual, I had to adjust my original programme according to the needs, pace and proficiency

levels of the participants. A reading session took longer than anticipated and so did group

presentations, so I had to give some parts a miss. I was just about to skip the creative writing

session when some of the enthusiastic ones asked me about the poetry writing mentioned in

the programme . Thinking many would feel intimidated, I gave it out as voluntary homework. 

To my very pleasant surprise, many turned in their masterpieces the next day. I read them all

once and I’ll read them again. The two that touched me most came from two of the more

reserved participants.

 My objective, for this staff category, is always to build their confidence in speaking the

language by pointing out accurate pronunciation, vocabulary building, correct  grammar,

sentence construction and appropriate use of common expressions in social and functional

language. Fundamentally, I strive to awaken their interest in the language, to motivate them

into the habit of reading and listening/watching English programmes and even sing English

songs. I always remind them that to learn a language effectively, one has to be familiar with the

culture and people behind the language.

My passion for the language has enriched my life, open doors to new opportunities and

experiences. Not only do I want to ignite this passion in my students, I also want to share my

experiences and life lessons with them…if and when they reach out to me. This is my little

vehicle for giving back to the universe for the gift I’ve received, to help make a difference in

other people’s lives.  And when that happens, your life is touched by those others too. I felt that

connection with this group, perhaps not entirely from the lessons and  knowledge exchange,

but also from the relationship forged in 4 days. Thank you all….Kate, Cinderella, Gretel, Tarzan,

John Lennon, Queen Sirikit, Rabbit, Delilah, Mickey……..I had so much fun and learned new

things from you. It was quite hilarious calling you by your nicknames, but I have your real

names intact in my file. I will remember your smiles always and miss you. Adieu, may our paths

cross again…God bless you!

I hope I did not neglect anyone. But if I did give unequal attention, I do apologize. It was not

intentional. It is just that the more lively ones, more responsive, mischievous, the ones who

show unblinking concentration and who smile more are always more visible especially in a big

group like this. In any case, I hope you did enjoy yourself too and learned something.  

I notice my blog views increasing suddenly after the workshop. I guess some of you must be

following it. If any of you tell me that this is the only piece of writing in English that you read

now, I will try my best to write something everyday….a tough promise to keep with Alman

approaching his first birthday. My own lion prince (born to a Leo mum)….yes, he roars now! But

he also mews, hums, smacks kisses…everything at his own will and maybe with just a little bit of

persuasion. He doesn’t like being pushed or denied!

                     

                                    “I Am” poem by Prince William

I am a perfume

I wonder if people will like my smell

I hear customers pass through expressing their feelings

I see some of the people excited to have me

I want people to like me

I am a perfume

I pretend to be a necessity

I feel used sometimes

I touch people’s senses

I worry if people did not like me

I cry imagining that I will be rejected

I am a perfume

I understand not everyone will like the ingredients I contain

I say what I smell

I dream about being bought

I try new things

I hope I get taken care of

I am a perfume

“Prince William” happens to be a lady participant

                                    “I Am” poem by Brad Pitt.

I am a superman who loves supercars

I wonder if there ever was a supercar that could fly

I hear the roaring of a thousand Ferrari on the desert in Sahara

I see a supercar with golden wings soaring into the rainbow

I want to drive fast over Karak Highway

I am a superman who loves supercars

I pretend to be a great kickboxer

I feel the sky pressing down on me as I drive along a sandy shore

I touch the rainbow on a winged supercar

I worry that I’ll crash and die

I cry when a supercar was stolen

I am a superman who loves supercars

I understand that I will not be able to drive everyday of my life

I say let all supercars park free

I dream about the day when I have a supercar of my own

I try to be the best rider in the world

I hope to drive all my life

I am a superman who loves supercars.

“Brad Pitt” ‘s theme closely follows that in the original poem by Elly Tatum, but it carries a

totally different spirit. Perhaps he was inspired by one of the prettiest girls in class who sat

across the table as his mock “Angelina Jolie”!