1 month on
Chinese painting, bumps on cars, and no rugby.
It's been, unless my maths fails me pretty badly, a month since I arrived in China. Well, a month and two days.I made a decision, the week before last (or around then) to try and fill my spare time with something other than watching DVDs or walking myself to death and getting lost. So I have taken up the ancient art of Chinese painting, basing my learning purely on a book I downloaded from the Internet. This is not going as well as you may have expected, thanks to my well known artistic streak, and other factors to follow.I have also started Tai Chi (Or dzjaaid sneeze, as I believe it's called here).
Many people (myself included until yesterday), see Tai Chi as a beautiful, slow, balanced and graceful martial art. This is incorrect. In a one hour session, we spent 30' doing stretches that would make my physio cry with happiness (at the money she could make repairing us), 20' practising kicks and jumps and lifts of sorts (The lifts were particularly special - my partner was a great guy called Tristan, who weighs about 60Kg. Suffice to say I remained firmly on the ground), and a final 10' of doing one Tai Chi step. All of these moves were surprisingly complex, and if it weren't for my unmatched physical fitness and legendary coordination, I might have seriously hurt myself.For those who can't read between those lines and don't know me well - I hurt myself.
I have also started formal Chinese lessons, and have been given my Chinese name: Shu Lin (The ‘u’ is a flat tone, and the ‘i’ is a 4th tone) - it sounds like Shoe lee-en. This is a crucial moment in any man's development, and certainly I like the sound of it. Shu Lin - mighty wood who stands tall as a pine tree and is strong like an oak. No, that's not what it means. It means (cue the jokes) Forest.
I am starting running tomorrow.Enough about my new hobbies though, and on to more wildly inaccurate but all encompassing observations of China based on my limited experience in a very un-Chinese city.
In an earlier post I mentioned how appallingly Chinese people drive, but on this count I believe I was mistaken. Although they park anywhere, drive through non-existent gaps, insist on turning across oncoming traffic, and are generally an absolute menace to my mental health, I have not seen a single car with a scratch on it. I mentioned this fact to a couple of the other teachers, and we've all been looking - Chinese people simply don't make mistakes when driving. It amazes me. I come from a city where any car without a scratch is being driven to go get one, and so this lack of unintended ornamentation is surreal. I can only put it down to one thing - There are very few women drivers in Huizhou.
I also went to a police station the other day, which was interesting. I have not been arrested yet Mom, don't worry - we had to be present to get our working Visas. We arrived, and sat in a little huddle while one of the guys from the school did the admin work. I was called up first, and given the Spanish Inquisition about when I arrived, what I did before I came here, was I ever a criminal, how many marshmallows I could fit in my mouth at once - all the usual. I returned to our group, and wished the next person luck. Nobody... NOT A SINGLE OTHER PERSON... got asked anything. NOT A SINGLE QUESTION. Bloody police. I digress though - what was interesting was that the police stations are almost exactly the same as in South Africa. Two people doing all the work (slowly), and a hundred standing around behind looking thoroughly bored, but conscientiously avoiding anything that might be construed as effort. I hypothesise that these people are there as bouncers, lest anybody suddenly get so fed up with the absolute bloody minded inefficiency of the whole place and go nuts. Read that last sentence again, and it'll tell you everything you need to know about my thoughts on bouncers.
On the school front, things continue to go well.My classes are, for the most part, magnificent. I'm not going to go into detail about each kid, and what this one or that one did that was cute, or clever, or whatever. Suffice to say, they are mostly great kids, and the ones that aren't I'm working on. I think I might be able to get into this teacher vibe.
Upcoming attractions - This Monday/Tuesday (those are our days off), we're heading down to the beach. We rent tents and camp on the beachfront, as I understand, which should be a great experience. More than that, I cannot tell.- My long awaited cycle is absolutely going to happen some time in the next month. I have so far ridden my beautiful little bicycle all the way from the shop home. But wait!!
http://zaktravel.blogspot.com
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Mike Wood in South Korea
Hi all,
I had really good time on Thursday, it was pretty relaxed. Friday was spent polishing off school for the week followed by our weekly meeting at the westerners bar and "Noribang" (Korean for karaoke). I had agreed to go on a trip into Seoul to see "a show" on Saturday and had absolutely no idea what I was in for. So I took my very first trip into the capital city. I made the crucial error of thinking that Johannesburg was big. Seoul is huge. There's a great energy about the city and it's rather beautiful. The architecture is like nothing I've ever seen, and I wish I had taken more photos.
I'm afraid that the camera on my phone is a little slow so it's hard to catch pics on the move. The school has actually ordered me a camera and the cost will be deducted from my salary over the next few months (super stoked!).
Anyway after a bit of a mad rush I ended up at the theatre, right next to this great building with a massive King Kong climbing it. It's actually an ad for 'North Face,' an adventure sports company. I spotted it, but the Koreans clearly don't give everyone that much credit as there is a giant hand at the foot of the building pointing upwards. Which I thought was a little unnecessary and would make for a rotten landing if Kong should ever fall.
The people we met for the show are all South Africans (about 6 of them in all). It was really great hanging out with some folks from back home.The show was unlike anything I've ever seen. It's called "Nanta" which means "Cookin'". The plot is that three cooks work under a rather intense manager. The manager introduces his nephew as a new and unwelcome addition to the team. They are given a long list of dishes to prepare in one hour. They never actually cook anything, but instead use various items in the kitchen to make music in much the same manner as the troupe from the Aussie show "Stomp." It is a truly amazing thing to see and is mixed with such a great comedic story which had me in stitches, so loudly in fact that one of the actors gave me a moment to try compose myself. Towards the end of the show I was brought on stage to participate in one of the stints, which was something I'll never forget and enjoyed every minute of. You can check out the website on www.nanta.co.kr, unfortunately it's in Korean, but if you Google it there are some sites that give more details in English.
After the show I went to have lunch at T.G.I Fridays. The reason this is significant is that hanging on the wall is old rowing boat (a four, for those who know what that means). There's a pic attached, I just can't get away from that sport it seems - no matter where I go. There's also a pic demonstrating just how much these people love their small dogs (they don't really eat the small ones, they keep them as pets.)
From here we went to this house warming party at one of Jill's friends places. We missioned to get there as they gave us horrible directions and we ended up at the wrong bus station. When we finally found the right one, we battled to find the right bus. Weirdly we asked this Korean guy to help us. He spoke very good English and after helping us out we invited him along. Surprisingly he was dead keen. We partied late into the night and slept there. The party wasn't really my taste for certain reasons. I was woken at 7 this morning by my Korean tag-along, whose English name is Owen. He was looking rather uneasy and said he wanted to leave. As I wasn't really keen to stay I quickly made ready and we left. Turns out it wasn't really his cup of tea either. He taught me exactly how to use the subway. He seems like a good guy and over our next two hours of traveling we spoke a lot. I reckon we'll become friends and he reckons if I ever need a place to stay in Seoul, or help with anything, all I need do is give him a ring. I'm glad to have made a new mate.
I got home and chilled for about 2 hours before being called by my group friends back in my hometown asking if I'd join them for breakfast (at about 2 in the afternoon). I went and was super glad when a plate of scrambled eggs, baked beans, fried potatoes and BACON was put in front of me. We all chilled in her little apartment watching a DVD for the rest of the day. I’m meeting one of them for a run just now.
I'm starting to feel really good about my small group of friends that seems to be ever expanding.Anyways, I reckon that's about it. I miss all of you back home.
Take care.
Mike
I had really good time on Thursday, it was pretty relaxed. Friday was spent polishing off school for the week followed by our weekly meeting at the westerners bar and "Noribang" (Korean for karaoke). I had agreed to go on a trip into Seoul to see "a show" on Saturday and had absolutely no idea what I was in for. So I took my very first trip into the capital city. I made the crucial error of thinking that Johannesburg was big. Seoul is huge. There's a great energy about the city and it's rather beautiful. The architecture is like nothing I've ever seen, and I wish I had taken more photos.
I'm afraid that the camera on my phone is a little slow so it's hard to catch pics on the move. The school has actually ordered me a camera and the cost will be deducted from my salary over the next few months (super stoked!).
Anyway after a bit of a mad rush I ended up at the theatre, right next to this great building with a massive King Kong climbing it. It's actually an ad for 'North Face,' an adventure sports company. I spotted it, but the Koreans clearly don't give everyone that much credit as there is a giant hand at the foot of the building pointing upwards. Which I thought was a little unnecessary and would make for a rotten landing if Kong should ever fall.
The people we met for the show are all South Africans (about 6 of them in all). It was really great hanging out with some folks from back home.The show was unlike anything I've ever seen. It's called "Nanta" which means "Cookin'". The plot is that three cooks work under a rather intense manager. The manager introduces his nephew as a new and unwelcome addition to the team. They are given a long list of dishes to prepare in one hour. They never actually cook anything, but instead use various items in the kitchen to make music in much the same manner as the troupe from the Aussie show "Stomp." It is a truly amazing thing to see and is mixed with such a great comedic story which had me in stitches, so loudly in fact that one of the actors gave me a moment to try compose myself. Towards the end of the show I was brought on stage to participate in one of the stints, which was something I'll never forget and enjoyed every minute of. You can check out the website on www.nanta.co.kr, unfortunately it's in Korean, but if you Google it there are some sites that give more details in English.
After the show I went to have lunch at T.G.I Fridays. The reason this is significant is that hanging on the wall is old rowing boat (a four, for those who know what that means). There's a pic attached, I just can't get away from that sport it seems - no matter where I go. There's also a pic demonstrating just how much these people love their small dogs (they don't really eat the small ones, they keep them as pets.)
From here we went to this house warming party at one of Jill's friends places. We missioned to get there as they gave us horrible directions and we ended up at the wrong bus station. When we finally found the right one, we battled to find the right bus. Weirdly we asked this Korean guy to help us. He spoke very good English and after helping us out we invited him along. Surprisingly he was dead keen. We partied late into the night and slept there. The party wasn't really my taste for certain reasons. I was woken at 7 this morning by my Korean tag-along, whose English name is Owen. He was looking rather uneasy and said he wanted to leave. As I wasn't really keen to stay I quickly made ready and we left. Turns out it wasn't really his cup of tea either. He taught me exactly how to use the subway. He seems like a good guy and over our next two hours of traveling we spoke a lot. I reckon we'll become friends and he reckons if I ever need a place to stay in Seoul, or help with anything, all I need do is give him a ring. I'm glad to have made a new mate.
I got home and chilled for about 2 hours before being called by my group friends back in my hometown asking if I'd join them for breakfast (at about 2 in the afternoon). I went and was super glad when a plate of scrambled eggs, baked beans, fried potatoes and BACON was put in front of me. We all chilled in her little apartment watching a DVD for the rest of the day. I’m meeting one of them for a run just now.
I'm starting to feel really good about my small group of friends that seems to be ever expanding.Anyways, I reckon that's about it. I miss all of you back home.
Take care.
Mike
Michelle's classroom in South Korea
Hi Sandy
So let me first describe my school or at least my classroom. I have what they like to call an "English Village". I don't know why it is called that, I think they probably like the sound of it. My classroom consists of two actual classrooms and another section that has a mock airplane, Hotel reception, Bank, a small store, a doctor's room, a restaurant and a library (book café).
My classrooms have a large flat screen that is attached to a computer with internet connection. I also have a microphone .... which believe it or not is very helpful because I don't speak loud enough when the classes are rowdy! Most of the classes are not quite as fancy as mine. I am quite lucky. I also have white boards that slide in and out in front of the screen.
Some classes have computers at every desk whereas some still only have desks and chalk boards.
We teach English by using a CD Rom that has lessons alreadyon it. The students get a workbook that has all 12 lessons in it. Each lesson should take about 4 periods to complete (each period is 40 minutes). Then the book has some writing exercises and some games and there is always a song....
Although the CD Rom is not too bad, I just don't think it is as effective as it should be. For example they did a lesson entitled "where are you from" earlier in the year and when I arrived almost no one could actually ask me where I am from. It also makes teachers lazy!
Chat soon!
Michelle
So let me first describe my school or at least my classroom. I have what they like to call an "English Village". I don't know why it is called that, I think they probably like the sound of it. My classroom consists of two actual classrooms and another section that has a mock airplane, Hotel reception, Bank, a small store, a doctor's room, a restaurant and a library (book café).
My classrooms have a large flat screen that is attached to a computer with internet connection. I also have a microphone .... which believe it or not is very helpful because I don't speak loud enough when the classes are rowdy! Most of the classes are not quite as fancy as mine. I am quite lucky. I also have white boards that slide in and out in front of the screen.
Some classes have computers at every desk whereas some still only have desks and chalk boards.
We teach English by using a CD Rom that has lessons alreadyon it. The students get a workbook that has all 12 lessons in it. Each lesson should take about 4 periods to complete (each period is 40 minutes). Then the book has some writing exercises and some games and there is always a song....
Although the CD Rom is not too bad, I just don't think it is as effective as it should be. For example they did a lesson entitled "where are you from" earlier in the year and when I arrived almost no one could actually ask me where I am from. It also makes teachers lazy!
Chat soon!
Michelle
Michelle's holiday in China
Hello
I am currently sitting in a Youth Hostel in Beijing passing the time before we go out for Peking Roast Duck! I have been in China since Saturday night and am staying until this coming Saturday morning!
So far I have found that the Chinese people are not as friendly as the Korean people but their English is much better. In case you are wondering there really are 9 million bicycles in Beijing! And the traffic is quite something to behold, crossing the street is quite a terrifying experience because the cars don't stop and neither do the people!
I am not going to write a novel right now about my trip but I will send photos soon and tell more.So far we have seen the Ming Tombs, the Lama Temple, the Great Wall of China and visited a Silk and a Jade factory! Anyway, just thought I would say a quick hello and hope you are well!
All my love
Michelle
I am currently sitting in a Youth Hostel in Beijing passing the time before we go out for Peking Roast Duck! I have been in China since Saturday night and am staying until this coming Saturday morning!
So far I have found that the Chinese people are not as friendly as the Korean people but their English is much better. In case you are wondering there really are 9 million bicycles in Beijing! And the traffic is quite something to behold, crossing the street is quite a terrifying experience because the cars don't stop and neither do the people!
I am not going to write a novel right now about my trip but I will send photos soon and tell more.So far we have seen the Ming Tombs, the Lama Temple, the Great Wall of China and visited a Silk and a Jade factory! Anyway, just thought I would say a quick hello and hope you are well!
All my love
Michelle
Katarina in Denmark (Sept/Oct)
Dear Sandy and Beate!
Wow, time has really flown since I finished the TEFL Course. I still think about you and miss you lots. I wanted to bring you an update!
When I came home in July I spent a couple of weeks thinking everything through and deciding what I want to do. I made up my mind and applied for BA Languages at University of Pretoria. I’ll then study English and Sociology, so that’s absolutely perfect for me – and I did get accepted, so I’m so happy and excited about starting! Now I have tons of things to find out and do until then, and I’ll be back in January.
The first month I did some temporary work (the schools still had their summer holidays) and then I started at the end of August as a substitute teacher at my old school and substituted at the small children’s house after school. When the small kids finish school at 12 or 1 they come here to play until their parents pick them up. J That means they call me whenever someone’s sick, on a course or day-trip. It pays very well, but you never really know when you must work or for how many hours, which I wasn’t really satisfied with as I want to earn as much as possible! I’ve then been offered 8 hours a week teaching Danish and Religion starting from next week at another school, so it’ll be very nice to get “my own students” while their teacher is on a course. And while I’m already there it’s easier to get more lessons.
I then applied for a job at a youth school in my town. They’re run by the communities and it’s mainly kids with difficulties in school or with problems at home that come here in the evenings to get help – especially to get through their final exams. I got the job and I’ll start next week - two nights a week. I’ll have 2 classes, one for 7-8 grade and one for 9 grade, so I’m looking forward to this, both teaching and the social part of it as well. I’ve realised after being at the school that this is a HUGE part of it! Many of them of course come because the normal schools aren’t helping them out.
Besides that, I’ll be helping out a couple of times a week by being at the café in the school. It’s a place for them to come to – lots of young people don’t have anywhere to go, so it’s preventing them from running around in the streets. I’m very happy I actually get to do the things I like and maybe be a good role model for some – and earn money as well!
So now I have lots to do – I was getting a bit impatient with the schools, but after I had been at the schools a couple of times, it paid off because the school and teachers got to know me and they call me more and more – this week has almost been too much, I sometimes have to say I can’t come!
So how’s life in Melville? Much hotter I suppose! And I guess you’ve already started and finished another TEFL course…
This is it from Denmark so far. I hope you’re both doing well. Let me know how everything goes!
Love from
Katarina Thillerup
Wow, time has really flown since I finished the TEFL Course. I still think about you and miss you lots. I wanted to bring you an update!
When I came home in July I spent a couple of weeks thinking everything through and deciding what I want to do. I made up my mind and applied for BA Languages at University of Pretoria. I’ll then study English and Sociology, so that’s absolutely perfect for me – and I did get accepted, so I’m so happy and excited about starting! Now I have tons of things to find out and do until then, and I’ll be back in January.
The first month I did some temporary work (the schools still had their summer holidays) and then I started at the end of August as a substitute teacher at my old school and substituted at the small children’s house after school. When the small kids finish school at 12 or 1 they come here to play until their parents pick them up. J That means they call me whenever someone’s sick, on a course or day-trip. It pays very well, but you never really know when you must work or for how many hours, which I wasn’t really satisfied with as I want to earn as much as possible! I’ve then been offered 8 hours a week teaching Danish and Religion starting from next week at another school, so it’ll be very nice to get “my own students” while their teacher is on a course. And while I’m already there it’s easier to get more lessons.
I then applied for a job at a youth school in my town. They’re run by the communities and it’s mainly kids with difficulties in school or with problems at home that come here in the evenings to get help – especially to get through their final exams. I got the job and I’ll start next week - two nights a week. I’ll have 2 classes, one for 7-8 grade and one for 9 grade, so I’m looking forward to this, both teaching and the social part of it as well. I’ve realised after being at the school that this is a HUGE part of it! Many of them of course come because the normal schools aren’t helping them out.
Besides that, I’ll be helping out a couple of times a week by being at the café in the school. It’s a place for them to come to – lots of young people don’t have anywhere to go, so it’s preventing them from running around in the streets. I’m very happy I actually get to do the things I like and maybe be a good role model for some – and earn money as well!
So now I have lots to do – I was getting a bit impatient with the schools, but after I had been at the schools a couple of times, it paid off because the school and teachers got to know me and they call me more and more – this week has almost been too much, I sometimes have to say I can’t come!
So how’s life in Melville? Much hotter I suppose! And I guess you’ve already started and finished another TEFL course…
This is it from Denmark so far. I hope you’re both doing well. Let me know how everything goes!
Love from
Katarina Thillerup
Ciska in Thailand (September/October)
Hi there Sandy
Apologies for taking so long to reply- my contact with the web is rather limited. Besides, I’m teaching like there’s no tomorrow! ;) I teach about 22 hours a week-English, Maths and Science for Grades 1, 2 and 6. Not always easy with the language barrier and definitely not always possible to follow the lesson plan I’ve been taught at Langahead. I am enjoying it however. I'm starting to get comfortable. The course books for the little ones are fairly decent, but the ones for Grade 6 are shocking. This means I have to be rather innovative at times. I do have Thai co-teachers, some are very helpful. Also, I started teaching Business English to one adult in a nearby city which I’m really enjoying because it is more stimulating. My contract with the agency expires at the end of September, but the school has asked me to stay for another semester which is exactly what I am going to do.
Thailand is lovely. The Thai people are very kind and sincere and everyone wants me to teach their children privately…he he. I’ve managed to make some Thai friends (and that helps improve my Thai, which is coming on slowly by the way). I met some teachers from the city and we go out from time to time. I also considered moving to the city to have more contact with Westerners, but decided against it.
Everything is so wonderfully different and without the haunting paranoia of Jozi. It makes a difference, I tell you. I am missing the Brixton tower nonetheless.Be safe and happy spring at last
Hope to hear from you soon
Sawadeeka.
Ciska
Apologies for taking so long to reply- my contact with the web is rather limited. Besides, I’m teaching like there’s no tomorrow! ;) I teach about 22 hours a week-English, Maths and Science for Grades 1, 2 and 6. Not always easy with the language barrier and definitely not always possible to follow the lesson plan I’ve been taught at Langahead. I am enjoying it however. I'm starting to get comfortable. The course books for the little ones are fairly decent, but the ones for Grade 6 are shocking. This means I have to be rather innovative at times. I do have Thai co-teachers, some are very helpful. Also, I started teaching Business English to one adult in a nearby city which I’m really enjoying because it is more stimulating. My contract with the agency expires at the end of September, but the school has asked me to stay for another semester which is exactly what I am going to do.
Thailand is lovely. The Thai people are very kind and sincere and everyone wants me to teach their children privately…he he. I’ve managed to make some Thai friends (and that helps improve my Thai, which is coming on slowly by the way). I met some teachers from the city and we go out from time to time. I also considered moving to the city to have more contact with Westerners, but decided against it.
Everything is so wonderfully different and without the haunting paranoia of Jozi. It makes a difference, I tell you. I am missing the Brixton tower nonetheless.Be safe and happy spring at last
Hope to hear from you soon
Sawadeeka.
Ciska
Monday, August 6, 2007
TEFL Refresher Course
It’s one of those things. You go through your entire TEFL course learning how to do things the TEFL way, then you start teaching and fall into old habits (sometimes bad ones!). This sort of thing happens to everyone, so, Sandy decided another Workshop was in order!
At nine o’clock in the morning, 16 past TEFL students took their places again to work for a full day in the TEFL Refresher Workshop at Langahead on 4 August.
Beate and Kate teamed up and did Demo lessons, which brought back floods of memories. We then, had a general discussion and Sandy was amazed at how much everyone did remember! Yay. A bit more theory was revisited, including Brock Brady’s “If you aren’t making mistakes, you aren’t trying hard enough!” – an address he gave to the SETI 20th Anniversary last year and to Langahead TEFL students in September last year.
Brock Brady is a leading figure in TESOL in the US and it was a great privilege to have him at our school.
At nine o’clock in the morning, 16 past TEFL students took their places again to work for a full day in the TEFL Refresher Workshop at Langahead on 4 August.
Beate and Kate teamed up and did Demo lessons, which brought back floods of memories. We then, had a general discussion and Sandy was amazed at how much everyone did remember! Yay. A bit more theory was revisited, including Brock Brady’s “If you aren’t making mistakes, you aren’t trying hard enough!” – an address he gave to the SETI 20th Anniversary last year and to Langahead TEFL students in September last year.
Brock Brady is a leading figure in TESOL in the US and it was a great privilege to have him at our school.
So who’s off to see the world?
Mike Wood left for South Korea last Thursday. He is already teaching English to teenagers - yikes! Yes, that’s kind of what he said. No course materials, no syllabus and 35 in the class – yiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiikes again! He’ll survive and do as well as he did on the course. And that’s what Langahead is for: support, even at a distance. Thank heavens for Internet.
Zak Wood is leaving for China on 11 August. The expression 'cool as a cucumber' has no meaning to him right now. Good luck, Zak and keep in touch.
Eras Gous is hanging around South Africa for a bit longer, but he has his sights set on Japan, Thailand, or South Korea but at the moment we have the pleasure of his company with us at Langahead.
James Walters is leaving for Thailand in the very near future. We hope he'll keep us all updated!
Watch this space!
Zak Wood is leaving for China on 11 August. The expression 'cool as a cucumber' has no meaning to him right now. Good luck, Zak and keep in touch.
Eras Gous is hanging around South Africa for a bit longer, but he has his sights set on Japan, Thailand, or South Korea but at the moment we have the pleasure of his company with us at Langahead.
James Walters is leaving for Thailand in the very near future. We hope he'll keep us all updated!
Watch this space!
TEYL (Teaching Young Learners) Workshop
With many of our TEFL graduates leaving SA and going to teach CHILDREN in Foreign Countries, Sandy Emslie decided a workshop was needed.
So, twelve tired, interested and keen former TEFLs gathered again for The Young Learners workshop which took place 2 weeks ago (Wednesday 25 July). It was enjoyed by all, and greatly appreciated as well. We spent a fast-moving 3 hours revisiting some of things we had already covered in our course and then looked more closely at what it means to teach young learners. Finally, everyone had to choose a theme and devise ideas for some lessons.
A great evening! Thanks to everyone. See you at the next one.
So, twelve tired, interested and keen former TEFLs gathered again for The Young Learners workshop which took place 2 weeks ago (Wednesday 25 July). It was enjoyed by all, and greatly appreciated as well. We spent a fast-moving 3 hours revisiting some of things we had already covered in our course and then looked more closely at what it means to teach young learners. Finally, everyone had to choose a theme and devise ideas for some lessons.
A great evening! Thanks to everyone. See you at the next one.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Leaving South Africa (or left already)
Many of our TEFL graduates have left the country or will be leaving soon.
Ciska Lourens has been in Thailand for a while now, and is loving it! See the pic of her on her bicycle!
Fleur Loram has just signed another contract with a school in Nagasaki, Japan. She teaches English to Elementary kids - have a look at the pics of her with her class.
Kate Ribet is currently in Kenya, and will be travelling to Far East soon. We'll keep you updated with news from her soon.
Refilwe Nkomo is busy packing her bags! She's off to South Korea to teach English, and is looking forward to it.
Katarina Thillerup is travelling both locally and abroad. Originally from Denmark, Katarina says she loves South Africa and would love to stay. She'll be coming back to teach Danish at Langahead soon!
So who's holding down the fort at Langahead?
Kate Strauss has taken over the Communication English classes on Saturdays, and teaches Elementary English.
Earle Kaltwasser is in charge of the Beginner students, and also teaches on Saturdays.
Eras Gous teaches English to Elementary students during the week, and is looking to travel soon.
Ang Lloyd has the tough job of teaching Advanced English every morning, and getting her students 'EXAM ready'.
Beate Lombard teaches Intermediate English in the evenings, and is also our Office Administrator.
Manuela Cawood, has adapted her well-earned TEFL to teach Portuguese as a foreign language, and does so in the evenings and on Saturdays.
We're looking forward to hearing from all Langahead's TEFL graduates, whether at home in Sunny South Africa, or abroad.
A short message from Cynthia Brites (who is about to go to Angola)
Ciska Lourens has been in Thailand for a while now, and is loving it! See the pic of her on her bicycle!
Fleur Loram has just signed another contract with a school in Nagasaki, Japan. She teaches English to Elementary kids - have a look at the pics of her with her class.
Kate Ribet is currently in Kenya, and will be travelling to Far East soon. We'll keep you updated with news from her soon.
Refilwe Nkomo is busy packing her bags! She's off to South Korea to teach English, and is looking forward to it.
Katarina Thillerup is travelling both locally and abroad. Originally from Denmark, Katarina says she loves South Africa and would love to stay. She'll be coming back to teach Danish at Langahead soon!
So who's holding down the fort at Langahead?
Kate Strauss has taken over the Communication English classes on Saturdays, and teaches Elementary English.
Earle Kaltwasser is in charge of the Beginner students, and also teaches on Saturdays.
Eras Gous teaches English to Elementary students during the week, and is looking to travel soon.
Ang Lloyd has the tough job of teaching Advanced English every morning, and getting her students 'EXAM ready'.
Beate Lombard teaches Intermediate English in the evenings, and is also our Office Administrator.
Manuela Cawood, has adapted her well-earned TEFL to teach Portuguese as a foreign language, and does so in the evenings and on Saturdays.
We're looking forward to hearing from all Langahead's TEFL graduates, whether at home in Sunny South Africa, or abroad.
A short message from Cynthia Brites (who is about to go to Angola)
It was an amazing experience, an amazing endurance test, an amazing test of determination.
What did it prove to me?
That I can work harder than I ever thought, that I have the energy to do what I can and must, and that I really enjoy a challenge.
What did I get from you? [Langahead]
The most impressive thing was the encouragement given to all of us. It came across strongly in your determination that we would get it right, and I cannot leave out the life skills I have learned from you.
I would like to say that the decision to come to this school was the best choice I could have ever made. You have given, given, given and I can only say thank you for that.
The way we were treated here (at a small school) has made all the difference in the world. Don't change!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Acid Rain in South Korea
Hello all
Today the monsoon season has begun! I woke up to a very dark apartment and when I looked outside it was raining. I was all excited as I walked to school with my umbrella, feeling a lot like Mary Poppins, when I remembered that the rain that falls here is Acid rain.I asked my co teacher how they know when it is acid rain and when it is not and she replied: It is very easy to know....there is no normal rain that falls only acid rain.
I have been teaching up a storm here at the moment but I will be getting extra classes soon (for which I am being paid extra!!) The kids still don't understand me most of the time but they seem to like me, I get little gifts every now and then, one little girl gave me a very pretty pink watch, and another girl gave me a branch with berries from her garden.
I also now have a bank account and a phone....although the phone is only in Korean and I have been to two phone places so it is now official that it has no English setting. At least I am learning to read Korean at the Korean for foreigners classes. But that is going a bit slowly, I just need to practise...It is not that difficult although then I will be able to read but won't understand what I am reading.
I don't have a lot of news at the moment....we are watching rugby somewhere in Seoul this weekend, so that will be fun! And other than that I am not sure what else is planned. I intend on doing some shopping...I need some suitable shoes for this rainy weather.So until next I write, keep well!!!
All my love
Michelle
Today the monsoon season has begun! I woke up to a very dark apartment and when I looked outside it was raining. I was all excited as I walked to school with my umbrella, feeling a lot like Mary Poppins, when I remembered that the rain that falls here is Acid rain.I asked my co teacher how they know when it is acid rain and when it is not and she replied: It is very easy to know....there is no normal rain that falls only acid rain.
I have been teaching up a storm here at the moment but I will be getting extra classes soon (for which I am being paid extra!!) The kids still don't understand me most of the time but they seem to like me, I get little gifts every now and then, one little girl gave me a very pretty pink watch, and another girl gave me a branch with berries from her garden.
I also now have a bank account and a phone....although the phone is only in Korean and I have been to two phone places so it is now official that it has no English setting. At least I am learning to read Korean at the Korean for foreigners classes. But that is going a bit slowly, I just need to practise...It is not that difficult although then I will be able to read but won't understand what I am reading.
I don't have a lot of news at the moment....we are watching rugby somewhere in Seoul this weekend, so that will be fun! And other than that I am not sure what else is planned. I intend on doing some shopping...I need some suitable shoes for this rainy weather.So until next I write, keep well!!!
All my love
Michelle
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Message from Ciska Lourens - Thailand
Dearest Sandy, Jax and Beate
Okay. Are you sitting down? ... I'm sending you this email from Watchumphonnikayaram School in Thailand!
I don't know if you can believe it, because I still have to pinch myself ... every five nanoseconds!
So, I got on a plane on Saturday and arrived in Bangkok on Sunday - Nervous... oh yeah! I started teaching on Monday and am almost through my second day.
Thank you so much for you email, I think it subconsciously spurred me on to make my decision. I'll get hold of your contact soon.
I have so much to tell you, and I'm having a major culture shock! I ride to school on a bicycle, in this hellishly hot weather!
Warm regards from the land of smiles
Hope to hear from you soon!
Ciska
Okay. Are you sitting down? ... I'm sending you this email from Watchumphonnikayaram School in Thailand!
I don't know if you can believe it, because I still have to pinch myself ... every five nanoseconds!
So, I got on a plane on Saturday and arrived in Bangkok on Sunday - Nervous... oh yeah! I started teaching on Monday and am almost through my second day.
Thank you so much for you email, I think it subconsciously spurred me on to make my decision. I'll get hold of your contact soon.
I have so much to tell you, and I'm having a major culture shock! I ride to school on a bicycle, in this hellishly hot weather!
Warm regards from the land of smiles
Hope to hear from you soon!
Ciska
Message from Michelle Simon - South Korea
Hey Sandy
I just taught my first grown up class to some of the teachers of the school. I was so nervous because I wasn't sure what to do or how many of them would show up. So I just prepared a simple class. I had a PowerPoint presentation of South Africa that was great. So, they had some idea of my beautiful country! and then I had a worksheet with simple questions about themselves.
Anyway ... there were 14 people that arrived ... I was so delighted and terrified at the same time! It was great.
Hope all is going well at the school!
All my love,
Michell
I just taught my first grown up class to some of the teachers of the school. I was so nervous because I wasn't sure what to do or how many of them would show up. So I just prepared a simple class. I had a PowerPoint presentation of South Africa that was great. So, they had some idea of my beautiful country! and then I had a worksheet with simple questions about themselves.
Anyway ... there were 14 people that arrived ... I was so delighted and terrified at the same time! It was great.
Hope all is going well at the school!
All my love,
Michell
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Free Lessons
Open Day - Saturday 2 June.
French, English, Portuguese & Zulu lessons - for FREE!!!
No, really!
09:00 English
10:00 Maids & Madams ( Skills Development)
11:00 English
12:00 Portuguese
13:00 Zulu
14:00 French
PLUS! Stand a chance to win a free course! Terms & Conditions apply.
French, English, Portuguese & Zulu lessons - for FREE!!!
No, really!
09:00 English
10:00 Maids & Madams ( Skills Development)
11:00 English
12:00 Portuguese
13:00 Zulu
14:00 French
PLUS! Stand a chance to win a free course! Terms & Conditions apply.
Langahead School of Language
To all former students of Langahead, wherever you are in the world. Drop us a line and a photograph and let us know how you're doing. The school is growing from strength to strength. Next important event: Open Day Saturday 2 June 2007! Pay us a visit.
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