Do you know what your doing?

Yes I do. Well, I know what I am supposed to be doing when I arrive. Ever heard of IELTS or international english language tests?

Students from all over the place wishing to study in the Europe and the US take these tests; on the strength which they get a place on their course or not. My job will be to prepare Chinese students for these tests and for the weird and wonderful world of western culture.

Can anyone suggest films about living in london that don't involve rage infested zombies, football violence including vinnie jones, or hugh grant stuttery his way into someones bed?*

*however if anyone comes up with a film involving all three I am ready to watch

When You Gooooo...

I have left bonnie Scotland but I won't be sending anyone any letters from America in the near future. Thanks to all that came out on very very short notice (so short that it has to use a ladder when climbing stairs) to see me off.

Have a laugh on me...

Water!

So the best way to learn a language is to use it as much as possible. In a Chinese restaurant buffet menu style, I went up to the bar (choosing a moment when it wasn't surrounded by waiters) and politely asked the waitress if she spoke Chinese.... in Chinese. The answer was yes in Chinese (even though I had managed to make a mistake already and told her she spoke Chinese not asked her if she did).

After that I managed to ask for a glass of water, and got.... a glass of water. It did take two goes but I wasn't handed a napkin or given a slap in the face.

After that I got pointed at a lot (apparently, I was too busy enjoying my glass of water to notice), but wow did that feel good.

Chinese Pod - Newbie - Requesting a Glass of Water
if you too wish to get some water in a Chinese restaurant.

Cross-Cultural Solutions

I had a look at a good few international volunteer schemes, and Cross Cultural Solutions seems to have the important things just right*.

It isn't (thank your choice of deity or rational lack of super-being) about teaching backward foreigners how to live better lives, it is an exchange of ideas to increase understanding between different but mutually respected cultures.

CCS is an international not-for-profit organization with no political or religious affiliations, so neither is it about making money or converting people.

The places and people you work with are NOT paid to take you on, so you are really wanted.

If your interested their link is at the base of this page and it is NOT a sponsored link, I just like them.

*the views expressed in this blog entry are not the views of cross cultural solutions or its associates or non existent game show assistance called Samantha; though then again they maybe but I haven't actually asked them so best be on the safe side.