Featured Articles

  • Miss, I think I’m learning English the wrong way!

    Miss, I think I’m learning English the wrong way!

    Is there such a thing as a wrong way to learn English? One adult student I had thought there was – and that he was learning English the wrong way for a long time, before finally ‘cracking’ it. Just before he went on to finally pass the TOEFL test after about 5 or more tries, [...]

    January 6, 2012 | 0 Comments More
  • Why Build Character? (and who’s to blame for today’s kids’ behavior?)

    Why Build Character? (and who’s to blame for today’s kids’ behavior?)

    “A child’s life is like a piece of paper on which each passerby leaves a mark” (a Chinese proverb). In my years as a teacher, this is one tidbit of wisdom I always keep with me, to guide me on my daily choices, on what to teach, how to teach, and why I should teach [...]

    April 17, 2011 | 1 Comment More
  • Is character teachable?

    Is character teachable?

    I’ve struggled with this question the past few years that I have been teaching Values to High School kids in an international school in Bangkok. I’ve pored over many books on character education, searched and attended as many professional development events I could find in this part of the world – all in the hopes [...]

    April 17, 2011 | 0 Comments More
  • Why Use Literature in the Teaching of Writing?

    Why Use Literature in the Teaching of Writing?

    In an international school setting, the demand and pressure on students to be proficient in writing is quite high.

    February 10, 2009 | 2 Comments More
  • The Role of Reading in Teaching Writing

    The Role of Reading in Teaching Writing

    “There is a widely held belief that in order to be a good writer a student needs to be read a lot”. (Hedge, 1988:11).

    Harris (1993:81) is also of the same belief as Hedge when he wrote in his book, “Introducing Writing”, that “reading and the consideration of written texts should form an important part of the teaching of writing.”

    February 4, 2009 | 4 Comments More

Character Education

Why Build Character? (and who’s to blame for today’s kids’ behavior?)

Why Build Character? (and who’s to blame for today’s kids’ behavior?)

“A child’s life is like a piece of paper on which each passerby leaves a mark” (a Chinese proverb). In my years as a teacher, this is one tidbit of wisdom I always keep with me, to guide me on my daily choices, on what to teach, how to teach, and why I should teach [...]

April 17, 2011 | 1 Comment More

Reading

Miss, I think I’m learning English the wrong way!

Miss, I think I’m learning English the wrong way!

Is there such a thing as a wrong way to learn English? One adult student I had thought there was – and that he was learning English the wrong way for a long time, before finally ‘cracking’ it. Just before he went on to finally pass the TOEFL test after about 5 or more tries, [...]

January 6, 2012 | 0 Comments More

Writing

Why Use Literature in the Teaching of Writing?

Why Use Literature in the Teaching of Writing?

In an international school setting, the demand and pressure on students to be proficient in writing is quite high.

February 10, 2009 | 2 Comments More

Jobs

HOW DO I APPLY FOR A JOB IN THAILAND?

HOW DO I APPLY FOR A JOB IN THAILAND?

I was asked to speak at the 7th International Conference on Management of the International Academy of Management and Economics (I-AME) at the Grand Mercure Hotel in Bangkok, last Sunday, May 16, 2010. The audience included graduates of the MBA and Ph.D. programs of the school, and as part of the school’s vision to give [...]

May 18, 2010 | 0 Comments More

Teaching Strategies

Some useful tips on your first week of school

Some useful tips on your first week of school

I look at the first week of school from a ‘make-or-break’ perspective. In a seminar by Hal Urban (author of the best-selling book, “20 Great Lessons in Life”) in Singapore in February this year, I was reminded of how important it is to start the year right the first week of school. What a teacher [...]

September 6, 2011 | 0 Comments More

Lesson Plans

Miss, I think I’m learning English the wrong way!

Miss, I think I’m learning English the wrong way!

Is there such a thing as a wrong way to learn English? One adult student I had thought there was – and that he was learning English the wrong way for a long time, before finally ‘cracking’ it. Just before he went on to finally pass the TOEFL test after about 5 or more tries, [...]

January 6, 2012 | 0 Comments More

Other Recent Posts

Why Use YouTube in the Classroom?

Why Use YouTube in the Classroom?

These are but a couple of the hundreds upon hundreds of videos available out there, which teachers could make good use of. What I find about these clips is that they never fail to catch students’ attention. In the beginning of class, when students are dragging their feet into your classroom, looking like they would rather be somewhere else other than in the school, learning, turn to these clips for some inspiration. After a few minutes of being transported into the world youtube, most of the time, they will be ready to listen. By then, you would have gotten their full attention.

May 15, 2010 | 2 Comments More
How Do I Improve My Character?

How Do I Improve My Character?

As a teacher for many years now, I am no longer focused on questions regarding what topics would I need to teach under the curriculum I have been assigned, or what tools should I be using to deliver the best approach so I can ensure effective teaching strategies. I am not even concerned anymore about [...]

May 15, 2010 | 0 Comments More
Types of Writing, Purpose and Form

Types of Writing, Purpose and Form

The following is taken from the second edition of the book “Effective Reading in a Changing World” by Rose Wassman and Lee Ann Rinsky, 1997.

February 6, 2009 | 5 Comments More
What is Writing and Why is There a Need to Learn it?

What is Writing and Why is There a Need to Learn it?

Writing seems to have taken on different definitions for different groups of people in order to suit their different needs and purposes for writing.

January 30, 2009 | 4 Comments More