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WRITE IT RIGHT: How to improve your vocabulary

No Comments// Posted in english, learning, module, writing by Nor Fadzleen Sa don on 08.16.14.

One of the main concerns when it comes to writing is vocabulary. The lack of vocabulary may impede one’s flow of thoughts and the ideas may not be able to be articulated well due to the aforementioned issue. I would like to share some visual aids on vocabulary (I like to call them vocab vitamins) that I feel can help students to enrich their vocabulary repository and capture the attention of the readers/assessor. These printable wheels of words can be useful resources for students who struggle in finding the right words to express their thoughts and ideas in their composition.

Miri Workshops 2014

No Comments// Posted in english, learning, SPM, talk, workshop, writing by Nor Fadzleen Sa don on 08.16.14.

Date: 14-15 Aug 2014
Venue:Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Hj Bujang, Miri, Sarawak

It’s nice to be back in Miri again! Thanks to Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Hj Bujang for inviting me to conduct 3 workshops with the teachers and students. Not an easy feat but I honestly had a great time sharing with all of them.

This cluster school’s niche area is English Language and it was great to be reunited with kindred spirits like Mdm Sawaran, Enny and Zamimah who are spritely and driven in using various learning innovation in their classrooms. Hats off to Kolej’s teachers! Last year, it was just for the teachers, co-organized by PPD Miri & Kolej. This time around, I conducted SPM & PT3 workshops with students while for the teachers, I shared 21st century classroom learning tools that they can implement in the classroom. Wishing them the best in their future undertakings!

NMC Horizon Report K12 2014

No Comments// Posted in e-classroom, ICT, learning, teaching by Nor Fadzleen Sa don on 08.15.14.

The New Media Consortium Horizon Report K12 is one of the most sought after resource on the mega trends of education for this year. Greg Swanson just shared this wonderful visualization that sums up the NMC Horizon Report > 2014 K-12 Edition. View the full image in Google Drive. Do check it out!

WRITE IT RIGHT : Tips on how to write better

4 Comments// Posted in english, teaching, writing by Nor Fadzleen Sa don on 08.06.14.

After my viva, I took the opportunities to revive my passion in ELT by sharing my ideas and experience with other teachers and students. Thank you to MRSM Tun Ghaffar Baba, Jasin, Melaka and SMK Taman Desa Jaya, Johor Bahru for inviting me. In sha Allah, I’ll be heading to Miri next week for a series of workshops for both teachers and students. Although I’m no longer teaching, I feel it is important to revive my knowledge and experience with others, sharing is caring after all. Whenever ex students or blog visitors sent e-mails or messages on English Language, I tried my best to help out as well as keep abreast with the latest updates in the current Malaysian education system. just so I won’t be out of the loop.

One of the common qualms of students when it comes to writing is the lack of vocabulary. Most of the time, they tend to stick to ‘safe’ words, cliches such as ‘good’, ‘bad’, ‘nice’, you catch my drift. Hence, I strongly suggest that apart from checking out thesaurus.com, this list of words that I’ve came across from this site might be very helpful to assist students to write well and express their thoughts immaculately. This is the mini thesaurus for writers, on common words that we tend to overuse and perhaps need a breather and spared with reviving alternatives. Check them out!

Synonyms for 95 Commonly Used Words in the English language

1. Amazing — incredible, unbelievable, improbable, fabulous, wonderful, fantastic, astonishing, astounding, extraordinary
2. Anger — enrage, infuriate, arouse, nettle, exasperate, inflame, madden
3. Angry — mad, furious, enraged, excited, wrathful, indignant, exasperated, aroused, inflamed
4. Answer — reply, respond, retort, acknowledge
5. Ask — question, inquire of, seek information from, put a question to, demand, request, expect, inquire, query, interrogate, examine, quiz
6. Awful — dreadful, terrible, abominable, bad, poor, unpleasant
7. Bad — evil, immoral, wicked, corrupt, sinful, depraved, rotten, contaminated, spoiled, tainted, harmful, injurious, unfavourable, defective, inferior, imperfect, substandard, faulty, improper, inappropriate, unsuitable, disagreeable, unpleasant, cross, nasty, unfriendly, irascible, horrible, atrocious, outrageous, scandalous, infamous, wrong, noxious, sinister, putrid, snide, deplorable, dismal, gross, heinous, nefarious, base, obnoxious, detestable, despicable, contemptible, foul, rank, ghastly, execrable
8. Beautiful — pretty, lovely, handsome, attractive, gorgeous, dazzling, splendid, magnificent, comely, fair, ravishing, graceful, elegant, fine, exquisite, aesthetic, pleasing, shapely, delicate, stunning, glorious, heavenly, resplendent, radiant, glowing, blooming, sparkling
9. Begin — start, open, launch, initiate, commence, inaugurate, originate
10. Big — enormous, huge, immense, gigantic, vast, colossal, gargantuan, large, sizable, grand, great, tall, substantial, mammoth, astronomical, ample, broad, expansive, spacious, stout, tremendous, titanic, mountainous
11. Brave — courageous, fearless, dauntless, intrepid, plucky, daring, heroic, valorous, audacious, bold, gallant, valiant, doughty, mettlesome
12. Break — fracture, rupture, shatter, smash, wreck, crash, demolish, atomize
13. Bright — shining, shiny, gleaming, brilliant, sparkling, shimmering, radiant, vivid, colourful, lustrous, luminous, incandescent, intelligent, knowing, quick-witted, smart, intellectual
14. Calm — quiet, peaceful, still, tranquil, mild, serene, smooth, composed, collected, unruffled, level-headed, unexcited, detached, aloof
15. Come — approach, advance, near, arrive, reach
16. Cool — chilly, cold, frosty, wintry, icy, frigid
17. Crooked — bent, twisted, curved, hooked, zigzag
18. Cry — shout, yell, yowl, scream, roar, bellow, weep, wail, sob, bawl
19. Cut — gash, slash, prick, nick, sever, slice, carve, cleave, slit, chop, crop, lop, reduce
20. Dangerous — perilous, hazardous, risky, uncertain, unsafe
21. Dark — shadowy, unlit, murky, gloomy, dim, dusky, shaded, sunless, black, dismal, sad
22. Decide — determine, settle, choose, resolve
23. Definite — certain, sure, positive, determined, clear, distinct, obvious
24. Delicious — savoury, delectable, appetizing, luscious, scrumptious, palatable, delightful, enjoyable, toothsome, exquisite
25. Describe — portray, characterize, picture, narrate, relate, recount, represent, report, record
26. Destroy — ruin, demolish, raze, waste, kill, slay, end, extinguish
27. Difference — disagreement, inequity, contrast, dissimilarity, incompatibility
28. Do — execute, enact, carry out, finish, conclude, effect, accomplish, achieve, attain
29. Dull — boring, tiring„ tiresome, uninteresting, slow, dumb, stupid, unimaginative, lifeless, dead, insensible, tedious, wearisome, listless, expressionless, plain, monotonous, humdrum, dreary
30. Eager — keen, fervent, enthusiastic, involved, interested, alive to
31. End — stop, finish, terminate, conclude, close, halt, cessation, discontinuance
32. Enjoy — appreciate, delight in, be pleased, indulge in, luxuriate in, bask in, relish, devour, savour, like
33. Explain — elaborate, clarify, define, interpret, justify, account for
34. Fair — just, impartial, unbiased, objective, unprejudiced, honest
35. Fall — drop, descend, plunge, topple, tumble
36. False — fake, fraudulent, counterfeit, spurious, untrue, unfounded, erroneous, deceptive, groundless, fallacious
37. Famous — well-known, renowned, celebrated, famed, eminent, illustrious, distinguished, noted, notorious
38. Fast — quick, rapid, speedy, fleet, hasty, snappy, mercurial, swiftly, rapidly, quickly, snappily, speedily, lickety-split, post-haste, hastily, expeditiously, like a flash
39. Fat — stout, corpulent, fleshy, beefy, paunchy, plump, full, rotund, tubby, pudgy, chubby, chunky, burly, bulky, elephantine
40. Fear — fright, dread, terror, alarm, dismay, anxiety, scare, awe, horror, panic, apprehension
41. Fly — soar, hover, flit, wing, flee, waft, glide, coast, skim, sail, cruise
42. Funny — humorous, amusing, droll, comic, comical, laughable, silly
43. Get — acquire, obtain, secure, procure, gain, fetch, find, score, accumulate, win, earn, rep, catch, net, bag, derive, collect, gather, glean, pick up, accept, come by, regain, salvage
44. Go — recede, depart, fade, disappear, move, travel, proceed
45. Good — excellent, fine, superior, wonderful, marvellous, qualified, suited, suitable, apt, proper, capable, generous, kindly, friendly, gracious, obliging, pleasant, agreeable, pleasurable, satisfactory, well-behaved, obedient, honourable, reliable, trustworthy, safe, favourable, profitable, advantageous, righteous, expedient, helpful, valid, genuine, ample, salubrious, estimable, beneficial, splendid, great, noble, worthy, first-rate, top-notch, grand, sterling, superb, respectable, edifying
46. Great — noteworthy, worthy, distinguished, remarkable, grand, considerable, powerful, much, mighty
47. Gross — improper, rude, coarse, indecent, crude, vulgar, outrageous, extreme, grievous, shameful, uncouth, obscene, low
48. Happy — pleased, contented, satisfied, delighted, elated, joyful, cheerful, ecstatic, jubilant, gay, tickled, gratified, glad, blissful, overjoyed
49. Hate — despise, loathe, detest, abhor, disfavour, dislike, disapprove, abominate
50. Have — hold, possess, own, contain, acquire, gain, maintain, believe, bear, beget, occupy, absorb, fill, enjoy
51. Help — aid, assist, support, encourage, back, wait on, attend, serve, relieve, succour, benefit, befriend, abet
52. Hide — conceal, cover, mask, cloak, camouflage, screen, shroud, veil
53. Hurry — rush, run, speed, race, hasten, urge, accelerate, bustle
54. Hurt — damage, harm, injure, wound, distress, afflict, pain
55. Idea — thought, concept, conception, notion, understanding, opinion, plan, view, belief
56. Important — necessary, vital, critical, indispensable, valuable, essential, significant, primary, principal, considerable, famous, distinguished, notable, well-known
57. Interesting — fascinating, engaging, sharp, keen, bright, intelligent, animated, spirited, attractive, inviting, intriguing, provocative, though-provoking, challenging, inspiring, involving, moving, titillating, tantalizing, exciting, entertaining, piquant, lively, racy, spicy, engrossing, absorbing, consuming, gripping, arresting, enthralling, spellbinding, curious, captivating, enchanting, bewitching, appealing
58. Keep — hold, retain, withhold, preserve, maintain, sustain, support
59. Kill — slay, execute, assassinate, murder, destroy, cancel, abolish
60. Lazy — indolent, slothful, idle, inactive, sluggish
61. Little — tiny, small, diminutive, shrimp, runt, miniature, puny, exiguous, dinky, cramped, limited, itsy-bitsy, microscopic, slight, petite, minute
62. Look — gaze, see, glance, watch, survey, study, seek, search for, peek, peep, glimpse, stare, contemplate, examine, gape, ogle, scrutinize, inspect, leer, behold, observe, view, witness, perceive, spy, sight, discover, notice, recognize, peer, eye, gawk, peruse, explore
63. Love — like, admire, esteem, fancy, care for, cherish, adore, treasure, worship, appreciate, savour
64. Make — create, originate, invent, beget, form, construct, design, fabricate, manufacture, produce, build, develop, do, effect, execute, compose, perform, accomplish, earn, gain, obtain, acquire, get
65. Mark — label, tag, price, ticket, impress, effect, trace, imprint, stamp, brand, sign, note, heed, notice, designate
66. Mischievous — prankish, playful, naughty, roguish, waggish, impish, sportive
67. Move — plod, go, creep, crawl, inch, poke, drag, toddle, shuffle, trot, dawdle, walk, traipse, mosey, jog, plug, trudge, slump, lumber, trail, lag, run, sprint, trip, bound, hotfoot, high-tail, streak, stride, tear, breeze, whisk, rush, dash, dart, bolt, fling, scamper, scurry, skedaddle, scoot, scuttle, scramble, race, chase, hasten, hurry, hump, gallop, lope, accelerate, stir, budge, travel, wander, roam, journey, trek, ride, spin, slip, glide, slide, slither, coast, flow, sail, saunter, hobble, amble, stagger, paddle, slouch, prance, straggle, meander, perambulate, waddle, wobble, pace, swagger, promenade, lunge
68. Moody — temperamental, changeable, short-tempered, glum, morose, sullen, modish, irritable, testy, peevish, fretful, spiteful, sulky, touchy
69. Neat — clean, orderly, tidy, trim, dapper, natty, smart, elegant, well-organized, super, desirable, spruce, shipshape, well-kept, shapely
70. New — fresh, unique, original, unusual, novel, modern, current, recent
71. Old — feeble, frail, ancient, weak, aged, used, worn, dilapidated, ragged, faded, broken-down, former, old-fashioned, outmoded, passé, veteran, mature, venerable, primitive, traditional, archaic, conventional, customary, stale, musty, obsolete, extinct
72. Part — portion, share, piece, allotment, section, fraction, fragment
73. Place — space, area, spot, plot, region, location, situation, position, residence, dwelling, set, site, station, status, state
74. Plan — plot, scheme, design, draw, map, diagram, procedure, arrangement, intention, device, contrivance, method, way, blueprint
75. Popular — well-liked, approved, accepted, favourite, celebrated, common, current
76. Predicament — quandary, dilemma, pickle, problem, plight, spot, scrape, jam
77. Put — place, set, attach, establish, assign, keep, save, set aside, effect, achieve, do, build
78. Quiet — silent, still, soundless, mute, tranquil, peaceful, calm, restful
79. Right — correct, accurate, factual, true, good, just, honest, upright, lawful, moral, proper, suitable, apt, legal, fair
80. Run — race, speed, hurry, hasten, sprint, dash, rush, escape, elope, flee
81. Scared — afraid, frightened, alarmed, terrified, panicked, fearful, unnerved, insecure, timid, shy, skittish, jumpy, disquieted, worried, vexed, troubled, disturbed, horrified, terrorized, shocked, petrified, haunted, timorous, shrinking, tremulous, stupefied, paralyzed, stunned, apprehensive
82. Show — display, exhibit, present, note, point to, indicate, explain, reveal, prove, demonstrate, expose
83. Slow — unhurried, gradual, leisurely, late, behind, tedious, slack
84. Stop — cease, halt, stay, pause, discontinue, conclude, end, finish, quit
85. Story — tale, myth, legend, fable, yarn, account, narrative, chronicle, epic, sage, anecdote, record, memoir
86. Strange — odd, peculiar, unusual, unfamiliar, uncommon, queer, weird, outlandish, curious, unique, exclusive, irregular
87. Take — hold, catch, seize, grasp, win, capture, acquire, pick, choose, select, prefer, remove, steal, lift, rob, engage, bewitch, purchase, buy, retract, recall, assume, occupy, consume
88. Tell — disclose, reveal, show, expose, uncover, relate, narrate, inform, advise, explain, divulge, declare, command, order, bid, recount, repeat
89. Think — judge, deem, assume, believe, consider, contemplate, reflect, mediate
90. Trouble — distress, anguish, anxiety, worry, wretchedness, pain, danger, peril, disaster, grief, misfortune, difficulty, concern, pains, inconvenience, exertion, effort
91. True — accurate, right, proper, precise, exact, valid, genuine, real, actual, trusty, steady, loyal, dependable, sincere, staunch
92. Ugly — hideous, frightful, frightening, shocking, horrible, unpleasant, monstrous, terrifying, gross, grisly, ghastly, horrid, unsightly, plain, homely, evil, repulsive, repugnant, gruesome
93. Unhappy — miserable, uncomfortable, wretched, heart-broken, unfortunate, poor, downhearted, sorrowful, depressed, dejected, melancholy, glum, gloomy, dismal, discouraged, sad
94. Use — employ, utilize, exhaust, spend, expend, consume, exercise
95. Wrong — incorrect, inaccurate, mistaken, erroneous, improper, unsuitable

MISTI 2014

No Comments// Posted in e-classroom, english, english literature, johor, reflection, talk by Nor Fadzleen Sa don on 04.16.14.

A week after coming back from Europe, I was selected to present my innovation, MY-LIT mobile apps during MISTI Johor 2014  exhibition at Persada. MY-LIT Mobile App is a prototype of the Form 4 KBSM English Lit Component. I started the research paper last year, continuing the online classroom platform MY LIT PROJECT that I initiated back in 2010. I wrote a book chapter on this project in ICT and ELT in South East Asia book project in 2012 as well as authored the English Literature section for Hands On English workbook with Oxford Fajar. Thank you AP Dr Muhammad Kamarul Kabilan (USM) for encouraging me to document my action research with others and to Dr Ab Razak Che Hussin for giving me opportunity to learn more. I am not an expert but I believe in giving your best shot in whatever you are doing. I do this because of my passion for teaching and learning.

Awin and I with Tunku Zahrah, the Chairperson of ICT Johor and the MISTI exhibition.

Although I was nervous in showcasing my work since I’m still a novice in developing mobile app, I was glad to see such great feedback from the students. They told me it’s about time learning materials in Malaysia are on mobile app as most students have smart phones. Hence why I learn to do this from my Software Technology class and also with the help of my co-developer, Abdelrahman. All these are done because of my passion for English Literature and the idea of disseminating resources as Open Educational Resource. 

Despite being nervous about the audience response to the project, I got great feedback from teachers on MY LIT mobile app prototype. The best part when they told me it’s great to see a teacher developing mobile apps for students and they will share this with their colleagues and students in schools. Thank you, the feedback from teachers and students are the best way for me to evaluate my project and refine it in the future, In sha Allah.