Recently, from sheer frustration over the lack of good English in my country, I have decided to take an active role in helping at least my own children to have a command of good English in our little contribution to Malaysia. Baby steps, yo!

I told T1 last night that I wanted her to start reading the newspapers, in both English and Bahasa (since Bahasa is compulsory at her school despite being in the British curriculum). She said OK.

I continued my instructions, “You have an iPad. Use it every day after school when you come home, read one article in English and one article in Bahasa.”

She obediently nodded, “Which newspaper do I read?” I’m glad to know that my daughter realises that there are choices when it comes to newspapers!

I was busy and didn’t think so answered her, “Just go to TheStar.com and BHarian.com.my………..”

Suddenly, I got a DEATH GLARE from the Hubs. “Are you freaking CRAZY??!!!!”

And it suddenly dawned on me that he did not approve of his daughter reading the local newspapers.

Oh.

Hmm.

“OK, then go read the New York Times la….” which is what the Hubs reads coming from the New of York. *rolls eyeballs*…….“but the English in the New York Times would be too difficult for her!! Plus their spelling is different and it’ll only screw up her spelling!”

Meanwhile, T1 was looking at me then the Hubs then me again wishing her parents would just make up their minds.

“Go find her a children’s newspaper.”

“Oh, OK.” I looked at T1, “Got that?”

She nodded.

So today, we googled together children’s newspapers. We went through a few and found them all to be quite lousy so instead of wasting time further, I just went to the BBC and asked her to choose an article. She excitedly headed straight for the Technology section and chose an article entitled WHEN GOOD MILK TURNS BAD. It was an article of 1500 words and I was worried she would get bored of reading such a heavy loaded article but she was actually very interested! Go T1!!!

After reading the article, I asked her to underline 10 words that she didn’t understand and wanted to learn as she was going to make sentences out of those words later and spell them. What did the girl do? She underlined 39 words that she didn’t understand. Sigh. Talk about following instructions.

She has her dictionary on her iPad. She is now to find out the meaning of those words and when in doubt, ask Mommy. After this vocabulary exercise, I will get her to write a summary of the story to share with her Daddy when he gets home from work. Tomorrow, I shall prepare 5 questions for her to answer to assess her comprehension of the article and the next day, she can write a report, just like a journalist! Fun or what?

As long as the article interests her, I think she’s raring to go!

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Mamapumpkin is a former Design Architect turned Multi-Million Dollar Digital Entrepreneur. She sets out to prove to all that you can have anything and everything that you want; if you have that fire of desire burning within and the drive to work hard. Even better with much love.

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