EVENTS SCHEDULE Final Semester Exams & PreKid 4 Recognition Day Wednesday, April 10, 2024 The 10th Aii TK Anniversary Wednesday, April 17, 2024 End-of-Term Potluck & Culture Day The 47th Aii Field Trip Friday, April 12, 2024 Saturday, April 06, 2024 Khmer New Year Holiday April 13 to April 16, 2024 Y20T83 & Y20S31 Matriculates Monday, April 22, 2024 New Teachers Induction Friday, April 19, 2024 New Term Orientation (Y20T83 & Y20S31) Saturday, April 20, 2024 Phonetics Workshop 2 for Level Starter Monday, April 30, 2024 Final Exam & End-of-Term Potluck for Y20T82 CSL Weekend Class Sunday, April 28, 2024 Phonetics Workshop 1 for Level Starter Monday, April 29, 2024
Page 2 of 6 Famous for its stunning sunrise views, iconic spires, and reflecting pools, the Angkor Wat Temple at Siem Reap, Cambodia hosts a large number of visitors daily. Foreigners and local tourists alike gather at the temple complex early in the morning to witness the breathtaking sunrise that shines over its historic structures. As the first rays of dawn kiss the ancient stones of the Angkor Wat, a magnificent scene unfolds, casting a golden glow over the majestic temple. By: Sereyvathana Vath, GEP 9a, Aii Takeo Aii and AIS celebrate this year’s Khmer New Year at the Annual Culture Day AiiHeadlinesSection: On April 12, 2024, Aii Language Center (Aii) conducted a Culture Day alongside American Intercon School (AIS) across all its campuses as a celebration of this year’s Khmer New Year. The weather was burning hot that day, however, it did not get in the way of the school’s New Year festivities. The teachers were dancing, the students were having fun at the traditional games station, and everybody else was enjoying the Culture Day program that Aii and AIS had put together. ARecollectionofAngkor Wat’sWondrousSunrise Strengths,RecentEvents,andAiiNews The temple is surrounded by tranquil waters of the reflecting pools that mirror the vibrant hues of the sky. It creates a captivating sight that has drawn visitors from all over the world to witness the iconic sunrise spectacle. Whether you are a first time visitor or an avid goer to the renowned temple, it never hurts to schedule a great time to visit Angkor Wat. It’s advisable to arrive early to secure a good viewing spot or to schedule a sunrise tour with the tour operators. Ultimately, one must always remember to respect the sacredness of the heritage site and adhere to the rules and regulations set by the local authorities. By: Ms. Charlotte Martin, Assistant Director of Studies, Aii All of the students, faculty, and staff were clad in their best traditional attires and Khmer-inspired outfits. The streets and the school grounds were bursting with rich Cambodian culture as each campus set up beautiful decorations that showcased the country’s finest. Everyone enjoyed joining this precious tradition. They made sure to try the local delicacies and snacks being sold in the venue. They also watched several traditional dance and martial arts performances that the students prepared. And of course, the whole celebration will not be complete without the famous and joyful powder fight. As Aii looks forward to another year of abundance and growth, may the students also find this coming year as the best one yet. The school has been cooking a lot of exciting things for everyone, and the Culture Day 2024 celebration was a great kick-off to start the new year with a renewed and refreshing outlook.
Page 3 of 6 By: Mr. Thomas Adisa, Deputy Campus Director, Aii Chak Angre Chak Angre Campus is incredibly proud to celebrate the remarkable achievement of their student who recently bagged second place at the 10th Mengly J. Quach Pronunciation Contest in the Adult Program. Her name is Puthearymonyneath Vong, a student from the Adult Program who defied all odds to secure her place at the competition that commenced last March 30, 2024. She exemplifies perseverance, determination, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Despite coming into the light discreetly, Puthearymonyneath demonstrated an unwavering commitment to honing her pronunciation skills. She has dedicated countless hours to practice and refinement. Her remarkable journey serves as an inspiration to other students alike, as well as her teachers and mentors. She is proof of the transformative power of hard work and dedication. 1st Runner Up, 10th Mengly J. Quach Pronunciation Contest ESL Teacher, Aii Phsar Thmey Campus By: Tepkheayuh Satya, GEP 7a-A, Aii Phsar Thmey MONY ODOM KHANN Meet Mr. Mony Odom Khann, a friendly and determined teacher at Aii Phsar Thmey Campus, who was inspired to pursue teaching because of his high school math teacher. Mr. Khann has shared his valuable contribution to the ESL Program at our institution since he joined last November 2021. He actively participates in school events and workshops to fulfill his mission to always seek more learning. He takes joy in helping his students and in making sure that they achieve success in their feats while maintaining a fun and safe learning environment. Because of this, his students see him as a role model. Mr. Khann is now at the prime of his teaching career, however, he is still eager to improve his English skills alongside his students. Because he pursued continuous learning, Mr. Khann is fondly recognized by his students as one of the very best teachers on the campus. I n t h e S p o t l i g h t PUTHEARYMONYNEATH VONG
“Like Stars on Earth” (2007), also known as “Taare Zameen Par” in Hindi, is a cinematic gem that transcends language and culture. Directed by Aamir Khan, this 2007 Indian film weaves a touching narrative around the struggles of a young boy named Ishaan Awasthi. Ishaan, an eight-year-old with dyslexia, lives in a world where his wonders—like daydreaming, doodling, and exploring—are dismissed as laziness. His parents and teachers label him a troublemaker, failing to recognize his unique perspective. When his struggles escalate, he is sent to a boarding school for “discipline.” Enter the new art teacher, Ram Shankar Nikumbh (played by Aamir Khan). Nikumbh sees beyond Ishaan’s academic challenges. With patience and compassion, he discovers the real problem: Ishaan’s dyslexia. Nikumbh’s unconventional teaching methods— encouraging imagination, creativity, and empathy— transform Ishaan’s life. The film beautifully highlights individuality and acceptance. It portrays the importance of recognizing and celebrating individual differences. More so, Nikumbh’s belief that “every child is special” resonates with viewers worldwide. It also discusses art as a form of healing. In this film, Nikumbh introduces Ishaan to the world of art, where colors and shapes become a language of expression. It is through painting that Ishaan finds solace and self-discovery. One huge impact of this film is that it features parent-child relationships. The film prompts reflection on how we perceive and nurture our children’s talents and the way it shows Ishaan’s parents’ journey from frustration to understanding just tearfully tugs at our hearts. Page 4 of 6 FEATURE ARTICLES By: Mr. Royd I. Guyon , Deputy Campus Director, Aii Chbar Ampov Education Section “Like Stars on Earth” invites us to see the world through Ishaan’s eyes—to appreciate the stars that shine uniquely in each child. It reminds us that beneath academic struggles lie hidden talents waiting to be nurtured. As Nikumbh says, “Every child is a different kind of flower; all together, they make this world a beautiful garden.” CHARACTER NOTES & FILM LEGACY Darsheel Safary as Ishaan delivers a remarkable performance, capturing the vulnerability and resilience of a misunderstood child. Aamir Khan’s portrayal of Nikumbh is both charismatic and empathetic. The film’s direction balances emotional depth with moments of lightness. Critical Acclaim: “Like Stars on Earth” received widespread acclaim for its storytelling, performances, and music. Awards: It won numerous awards, including the National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare. Global Reach: The film touched hearts beyond India, sparking conversations about inclusive education. “Like Stars on Earth”: A Heartfelt Journey of Discovery
Page 5 of 6 Khmer Times reported last April 11, 2024, that Cambodia is under a heatwave this coming New Year’s holiday. It is forecasted that the temperature will rise to a scorching 39°Celsius. That is like having a high fever, but instead, the heart surrounds us anywhere we go! For some, heat waves may be considered as less of a worry unlike the natural disasters we commonly experience such as typhoons, tsunamis, flooding, or forest fires, but heat waves are invisible and do not manifest the side effects right away. Experts give us a few advice to avoid the effects of the extreme heat. The first advice is to slow down and avoid work that exerts a lot of effort. Second, we have to dress up according to the weather, and third to avoid food that produces much body fat such as high-protein foods and meat. However, the one FEATURE ARTICLES BEAT THE HEAT By: Mr. Ross Francis Fernandez , ESL Head Teacher, Aii Toul Kork Health & Education Section most important reminder is to drink tons of water and keep ourselves hydrated. This Khmer New Year, it is expected that everyone may go out to meet friends or watch a concert. Experts also suggests to just hangout in an airconditioned room or a breezy place to regulate your body temperature. On the other hand, perhaps this holiday has also presented the best solution to the heatwave; by joining the water fights along the streets. Nevertheless, don’t forget to keep ourselves healthy and hydrated! Photo source: khmertimeskh.com Art-wise, what is good writing? If according to your perspective, it is in the path of conveying a message real precisely it becomes intriguing, that is it. A well-written text will always make the idea clear and you get the drill—it is indeed exciting. Though exciting is not all just about energetic approaches, it is also the process of giving readers a mental provocation. Thus, what will these types of writings foster? Perhaps, one thing about wellcrafted writing will come with the benefit of a humble investment in curiosity. Benefits of Good Writing By: Chiling Phouly, GEP 12, Aii Chroy Chongva A great writing style translates the text's message effectively to the reader. It can easily pique the interest of readers. Once the interest is at hand, some good old yapping would just be paved into “acknowledged” texts. This will help smoothen the flow of understanding. Until then, it nurtures the connection between readers and the text. Although, why should it be considered an advantage? It’s rather simple. The point is it will make the writing less “boring” since the line of offenses is passed, that is if the topic does not favor the reader. Good writing consists of style, an asset that shows the author’s priority in writing. It helps with getting to the reader’s heart. Overall, in any way or form, good writing could be proficiently delivered with one question in mind—will it bless the readers nicely? Especially those who seek mentorship from a written text, which is what good writing advances for in the first place.
FEATURE ARTICLES Page 6 of 6 Moving on to educational improvements, the Cambodian government has fostered a community that focuses a lot on the growth of tech startups in the country. To add to that, many new universities and schools have added STEM and STEAM into their programs. Overall, Cambodia has been slowly advancing. These changes might be subtle but they sure are efficient since it has improved the way citizens live and think which helped turn Cambodia into a more developed country. Cambodia's education sector is undergoing a dynamic shift towards digital transformation. This trend is evident in the widespread adoption of digital learning platforms like Google Classroom and Edmodo, fostering interactive and collaborative learning environments. Blended learning approaches like integrating online resources with traditional teaching methods promote self-paced learning and critical thinking skills among students. CAMBODIA’S PROGRESS IN ITS TECHNOLOGICAL STRENGTH Science & Technology Section EMBRACING DIGITALTRANSFORMATION IN CAMBODIAN EDUCATION By: Dyoddomry Sem, GEP 9b, Aii Siem Reap STEM education initiatives, including coding clubs and robotics programs, prepare learners for tech-driven industries. Remote learning solutions ensure educational continuity, especially in challenging times, while professional development programs empower teachers to integrate technology effectively. Collaborative tools facilitate global connections and cultural exchanges, enriching students' learning experiences. Overall, Cambodia's embrace of digital transformation is enhancing accessibility, promoting innovation and preparing students for a future centered on digital literacy and global citizenship. By: Mr. Jomar B. Conde, Deputy Campus Director, Aii Mao Tse Tong As years go by, Cambodia has been steadily developing especially in the areas of science and technology. Although this country doesn’t surpass its neighbors when it comes to knowledge-based development, the improvements are still worth considering. First and foremost, in 2022, the government has implemented a policy that focuses on improving the quality of life and providing more services. For instance, they created more alternatives for telecommunications and internet providers which creates a competitive field offering affordable yet efficient services. Another factor is that online shopping, online food delivery, and digital payments have become more popular in the last two years. This causes the number of active users of social media to dramatically increase by 300%.