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Thursday, September 16, 2004

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Soccer PE and Chinese Education

Today, for some unforseen reason, I felt that I learned, not in terms of text, but 'outside text' so to speak. I was allowed to think and understand, about what my Chinese teacher was trying to bring across. And during PE, I was able to apply what I learned from soccer (tho it's really basic) into the game. So, what I meant by learning was actually got to do with experience (PE) and ideas (Chinese).

As I said earlier, We had soccer for PE today instead of the tiring and irritating never-ending running, made worst with stations (conditioning). It was pretty fun, although I know I can't kick the ball straight, or curve it. Soccer fans, you know what I mean. In THAT way, I am a soccer-retard. So we were attempting to kick the ball straight, to designated people (of cos, my ball refuse to do so) for the 1st half of PE. In the second part, we had a mini friendly competition. And I was glad I watch the EPL. The rest of the girls are like.. "what's soccer?" When I asked them if they want to play the offside rule, they were completely clueless. I think most of them don't know the basics, but I guess it's no crime in not knowing the rules of the game you are not interested in. Just like I know no shit about tennis, or badminton.

The game was hilarious. But, it was a good game. The fact that the people didn't know the rules was really funny, as it definitely gave me an advantage. the score was a measly 1-0 but what the hell, I had fun so sod it. I opted to be the defender come goalie,seeing as we've got only 4 players in each team, there really wasn't a choice. But I liked my position where I don't get the pressure of having the obligation to score. Plus, my darlings are defenders and goalies ( ok fine, there's mid and forward too...). So, when my teacher told me that we don't need a goalie, i was like "ok, fine" and became riise-like. Where Riise although plays the role of the defender, goes forward and threatens the other team. So me and a girl, I belief her name was Cheryl (not my bestie, cheryl, another one). She and I were passing the balls to one another, and we are able to outwit the opposing team's memeber (maybe cos I feel this burst of adrenaline, propelling me to run, while the others were pretty heavy on their feet). According to my teacher, we were using the 2 to 1 technic (2 player vs 1). And I was able to run with the ball and scoring in the process, tho there is a girl at the net. *gloats*. Sorry peeps, couldn't contain it, it was my first goal.

Also, Girls, being girls, used to games like netball and captain's ball is not used to games like soccer. One major difference. In those 2 hand ball games, one stop to pass the ball to a team mate. However, for soccer, movement is allowed. Dribbling was allowed. So when I had the ball approximately near the opposing team's net, I was looking for someone where I can pass my ball to, so that person can help score. The opposing team was guarding my team mates heavily, and they actually left the net unguarded. When I saw that, I couldn't help laughing and grinning. "oh, ok" I said aloud. "You don't want to guard ur net, and guard my mates, then it's fine with me. I'll feel free to score then." was the underline meaning. I attempted to dribble to the ball, and at the last sec, the girl knew what I was thinking. She ran to the net, and attempted to guard it. I knew I could out-run her, but, I was having reservations. The grass was slippery, and my shoes ain't all that safe. So, as I was running, and tried to kick the ball, I slipped and the other girl had to grab hold of my arm. It's really rotten to have missed a chance in scoring due to slippery grasses, especially when I am not wearing spiked soccer boots. But heck man, it was fun.

Liz: Sorry that I didn't pass the ball to you. It wasn't that I thought you were incapable of handling it, it was just that you were heavily guarded, while Cheryl was always open. Sorry babes. And to sam too (tho i bet she won't know of this entry).

As for Chinese, my teacher was discussing with us on why it is very difficult to master Chinese, as oppose to other subjects. Of cos, we gave the usual arguements, don't know how to read it, don't know how to write it, ain't in alphabets, no environment etc. And we analyse the situation. Most of the difficulties we faced was with the words itself. And my teacher gave us an article which was also his thoughts. It was talking about the Chinese examination style. To my teacher, the problem was it was the examination style. Here's his thoughts:

If one is able to write a full length essay, and do a comprehension, the student is actually equipped with enough words, and is actually considered pretty good. Think English where we are given only an essay, and comprehension to do. Unlike Chinese, English does not have close passage, fill in the brackets with the CORRECT word, multiple choice questions where the meaning of phrases are tested. The whole Chinese examination format emphasize too much importance on the use of the correct word. Thus, leading students to memorise their work instead of developing their skills to write better. His classic example was "We are already pilots and able to fly an aeroplane, but the ministry wants us to take our basic theory at the same time. This conflicting focus, led students to be overly conscious of the word that they use, they have to makes sure it's the CORRECT word." And he compared it with the English essay. For our English essaysd, we make mistakes too, in the form of spelling and grammar. And it's the same with Chinese. But the Chinese system places too much emphasis on the usage of the right word, and students are pressred unneccessarily.

And I totally agree. We should elimate the write 'correct' words part from our exams, close passage(where they attempt to trick us with words with close meanings), fill in the blanks, mulitple choices, are pretty redundant. But i must admit, I do see the rationale in it. However, this system is more harmful than good. It provides an additioal obstacles to the students, and remove their passion for the language from the start, making us abhor it totally now. Singapore, speak. Although they say they are changing the system in 2006, but we don't know how so. The examination format needs serious re-thinking and analysis.

That's all for today folks. I'll write later~

YNWA
elaine + Snowy

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10:36 PM
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