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!!!!!

Motorbiking around Bali, Indonesia

In the past few days we have hired a motorbike and driven around Bali. The traffic in the south of the Island in horrible. The mix or cars, motorbikes and narrow streets makes in very dangerous. Once you get further north its lots nicer.

We drove to a place call Ubud which had some lovely rivers, palm trees and rice fields. There was also a monkey forest which was relaxing and entertaining.

We also went to some places in the south which had cliffs, temples and other beaches. I also got stopped by the police for going a meter over the white line at some traffic lights. 

Policing in Asia is very different to the UK. Instead of issuing a ticket they tell you what you've done wrong and then you can haggle over how much money you give them until they let you go after listening to threats of taking your bike away if you don't pay. We started haggling at $100 (my crime was apparently twice as severe as that of not wearing a helmet which was $50 as documented on a scrap of paper I was shown) and closed around $10 (Its not my first time playing this game). You don't get a receipt. I think we have a word for this in the west. I can't remember what it is but I'm sure it begins with a 'b'.

Bali is a very nice Island. Its much bigger than it looks so we only got to see a small amount but were happy with what we did. Tomorrow we fly back to Vietnam and I go back to work on Monday.

Bali, Indonesia

We arrive in Bali a few days ago and are staying in a place called Legion in the South. We have a cracking hotel with a lovely swimming pool and 5 minutes from the beach. The breakfast is amazing too.

Since arriving we have been mainly relaxing after the adventures of the past week. The beach is nice, although in my opinion not as nice as Thailand and the food is great too. This is also the first place I've been where I see the appeal of surfing. The waves here are huge and it looks great fun. Not the flat waves you usually get in most other places. Its very touristy here but we are staying in a place which is a bit quieter. We're also helped by the fact that its not yet holiday time for the Australians. I think in a few more weeks this place will be really busy.

In the next few days we are going to explore Bali on a motorbike before heading back to HCMC.

Flight to Bali from Yogyakatra

Today we flew to Bali. As we left Yogyakarta on the plan I took this impressive photo of some volcanoes and mountains. It was a one hour flight but much better than a 16 hour bus journey.

I'm looking forward to some nice beaches and swimming.

Prambanan and Borobudur temples, Indonesia

Today we visited the two famous Indonesian temple completes, Prambanan and Borobudhu. We visited Prambanan, a Hindu temple first. Its a very similar style to those in Cambodia. It was well preserved and quite impressive for building nearly 1,000 years old.

We spent a couple of hours looking around here. It was quite nice and relaxing after climbing the Volcano the day before. 

After Prambanan we made our way to Borobudur for sunset. This was another hours drive but worth it as it was far move impressive. It was a huge temple surrounded by mountains. You could climb all over the temple to look at the carvings and best off all there wasn't too many tourist.

This is definitely the best temple I've seen next to Angkor Wat. Again its about 1,000 years old. We stayed here whilst the sun went down before heading back to Yogyakarta. Tomorrow we are flying to Bali for 6 nights for some relaxation.