The difference between ADOPTION and FOSTERING

Malaysian usually use the word 'adoption' as to portray the situation of someone's child who is being taken care by others (relatives or non relatives). In Malaysia, the word 'adoption' is widely used instead of 'fostering'. My question is: Are we as Malaysia confused with the two terms?

Here I would like to highlight the different meaning of the two terms:

Adoption is to mean that a child is being taken care by a new parent and the rights of the biological parent are bestowed to the new parents. All parenting responsibilities fall upon the new parent as the biological parent is unable to cater for the needs of the child. The biological parent does not have any authorities or rights over the child.

Fostering on the other hand means that a child is being taken care of a new parent however the biological parent still have their full rights to the child. The new parents still hold the responsibilities of catering the needs for the child however the child is free to go to the biological parent or the biological parent can take their child anytime they want.

Since Malaysia is an Islamic country, the word 'fostering' is more suitable since in Islamic religion, the fact that taking care of someone else child does not convey the meaning of adopting (permanently owned the child) but rather fostering (simply taking care and nurturing the child's need).

The Sentence Structure

The 5 Basic Patterns

1. Subject + Verb

• She runs. 
• John and I run. 
• They run. 
• We run

2. Subject + Verb + Object

• I drive a Mercedez. 
• Brendan kicks theball . 
• They ate lunch.

3. Subject + Verb + Complement

• She is lazy.
• Ali worked as a teacher. 
• They look ill.

4. Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object

• She gives me a ball. 
• They coach me badminton.

5. Subject + Verb + Object + Complement

• I drive a Mercedes to my office.
• Brendan kicks the ball very hard.
• They ate lunch at the hotel

British English and American English Spelling

Here are the principal differences in spelling between British English and American English.

	British English	American English
Final -l is always doubled after one vowel in stressed and unstressed syllables in English but usually only in stressed syllables in American English, for example:	rebel > rebelled travel > travelled	rebel > rebelled travel > traveled
Some words end in -tre in English and -ter in American English, for example:	centre theatre	center theater
Some words end in -ogue in English and -og in American English, for example:	analogue catalogue	analog catalog
Some words end in -our in English and -or in American English, for example:	colour labour	color labor
Some verbs end in -ize or -ise in English but only in -ize in American English, for example:	realise, realize harmonise, harmonize	realize harmonize

Common Differences

English

American English

all right

all right, alright (disputed)

analyse

analyze

centre

center

cheque

check

colour

color

counsellor

counselor

criticise, criticize

criticize

defence

defense

doughnut

donut

favour

favor

fibre

fiber

flavour

flavor

fulfil

fulfill

grey

gray

honour

honor

humour

humor

jewellery

jewellery, jewelry

judgement, judgment

judgment

kerb

curb

labour

labor

license, licence (verb) licence (noun)

license (verb) license (noun)

litre

liter

metre

meter

mould

mold

neighbour

neighbor

offence

offense

practise (verb) practice (noun)

practice (verb) practice (noun)

pretence

pretense

programme

program

pyjamas

pajamas

realise, realize

realize

savour

savor

speciality

specialty

theatre

theater

travelled travelling

travelled, traveled travelling, traveling

tyre

tire

valour

valor

Courtesy of : http://www.englishclub.com/writing/spelling_american-english.htm

Common Errors: The Article

Incorrect	I have a good news for you.
Correct	I have good news for you
Incorrect	The men are national beings.
Correct	Men are national beings.
Incorrect	The boys leave the school at four o'clock.
Correct	The boys leave school at four o'clock.
Incorrect	He sent a word that he would come soon.
Correct	He sent word that he would come soon.
Incorrect	I have read the Shakespeare's Macbeth.
Correct	I have read Shakespeare's Macbeth
Incorrect	You cannot set a foot in this house.
Correct	You cannot set foot in this house.
Incorrect	The envy is an evil passion.
Correct	Envy is an evil passion.
Incorrect	He has not yet gone to the bed.
Correct	He has not yet gone to bed.
Incorrect	He is Daniel in judgment.
Correct	He is a Daniel in judgment.
Incorrect	He made very wise decision.
Correct	He made a very wise decision.
Incorrect	Fire broke out in our village.
Correct	A fire broke out in our village.
Incorrect	Andamans are a group of islands.
Correct	The Andamans are a group of islands.
							adapted from : http://www.englishdaily626.com

IELTS : International English Language Testing System

IELTS or International English Language Testing System is divided into two types:

1. Academic Training focuses to those who wish to further their studies abroad to Institutions of Higher Learning which uses English as their medium of communication. Therefore, admission to undergraduate and postgraduate courses is based on the results of the Academic test.


2. General Training is for school, work or migration. It aims at the human skills in social and workplace environment. It is specially formulated for those who wish to go to English-speaking countries for their secondary education, migration of work place or training programs. Those who plan to migrate to Australia, Canada and New Zealand must sit the General Training test.

* Whether you choose to sit for Academic or General training, both training consist of four parts:  Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The results will be based on the IELTS 9-band scale.


Tests are held in over 500 centres with tests up to four times a month. IELTS covers variety of  international diversity and is fair to anyone who sits the test, regardless of nationality.

For more information please visit : http://www.ielts.org

TOEFL - TEST OF ENGLISH AS FOREIGN LANGUAGE

What is TOEFL Test?

You take TOEFL test if you plan to study abroad. In Malaysia , it is compulsory for those planning to study overseas to take this test. The objective of this test is to measure the ability of students to use English as a medium of communication. This particular test is widely accepted at most universities and colleges in the world.

In this IT savvy days, taking TOEFL test is more convenient with the iBT technique. iBT stands for Internet Based Test whereby students are tested by using internet instead of paper.

There is also Paper Based Test or PBT whereby students will be tested by using paper or written test.*

(*Note that both techniques of test depend on format offered by the test centers)

Both TOEFL iBT and TOEFL PBT measure how fluent students can speak in English, how well can the students' read, listen and write by using English language. In addition, if you take PBT,  writing skills will be measured through the TWE or Test of Written English.

Which institution in Malaysia provide TOEFL Exam Preparation course/programme?

• There are variety of TOEFL test centres in Malaysia.

For more info about TOEFL Test, please visit TOEFL Test website.

How To Write A Good Summary

To write a good summary, keep the following in mind:

• Read the original text carefully.
• Mention the source of the text or the writer's name at the beginning of the summary.
• State the main ideas without adding your own or distorting the original meaning.
• State the most important supporting evidence but do not include details.
• Use your own wording but you can also quote from the writer.*
• Do not include your own ideas.
• Remind the readers that you are summarising someone else's idea.

 * When trying to put to construct new sentences by using the original point you can also use the paraphrasing techniques. Paraphrasing is when you restate in your own words what another person (the writer) has said or written.

You can paraphrase by:

• Changing the word forms : e.g 

There are many people who are protesting against the campaign.

 (protesters)

• Using synonyms : e.g

She looks beautiful in the red dress.

(pretty)

English Courses To Improve Your English Language @ British Councils

British Council English Learning Programme

The British Council is an organisation who provides  very high quality English language courses for Malaysian. Located  near KLCC , it also offers variety of courses ranging from learning English targeting for young learners, adults and busy professionals. Through their experience educators, British Councils will definitely assist you to improve your English language.

British Councils provides variety of English classes as follows:

1. General English classes

• Focusing on the basis of language learning;  speaking, reading, listening and writing communication skills.

2. Courses for young Learners

• Focusing to help to boost your child's confidence in using English language..

3. Business English Courses

• Aims at providing communicative English in business such as: telephone etiquette, handling meetings,as well as writing business letters.

4. Corporate training

• A custom-made courses tailored  for corporate clients' needs such as government agencies as well as corporates.

5. Preparation for exams

• Preparing students for examinations such as IELTS and Cambridge examinations or SPM/1119 exam.

6. Young Adult English Classes

• Targeting at people who wanted to improve their English skills in reading, writing, speaking, grammar, vocabulary enhancement and many more.

For more information about British Council Malaysia, please contact:

British Council Kuala Lumpur
Ground Floor, West Block
Wisma Selangor Dredging
142C Jalan Ampang
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel: 603-2723-7900
Fax: 603-2713-6599
Email: kualalumpur@britishcouncil.org.my
Website: http://www.britishcouncil.org.my

 

Forums and Discussions...

English Forums

Use the link above for further discussions and review of people all over the countries in the world for their perception on using this international language.

Sharing is Caring...

For those who wanted more exercise on grammar, please click to this website...

http://www.roadtogrammar.com/

This particular website is owned and created by  Emile Alexander Dodds who has been involved in English language education in Malaysia for eight years. She is also the author of the book entitle From Manglish to English published by pelanduk publication. Emile has also lived and worked in Britain, Romania, Turkey, and Singapore.

 You can also read her wise thoughts about teaching in Malaysia through her article titled:

Teaching English in Malaysia

Experience a New World with Western Comforts

(information taken from http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0409/teaching_english_in_malaysia.shtml)

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