This is the continuation of a previous post regarding Asasi TESL UiTM. So here it goes.
P/S: If you haven't read the Semester 1 Guide, go and check it out here. Click on this link. And yes, it's another long post for you, so brace yourselves okay? Here we go.
*Second semester starts on early December the same year you entered the first semester, and ends on mid April the following year.
1) College registration
Now, before you leave after having your final exam in the first semester, you will need to fill in an online college registration form to make sure that you get a room for your next semester studies. If you fail to fill in this form, you will probably have problem getting a room.
Talking from my own experience, I'm not sure if I filled my form or not, but I had a problem getting a room for myself for the second semester. So, when the results of our college registration came out, mine wasn't. So I had to fill in an appeal form and I have to wait about a week after registration day.
During the registration day, I forced myself to stay at my friend's room for a while as I wait for the appeal result. The result came out a week later, and thank God I got a room with my other batch mates. So the moral of the story: don't forget to fill in your online college registration form.
2) Allowance
As I said in the previous post, you will be given allowance for both semesters - around RM 2,000. But unfortunately, you will not get the money as soon as you check in for the second semester. Give it about a month or so, then you'll have them. But spend them wisely. Prioritize your expenditure and budget.
3) MUET Result
If you have taken your MUET test in November, you should have your result around January the following year. But if you haven't take yours in November, you can still register for March test in January. But this time, you're on your own as most students have already done theirs in November, so you should plan your MUET test wisely - you can choose your own place of choice to do the test, either near the college you're staying or back at home.
4) Subjects for the semester & studying issues
Including the four core subjects that you've learned during the first semester plus the Islamic Education Studies, in which you will learn part 2 of the subjects in this semester, you will have 8 subjects altogether. They are:
- Language & Drama
- Introductory Literature
- Basic Principles of Education
In my opinion, this semester's subjects are a bit relaxed and fun, especially Language & Drama and Introductory to Literature. All in all, you have 26 credit hours per week.
In semester 2, previous classes will be mixed and rearranged, either randomly or according to your final exam results. But don't worry, you can still meet each other later, maybe in mass lecture classes.
Assignments?
College Reading (TSL012) - Still with the journal reviews like last semester, plus you'll be focusing on new reading skills topics.
College Writing (TSL022) - New topics will be writing a summary, using the citation method and two more types of essays to learn.
Listening & Speaking (TSL032) - Pretty much the same like previous semester, a lot more materials on the pronunciation part. You will be also doing two types of speeches in class: informative speech and demonstrative speech.
Grammar (TSL042) - More grammatical rules and tenses to learn.
Language & Drama - In this subject, you will learn a novel called 'The Inspector Calls' and also learn more on drama skills. You will have to perform two types of dramatic performances: individual and group performance (also known as Readers' Theatre)
Introductory Literature - In this subject, you will learn about short stories and poems.
Basic Principles of Education - If in last semester you learn how to study, this one will teach you.... how to teach! You will be also required to perform a survey/interview with teachers from secondary school, and do a presentation of your own research comparing schools in Malaysia and other countries.
Islamic Education Studies (CTU082/084) - Pretty much the same as last semester, with hafazan and Qur'an recitation, along with presentation and sharing sessions.
For Language & Drama and Introductory Literature classes, you will spend about 3 hours each classes. Usually drama classes begins in the afternoon at 2 pm and ends at 5 pm, while literature classes are either the same method as drama classes, or split into 2 sessions: a 2-hour class in one day, and a one-hour class in another day.
Here are some of my own speeches and performances for the subjects:
5) Schedule, procrastination, self-confidence
It is important to know that in this semester, there are more materials and stuff to do. So you better prioritize and consider what's important and less important than the rest. Use the study skills that you've learnt in the first semester.
Avoid procrastination. You have 2 speeches, 2 drama performances, a whole lot of presentation, and more assignments to do. It is wise to say that this semester, it tackles your ability to speak in public and be more outspoken than in last semester, especially at the very end of the semester before study week where you have everything crammed on a week and you have to submit everything by the very end of that week.
Don't worry if you're anxious or scared to death speaking in public. I have lots of classmates and friends from other classes that are shy and anxious. But at the end of the day, it's you who determined your grades. Consider the drama class: this subject have no final exam - the grades are accumulated from your individual performance up to your Readers' Theatre performance. So you will have to be brave and ready to accept what people think about you when you're speaking on stage or in front of a crowd.
6) Pre-graduation dinner
Most probably after your final exam, you will have your very own pre-graduation dinner. It is a one-night event where you will be together for one last time before ending your foundation programme.
But knowing that the future intake will be moving to a new campus in Dengkil, there may be a 'Malam Asasi' or foundation dinner for all foundation students. No matter what it is, have fun on that night, take many pictures and create lots of memories about each other. You will never know if you're going to meet them again in the degree programme.
7) MEdSI test
One last thing to worry after you have ended your foundation studies (well, other than your final exam grades), is the MEdSI test.
What is MEdSI test?
MEdSI stands for Malaysian Educator Selection Inventory Test. You will need to answer a set of 300 questions - more like a personality quiz, to test your ability to become a teacher.
You won't be able to know how much you got correct or wrong. You will only know if you pass the test once you are called for TESL degree interview.
And that's all folks - your guide to Asasi TESL UiTM for the second semester. I hope that I have pointed out as much as I can about this semester. I will always update this post whenever I have something to add. Till then...
