by Hanifa K. Cook | Nov 5, 2008 | Language
I have learnt that using non-native words to describe religion, faith and belief is one of the strongest methods to connect with the foreign language. I have done it since childhood and every year, Ramadhan, Christmas, Lebaran, Hari Raya Haji, Sabbath, Chinese New...
by Hanifa K. Cook | Nov 4, 2008 | Language, Learning Skills, Montessori
Although we always say that we can learn to speak well if we keep hearing the languages over and over again, there is another important way to learn to speak, that is by learning to read. By reading, I do not mean reading text. Reading foreign text is not easy; it is...
by Hanifa K. Cook | Nov 3, 2008 | Language, Montessori
The art of writing on a grain of rice is said to have originated from Turkey. The name is inscribed on a grain of rice with a simple device and waterproof ink. The lady who did it for my child was not an artist. I was watching her when she did this for us. Her fingers...
by Hanifa K. Cook | Nov 3, 2008 | Childhood, Chinese, Language, News
I was probably 13 or 14 years old when this was published. I was a child star. the headline read: Hanifa A Malay Student Child Actress Who Speaks Mandarin My father was very proud and had kept this in a photo frame. I have been keeping it in a folder eversince. He...
by Hanifa K. Cook | Nov 3, 2008 | Language
It is Mondye. There I go again, playing with the Australian English accent as I type. The local school environment has influenced and changed the way my daughter speaks English. It is more than just the accent; it is complete annihilation and total destruction. I...