Today's Word - March

WORD	MEANING	SENTENCE
Backbone (n)	courage, fortitude, or strength	He would make a good manager, if he had a little more backbone.
blame(v)	The state of having caused a bad event.	The blame for starting the fire lays on the arsonist.
Beggar (n)	A person who begs.	It is common to see beggars who ask for money, food, or other items in a large city.
Boast (v)	to brag; to talk loudly in praise of oneself	I wish she wouldn’t boast about her family so much.
Brave (adj)	strong in the face of fear; heroic	“This may hurt a little, so try and be brave,” said the dentist.
Buffet (n)	Food laid out on a long table and diners serve themselves	The buffet is a good idea for the occasion because we don’t have enough people to help.
Background (n)	A part of the picture that depicts scenery to the rear or behind the main subject	The photographer let us pick a background for the portrait.
Bombshell (n)	something that is very surprising, shocking, amazing or sensational	The chairman dropped a bombshell when he said he was resigning.
Balanced (adj)	even	He believed he rarely got sick because of his well-balanced diet.
Beneath (adv)	below or underneath	The ship disappeared beneath the waves.
Border (v)	The outer edge of something.	The road was bordered with trees.
Bake (v)	To cook (something) in an oven	On her birthday, he baked her a cake.
Broad (adj)	wide in extent or scope	We drove the whole day on a broad roads.
Bargain (v)	anything bought cheap	She was too fond of her most filthy bargain
Believe (v)	To consider likely.	I believe it might rain tomorrow.
Breathe (v)	To inhale.	I hate having to breathe in other people’s cigarette smoke.
Backward (adj)	the direction towards the back	Our teaching methods are backward compared to some other countries.
Branch (n)	The woody part of a tree arising from the trunk	He fell from the branch of that tree yesterday.

In-house training on revised literature component 2011

The English Panel held an in-house training for the English Language teachers on Saturday, March 26, at BTV 1 at 8.30am.

The objectives are:
a. to inform the teachers about the writing of the daily lesson plan for a literature lesson
b. to share some fun and exciting activities for literature class.

Facilitators:
1. Mdm Renuha Ratnasingam
2. Pn Sakina Ramli

Programme

Slot 1: Writing of Record Book
- yearly plan
- daily lesson plan
- workshop - writing daily lesson plan
- group presentation

Slot 2: Assessment and Testing
- testing for SPM 2011
- summative and formative testing (school-based/ ULBS/PLBS)

Slot 3: Workshop on Activities based on Literature Component (Form 1- Form 5)
- poems
- short stories
- graphic novel
- drama
- novel

Today's Word - February

	WORDS	MEANING / SENTENCES
1	absent (adj)	not in the place where you are expected to be, especially at school or work. Jay Ming has been absent from school for three days now.
2	accept (v)	to say 'yes' to an offer or invitation. I've just accepted an invitation to the birthday party.
3	admire (v)	to respect and approve of someone or their behaviour I really admire people who can work in such difficult conditions.
4	afford (v)	to be able to buy or do something because you have enough money or time: Few people are able to afford cars like that.
5	afraid (adj)	feeling fear, or feeling anxiety about the possible results of a particular situation: I've always been afraid of spiders.
6	almost (adv)	nearly It was almost six o'clock when he left.
7	ancient (adj)	very old He's got an ancient computer.
8	apologise (v)	to tell someone that you are sorry for having done something that has caused them inconvenience or unhappiness I must apologize to Isobel for my lateness.
9	arrest (v)	to take hold of a person because he or she has broken the law. The police arrested her for drinking and driving.
10	arrive (v)	to reach a place, especially at the end of a journey: It was dark by the time we arrived at the station.
11	article (n)	a piece of writing on a particular subject in a newspaper or magazine: There was an interesting article on water pollution in the paper yesterday.
12	ashamed (adj)	feeling guilty or embarrassed about something you have done or a quality in your character: He was ashamed to admit to his mistake.
13	audience (n)	the group of people gathered in one place to watch or listen to a play, film, someone speaking, etc The audience was clearly delighted with the performance.
14	autumn (n)	the season of the year between summer and winter, lasting from September to November. We like to travel in the autumn when there are fewer tourists.
15	avoid (v)	to stay away from someone or something. I try to avoid supermarkets on Saturdays - they're always so busy.

Today's Expression - February

EXPRESSION	MEANING	SENTENCE
Every cloud has a silver lining	If you say that every cloud has a silver lining, you mean that every sad or unpleasant situation has a positive side to it. If you talk about silver lining you are talking about something positive that comes out of a sad or unpleasant situation.	Do not despair when facing a difficult situation as every cloud has a silver lining.
All that glitters is not gold	Do not be deceived by things or offers that appear to be attractive.	Do not be easily fooled by his sweet talk for all that glitters in not gold.
Don't put all your eggs in one basket	One should not risk everything he has in a single venture.	It is wise not to put all your eggs in one basket, otherwise you might lose everything you have if the business fails.
Any time means no time	When an event is not decided on or planned earlier it will never take place.	Let’s not procrastinate anymore or we might end up in a situation : any time means no time.
Between the devil and the deep sea	To choose between two equally bad alternatives in a serious dilemma.	It’s between the devil and the deep sea. Either you pay the fine or go to jail.
Where there's a will there's a way	When a person really wants to do something, he will find a way of doing it.	Do not give up easily and try your best because where there’s a will there’s a way.
A friend in need is a friend indeed	A friend who helps when one is in trouble is a real friend.	One can always count on him. He is responsible, kind and caring. He really fits the description of a friend in need is a friend indeed.
Empty vessels make the most noise	Those people who have a little knowledge usually talk the most and make the greatest fuss.	As an empty vessel makes the most noise, so is John, who actually knows nothing but likes to boast of his own cleverness.
Better late than never	To do something that is right, profitable, or good a little late is still better than not doing it at all.	Do not say it’s too late to practice a healthy lifestyle. Better late than never.
A bird in hand is worth two in the bush	Something that one already has is better than going after something seemingly more worthwhile that one may not be able to get.	Do not be greedy. Be contented and happy with what one has for a bird in hand is worth two in the bush.
Birds of a feather flock together	People of the same sort of character or belief always go together.	If you are lazy, you will always befriend people who are lazy too as birds of a feather flock together.
Charity begins at home	A person's first obligation should be to help the member of his own family before he can begin thinking of talking about helping others.	Charity begins at home, so help your poor and homeless relatives first before you think of donating money to the poor.
An idle brain is the devil’s workshop.	One who has nothing to do will be tempted to do many mischievous acts.	Make sure your time is always wisely occupied for a idle brain is the devil’s workshop.
A penny saved is a penny gained	By being thrifty one will be able to save up.	A penny saved is a penny gained so do not spend on things you want but do not need.
As you sow, so you shall reap	One will either enjoy or suffer the consequences of his earlier actions or inactions.	We must always take care of our health and avoid junk food for as you sow, so you shall reap.

2011 RHB-NST Spell It Right Competition

Students who are interested to participate in this year's Spell It Right Competition, please consult your English teacher and submit your name to Mr Chin Wai Fatt who is our co-ordinator for this year.

The contest in brief:

1. This challenge is open to Malaysian citizens from Year 1 - Year 6 (Category 1 - Primary Level) and Form 1 - Form 5 (Category 2 - Secondary Level) who are enrolled in national, national-type and private schools using the Malaysian national education system.
2. Participation is open to individuals but each school is allowed a maximum of ten (10) participants only.
3. Only two hundred and forty (240) participants from each state will be accepted in each category. Entry will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
4. Each participant must fully complete the original entry form published in the New Straits Times. Incomplete and illegible forms will not be entertained. Photocopied forms will not be accepted.
5. The entry form must be faxed to SIR Registration Secretariat, The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd at 03-2284 0386 no later than March 31, 2011 Entries will not be accepted after the deadline.
6. Each participant must be accompanied by an adult (18 years and above) who are required to stay with the participant until the end of the challenge duration.
7. The reference texts for the challenge shall be the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary 7th Edition, Collins Cobuild Advanced Learner's English Dictionary New Edition, Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary Third Edition, Merriam-Webster Online, Dictionary.com and MSN Encarta.

Watch video of previous years' competitions :

Dublin Literary Award for Young Malaysians 2011

Students between 14 and 18 can now submit essays for the Eighth Dublin Literary Award for Young Malaysians competition. The winner and his/her parent will be sent to Dublin, UNESCO City of Literature, to attend the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Awards, the world's richest book prize.

For more details :

http://thestar.com.my/dublin/