Sunday, September 22, 2013

Authentic Learning, S'pore Style

This actually took place a couple of weeks ago - i was on the train (somehow many noteworthy anecdotes of mind have something to do with public transport) when a lady, her child in a stroller and her domestic helper boarded the train. Kudos to the employer, for she was teaching her helper English. The example she used was rather intriguing, yet undeniably authentic. She pointed to the digital display in the train which read "This train terminates at Dhoby Ghaut Station", and asked her helper if she understood the meaning of the word "terminate". When the helper responded in the negative, the employer said mentioned something to the effect of it being a synonym of the word "stop". She then went on, "just like if i terminate your contract, it means that i fire you."

I bet the helper will never forget this word.

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