Many language teachers do not realise the immense benefit of using literature particularly short stories as means to teach vocabulary and writing. Since the introduction of literature component for all secondary schools in the year 2000, the usage of these literary texts is focused mainly as a component for examination purposes. The study examined the effects of using critical reading strategy as a technique to read literary texts not only for text comprehension but function as a basis to foster vocabulary acquisition which in turn help students in their writing. The objectives of this study were: (i) to examine the effectiveness of reading modern short stories critically for vocabulary acquisition; (ii) to examine the level of effectiveness in using critical reading strategy for knowledge transfer; (iii) to identify factors that hamper learners’ ability to reproduce the acquired knowledge; and (iv) to examine the significance of reading modern short stories critically towards correc.....

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On the basis of my own teaching experience and literature review, it was shown that many students were not able to master concepts of chemistry particularly in the topic of heat of combustion and they are less interested in this subject. Research findings also indicate that students rarely interact nor willing to assist friends during lesson. This research was conducted to determine the effectiveness of jigsaw cooperative teaching method on four dependent variables, namely (1) students’ understanding of concepts in chemistry particularly in the topic of heat of combustion; (2) interest in chemistry; (3) level of interaction during lesson; and (4) attitudes toward assisting friends during lesson. A total of 64 students from a school in Teluk Intan was used as research samples. Quasi experimental method using a teaching module regarding the said topic as the learning context was applied to students from the experimental group while the control group was subjected to conventional teachi.....

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English prepositions have always been a perceived problem for Chinese ESL learners. However, scant studies have been conducted with a specific focus on the use of prepositions of time, place and direction among Chinese ESL learners. This study examined the extent of errors and the error tendencies of these students in their written assignments with regard to these prepositions. This study also attempted to explain the causes of errors made. A total of 38 students in a Chinese national-type secondary school were involved in translating Chinese texts laced with prepositions of time, place and direction into English. Subjects made most errors in using the preposition of time (39.5%) compared to preposition of direction (34.6%) and preposition of place (25.9%). Among the three error tendencies, wrong selection of prepositions was the most prominent (64.7%). This indicated the uncertainty and ambiguity of Chinese students in selecting the correct prepositions in their translation. The major.....

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This study aims to investigate the generation rates and composition, management practices, and peoples’ awareness on welding waste related issues. Descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were collected from six vocational colleges located in the central zone of peninsular Malaysia. Methods used for data collection include on-site waste measurement, survey questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and field observation. Quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Programme for Social Sciences (SPSS) while the qualitative data were analyzed by classifying data into emerging categories and themes. The results revealed that welding waste issues in vocational colleges were significant, based on amount, composition, management and peoples’ awareness. On average, welding waste generation rates were up to 83.42 kgw- 1 and per capita generation rate was 1.23 kgw-1st-1. Welding wastes were composed of scrap metal, metal dust, welding electrodes, and grinding disks. Scrap meta.....

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Metisa plana Walker and Pteroma pendula Joannis are important pests of the oil palm, Elaeis guineensis Jacquin, which is the primary agricultural crop in Malaysia. Although there is a history of integrated management of the bagworms, information gaps exist with regard to their incidence, biology, dispersion and population dynamics. Such new information is needed to improve the current integrated management of these pests. Analysis of historical records of bagworm infestations over 63 955 ha of oil palm in 69 estates in Peninsular Malaysia showed M. plana and P. pendula to be the primary pests. Infestations were of single or mixed species, and ranged from nil to 7811 ha yr-1. Cumulative infestations were 18 297 ha, 4904 ha and 14 607 ha for single species of P. pendula and M. plana, and for mixed species of P. pendula and M. plana, respectively. This shows P. pendula to be the predominant species, and is attributed to its ability to survive very wet weather (>200 mm rain per month) and .....

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There is widespread concern in Malaysia about the quality of learning experienced by students, and the approach to learning they develop as a consequence. The approach is generally marked by memorization of information as isolated facts and does not promote understanding or long-term retention of knowledge and information. Despite a number of large-scale, centrally-driven reform efforts to change the status quo, they have for the most part met with little success. Based on the data collected as part of a nation-wide study to investigate the way teachers make pedagogical decisions, this paper argues that one major challenge to transform students‟ approach to learning is changing the way teachers think about teaching which past reform efforts have largely ignored. The data suggest that the teachers studied mainly see teaching as transmitting information from teacher to the student. In this view of teaching they hold, they focus their attention on the differences between students to exp.....

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An attempt was made to determine optimum sampling unit of between-palm and within-palm distribution of bagworms and their interspecific association distribution in oil palm using aggregation indices or distribution models. The within-frond distribution of bagworms varied significantly within the oil palm crown. Peak bagworm density was recorded between frond numbers 9 and 19. Through polynomial regression, standardised residual and relative net precision analyses, frond number 17 was established as the representative sampling unit for experimental work, and frond numbers 10-19 should be used when a greater precision is required as in life-table construction. A lack of interspecific association suggested these sampling units to be applicable for single and mixed infestations. Evaluation of between-palm dispersion revealed that Taylor’s Power Law gave a more appropriate fit with highly significant r2 values for all categories of assessment. The bagworms were regularly dispersed in oil .....

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This study investigated the English language competencies of students in rural primary schools and the problems they faced in the process of learning Mathematics and Science in English in the classrooms. Students and teachers from eight primary schools in the districts of Batang Padang, Perak Tengah and Hilir Perak in the state of Perak were involved in the study. Instruments included language tests, survey questionnaires and interview checklists. Data analysis results produced several findings. Students generally possessed better skills in listening and reading in English in Mathematics and Science. They were weakest in speaking, followed by their writing skills. However, the biggest problem was their overall mastery of the English language. As a result, there was a tendency for teachers to use both Malay and English languages during classroom instructions. There were also tendencies for students from better home language background and higher socio-economic status to have better Engl.....

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Teacher education programmes the world over are based on national ideologies, policies and development plans. They are grounded in the culture of knowledge espoused by the major stakeholders (Bruner, 1996). The culture in turn is based on the value system espoused by the stakeholders concerned and this value system is incorporated and reflected in the teacher education programmes, particularly its curriculum and the management and development of the curriculum. A value system is in essence the ordering and prioritization of the ethical and ideological values that individuals or society hold. However, value systems are not something static. On the contrary they are dynamic and ever changing. In view of the emerging trends and challenges of globalization (Friedman, 2004), it has become necessary to view teacher education within the wider context of both the professional community and society at large. The state and nature of the rapid change requires teacher education to be more outward .....

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