My Ideal Classroom

ARTICLE WANTED! My Ideal Classroom What do you want to have in your classroom? What facilities do you want to upgrade? How do you want to decorate your classroom? Write us an article answering these questions. The best article will be published in the same magazine.

Write your article.

Every Tom, Dick and Harry agrees that school is considered (被视为) a second home to students. Apart from (除了) the usual school hours, I attend extra classes and co-curricular activities in the afternoon. Therefore, if I were given a choice, I would dream of having a classroom that makes me feel comfortable (舒服) when I am at school.

First and foremost, my ideal classroom should be equipped with air conditioning. Due to (就因为)  Malaysia has scorching hot weather, therefore it would be a good idea to instal air conditioners in the classrooms to reduce the humidity (湿气) and discomfort (不舒服). Undoubtedly, students can study better in a more conducive classroom.

Besides, my ideal (理想) classroom should have an interactive board (互动式电子白板) and internet access. An interactive board aids students and teachers in learning and teaching. With internet access, teachers can source related pictures, videos and other additional information to make students understand a topic better. This will undoubtedly reinforce (巩固) students’ long-term memory (持久记忆). 

All in all (总结来说), this is what my ideal classroom would be like. It is impossible (不可能) for me to experience (体验) this, but I still hope my dream will come true one day so that my juniors would be benefited (收益).

Travel Review

TRAVEL REVIEWS REQUIRED

Have you travelled anywhere lately? Send us a review of your travelling experience.  Say what you enjoyed about the place you visited. Would you recommend the place to your friends? Why? The best review will be printed in our monthly newsletter.

Write your review.

Pearl of the Orient 

Travelling during the school holidays is the best gift from my parents to me. It is a time when we can spend time together and release ourselves from stress. As the saying goes, ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’. Recently, my family and I went to Pearl of the Orient – Penang.

There are many interesting touristy places in Penang, such as Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si Temple and so on. The most enjoyable place for me is the Penang 3D Trick Art Museum in Georgetown. There is a wide variety of creatively designed rooms with plenty of mind-blowing (令人兴奋) optical illusions (幻觉). In one room, you will be shielding (令人被防护) yourself from teh tarik and in the other room, you will be trying to escape (逃跑) from a dinosaur attack.

Besides, there is this beautiful place that I highly recommend visiting Teluk Bahang Beach. This is definitely a relaxing place away from hectic city life. It is a quiet place surrounded by a dense (稠密) forest cover and a public beach with fine white sand and cool water. This picturesque beach is ideal for camping and witnessing beautiful sunset views. You will undoubtedly enjoy your time spent there.

In conclusion, I would rate this trip a five out of five stars, as it is definitely worth every penny. I highly recommend this place to all holiday-seekers to indulge yourselves in this serene nature. 

Restaurant Review (Positive)

Review required! Have you dined in a restaurant lately? Send us your review about it. Write what you liked about the restaurant. Would you recommend the restaurant to your friends and relatives? Why? The best reviews will be published in our magazine.

My sister and I went to a newly-opened restaurant at Anggun City for lunch the other day. The restaurant is called “Fullhouse Kitchen”. Since it was a brand-new restaurant in town, it was not crowded, so we decided to give it a shot (尝试).

As we entered the restaurant, the staff welcomed us with a warm smile and brought us to the table near the window. The setting in the restaurant is very modern, bright and chic (时髦). They have a minimalist (简单) concept for the restaurant. So, the view in the restaurant was easy on the eyes (悦目) and quite relaxing. There is even an open kitchen (公开式厨房) concept where you can see the chef (厨师) preparing mouth-watering food for the guests.

Even though the smells could be intense (强烈) at times, seeing the chef cooking food excites us (使我们兴奋). The restaurant offers a wide variety of (多种多样) mouth-watering (垂涎三尺) cuisine (佳肴) on the menu. There are local dishes (本地佳肴) and even (甚至) Western dishes (西餐) that you can order. I ordered a black pepper chicken chop while my sister went with Thai fried rice. They were absolutely (决定) delectable (美味). It was surprising because the food looked pretty unappealing (不吸引人) when they came. However, we changed our minds (改变主意) once we tasted the food. The chicken chop was well-cooked (烹煮得当), and the rice tasted great. As for the price, it is absolutely reasonable (合理) considering (鉴于) the tantalising quality in taste!

All in all, we had a pleasant (愉悦) dining experience. For this reason, I highly recommend going to “Fullhouse Kitchen”. Make sure to swing by (到访) whenever you are in Anggun City because you will be in for a treat (好料招待).

Leisure activities

Articles wanted!
Leisure Activities

• What can you do to spend your free time?
• What are the advantages of performing each activity?
  • Which leisure activity appeals most to you?

Write us an article answering these questions. 
The best article will be displayed in the school magazine.

Write your article.

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Leisure Activities
Written by Wendy Wong

As the saying goes, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy (只工作，不玩耍，聪明小伙也变傻). It emphasises (强调) how important a balanced lifestyle is to people from all walks of life (各行各业各界的人). What do I normally do when I have free time?

If the weather is good, I play basketball with my friends at the basketball court that is just a stone’s throw away (不远) from my house. One of the advantages is that it improves my wellbeing (安康). By being active, I become healthier and happier. Besides, it enhances (提高) my social skills (社交技能). Through this activity, I develop skills such as cooperation (合作) and teamwork (合作). I too meet new people and develop (发展) friendships.

Whenever there is unpleasant weather, I would prefer to stay at home to read for pleasure. As the saying goes, Book is a window to the world (书本是知识之窗). Through reading, it allows me to gain tons of valuable knowledge. Besides, reading can improve my communication skills (沟通技能). This is because reading can influence (影响) my writing and increase (增加) my vocabulary.

If I were to choose one, playing basketball would appeal (有吸引力) most to me because I always believe that a healthy body leads to a happy mind. Therefore, everyone should allocate (分配) their free time beneficially (有益地) as there are numerous benefits one stands to get.

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The Importance of Learning English

In your class, you have been talking about the importance of learning English. In about 120 words, write an essay about how English is important in your life. You may use the notes below to help you.

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Every Tom, Dick and Harry (众所周知) knows that English is widely used around the globe (全世界). Although it is not my mother tongue (母语), I work hard to master this language every single day. Since young, my parents have put in a lot of effort (付出) to teach me how to speak, write, listen and read in English.

As Chinese is my mother tongue, I hardly (几乎不) speak English at home. However, I use English to understand my favourite movies and songs. I use English to gain knowledge from magazines too! I tend to have more opportunities (机会) to use English when I am out – at school, in the shops, at public places or with my friends.

‘Bahasa Melayu’ is my national language. Sometimes, I use this language with people I meet. With foreigners in Malaysia, sometimes I use a bit of both languages. However, most people in the city, especially a big city like Kuala Lumpur, can speak English fluently (流利).

The best thing about English is that it is used in many countries and spoken by people from all walks of life (各界人士). By mastering this language, there will be no issue when I travel for holiday or for work in future or live abroad. Therefore, I will go the extra mile (加倍努力) to master this language.

A Good Deed I Did Recently

In your class, you and your classmates have been talking about kindness. In about 120 words, write an email to your friend to tell him/her about a good thing you did recently. you may use the notes below to help you.

A Good Deed (好事) I Did Recently

What was the good deed (好事) Who was the good deed for – 为谁而作 Where did the good deed take place – 在哪里发生 What did you do – 你做了什么 How did you feel – 感觉如何？ What did you learn – 学到了什么

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Hi Aireen,

Guess what! I lent a helping hand (申出援手) to a foreign tourist yesterday. The feelings of becoming a good samaritan (好心人) is so good!

I was standing at Jalan Sentosa yesterday. On the other side of the road was Samantha, looking like an ant on a hot pan (焦慮). When I finally crossed the road, I stopped and asked if she needed any assistance.

“Yes, please,” said the American with relief. “I’m looking for the Backpackers’ Inn’.

‘It is just a stone’s throw away (非常靠近) from here. Let me take you there,’ I offered her my help.

We started walking down and along the way, we had a good chat. We reached the inn at 5.00 p.m. Upon arriving, Samantha thanked me whole-heartedly (全心全意) and I was glad that her holiday in Malaysia started well.

Have you done any good deed? Please share with me.

Wendy.

A Celebration You Enjoyed the Most

Read the message from your pen pal, John.

Hi, I watched an interesting documentary about celebrations around the world. Each country has its own celebrations.  Tell me –  which celebration in Malaysia do you enjoy celebrating the most? Why? Who do you celebrate it with? John

In about 80 words, write a reply to John telling him about the celebration.

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Hi John,

Thanks for dropping me a line (致函給我)!

In Malaysia, I enjoy celebrating Chinese New Year the most. I usually celebrate it with my beloved family with high spirit.

Before Chinese New Year, my family and I work together closely to clean our house and decorate it with red lanterns. We too stock up (儲備) all sorts of Chinese delicacies (佳餚) to welcome this day with open arms (熱烈歡迎). On Chinese New Year’s eve (前夕), everyone gathers at my grandparents’ house for a reunion dinner (團圓飯). During the festive season, everyone puts on (穿上) their new clothes and we as children receive red packets from our parents and elders. I like this celebration the most as I can get to see my relatives that I could only meet once in a blue moon (甚少).

Which celebration would you enjoy?

Regards,

Wendy

The Life-changing Power of Music

Your teacher has asked you to write a story for the school magazine. The story must have the title: The Life-changing Power of Music

Your story should include:

– The description of type of music or musical instrument

– How music or a musical instrument changed one’s life

Write your story.

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The Life-changing Power of Music

Clint Pulver

As a young boy in school, Clint Pulver had trouble sitting still (静静坐). In fact (实际上), his high-energy levels often got him in trouble or sent to the principal’s office. Whereas (然而) most teachers saw him as a problem or a distraction (干扰) to the class, there was one teacher, Mr. Jensen, who saw great potential (潜能) in him.

Mr. Jensen noticed that Clint had a hard time sitting still in class and was constantly (经常) tapping (敲打). And there was this one day when Clint was tapping in the class, Mr Jensen yelled his lungs out, “Clint, stay after class!’ At that very moment, Clint thought to himself that he would be in deep trouble (深陷困境). He would be kicked out of school in no time. He had butterflies in his stomach (焦虑) not knowing what to do.

After the class, Clint sat with Mr Jensen in an empty classroom. Finally, Mr Jensen said, “I need you to know that you are not a trouble but there is just one question that I have to ask you.” He then looked straight into Clint’s eyes, with a serious tone, and asked, “Have you ever thought of playing a drum?” Clint could not react in time (来得及).

Then, Mr Jensen leaned back and opened the very top drawer of his desk. At the end, he pulled out a pair of drumsticks and handed them over to Clint and said “Clint, you are not a problem, I think you are a drummer.” This helped Clint pursue (追求) the passions (热诚) of playing the drums and it also helped him recognize the fact that one person can have one another’s life.

A Happy Occasion You Have Had

In your class, you and your classmates have been talking about a happy occasion you have had.

In about 120 words, write an essay about a happy occasion you will never forget. You may use the notes below to help you.

A Happy Occasion I Will Never Forget – The occasion (事件) – Why it was unforgettable (难以忘怀) – What happened – Who were involved (被涉及) – How did it endWhat I learnt

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Last year, my family moved to this neighbourhood called Bandar Country Homes. At first, I had butterflies in my stomach (焦虑无比) as I knew no one in this neighbourhood. There is this one occasion that would never slip my mind (忘记) – that weekend when I met Shanti. 

Shanti is our neighbour. She made an initiative (主动) to introduce herself when we were moving in. She lent us her helping hand (伸出援手) in unloading (卸载) our boxes from the lorry. 

Later, Mum served us fresh cookies and teh tarik. We all sat and chatted happily. Linda shared about some interesting shops that are just a stone’s throw (距离不远) from our houses so that we could buy our groceries there. It turned out he has the same hobby as I do – cooking.

Linda and I soon became good friends. Every day, we cycle to school together. I am over the moon (愉快) that I was able to meet such a kind-hearted (好心) neighbour. I am so thankful that everyone gets along (相处) well in Malaysia despite different backgrounds (背景) and ethnicities (种族).

(169 words)

Read the email from your friend, Karena.

Hi, My grades in school have been slipping. I am feeling tired and bored all the time. I am not able to focus in class because of this. What should I do? How can I improve my situation and grades?

Hi Karena,

I’m sorry to hear that (我深感难过). It sounds like you are not getting sufficient (足够) rest. This will make you less motivated (动力不足) to focus (集中) during your lessons. I have some suggestions (建议) to share with you.

First and foremost (首先), you should make sure that you sleep well every night. Quality sleep (品质的睡眠) is important to improve (改善) your brain performance, mood and health. Besides, you should eat a healthy and balanced diet (均衡的饮食). Did you know that too much and too little sugar affects (影响) our brain performances? That’s why a balanced diet counts (重要). Last but not least, regular exercise will uplift (提高) your mood too! This is because physical activities bump up (提升) your endorphins (安多酚), also known as happy hormones.

These are my two cents (意见). With the combination of all these tips, I believe you would pass your exams with flying colours (成绩优异)! Do try it out and see if they work.

Regards,

Wendy