Of Baju Raya, Ketupat, and Gratitude  

It’s the tail end of Ramadan, meaning Hari Raya Aidilfitri is coming down the pike! Hari Raya Aidilfitri is more than just a religious observance – it is a time of togetherness, generosity, and renewal. It embodies the virtues of forgiveness, thankfulness, and compassion that are some of the core values of the Islamic faith. 

Hari Raya Aidilfitri, also known as Eid al-Fitr, builds connections and fosters a strong sense of togetherness, uniting individuals despite social and cultural divides as families, friends, and communities come together to celebrate this wonderful occasion with great fervour. Fundamentally, Eid represents hope and fresh starts, providing Muslims worldwide with a significant occasion for introspection and joy. 

Eid signifies the completion of a month-long period of fasting during Ramadan for Muslims around the world. It is the time to express gratitude for the blessings received during Ramadan and seek forgiveness for past transgressions. The act of fasting is not merely abstaining from food and drink but also a means of spiritual purification and self-discipline.  

The days leading up to Aidilfitri are packed with preparation. Abodes are assiduously cleaned and decorated with festive and traditional ornaments including ketupat-shaped lights and oil lamps or torches. Families would partake in the age-old tradition of “balik kampung”, where urban dwellers make their way back to their hometowns. Muslims are also encouraged, if capable, to get new clothes to emblematize renewal and rejuvenation. The celebration definitely wouldn’t feel as special without everyone in their best finery. 

Central to the Aidilfitri festivities is the Hari Raya Open House, where families welcome loved ones with traditional delicacies like rendang, ketupat, and lemang. Beyond the feasting, Aidilfitri emphasises the significance of charity, encouraging Muslims to support those in need through zakat and acts of kindness.  

Overall, beyond its religious reverence, Aidilfitri isn’t just a celebration but also a heartfelt reunion of families, friends and communities, a feast for the soul, and the ultimate reset button for kindness and joy! 

Words to learn: 

tail end of: refers to the concluding or final part of an event, situation, or period of time 

coming down the pike: something is approaching or expected to happen in the near future 

Embodies: be an expression of or give a tangible or visible form to (an idea, quality, or feeling) 

Fervour: intense and passionate feeling 

Introspection: a reflective looking inward 

Transgressions: an act that goes against a law, rule, or code of conduct; an offence 

Abstaining: restrain oneself from doing or enjoying something 

Assiduously: with great care and perseverance 

Urban dwellers: a person who lives in a city or urban area 

Emblematize: serve as a symbol of (a quality or concept) 

Finery: expensive or ostentatious clothes or decoration 

Reverence: deep respect for someone or something 

At ILTI, we encourage our learners to polish their language skills via real-life situations. We do not practise the chalk and talk approach – we learn and have fun at the same time. Join us today by calling / WhatsApp 010-395 3067 or email: info@ilti.edu.my.

Movie Night Rendezvous: English Learning Made Fun! 

Learning English doesn’t necessarily have to be in a rigid, formal method. Sometimes, all you need is a good movie night! Films, drama series, and cartoons alike can be great platforms for improving your English, if you know how to hack them! With exciting plots, real conversations, and cool new vocabulary to learn, movie nights can be both entertaining and educational. 

You may ask, how do movies help you learn English? Now, let’s dissect it together! 

First and foremost, you can listen to how English is authentically spoken. Instead of just being dependent on the standards of written English, you can immerse yourself in the colloquial nuances of day-to-day conversation, including idiomatic expressions and regional dialects. This is essential for acclimatising to the language, making it not only easier to understand but also more intuitive to absorb and retain. 

Through movies, you can also take your listening skills up a notch. You’ll learn to distinguish a variety of accents and tones from native speakers, broadening your English horizons. When the time comes, this will boost your confidence when communicating with people from different backgrounds or countries.  

The real-life conversations in movies will also provide you with a plethora of new vocabulary and expressions in context, easing the articulation of your own speech by incorporating them into it. This lexical enrichment is a bonus, on top of the entertainment of the moving pictures! 

Furthermore, gaining an understanding of culture is pivotal in mastering a language, and movies provide an illuminating window into diverse lifestyles, traditions, and humour. Alright, enough with the serious business and let’s get on to our recommended, top-tier films that are ideal for you, English learners! 

🟢 For Beginners: 

The Lion King – Simple dialogues and a heartwarming story.

Finding Nemo – Clear, articulate pronunciation and a delightful vocabulary for everyday situations.

Toy Story – Everyday conversations in an easy-to-follow way. 

🟡 For Intermediate Learners: 

The Devil Wears Prada – A sophisticated dive into workplace dynamics and fashion-related terminology.

Harry Potter Series – Magical adventures with a mix of everyday and fantasy language.

Forrest Gump – A methodical pacing with straightforward dialogues and an evocative storyline that enriches emotional vocabulary. 

🔴 For Advanced Learners: 

The Social Network – Fast-paced conversations, business jargon, and tech language.

Inception – Thought-provoking dialogues and philosophical discussions.

The King’s Speech – Perfect for understanding British English while enhancing your pronunciation. 

Now, on to tips to take note of! 

• Use Subtitles Strategically – Begin with English subtitles to connect spoken and written language. As you progress, challenge yourself to watching without them! 

• Pause & Rewind – If a phrase baffles you, rewind and replay. Try mimicking the dialogue to practise pronunciation! 

• Build Your Vocabulary List – Jot down unfamiliar words or expressions for future reference and practice. 

• Watch with a Friend – Collaborating with a friend to discuss the film will reinforce the language concepts you’ve absorbed.
  

So, what are you waiting for? Grab the popcorn and turn your next movie night into an enriching English-learning adventure! 🍿✨ 

Words to learn: 

Rendezvous – a meeting at an agreed time and place. 

Rigid – unable to bend or be forced out of shape; not flexible. 

Dissect – analyse (a text or idea) in minute detail. 

Colloquial – (of language) used in ordinary or familiar conversation; not formal or literary. 

Acclimatising – become accustomed to a new climate or new conditions; adjust. 

Lexical – relating to the words or vocabulary of a language. 

Methodical – done according to a systematic or established procedure. 

Evocative – bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to mind. 

Mimicking – imitating or copying the actions, speech, or mannerisms of someone else, often playfully or derisively. 

At ILTI, we encourage our learners to polish their language skills via real-life situations. We do not practise the chalk and talk approach – we learn and have fun at the same time. Join us today by calling / WhatsApp 010-395 3067 or email: info@ilti.edu.my.