Hey guys. I finally survived Asasi TESL 2017/2018 with style 😋. You guys might be wondering more about Asasi TESL (or else why should you guys be here). So, I'm here to enlightened you guys with my very own experiences.
UPU
I'm going to start with the most completely complicated and confusing process--UPU. Yes. Asasi TESL in UiTM was my first choice. Next 2 or 3 choices were still Asasi TESL. I just can't remember the institutes. However, I was very certain I want to be in UiTM. Alhamdulillah. Got the interview call about weeks later.
INTERVIEW
Since I'm from Johor, the interview was held at UiTM Pasir Gudang (Zon Selatan). I was nervous, no doubt about that. Glad my parents were there to support me. Note this, there will be many other candidates who look so confident and some can be very intimidating. But, you gotta bear this in mind: wear that confidence and know you can nail it. To make people believe in you, you have to believe in yourself first. Yes, other people may look smart, but you have to be smarter. BELIEVE, in yourself is the first step.
So the interview have 2 parts--writing and oral test. There will be name lists pasted on the class doors, so you have to search for your names and wait near the class door you've assigned to. The writing test will be harder than SPM test ofcourse (actually it depends). But my mind, after months of not studying, was rusty. I kinda feel like I was so stupid back then. There were MCQ questions to test your reading skills. Then you are required to write an essay (maybe they will change the format, I'm not sure anymore tbh). But note this, NO MORE NARRATIVE ESSAYS. When I was in the room, I saw other candidates wrote like more than 3 pages. I only wrote 1 and a half. I knew I screwed up. Like hell, my mind wasn't working at that moment. But then, I just try to be myself. No need to compare myself with other people. Right? So I submit my writing test paper with confidence (eventhough I did feel like crap for a while). HAHAHAHA!
And then I waited for a while to be summoned. At that time, there are candidates who were still din't verify or sahkan certifications and some forms. There will be someone who can sahkan, but better sahkan earlier so you will have a peace of mind, and tak kelam kabut. INNER PEACE is really important, people. The tips? For me, when you are asked a questions, try answering with a non direct answer. Try to elaborate more. Basically, they will ask questions based on your personal informations. And their next questions will be based on your previous answers and so on. So you have to be smart here. (Idk if you understand but the thing is, don't be a straight arrow). And you guys have to be exciting, excite the interviewer. Your answers can't be dull, try to throw some jokes. They won't eat you. It's okay to be nervous, but again. Be confidence. They will see it :D
MDS
MDS is like an orientation. It's kinda boring, kinda not. If you can make friends, then it will not be boring. Me? It's not that exciting because I don't like to open up with strangers at first. I was like a lone ranger. Anyway, it lasted for only 3 days but it was so tiring. First day you have to daftar, check in college, then unpack your suites. Then there will be some activities on the first and second day. The last day, you have to wear baju kuring putih with tudung & kain hitam. For guys, kemeja putih, seluar hitam and tie hitam. Akak-akak & abang-abang PMDS were very cool and cute. So I had fun during MDS. (Looking forward to be one, I already sign up to be PMDS for next batch, waiting to be chosen).
SEMESTER 1
Fees
Buku - RM300 (approximately)
Bil Elektrik - RM10/barang (maximum 5 barang)
UiTM is famous for the cheapest fees in M'sia. So basically, the fees are affordable. Buku tu jangan risau, for both sem akan guna buku yang sama. So takyah beli buku lagi untuk Sem 2 :D GOOD NEWS: FOUNDATIONS STUDENTS WILL RECIEVE AN ALLOWANCE OF RM1960/sem! But only for students with family income not more than RM10,000. The allowance will help you throughout the sem.
Courses
You have 8 courses that are compulsory for you to take:
TSL011 - College Reading 1
TSL021 - College Writing 1
TSL031- Listening & Speaking
TSL041 - Grammar 1
TSL051 - College Study Skills
TSL061 - Computer Literacy
TMS071 - Malaysian Studies
CTU081 - Pendidikan Islam 1
You only have to sit for 6 papers in the finals, which excludes TSL051 & TSL061. I was in T5 for sem 1. Somehow, we've become family.
SEMESTER 2
Fees
Bil Elektrik - RM10/barang (maximum 5 barang)
Sem 2's fees is cheaper than sem 1. Don't have to buy new books, and obviously Yuran Pengajian yang lebih murah, -RM200+
Courses
You still have 8 courses that are compulsory for you to take:
TSL012 - College Reading 2
TSL022 - College Writing 2
TSL032- Listening & Speaking 2
TSL042 - Grammar 2
TED072 - Principle in Education
TSL082 - Literature
TLD092 - Drama
CTU082 - Pendidikan Islam 2
This sem, 6 papers for finals too which excludes TED072 & TLD092. In Sem 2, you will no longer be with the same fam. You are put in different class with different people. YES. IT WAS HEARTBREAKING for me. But live must go on. Hard at first, but then T2 became my next family :D You know what we did for drama? We made a short film! Here's the link for my short film:
The only subjects you'll learn in BM is Pendidikan Islam 1 & 2. (Previous batch learned in English, but they changed it to BM in 2017. Katanya lagi dekat dengan jiwa huhuhu). Take note, folks. There were meetings to change the syllabus (and probably courses too) for the next batch and I think there will be changes. But here I am just listing the 8 courses I've learned in both Sem 1 and 2. Finals usually carry 40%. So make sure you score and do very very well in your on-going-assessments or in other word ASSIGNMENTS. DO NOT take assignments & tests for granted if you're so lazy to study and read. Asasi TESL is not that hard, if you know your game. TESL Lecturers are all sooooo nice, funny, understandable. If you have Sir Irwan, Sir Afiq, Madam Zafirah, Madam Naga, Madam Ros, Miss Ain, Miss Hannan, Miss Yaya, Madam Shiha, Ustazah Noridah & Ustaz Jamil as your lecturers, do look forward to learn with them & please please please don't break their hearts!
UiTM DENGKIL, THE CENTRE OF FOUNDATION STUDIES (ASID)
What can I say? One can never really move on from Dengkil. The people, the food (Infamous Anjung Dengkil), the facilities, the view. Well, before this pun I have these thoughts "Cantik mana la langit dengkil ni". But once you're there, MEMANG CANTIKKKKK!SUMPAH, tak menyesal masuk sini. UiTM Dengkil is, I believe, the smallest UiTM in M'sia. But there are pros, you know.
Facilites
From hostels to class? Only 5 minutes walk. You can't bring your own transportation. Believe me, even kalau bawak masuk basikal pun, boleh jammed UiTM Dengkil tu. Srs talk. HAHAHAHA. There will be pretty plain walls that can be the backgrounds of your ig photos. #OOTD. There is a studio called Studio Orkid. You'll have your drama classes in the studio. There are courts for futsal, netball, badminton, ping-pong, volleyball etc. The facilities are all okay. You don't have to worry about facilities. Kolej selesa sangat yeee. Because UiTM Dengkil was opened in 2015, making me and my friends as the 3rd batch there. And yess, baru lagi. That's why you'll appreciate the facilities. 2 ATMs are provided, located in Anjung (Bank Islam & BSN).
Clubs
There are many clubs available. Variety of choices. But you can only join 1 club. However, afraid not, because you can join other clubs' activities. The famous & active clubs are:
Young Humanitarian Club (Humanity Paladins)
Live Poet Society
Dengkil Buskers
Performing Arts Club
Media Literacy & Film Circle
Club Management
KOMRAD
I was a member of Young Humanitarian Club. If you're into kindness & altruism, then feel free to join YHC. If you like to play music and sing, do join the buskers. Live Poet Society for those who love poetry, even if you don't know how to write one, you can learn! PAC is for those who love to perform, dance & act. I think the other clubs' names speak for themselves. Mostly, every week akan ada aktiviti. You should join them and collect coupons! For co-curriculum purposes yeaa.
I think I covered all the basis. If you guys have any questions, just hmu! I might not be able to reply your comments. So do email me at nadia.anisuraya@gmail.com :D