For the four plays that we have done this semester, I have no problem with the interpretation of the plays. Whatever that were discussed in lectures and tutorials did not clash with my own interpretations of the plays.
Well, this is because all these while, I have not been exposed to plays as I am not that kind of person who read plays. Therefore, my mind is still new towards plays and I have not built up my own interpretation of what I read. I am still looking at things from one perspective. I have not tried exploring and looking at things from another point of view.
Besides, I am still learning how to read plays like King Lear which uses classic English. As I can hardly understand what was being said by the characters in the plays, it is definitely impossible for me to interpret the content of the play. I am still learning to read these plays and hopefully with the help of the footnotes, I will be able to learn, understand and enjoy reading plays with classic English.
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
Monday, 30 March 2009
Simulated Teaching
Days ago, I did my simulated teaching in the tutorial. I first started off with showing the students a picture of a king. I then asked the students to tell me what can they see in the picture and I have asked them to tell me what they think of characteristics that should a king should possess. The students responded to my questions and soon I lead them to the first activity which is the pre-reading activity.
For pre-reading, I distributed a worksheet with instructions and an extract in it. First, I gave instructions on what needs to be done as I read the extract aloud to them (The students are required to circle the characteristics of Oedipus). Right after they have completed their task, I discuss the answers with them. At the same time, I get the students to write the answers on the whiteboard. After discussing the answers with the students, I proceed with the second activity which is the while-reading activity.
For while-reading, I distributed a worksheet to the students. I then gave instructions on what needs to be done (The students are required to state the connotation of the characteristics that they have identified in the pre-reading activity). Immediately after they have completed, I discussed the answers with them. At the same time, I get the students to write the answers on the whiteboard. After discussing the answers with the students, I lead them to see the connection between the characteristics and its connotation. I conclude the activity by explaining to the students that these are the characteristics of Oedipus in the earlier scene of the play. I then proceed with the post-reading activity.
For post-reading, I distributed a worksheet to the students. I then gave instructions on what needs to be done. I instructed them to attempt the task as homework.
Well, the above is what I have done for simulated teaching this time round. I find that simulated teaching is so much different than how I was taught in schools last time. My school teachers do not give the students any activities on worksheets. All they do was to spoon feed us with all that they have. For example, my English teacher would just provide the entire summary of any literary text. This is pretty different from simulated teaching as teachers lead students to discover the meaning of the literary text through a set of interesting activities instead of providing the students with the entire summary of the literary text. Although most students would prefer that the teacher will provide them with the summary of the literary text, I think this would not help the students at all but instead spoiling them. In this way, students are not trained to use their mind to think. It is simply because everything is made easy for them that students do not need to put on their thinking cap. Well, I have experienced all these in schools and I personally think that this was not quite a pleasant experience as it has not turned me into a person who thinks deeply. All these are the result of being too pampered. Anyway, I am thankful that I have the opportunity to further my studies in the university and this place has made me a more reflective and deep person.
For pre-reading, I distributed a worksheet with instructions and an extract in it. First, I gave instructions on what needs to be done as I read the extract aloud to them (The students are required to circle the characteristics of Oedipus). Right after they have completed their task, I discuss the answers with them. At the same time, I get the students to write the answers on the whiteboard. After discussing the answers with the students, I proceed with the second activity which is the while-reading activity.
For while-reading, I distributed a worksheet to the students. I then gave instructions on what needs to be done (The students are required to state the connotation of the characteristics that they have identified in the pre-reading activity). Immediately after they have completed, I discussed the answers with them. At the same time, I get the students to write the answers on the whiteboard. After discussing the answers with the students, I lead them to see the connection between the characteristics and its connotation. I conclude the activity by explaining to the students that these are the characteristics of Oedipus in the earlier scene of the play. I then proceed with the post-reading activity.
For post-reading, I distributed a worksheet to the students. I then gave instructions on what needs to be done. I instructed them to attempt the task as homework.
Well, the above is what I have done for simulated teaching this time round. I find that simulated teaching is so much different than how I was taught in schools last time. My school teachers do not give the students any activities on worksheets. All they do was to spoon feed us with all that they have. For example, my English teacher would just provide the entire summary of any literary text. This is pretty different from simulated teaching as teachers lead students to discover the meaning of the literary text through a set of interesting activities instead of providing the students with the entire summary of the literary text. Although most students would prefer that the teacher will provide them with the summary of the literary text, I think this would not help the students at all but instead spoiling them. In this way, students are not trained to use their mind to think. It is simply because everything is made easy for them that students do not need to put on their thinking cap. Well, I have experienced all these in schools and I personally think that this was not quite a pleasant experience as it has not turned me into a person who thinks deeply. All these are the result of being too pampered. Anyway, I am thankful that I have the opportunity to further my studies in the university and this place has made me a more reflective and deep person.
Sunday, 29 March 2009
Experience of reading plays
List of plays to read for Teaching the Language of Drama:
As for King Lear, I find it pretty challenging to read and to comprehend what is in it. Perhaps it is the use of the classic English in this play that has made my reading of this play challenging. Well, maybe if I have the time, I will re-read the play again and perhaps, I will be able to comprehend and gain further insights of this play. Anyhow, this was a good experience of reading classic plays.
As for Streetcar Named Desire, I did not really have the time to read through the whole play. Anyhow, I find this play an interesting one too. It is not difficult to read. It is comprehensible, unlike reading plays like King Lear.
Last but not least, I would say that Swordfish, then the concubine is another interesting play to be read as well. The content of the play does reflect more or less the current political situation in our country. However, according to the playwright of this play, major changes have been made in this play. So, I really wonder how far has this play evolves. Anyway, I have no difficulties in reading this play and i believe many will not face any difficulties in reading this play too.
I had an enjoyable time reading all these plays. These plays had exposed me to the different use of language in the different era. For instance, reading King Lear has exposed me to the classical English and Streetcar Named Desire to the modern English. I will definitely read more plays in future.
- Oedipus the King by Sophocles
- King Lear by Shakespeare
- Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
- Swordfish, then the Concubine by Kee Thuan Chye
As for King Lear, I find it pretty challenging to read and to comprehend what is in it. Perhaps it is the use of the classic English in this play that has made my reading of this play challenging. Well, maybe if I have the time, I will re-read the play again and perhaps, I will be able to comprehend and gain further insights of this play. Anyhow, this was a good experience of reading classic plays.
As for Streetcar Named Desire, I did not really have the time to read through the whole play. Anyhow, I find this play an interesting one too. It is not difficult to read. It is comprehensible, unlike reading plays like King Lear.
Last but not least, I would say that Swordfish, then the concubine is another interesting play to be read as well. The content of the play does reflect more or less the current political situation in our country. However, according to the playwright of this play, major changes have been made in this play. So, I really wonder how far has this play evolves. Anyway, I have no difficulties in reading this play and i believe many will not face any difficulties in reading this play too.
I had an enjoyable time reading all these plays. These plays had exposed me to the different use of language in the different era. For instance, reading King Lear has exposed me to the classical English and Streetcar Named Desire to the modern English. I will definitely read more plays in future.
Friday, 27 March 2009
How my first impression towards DRAMA changes
I can still recall the moment just before the semester begins, I was there thinking how will I enjoy DRAMA classes in the coming semester. All these years of my life, my perception towards DRAMA is DRAMA = BORING+DIFFICULT TO COMPREHEND. I carry along that perception of DRAMA with me when i attend the first lecture weeks ago.
Well, at first I thought that I will not enjoy the lecture. However, I was proven wrong! The first lecture turned out to be an eye opener to me instead! My perception now towards DRAMA is DRAMA = INTERESTING and it is no longer DRAMA = BORING anymore. All thanks to my lecturer, Dr. Edwin who has share with us so much about DRAMA (including its history) even in the first lecture. I was very much exposed of my misconception towards DRAMA all these years. I was so much exposed too that how little I know about DRAMA.
Anyway, I'm glad that Dr. Edwin has opened up the doors for us (at least for me) into the world of DRAMA. Well, at least now my perception towards DRAMA has changed (to the better). I can say that my knowledge on DRAMA has increase as days go by and I really do enjoy reading the plays and always looking forward to the next lecture!
Well, at first I thought that I will not enjoy the lecture. However, I was proven wrong! The first lecture turned out to be an eye opener to me instead! My perception now towards DRAMA is DRAMA = INTERESTING and it is no longer DRAMA = BORING anymore. All thanks to my lecturer, Dr. Edwin who has share with us so much about DRAMA (including its history) even in the first lecture. I was very much exposed of my misconception towards DRAMA all these years. I was so much exposed too that how little I know about DRAMA.
Anyway, I'm glad that Dr. Edwin has opened up the doors for us (at least for me) into the world of DRAMA. Well, at least now my perception towards DRAMA has changed (to the better). I can say that my knowledge on DRAMA has increase as days go by and I really do enjoy reading the plays and always looking forward to the next lecture!
Monday, 16 March 2009
Trip to KLPAC (Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre)
Weeks ago, a group of my course mates and I had planned a trip to KLPAC (Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre) to watch a play. So, days after we planned, finally we managed to watch a play entitled The Love Life of Ophelia.
Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (exterior)
Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (interior)I was really impressed with the design of the building. It was indeed a performing arts centre as the design of the building itself was already so artistic. The design was simple yet unique. Anyway, that place is just so comfy that it makes me feel so welcomed.
We managed to meet the director of the play, Christopher Ling and moments before we went in the theatre, he briefs us on the play and also what we can do and what we cannot do when the play is still on. Too bad, this time we did not have the chance to speak to him. Well, maybe next time.
As for this trip to KLPAC, I am thankful that our lecturer, Dr. Edwin, has charged us all to watch at least a play to fulfill one of the requirements of this course. If it is not for the purpose of fulfilling the requirement of the course, I think many of us would not be bothered to go and watch a play in KLPAC. Therefore, I can say that I am glad to fulfill this requirement regardless of the price that I have to pay to gain this experience (that might be a life time experience). The reason why I say that this might be a life time experience is because I would not know whether i have the chance to go back there to watch another play or not some other times in future. Anyway, I am really glad that I have the opportunity to pay KLPAC a visit and also to watch a play at the same time.
As for the play, The Love Life of Ophelia, I did not expect that the play will be merely an exchanging of letters between Hamlet and Ophelia. I expected more. Anyway, I came to realize that it was my fault that i did not do a little survey on the play. In KLPAC's website, (http://www.klpac.com/Welcome.asp?c=whatsontheatreview&theatreID=280&theatrecatID=5) where it provides synopsis of the play and also a brief explanation of the play.
Although I do not understand the entire play, I still managed to get the whole idea of the play through discussing with my fellow course mates about the play immediately after watching the play when the play is still fresh to everyone. To me, this is the benefit of going in a group to watch a play because we watch the same play and I can always discuss with my course mated about the play that we have watched. It is so much easier to get the whole idea of the play when everyone has a bit of everything and when it is combined together, all of us will eventually get the whole lot out of it. This is what i treasure most in watching theatre with my course mates.
Last but not least, I told myself once i left KLPAC that I will definitely come back again some other times to watch more plays. Of course it would be a plus point if my fellow course mates would also love to come back to KLPAC again in future.
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