To You, it is easy. But to Students, it is not!

Today I learn a great deal of lesson from my teaching experience at Yamabiko Language Center. Yesterday I shouted with one of my student because he was too lazy to review all the lessons I had taught him. I was so frustrated that I could not hold my temper. To my perspective, I think that the exercises in the book are easy, but why they could not do it even though I try my best to explain them the instruction. However, I totally forget that my students are just elementary students and they do not know much English especially if I require them to talk in English. It is somehow difficult for them to live up to my standard. I have studied English for more than 10 years and now I am a university student, which is why I mistakenly yell at them.

Now the problem is that student did not turn up to school today. I suspect that perhaps he is afraid of me and scared to study English with me. I really regret my wrongdoing as a teacher.

The lesson I learnt is that I, as a teacher, should not set a belief that the lesson or exercise is easy, because it may be difficult for the students. Better try to encourage them, inspire them, praise them, give value to them to make them work hard. Hmmmm…. Now I have only a few students left if that student really quit. What a memorable teaching experience, but I will work to my best and never surrender to any obstacle facing upon me.

Being an English teacher

I have always looked for a teaching position at any schools. I am not picky in choosing which school teacher; I don't mind about salary whether it is low or high. What I want is just experience in teaching English, as I am going to have a teaching practicum for my year 4. 

Recently, I have got what I had wanted - being a teacher. I am assigned to teach a Pre-Intermediate class which has 4 students. However, on the first day there were only 2 students was present. The next day, the unthinkable happened. My 2 students ran away from my class and join a Grammar class (I suspect that they doubt in  my ability to teach and my depth of English, since I look really young), therefore, I have no Pre-Intermediate students to teach. Fortunately, an Elementary class teacher would be absent for about a month because he has measles. So I get another chance to teach an Elementary class. My Elementary students could not speak English well enough. They have forgot what they had learned. I have tried my best to guide and teach them. I strongly believe that my students are not stupid. They are just a little bit lazy. If I can point out the motives for them to study hard, encourage them and inspire them, they will work their best to produce a satisfactory result. 

Things do not always go smoothly. I have no motorbike to ride to school, so I drive my car. I afraid that my car may fall prey to thief or there would be some damage done to my car. I do not want my car to have a scratch or any damage, which make me feel so insecure. I am trying to find other ways of transporting me to the school.

 

Another problem is that since my students are good at English, I cannot speak English to them so most of the time (90%) I have to speak in Khmer. I want to improve my Speaking skill, but I don't think that by speaking Khmer all the time, my Speaking ability would be improve.

What I am thinking right now is finding a school near to my house or other well-known schools, because I don't really want to teach 4 or 5 students. Newton Thilay, Sovannphumi and Hello are my target schools, because these schools really care about their teacher. These school would provide training, test to improve teachers' knowledge and teaching ability.

These problems really frustrate me. However, I would not consent my frustration to affect my teaching toward my students. I have already tried my best to guide them to become a better students and this would not be the end of journey just yet.

Sanction against Libya will not end Gadhafi’s Reign of Terror

By: LENG Bun Meng 


Security Council has unanimously voted to impose sanction against Libya because of Moamar Gadhafi’s violent crackdown on the innocent protesters by means of using machine gun to fire live ammunition, using bombing planes and helicopters to bombard the protesters. The sanction is to pressure Gadhafi to step down. The main question is “Will the sanction be able to make Gadhafi resign?” In my view, I doubt it. Sanction alone will not help Libya but only destroy the Libyan people.

Throughout the course of history, how many times has sanction imposed against a country work effectively? For instance, Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi government is known to have survived for more than 10 years despite the sanction until the invasion of the United States. Sanction against Burma and North Korea are other clear examples. The leaders of Burma and North Korea show no sign of backing down. The bottom line is that the Libyan government would not collapse even with sanction because Gadhafi can still do business in black market as Saddam did. He can still reign in his throne, killing and oppressing many more civilians.    

Furthermore, sanction against Libya will only harm the lives of many more innocent lives. Let’s take Iraq as an example. The sanction did not hurt Saddam and his top elite but only starved a massive number of innocent Iraqi people to death. Saddam could still kill those who oppose him; Saddam could still kill more women and children. Gadhafi can do the same thing. 

Gadhafi has crossed the border and arrived at a point where there is no way of turning back. Gadhafi’s scenario is completely different from Mubarak’s. If Gadhafi decides to step down as Mubarak did, he will definitely face trial in the International Criminal Court, charged with crime against humanity and war crime. If he wants to live in exile, which country would allow an international criminal to stay? As a Chinese quote says: “A dog at deadlock has no choice but to bite back.”, Gadhafi will not give up his power easily without a tough fight. He will do whatever it takes to keep his position even if he has to kill his own people again.

The future of Libya is in a dark prospect more than ever. The Security Council must consider military intervention in Libya before it is too late. It appears that civil war in the country with the population of just 6 million is inevitable. If civil law really happens, bloodbath and annihilation is to be foreseen.