Little things become more important after a while. Like internet access. For years we have taken this for granted. (Rather like drinking water from the tap. As much as people complain about Adelaide water, at least we can drink it.) So after three days without the internet, I am excited to have access again, even if the screen is in Vietnamese.
Today, I taught my first lesson - and completely mangled my timing. After 30+ years of teaching, it is sobering to go back to basics, to have to provide a lesson plan and to be required to fit into a formula and exact time span. And interesting to be in a class where interaction between 'teachers' or 'presenters' is actively discouraged. But it is a moderated course, and if one new teacher were to mismanage a section of a lesson, this might impinge on the overall mark. Tomorrow is a 40 minute lesson. I hope I get completed what I planned in my program!
Tuesday 26 February 2013
Sunday 24 February 2013
CELTA in Hanoi
Right - now I am set for a new adventure. After years of thinking about it, I have enrolled in the Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults (used to be RSA, I think). t is a four week intensive course and I chose Hanoi to get a more authentic flavour. Local students and everyday adventures, So far, I have found an apartment (Thanks to Narelle from Dong's Travel) and got a little bit organised. I have found the bus stops, despite locals telling me to beware of pickpockets and am ready to start class tomorrow.
Just to get my brain active again, I have been reading "Educating gen wifi" by Greg Whitby. Will add more ideas later. No photos yet. I left my camera cords at home.
Oh! all the instructions on my computer have changed to Vietnamese! I will try random button pushing.
Just to get my brain active again, I have been reading "Educating gen wifi" by Greg Whitby. Will add more ideas later. No photos yet. I left my camera cords at home.
Oh! all the instructions on my computer have changed to Vietnamese! I will try random button pushing.
Monday 28 January 2013
Singapore Airlines
Now, I feel that buying an airline ticket needs a few comments.
After using Malaysian Airlines a few times, I have found that I almost always needed an overnight stay in KL - near the KLCC - KL low cost carrier or KLCCT - KL low cost carrier terminal, which is at Sepang, about 20 minutes or 20 km away from KL Airport. KLCC is where Air Asia is based.
It can take 30 - 60 minutes to drive to KL about 80 km away. Waiting for the airport shuttle bus downtown can be pointless if you have to get up again before dawn to make the connection. There is an express train that takes about 28 minutes to get to Sentral. Then, take a taxi to your hotel. Otherwise, take a taxi to a hotel nearer to Sepang. http://www.tripadvisor.in/Travel-g298570-s301/Kuala-Lumpur:Malaysia:Arriving.And.Departing.html
Other than some bizarre flights via China or Thailand, it seemed that Singapore Airlines would be the best choice to get to Hanoi. But eventhough I though I had thought that I had VERY carefully clicked the buttons, somehow I ended up with a non-changeable ticket with a 14 hour gap in Singapore Airport, overnight, but leaving at 7am. So I would need to be back at the airport by 5am! Or spend those hours in the airport. Despite phoning, emails and more emails, the company was not keen to change the flights unless I paid $350 but eventually made a "goodwill gesture".
After using Malaysian Airlines a few times, I have found that I almost always needed an overnight stay in KL - near the KLCC - KL low cost carrier or KLCCT - KL low cost carrier terminal, which is at Sepang, about 20 minutes or 20 km away from KL Airport. KLCC is where Air Asia is based.
It can take 30 - 60 minutes to drive to KL about 80 km away. Waiting for the airport shuttle bus downtown can be pointless if you have to get up again before dawn to make the connection. There is an express train that takes about 28 minutes to get to Sentral. Then, take a taxi to your hotel. Otherwise, take a taxi to a hotel nearer to Sepang. http://www.tripadvisor.in/Travel-g298570-s301/Kuala-Lumpur:Malaysia:Arriving.And.Departing.html
Other than some bizarre flights via China or Thailand, it seemed that Singapore Airlines would be the best choice to get to Hanoi. But eventhough I though I had thought that I had VERY carefully clicked the buttons, somehow I ended up with a non-changeable ticket with a 14 hour gap in Singapore Airport, overnight, but leaving at 7am. So I would need to be back at the airport by 5am! Or spend those hours in the airport. Despite phoning, emails and more emails, the company was not keen to change the flights unless I paid $350 but eventually made a "goodwill gesture".
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