TESOLtalks conference at RMIT

Not much to report really. Working hard, playing football, eating and sleeping at the moment. Rainy season is upon us and were getting some impressive downpours. I'll try and get one on camera at some point.

As I've not much to report. I thought I'd share news of a conference I went to yesterday. It was arranged by my university, RMIT, in partnership with some other schools in the area and called TESOLtalks.

These conferences are always good as it gives me a chance to reflect on my teaching. They aren't always the most fun things in the world but whenever I attend them I try to come away with something practical that I can use in the classroom.

This event was about engaging students in your lesson with ideas on how to make them more fun. We started with a presentation with some good ideas and then had a questions time style panel discussion about the finer points of student engagement.

3 years in Vietnam!!

Today is the three year anniversary of me arriving across the border from Cambodia to Vietnam. I can't believe it was three years ago!! This also means I nearly have three years teaching experience. My original plan was to only say in Vietnam for a year before moving on to teach in another country but things have worked out well for me since I've been here so I don't feel the need to move on somewhere else.

At the moment I can't really see me moving from here. I've got some good things going with a good job, flat and friends. Above is a random photo I had taken when  I was in Huy last year at the royal palace. Its a hat that used to be worn by the royal family.

RMIT staff football match

So I've been back to work for a few weeks after my holiday in Bali. Work is going well and I've been moved to teach a new level for the next semester (advanced plus). This past Friday we had a staff football match after work.

 

The Academic team

 

It was the academic staff against the non-teaching staff so basically western teachers against the Vietnamese staff.

 

The non-academic team

It was a very enjoyable game. We started poorly and went two goals down but pulled it back to 2-2 by half time. In the second half we went 3-2 down before equalising to bring it back to 3-3. With about 10 minutes left we conceded again and just as it looked like we would loose we scored with the last kick of the game.

 

The match at RMIT's sports field

As the World Cup is on at the moment we thought it would be fair to end the game with a penalty shootout. I took the second penalty and scored. I'm also pleased to say that after taking about 10 penalties each, we won!!!!

 

The winners trophy

I played centre back during the match and it was very nice to play 11 a side again. I'm always playing 5 and 6 a side here to it made a good change. After the match we had some refreshments put on for the players and spectators. It was a very enjoyable evening.

 

Me with the 'man of the match' - the Scottish Michael Owen

Football is very popular out here and the city has loads of 6-a-side pitches. There are always people arranging games and facebook groups getting people together to play. I think you could play football every night if you wanted. I've played football three times in the past four days!!!!!