Back with a Babe!

Salam to all. It's been almost 3 months since we last updated our blog. During Ramadhan both of us still conducted post-PMR seminar. Then we took a break for Eid Fitri. November and December (mid-Dec only) we went back to Taiping for our annual Spoken English Cuti Sekolah. Our fifth year! We had a blast with the students in making them become more comfortable to use English.

13.12.07, 3rd Zulhijjah, Coach Sha gave birth to baby Sarah Mohd. Ridzuan, our fourth baby. It was Sha's first time giving birth via Caesarean Section. Now, Sha's in confinement for .... 60 days? to fill her time, she's been reading. Finished Harry Potter's Half-blood Prince (in 5 days), now reading Jane Austen's Mansfield Park.

While Sha's busy with the baby, Coach Ridz has been on the road now and then. FYI, he is a compere (perantara) for a new TV program - INFAQ. Catch him on air sometimes in January perhaps.

Till then,

Ilall liqaa ' ya asdiqaa' (that's the Arabic version of Adios Amigos).

Ole-ole from Muar

On Merdeka Day, the ESB Crew headed south to Muar. Our destination: SM Sains Muar. We met 372 bright and active Form 5 students with two lovely and warm teachers.

The food...umpph...yum..yum...
Morning break: Briyani Gam (Coach Sha finished her big portion, after all she's eating for two.)

Lunch break: Lauk Kenduri, babe - Egg Salad with Peanut Sauce, Ayam Masak Merah, etc. and sweet watermelon juice.

Tea break: A huge pau with chicken filling and potatoes and ... puyuh eggs inside. What a feast! What a feast!

Now we know where to find yummy grub in Muar.

TIPS OF THE DAY Be Like a Little Kid Again!

Maryam Ridzuan (left) and her cousin, Ilham, exploring their artistic talent.

When learning another language, please be prepared to make mistakes. Remember when we were little kids? We couldn't pronounce words correctly. (Pelat...) We also used the wrong word at the wrong time.

For example, Muhammad (6) and Musa (5) thought that merdeka meant 'flag'. They'd say, "Look Abi, the car has merdeka" or "Merdeka can't do anything... they can just terbang-terbang". Then we explained what merdeka is all about - how the country is free from colonization. Ooops! "What's 'colonization' Abi?" That's when other people control our country. Before this.. (and the history lesson started).


So, please... no matter how old we are, when we are learning another language please be willing to be a kid again.

Just let the words out from your month. Get excited to experiment with words.
It's OK to make mistakes. After all, we are still learning.

Watch out for this van...coming to rock the school!

By the way, the ESB crew and their little soldiers travel nationwide in this Toyota Hiace.

TIPS of the DAY:

When you want to say something but your mind is stuck... "how to say it in English huh?"..simplify your first language first.

For example, you want to say "menganiaya" - simplify your BM first - "menganiaya" - buat perkara yang tak elok pada orang lain - then change to simple English - doing bad things to other people. TADAAAA!!!!

You can get your message across now.

On Air!

Salam! Catch Coach Sha on air...TV9 Motivasi Murid, weekdays at 8:00 am. She'll be talking about learning another language. Hip and happening!

Sha & Ridz are back in KL

Today's headline: Coach Sha & Coach Ridz are going to move back to the Klang Valley by the end of August.
Why? Because of so many reasons.... can't afford to write them here
Where? Top secret. but if you wish to attend our House Warming Parteyyy! do let us know what you plan to buy. Only then we can invite you.
Only those with expensive gifts will be invited. We don't mean to be demanding but an LCD TV (min 42") or anything above RM5000 will do.
If you find it difficult to choose the gift, ok lah..we can accept cash (sigh..)

We expect to do more, give more, get more back here in KL.
So many things to do, so many seminars to attend, so many malls to visit, so many people to meet, so many bookstores to explore etc.....etc etc

OUR WEBSITE will be ready soon...
there'll be plenty of cool stuff...

WWW.ENGLISHGURU.COM.MY

Shh... The Secret

Just finished reading The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. In fact, today I did 6 slots for Inspirasi TV1 (recording, not live) and three topics were my review of The Secret. But I went the extra mile and complement what Rhonda and other 'teachers' said in the book with the Quran and Hadith. How perfect Islam is! After The Secret, I read Dr. Danial Zainal Abidin's book on Tip-tip Cemerlang daripada Quran. I learned some verses and hadith that stress on the Power of Gratitude, to get what you want ask from Allah, the power of intention and thinking good thoughts.

The Secret is written in simple English. Should be a smooth reading for sekolah menengah students. I even read a few paragraphs to students of SMK Padang Midin during ESB and they have no problem understanding the message.

Tips from the book for you:
Thoughts become things.
Visualize what you want. Don't worry how you will get it. Just believe that you can have it.
Be grateful.

Adios!

Speak Up!

Last night, Coach Ridz and I had the privilege to attend a talk organized by Ipoh Toastmasters. The topic: The Magic of Public Speaking. The Speaker: Mr. Gerald Greeen, DTM, an accredited speaker, author of the book, The Magic of Public Speaking.

We enjoyed ourselves so much. One of our Janaminda coaches, Miss Lina joined us as well.

I've always loved public speaking. The nervous feeling. Adrenaline rushing in. Heart pounding... So any chance I've got to attend talks on how to be a better speaker, you bet, I'd run for it. (Not away from it!)

In his talk, Mr. Green shared with us what the magic is all about. M.A.G.I.C is an acronym!
M-Myth A-Audience G-Genuine I-Interest C-Clarity

1. Have you ever heard someone said, "He/she is a born speaker"? That's a myth. Speaking, especially public speaking is a skill that can be learnt and polished.

2. Never underestimate your audience. They are willing to spend time to attend your talk, so tell them something beneficial. Something new. Respect them!

3. Be real. Be sincere. Be yourself. Express, not impress.

4. Use humour. Speak in pictures. It's a sin to be boring.

5. Simplify your vocab. Be clear in your message. The ABC of public speaking is Always Be Clear.

I'd love to share more, but I suggest you go and get Mr. Green's book. I got mine and .... the author's autograph too.

Take care!

Read 2 Understand

We all read for meaning. How to understand when we read?
READ. THINK. RELATE.
Above all, BE CURIOUS! (I want to know more. Why? When? How? So what?)


Then, practice S.L.U.G.
Scan the book/magazine covers, sections, chapters.
This helps your #1 computer to focus on related matters.

Look at pictures, graphics.
You do this when reading comics. Do the same with graphics in the book.

Use and focus on words that you know.
Oops, no dictionary. Can't ask anyone. When stumbling on a new word, look for clues surrounding it.

Go ahead and guess.
After all, some reading experts say "Reading is a grand guessing game." When guessing, our brain is actually working. Thinking. Thinking is always good....

Exploring Pahang

We are back in Semenanjung now. In Kuantan to be exact. We've just printed our latest ESB workbook (4th edition), an upgraded version and more user-friendly. It's red and the cover says ATTITUDE is everything. Can't wait to publish our books (on ESB and traveling) and make them bestsellers.

On attitude, Bruce Lee said:
"Knowing is not enough. We must apply. Willing is not enough. We must do."

Till we meet again...

ps: Have you visited your dentist lately? Just got two of my lovely teeth 'filled'. Ouch! It hurts.

MUST READ for TEACHERS

Read more.
Know more.
More power.
-- Sha & Ridz

Teachers, please invest in this book. I bought it at Borders, Berjaya Time Square. Lots of warm-up games to ... well, warm up your class and make you 'cool' (ironic?) I got the game SAD, MAD, GLAD that we always play in ESB from this book.

'Luar Bandar' in the House!

It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring... but SMK Luar Bandar students are wide awake. Thanks to the loud and clear PA system (Elvis, thank you very much!), the darkened screen area and of course, the main 'ingredient' for a successful seminar -- the crowd -- we had a whale of a time.

So far, we've shared our ESB experience with close to 25,000 students, teachers, parents all over the country. What we notice is, those who really, really, really want to be good at English will enjoy the seminar. From "What's Up?" till "Bye-bye Butterfly", they will whoop it up!

To educators and students who have caught the ESB bug: We thank you for allowing YOURSELF to enjoy English Sure Boleh!

To others, remember that
LEARNING IS TOO IMPORTANT TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.
(From The Laughing Classroom by Diane Loomans and Karen Kohlberg)

Scrabblemania

One of our seminar participants, Miss Chareesa of JB, will take part in a Scrabble competition next month. She SMSed asking for some tips. As ardent fans of word games, we suggested that flipping through the dictionary would be a good idea. But then, Ridz went the extra mile. He made a 'date' with Chareesa to play the game online. Now that we're in Miri, a WIFI city, and Chareesa had internet access, both of them managed to install the game. It was fun reading the SMSs going back and forth between JB and Miri - one asking, the other instructing- on online Scrabble. The result? Salute to Miss C!

(As for Ridz, well... I think he got too involved with the game. Sorry, pardner!)

SUMO & Sandwich

Usually when we travel without kids, Ridz and I would spend our time after seminar hanging out at bookstores. So, once back at the hotel after a full day ESB at SMK Semerah Padi, we went out again for a grub (hahaha there are 3 meanings of 'grub', but use your common sense pls). Ridz devoured his Hong Kong Kuey Tiaw, while I tucked into my Nasi & Blackpepper + Garlic Beef. Once Mr. Tummy was happy, both of us hunted for the nearest book haven.

That's where I found Paul McGee's book, SUMO. Shut Up, Move On.

So, stop complaining. Take action. Avoid the BSE syndrome - Blame Someone Else.

Remember the sandwich story? "I make my own sandwich." I always share this story in ESB, with students, teachers and parents. I told this story once on Inspirasi TV1. (The first time I heard it was on Dr. Dennis Kimbro's cassette. I modified a bit to suit school students.)

Jo and Han are two best friends. They go to school together. They sit in class together. They have their lunch together. Both bring food from home.

Riiing!! Jo and Han dash to the canteen to eat. Jo opens his Tupperware and sees a sandwich. He complains. He refuses to eat. Han, his buddy, says nothing and just eats whatever he has.

The next day, at the canteen, Jo opens his lunchbox and sees a sandwich again. He grumbles and throws the sandwich away. Han makes no comment and concentrates on his food.

The same situation continues for a week. The following week, still the same scenario. But on the third week...
something astounding happens.

Jo opens his container and he sees a sandwich. He screams, "I can't take this anymore! Yuck!!! I hate sandwich. Everyday sandwich. I HATE sandwich!!!"

Han, who never says a word before, finally says something. "Look man, you've been complaining about the same sandwich for 15 days now. C'mon, man. Do something. Tell your mom to make you a different lunch. Problem solved!"

"My MOTHER? Please, leave my mom out of this. Don't talk about my mom. I don't like it. I made my own sandwich OK?"


So, see you later alligator.

Borneo Exposure

Yea! Yea! Oversea trip!!! Kuching, Miri & Kota Kinabalu here we come.

At the airport now, waiting for our driver, Mr. Pilot man. Can't wait to meet students & teachers of SMK Semerah Padi, Kuching; Sains Miri, and SMK Pujut, Miri. Next, our tour covers Teknik Likas, SMK Kundasang, SMK Lohan, SMK Membakut 2, SMKA Limauan and SANZAC.

The thoughts of food already make me salivate, especially imagining 'umai' (our own sushi-like dish, even better than sushi), sweet chicken wings in KK, our fave drink Kicai and of course the fresh seafood of Sabah.

Travellers like us, we love to experience local cuisine, especially those we can't get in Taiping. That's the point of travelling, right? EXPOSURE! Opening our heart and mind to things uncommon to our daily routine. Meet new people. See new places. Hear different dialects. Taste new food.

So, get out there and get exposure. If you can't physically get away, do it mentally, ya.
Just READ.

Bernard Shaw once said, "I don't want to feel at home when I travel."
(saw this on Astro Travel & Living).

East Coast Roadshow

Finally, we are home. We here means me, my hubba-habibi Ridz, my bodyguards - Muhammad, Musa & Maryam - and my lovely PAs, Shima and Aini. 7 of us in a big, white van that resembles a bit like flower horn.
January, we (OK me only) splurged on budu in Kelantan. I love it soooo much. That salty, fishy taste combined with freshly squeezed lime juice topped with thin slices of onions and firy, little chillies. Lovely and smelly! Laziiiizzz...
In Darul Naim, we started our roadshow in SMK Kota (our repeat customer) which lasted for 3 fun-tastic days. The English panel, led by Mdm Rohayati and accompanied by cute Mdm Mas, was a warm host. Then Ridz and I charmed the Pengkalan Chepa Teknik students with Sure Boleh! tips to be good at English. Cool crowd, those fifth formers!

The following week, our gigantic Toyota Hiace made its way to Sains Pasir Puteh, aka SCIPP (pronounced SKIP). What a blast! All-girl audience, of course the ladies were very 'selamba' and comfortable to do whatever we asked them to. Hats off to Mdm. Nas and gang for organizing ESB.

What is the Seminar all about?

How to be good at English?
How to learn English better and have fun doing it?

Our recipe for successful language acquisition is amazingly simple and specific.
We call it WRESTLE,
ok it might sound a little bit extraordinary and muscular but you can take our words for it, the seminar Rocks! (pun intended since we're talking WWE -- Wrestling With English.)

ESB is not an exam-oriented approach.
We are English coaches who go around town and kampung telling people that everyone can be good at the language especially the spoken part.
Our tag line goes like this,
"Confidence first, perfection next."

Now, you might wonder what is it that ESB seeks to achieve in a half day or full day seminar.
Day in, day out teachers at school have been working hard to do the same thing.

We are actually complementing teachers at school.
We help them help their students get good grades and be comfortable using the language.

Call it a very good exposure for the students.
Call it a once-in-a-lifetime experience attending a fun and enjoyable seminar.
Call it anything you like but anyone who loves to learn English, loves ESB.

The Coolest and Selambest Seminar Ever!

Welcome to English Sure Boleh Blog!!
Thank you, nice of you to drop by, we really appreciate it that you are actually spending time reading this.
We are so honoured (exhale in awe!)

We are here to provide extra information pertaining our English Sure Boleh (ESB) Seminar to those who want it.
Some people call us, others send short messages and some communicate through electronic mail (that's e-mail duh!)... and to reach more good teachers, dedicated educators and hardworking event organizers out there,
WE GIVE YOU OUR HUMBLE BLLLLOOGGG!! Taadaa! (Applause)
Thank You! ("Alleycats" style)