Interview TESL UiTM (Degree)

Assalammualaikum.
It's been a long time.

Last year, in December, I got an offer for an interview from Universiti Teknologi MARA. It was a minute of silence when I received the text message, because I was in a slump. I could do nothing but lazying around all day. I watched dramas all evening after finishing my duties (cooking, cleaning, etc) and I was practically a living corpse.

Anyway, long story cut short, I went to the interview because my mum insisted. I love my mum more than anyone, you see. So, I went to Puncak Alam one day earlier cause my mum would love to kill two birds with one stone. She wanted to bring all my younger siblings along for a short getaway to Puncak Alam (?). Like seriously though. That place was like padang jarak (with trees) padang terkukur. Sorry, Palamians, But literally, lifeless or to be exact, entertainment(less). For anyone who wish to further your study in TESL at UiTM, especially if you are those jimba-jimbun types, Palam is not for you, But it was the opposite for me. Those kinds of environment suit me well. FYI, I cannot stand KL. KL is literally a mess for me,

The Interview Day:

Part 1: Checking your turn (Room no. and Turn no.)

When you arrive at the Faculty, MAKE SURE you check your turn and room no. For example, my no. was no.7 (lucky) room no 1. Check all the docs that you have to bring along. Make sure they are all approved. Please, remember your turn (capture a photo) and arrive early!

Part 2: The Test

Before they start interviewing you, you are going to sit for a written test. You have to write an essay based on the topic given. The topic that I got was something like 'Students should pick a career suit to their interests, not based on what they've learnt in school' (pardon my fish memories). Basically, you just gotta goreng the essay with all the skills that you have. Don't forget to add bunga-bunga bahasa and all those yang sewaktu dengannya.

Part 3: After the Test

After you finish the test, find the room given, and sit according to your turn (it would be easier for you and the other interviewees. Here comes the most crucial part. I call it as the 'Penantian sewaktu SEKSA'. During this seminit terasa seperti setahun part, make sure that your docs are arranged according to how the Interviewer require you to. While waiting, you can make new friends. Talk, but if possible talk in English cause this helps your brains to code switch from BM to BI.

Part 4: The Interview

1. Take a deep breath before you walk into the room, and salawath.
2. Smile, but don't use your sengih mischievous smile! Use your professional smiles.
3. Walk politely, give your salam and sit.
4. THINK before you answer their questions.
5. There will be two people (LECTURERS) who interview you. Remember to show your respect. They are not Kerani. Even if they were Kerani, you have to show them that you suit the criteria of UiTM students.
6. You MIGHT have to do a short Mock Teaching. I had to because I took Diploma in TESL and I did my practicum in school. They want to see if you REALLY are meant to teach. I mocked teaching on 'How to write a Postcard' because it was easy. Avoid teaching Grammar unless you are a Mahaguru of English Grammar.
7. Be careful with your words. Do Not use short forms like 'gonna' 'wanna' 'ain't' 'watcha' and so on. You are going to be an English Language Teacher, not a rapper.
8. Say Thank You afterwards.

Part 5: Wait and Tawakal

Leave the rest to Allah. Allah knows what's best for you.
Even when you feel like you're failing, just know that Allah would never test you with tests you could not bear.

After nearly 2 months, I checked the result online and Alhamdulillah, I was accepted as one of their students. If you are a KPTM sudent, I will write another entry about the requirements and so forth,

Insya'-Allah, if you get into UiTM, find me and I'll thank you for reading this.