English Language

 I entered standard one in the only Primary School in my kampung in 1966, at the age seven years.  English Language was one one of the many subjects taught then. 

Throughout my six years studying at the school, I remember all my three English teachers,  Che Gu Adnan Ismail, Che Gu Yusof Ishak and Che Gu Hashim Hj. Arshad.  I liked English. 

When in standard two (1967), Che Gu Yusof recommended to my father that I be transferred to an English primary school, due to, I guess, my interest in the Language.  The nearest English primary school then was in the Kuala Terengganu town,  a quite impossible to commute between home and the school at that time.  My father declined to pursue Che Gu Yusof's recommendation and the matter came to rest there. 

There was a national assessment examinations called Penilaian Darjah 5 in the 1960s and 1970s.  In 1970, I sat for the examinations and got 3As and 2Bs.  I could not recall if I scored an A for English.  An event that I remember was,  prior to the examinations, three officials came to our class (standard 5) and observed our lessons.  I came to know later that they were the nazirs (education inspectors).  The English teacher was Che Gu Hashim.  Before the class ended, one of the three inspectors took over the class and started asking questions.  I responded actively.  Finally, he asked us how to spell the word "beautiful".  I knew the correct spelling then but did not raise my hands. 

To cut the long story short, after standard 6 (1971), I was offered a place in the Special Class Programme at a premier secondary English school in Kuala Terengganu.  My interactions with English continued henceforth.