A few months back, I volunteered to help adjudicate for a HELP College interschool debate. Which was when I found out that my old secondary school took part in it, though I didn't actually get to meet them.
I've been considering for a while on helping some secondary school kids on debating. It seems to be the 'in' thing these days for a *cough*washed-up*cough* debater to do. Sweeks' helping out his old school St. George, while Fea's helping with RMC. And I was thinking what better than my old school? Unfortunately I haven't seen the name LSPJ in some of the interschool debating tournament I've been to, and I didn't want to go through the hassle of starting an entirely new debate team, recruit students etc etc. So I was encouraged to find out that my old school actually sent a debate team for a tournament.
I got in touch with a formerly-Miss-now-Mrs. Sheela and told her about helping to train some students who are interested in debate. She agreed, and after working out a suitable time, I agreed to meet the kids for the very first time yesterday.
Where I was initially a little nervous about. People skills have never been my strong point, especially kids. Alright so they aren't technically "kiddie" kids, but still I'm known to be the most patient person around. So I turn to our resident mother-hen of the UKM team, Fea, for some advice. Which she tried to dispense as well as she could over the phone, and in the end admitting that she was also a little worried for me didn't really help my nerves much.
So then yesterday I left around 11 from Bangi, only to get stuck in traffic jam along the KL-Seremban highway (which later I found out was due to unnecessary police presence with the whole Anwar thing in KL). Luckily I managed to arrive in time, with a secret weapon in tow - Kenny Roger's muffins! Hopefully it'll be enough to bribe the kids to stay put for the entire duration*.
I met the-now-Mrs. Sheela at the porch, and the stepping into my old school again after a long time was a bit disconcerting. I asked her whether she recognised me, to which she said yes and that she had taught me before. I decided to save her the embarassment that no, she hadn't. Just that she had been one of the teacher advisors for Leo Club.
Anyway, my fears were quite unfounded. The kids seemed interested enough, and among them were those who went for the debate in HELP college. Their language proficiency were quite good, and they seemed willing to speak when asked to. I was worried earlier if I might need to use a crowbar to pry their mouths open.
As for myself, I was still a little nervous as I'm not exactly sure how to pullf off this whole mentoring thing. I didn't wanna get too technical with them on our first meet, so I just ran through some basics with them, and sort of did a mini-impromptu debate between them. All in all, I'd like to think my first meet with them turned out quite alright, and we've already made a tentative date for our next meet.
*The kid were ravenous for the muffins, and I didn't even get one as I didn't have the heart to take if from them.
I've been considering for a while on helping some secondary school kids on debating. It seems to be the 'in' thing these days for a *cough*washed-up*cough* debater to do. Sweeks' helping out his old school St. George, while Fea's helping with RMC. And I was thinking what better than my old school? Unfortunately I haven't seen the name LSPJ in some of the interschool debating tournament I've been to, and I didn't want to go through the hassle of starting an entirely new debate team, recruit students etc etc. So I was encouraged to find out that my old school actually sent a debate team for a tournament.
I got in touch with a formerly-Miss-now-Mrs. Sheela and told her about helping to train some students who are interested in debate. She agreed, and after working out a suitable time, I agreed to meet the kids for the very first time yesterday.
Where I was initially a little nervous about. People skills have never been my strong point, especially kids. Alright so they aren't technically "kiddie" kids, but still I'm known to be the most patient person around. So I turn to our resident mother-hen of the UKM team, Fea, for some advice. Which she tried to dispense as well as she could over the phone, and in the end admitting that she was also a little worried for me didn't really help my nerves much.
So then yesterday I left around 11 from Bangi, only to get stuck in traffic jam along the KL-Seremban highway (which later I found out was due to unnecessary police presence with the whole Anwar thing in KL). Luckily I managed to arrive in time, with a secret weapon in tow - Kenny Roger's muffins! Hopefully it'll be enough to bribe the kids to stay put for the entire duration*.
I met the-now-Mrs. Sheela at the porch, and the stepping into my old school again after a long time was a bit disconcerting. I asked her whether she recognised me, to which she said yes and that she had taught me before. I decided to save her the embarassment that no, she hadn't. Just that she had been one of the teacher advisors for Leo Club.
Anyway, my fears were quite unfounded. The kids seemed interested enough, and among them were those who went for the debate in HELP college. Their language proficiency were quite good, and they seemed willing to speak when asked to. I was worried earlier if I might need to use a crowbar to pry their mouths open.
As for myself, I was still a little nervous as I'm not exactly sure how to pullf off this whole mentoring thing. I didn't wanna get too technical with them on our first meet, so I just ran through some basics with them, and sort of did a mini-impromptu debate between them. All in all, I'd like to think my first meet with them turned out quite alright, and we've already made a tentative date for our next meet.
*The kid were ravenous for the muffins, and I didn't even get one as I didn't have the heart to take if from them.
Glad that u still keep in touch with debate man.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think you're too nice for your own good :)
ReplyDeleteThose muffins wouldn't have survived the trip in my car :P
You actually bought us DD while you come all the way to KTSN to coach us, too! I can't stop smiling while thinking that you also treat the secondary school kids with goodies when you coach them. hmm.. :-D
ReplyDeleteReally grateful that you came, despite you being geographically challenged and driving alone
u r from seremban wana ah?
ReplyDelete