TESL in KUPTM KL

TESL in Kolej Universiti Poly-Tech Mara, Kuala Lumpur.

When it comes to learning, wherever you go it would be the same IF you know how to carry yourself.

I would like to congratulate every adik-adik who are going through SPM and STPM in the year of 2016. I hope you will succeed no matter how good or bad the result would be. You can do this! I’m writing this article to tell you guys about the course ‘Teaching English as a Second Language’ in KUPTM. I know some of us feel that private colleges and universities are bad choices. However, holding to my principle, I believe that wherever does not matter. What matters is YOU. What you get are what you deserve because God knows you way more than you do and still, you have choices ahead.

First of all, let us get to know what TESL is for.

Many of us do not really understand how TESL functions. TESL is created especially to train future English teachers in Malaysian on the principles, practices and many more to establish qualitative English teachers whom native language is Malay. TESL does not only teaches you English but rather ‘How to be a good English teacher’. Taking this course does not mean that you only get to learn English but you will learn how to suit the learning with the target students. For example, principle in teaching English to adults are different with teaching English to Secondary scholars.

Back to the TESL in KUPTM.

This course in my time had the largest number of students out of the courses in KUPTM. However, most of us do not really want to become teachers. They take TESL as a platform for a course that suit their liking in Degree. Here are the things you need to know if you are furthering your study in KUPTM (TESL).

1. TESL is super wide.

You can further your studies in journalism, broadcasting, creative writing, fashion, cooks, and many more. However, need to remind you, even if TESL is just a platform and you hate teaching, taking TESL means you HAVE to teach starting from semester 3. It is called as ‘microteaching’. A mock teaching conducted in class whereas you teach your friends and your friends have to act like school children. Sounds fun and childish, isn’t it? Wait until you are in the shoes of the presenter. Microteaching usually holds most of the marks in the subject – 30%! I can still remember my first microteaching. It was not a bad memory but it will stick to me for the rest of my life. Also, in semester 6 you will have to go through a practicum session in primary schools for 3 months. Tough, huh?

2. Take TESL to learn English.

If you think that your English is so-so and you can improve it by taking TESL you are kind of wrong. TESL does improve your English a little bit. However, if you do not have a strong foundations regarding the grammar, reading, writing, listening, and speaking in English, TESL would be a tough ride. I suggest you to measure your level of proficiency before you click on the interest in taking TESL. It is because, I encountered a few people throughout my learning in KUPTM who did not really know how to speak English. They did not even have the confidence to speak about themselves. When asked about their reasons of choosing TESL, they seemed to be doubtful. There was even a student who took TESL but on the first day he asked this one lecturer ‘what does TESL stands for?’ and I was speechless.

3. 100% coursework.

For every semester, half of the subjects are 100% coursework. It simply means you don’t have to sit for final exam. It sounds okay when you hear it. However, 100% coursework means that you have to consistently perform throughout the semester. Skipping classes would be the stupidest thing to do. You have to make sure that the lecturers are okay looking at your face. One more thing, 100% coursework usually involves microteaching at the end of semester which takes up to 4-5 weeks. Most of the lecturers will deduct your marks if you do not attend your classmates’ microteaching. 

4. Tons of Presentation.

Grab your mic if you love to speak. Build up your confidence if you are introverted. From the day 1 in KUPTM, you have to do presentations. From ice-breaking to Models of curriculum to Religions in the world and dozens more of presentations. If you cannot talk in-front of people, it would be better if you think twice in taking this course. Presentations and TESL are like twin sisters or ‘isi dengan kuku’. They can never be separated.

TESL is not hard. It’s doable. As I mentioned earlier, where does not matter, what matters is you.

Well, there are many other things that you need to know. But these are the most important ones for me. I will update more about studying in KUPTM and so on. I hope you guys enjoy the article and find the course that suits you.

Thank you!