Women in the news

Remember that game of matching the words to the picture?

Have a go with these pics . .

Bollywood actress Dowager Empress

Mother Theresa Sumo wrestler

Gender issue Superwoman

I got strings I Support Angpow

MUET (Malaysian University English Test)

A Concerned Parent, Penang wrote in The Star-Views on 17 November 2008: "Students had hard time listening to CD" for the MUET (Malaysian University English Test) held on 8 November 2008 at Room 5 UMS, SMK Bandar Baru Perda (B) in Bukit Mertajam.

The letter states that during the listening component of the exam, the voice from the CD was inaudible and as such the students complained to the invigilator who then increased the volume to the maximum. The letter, however, fails to state whether the CD was satisfactorily audible for the students to attempt questions after the adjustment. The Parent proceeded to appeal to the Malaysian Examinations Council, who run this exam, to look into the matter.

The MUET exam is an English proficiency test for undergraduate public university students (and certain private universities eg. MMU, Universiti Petronas & Universiti Tenaga Nasional) comprising 4 components namely listening (15%); speaking (15%); reading (40%); writing (30%). It is categorised into six bands or levels of proficiency recognised in Malaysia and Singapore and does not apply to students from Private Higher Education Institutions.

Band 6- Very good user (Aggregated score:260-300), Very good command of the language. Highly expressive, fluent, accurate and appropriate language: hardly any inaccuracies. Very good understanding of language and contexts. Functions extremely well in the language.
Band 5- Good user (Aggregated score:220-259). Good command of the language. Expressive, fluent, accurate and appropriate language but with minor inaccuracies. Good understanding of language and contexts. Functions well in the language.
Band 4- Competent user (Aggregated score:180-219) Satisfactory command of the language. Satisfactory expressive and fluent,appropriate language but with occasional inaccuracies. Satisfactory understanding of language and contexts. Functions satisfactorily in the language.
Band 3- Modest user (Aggregated score:140-179) Modest command of the language. Modestly expressive and fluent,appropriate language but with noticeable inaccuracies. Modest understanding of language and contexts. Able to function modestly in the language.
Band 2- Limited user (Aggregated score:101-139) Limited command of the language. Lacks expressiveness, fluency; inaccurate use of the language resulting in breakdown in communication. Limited understanding of language and contexts. Limited ability to function in the language.
Band 1- Extremely limited user (Below 100) Poor command of the language. Unable to use language to express ideas: inaccurate use of the language resulting in frequent breakdowns in communication. Little or poor understanding of language and contexts. Hardly able to function in the language.

In comparison, IELTS (International English Language Testing System), is internationally accepted comprising six modules:- Listening, Academic Reading, General Training Reading, Academic Writing, General Training Writing, and Speaking. The proficiency is categorised into 9 levels.

MUET was implemented in 1999 to address the falling standard of English and was intended to be a required exit achievement of a stated Band (1-6) depending on the English proficiency requirements of each particular program or degree. For example, Law faculties at that time were in favour of Band 6 due to the high demands of reading and writing in English in the profession. Programs like religious studies aimed at lower bands as reference to English language material was limited.

Google gave 311,000 hits on MUET. Students blogs indicate that the listening component of MUET has been fraught with problems and is well known to students. The common observation was that the speaker systems used in examination centers, usually schools, produced poor sound quality and were generally less audible to candidates seated further away from the speakers. The speaking component of the exam also drew some critique from students. Unfortunately without a formal public review of the overall exam these concerns will remain unaddressed.

On the positive side, a student mentioned that she achieved Band 5 in her first try. She hopes to improve to Band 6 in a second attempt. Failing this, she will cut her losses as she is not willing to spend her hard earned RM60 for another go. Don't you admire the spirit of determination!

Local universities give minimum information on MUET on their websites. In most it appears as a one liner under general entry requirements like "to show proof of having taken the MUET". Exit requirements for MUET are not apparent. Another university website states that "at least Band 1 of MUET is required for entry". How low can you go? A public university, which shall remain unnamed, has this statement under entry requirements:- "Have takes Malaysian University English Test (MUET)". I hope that's a typo error except it recurs throughout the document . . . cut and paste job with no editing!

There was no evidence of a document on standards and procedures for MUET from the Ministry of Education, Malaysian Examinations Council or the Malaysian Qualifications Agency available in the public domain.

I bring this up because all examinations should have approved documented criteria and standards comprising protocols for procedure and technical requirements (particularly for examinations other than the usual paper/written format) ensuring a reproducible environment in all examination venues.

I remember my contemporaries sitting for the MRCP (Member of the Royal College of Physicians) UK professional examinations in the late 80's in UM, one of the first accredited overseas exam center in the country, in which one component involved projected slides, videos and even sounds (eg abnormal heart sounds) of medical conditions for candidates to answer questions accordingly. The technical criteria of lighting, quality of projection and sound effectiveness in all sections of the examination venue for an optimum number of students per sitting being crucial.

Diabetic retinopathy

It was thus a requirement of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) UK to accredit the examination center and venue after conforming to optimal criteria and standards like space, lighting and sound effects to ensure consistency, fairness and credibility of the examination. This involved regular visits conducted by a team of assessors from the RCP UK and the training of a local administrator to manage and conduct the exam on site.

Fastidious examinations of this nature are inappropriate for large masses of students. Ideally listening or speaking language tests should be conducted under controlled conditions of a language laboratory. Most universities have well equipped language labs and before MUET, English proficiency courses for various programs were ably conducted by language faculties and centers.

Perhaps MUET should be reviewed as it appears that implementation, conduct and effectiveness have fallen short of expectations and the original objectives seemed to have become blurred.

HomeDec08

KLCC was teeming with people on Saturday, rushing to and from the LRT station, as well as to and from the KL Convention Center.From the brightly lit tunnel, visitors were shunted through the relatively dark and busy car park, instead of gaining direct entrance to the exhibition halls. This, I suspect, was executed by management as a means of crowd control, which was uncalled for and particularly unsafe for the large numbers of children visiting the Aquarium. This type of unintelligent problem solving is a recurring malady of our organisations.

Home Decor 08 is a regular exhibition for Malaysian and foreign manufacturers to market the latest home improvement ideas, home appliances and building materials.

This locally manufactured surface is made of perspex embedded with ovum Jasper stones. As it is translucent it allows light transmission giving a unique effect. The claim is that this surface is non porous, non toxic and is scratch resistant.

Wallpaper is back in vogue, from floral to retro to Victorian designs, and can cost an arm and a leg.


Don't think of drapes only as yards and yards of fabric. These are panels of closely set cord giving a fluid-like effect. Be warned. Children love running their fingers (and bodies) through them and can be tempted to swing from them too!

This year I notice that doors have been given a fresh new look. The decorative glass panelled doors sport retro or Art deco designs, and the wooden doors have simple tasteful lines.

From the ornate to the garish. . .

. . . to sheer opulence.

Security must be problem as business is certainly brisk here. Hello has anyone heard of the global recession?You may also want to add a home safe to your shopping list.

The hard sell.

"How much per foot run?" Are they buying or just resting ? The tub of your dreams? Together with the bubbles, blue LED lights add to the experience.

We can't live without our telly's can we? You can get a 32" flat screen LCD for about RM 1500 now.

Malaysia is fast becoming a coffee drinking nation. Espresso gizmo must-haves.

If a device promises to purify the air in your bedroom (even though you spend 4 hours daily inhaling traffic fumes), or a humidifier that will cool your patio (despite spending 18 hours a day in dry air conditioning) there will be enough suckers who will want it and even influence their friends to buy one.

A new slant this year is the ID (interior design) clinic. A row of ID companies offering consultancy services are a popular attraction. I came across an unpretentious display of au natural teak wood furniture from Indonesia. The vendor is from Surabaya, and his two part time assistants, Hussein and Habiel, are Indonesian students studying in a private college in KL.

Zaini, an architect by training and an artist by passion, runs a studio in Bukit Bintang. Offering 'original works at reasonable prices' (his tag line) he aims to bring art to a broader audience. A brochure with prints of his work, biodata and inspiration are elegantly set in glossy white art card. There's fusion cuisine, this is fusion glass, so the artist tells me about his work. In 3 D, the picture is fused onto glass and embellished with colour. It's good to get out into the open after all that.

It's newsworthy

I came across these in the Sunday papers which brought a smile to my face, so I'm sharing . . .

So who says we need to teach Science

& Maths in England . . er. . I mean in English?

*******

'Obama's win has made having "brains" sexy again . .'

*******

Candid rhetoric?

^^^^^

And this one speaks for itself
(As I don't have a Patek Phillipe watch, my humble handphone will have to do.)

Chuckle, chuckle, grin, grin . . .

Old Cafes in KL - Coliseum & Old China Cafe

If you Google Coliseum Restaurant KL, 60300 hits will pop up.

Located at 98-100 Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, this colonial establishment is a rarity in that it remains an unpretentious cafe and hotel. Established in 1921 as an inexpensive alternative for the planters and tin miners who couldn't afford the Station and Majestic hotels, it still fits the budget of the discriminating traveler looking for a good deal.

Imagine the discussions in the 1950's, when planters and tin miners gathered on Friday nights to discuss anti-communist strategy during the Malayan Emergency.

Now, a must visit for tourists, proclaimed by Lonely Planet, Frommer's etc, this watering hole is refuge for the sun burnt traveller to enjoy a cold beer, whisky soda or Singapore sling and absorb some nostalgia.

A Dutch visitor commented: 1920s ambiance reminds me of Amsterdam! Feel at home there immediately....Great place for a cold beer in town or meeting up before going somewhere else. I love sitting there in the afternoon with a drink and making my phone calls, then move on to the next destination. Totally like typical Amsterdam cafes like Weyers and the likes of that.

Locals enjoy the food as they relive childhood dinner treats with parents:-

I love dining at Coliseum restaurant, seeing people from different races & background and even "Mat Salleh" love this place very much. With RM 16.90++, you can enjoy a super large chicken chop set ever in town.

I've being going to the Coliseum for years and in the past have had some of the best steaks I've ever tasted. However, like your other Jan 2008 reviewer, my January meal was awful. We didn't eat 5% of the steak, paid and left. I love the place but it seems it has really started to serve substandard food.

I've been there since childhood like most of its ardent visitors but since recent years, all I heard was that the place serves pork and that its halal status is questionable...could anyone verify this please...I really want to bring my family there just like how my father brought us there last time..

Hotel rooms are huge, albeit without bathrooms (some rooms have sinks), and come with ancient electric switches, tables and chairs, high ceilings and wardrobes. Bathrooms and toilets are on the hall, with spigots and plastic buckets replacing the old Shanghai jars.

Room rates: Single room with fan RM 28 , Double room with fan RM 33, Single room with air-con RM 38 , Double room with air-con RM 45.

The Cafe serves up old favourites like chicken chop, Hainanese chicken rice, fried rice and sizzling steaks with lots and lots of gravy. This cuisine is typical of the Hainanese cooks who originated from Hainan way back when. They settled in Malaya and were invariably employed as cooks and house keepers for the orang puteh. The rest houses all over the country and hill station bungalows were run by these 'cookies', often a family affair where the husband was caretaker and chef, and the wife saw to the laundry and making of beds etcAfter a couple of sizzling steaks are grilled to perfection beside your table, you meekly say thank you and attack the succulent meat, guilty and embarrassed that the whole room is now filled with smoke and steam due to your steaks!

As you enjoy yummy old time simple desserts like banana split, fried banana with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce, pancakes and honey or the piece de resistance bomb Alaska, you can't help but notice the oldest waiter you've seen, still sturdy and supervising his young protege.

The Coliseum Theatre, one of the oldest movie theaters in the country, was built in 1921 by the Chua family next door to the cafe. The Art Deco styled building is capable of seating 900 people and also features a balcony.

This cinema hall has been running continuously (save for a break during the Japanese occupation during World War II). Nowadays with the increasing popularity of Bollywood films, this cinema specialises in screening this genre of movies.

The Old China Cafe, located at one end of Petaling Street at 11, Jalan Balai Polis, draws 230,000 hits on Google.

This 1906 shop house served as a Guild Hall of Selangor & Federal Territory Laundry Association for 67 years before it was converted to the existing cafe. The clan house for Chinese launderers and dhobymen was set up to look after the welfare of this group, from finding jobs, sending money home to China to housing them.

The speciality of the house is Nyonya food, and the menu of Pai Tee, mee siam, asam laksa, bubur cha cha etc is proudly displayed on the rattan blinds. Typical marble topped coffee shop tables and black wood bentwood coffee shop chairs of yesteryear feature prominently.

Much of the memorabilia from the Laundry Guild are retained to give that authentic feel. The walls are covered with sepia photographs, old documents and two Feng Shui mirrors facing each other representing good luck ad infinitum.

Treasured wall clocks and even an old General Electric fridge circa 1970 is still in use. The creaky staircase leads to the antique gallery on the first floor.

The best part of this tale is that I only recently discovered Old China Cafe myself, through a French lady who practises acupuncture at a Chinese medical hall in Petaling Street. No kidding. Now who's introducing what to the locals, I ask you?