Environmental Education Regenerated in China.
Eleven years ago, Chen Zhibiao, a student at the College of Geographical Sciences of Fujian Normal University, chose to stay in Changting to conduct his doctoral research.
Chen, who was 39 at the time, said the decision was inspired by the province's commitment to solving the soil erosion problem in the area.
Conditions were tough, but he persisted in his survey of slump gullies caused by intensive rainfall and in collecting soil examples from the barren hills along a river in Hetian, a small town that accounted for about a third of the eroded land in Changting county.
"The fieldwork was dangerous because landslides often occurred, but it was well worth the effort," Chen said.
After four years' research, Chen wrote his doctoral dissertation about the rehabilitation of eroded granite mountainous regions. But his work in turn inspired his university, which established a center for scientific research in Changting in 2003.
The center later became a think tank and underpinned the county's efforts to control soil erosion with scientific advice.
The center has attracted 12 PhD candidates and more than 40 postgraduates to conduct research on site. It has also achieved academic success based on research in Changting, such as how to improve fertilization of pine trees for afforestation.
Researchers also spread ideas to help agriculture. They advised villagers to plant grass on extremely steep slopes instead of trees, as grass could also be used to feed their livestock, and in turn the animals' manure could be used to fertilize the hills.
"It was a win-win strategy," Chen said. "The experts provide intellectual and technical support, while we also learn from local people's experience in the fields, and we create a knowledge base that can be shared with other regions."
Planting, not chopping
For Li Hongfu, Party chief of Hetian, planting trees and grass is just the first step in a long journey regarding water and soil conservation.
"To protect plants is just as important," he said. "We have to take measures to stop villagers from damaging the forest."
The town's policy on forest protection, printed on pink flyers piled high in Li's office, states that anyone who chops wood will be fined 20 yuan ($3.18) for each branch. Those who cut down a tree could be fined as much as 500 yuan or even jailed.
"We fenced off our hills for afforestation for years, and every village has a designated forest protection team to stop forests from being further damaged," he said.
Hetian's government also invited individuals or companies to contract for afforestation in the barren hills and arid land.
"We encouraged villagers to plant cash crops such as chestnut, waxberry and tea-oil trees, which can bring the farmers money without losing precious water and soil."
But on barren mountains and land unsuitable for planting those crops, it remained the government's responsibility to plant trees and grass.
Last year, a farmer's net annual income had increased to 6,860 yuan from 3,700 yuan in 2006, up 13 percent a year on average.
"The ultimate goal is to turn the mountains green to ensure the people live in a good environment and are well-off," Li said.
Learning as children
Middle school students in Hetian take an extra course that their counterparts in the cities might not get.
In its opening chapter, the textbook tells of the rise and fall of ancient Babylonia on the Euphrates River.
Babylonia created a splendid civilization but it died when the land became barren due to water loss and soil erosion.
"Environmental awareness should be learned as children," said Peng Shaoyun, a soil erosion control official in Changting.
In Hetian, a 120-hectare natural park has been built as a base for research and education. Shen Jinmu, an administrator at the park, said almost every school in the county had sent their students there for outdoor study.
"We teach them how to identify different kinds of trees, how to prevent forest fires, and allow them to participate in planting trees," said Shen, who also acts as a volunteer guide.
Shen tells all students and visitors that one tree can be made into thousands of matchsticks, while one matchstick can cause a fire and destroy thousands of trees.
"The students learn to protect the forest and can even be advocates for soil conservation to their family and friends," he said.
Read more at http://www.china.org.cn/environment/2012-03/16/content_24911141.htm
http://www.languagecorpsasia.com
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Grammar: Who vs Whom
Grammar: Who vs. Whom.
Rule
Use the he/him method to decide which word is correct.
he = who
him = whom
Examples:
Who/Whom wrote the letter?
He wrote the letter. Therefore, who is correct.
For who/whom should I vote?
Should I vote for him? Therefore, whom is correct.
We all know who/whom pulled that prank.
This sentence contains two clauses: We all know and who/whom pulled that prank. We are interested in the second clause because it contains the who/whom. He pulled that prank. Therefore, who is correct. (Are you starting to sound like a hooting owl yet?)
We want to know on who/whom the prank was pulled.
This sentence contains two clauses: We want to know and the prank was pulled on who/whom. Again, we are interested in the second clause because it contains the who/whom. The prank was pulled on him. Therefore, whom is correct.
Read more at http://www.grammarbook.com/grammar/whoVwhom.asp
http://www.languagecorpsasia.com
Rule
Use the he/him method to decide which word is correct.
he = who
him = whom
Examples:
Who/Whom wrote the letter?
He wrote the letter. Therefore, who is correct.
For who/whom should I vote?
Should I vote for him? Therefore, whom is correct.
We all know who/whom pulled that prank.
This sentence contains two clauses: We all know and who/whom pulled that prank. We are interested in the second clause because it contains the who/whom. He pulled that prank. Therefore, who is correct. (Are you starting to sound like a hooting owl yet?)
We want to know on who/whom the prank was pulled.
This sentence contains two clauses: We want to know and the prank was pulled on who/whom. Again, we are interested in the second clause because it contains the who/whom. The prank was pulled on him. Therefore, whom is correct.
Read more at http://www.grammarbook.com/grammar/whoVwhom.asp
http://www.languagecorpsasia.com
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Project Idea: How Does Intrusive Volcanism Change the Shape of the Earth's Crust?
Project Idea: How Does Intrusive Volcanism Change the Shape of the Earth's Crust?
PROBLEM
How does intrusive volcanism (movement beneath the earth's surface) change the shape of the earth's crust?
Material
* knife (to be used only by an adult)
* clear plastic drinking glass
* scissors
* large tube of toothpaste (remove the cap)
* 1/2 cup (125 ml) of soil <>adult helper
Procedure
1) Ask an adult to use a knife to cut a hole in the bottom of the glass from the inside, then use scissors to make the hole as large as the mouth of the toothpaste tube.
2)Hold your finger over the hole in the bottom while you pour the soil into the glass.
3) Insert the mouth of the toothpaste tube into the hole.
4) Ask your helper to hold the glass while you press against the tube to force the toothpaste into the glass.
5)Observe the contents of the glass as the toothpaste enters. Pay special attention to the surface of the soil.
Results
As the toothpaste rises in the glass, the soil is pushed upward, forming a dome-shaped rise in the soil's surface.
Why?
Liquid rock beneath the earth's surface is called magma. Pressure on pools of magma deep within the earth forces the molten rock toward the surface. This movement of magma within the earth is referred to as intrusive volcanism. Intrusive volcanism is responsible for different types of intrusions (flows of magma that cool and harden before they reach the surface). Intrusions have many shapes because magma hardens in many positions as it cools. The hardened or solidified magma forms igneous rock. A dome-like intrusion is called a laccolith. A laccolith is formed when magma pushes overlying rock upward. The toothpaste simulates the formation of a laccolith. The mushroom-shaped paste pushes the overlying contents of the glass upward, producing a mound on the soil's surface.
LET'S EXPLORE
What would happen if rock layers restricted the upward movement of the magma? Repeat the experiment, adding rocks to the soil mixture and standing a second plastic glass inside the glass of soil. Ask your helper to push down on this glass to restrict the movement of soil as you force toothpaste into the glass. Science Fair Hint: Use the description in SHOW TIME! to identify the type of intrusion formed. Label and display the glass from this and the original experiment.
SHOW TIME!
1) Bodies of intrusive igneous rock are classified according to their shape and relationship to surrounding rock. Use the description of each type of rock structure and the diagram to build a clay model showing the rock structures formed by intrusive activities. This model can be used as part of a project display.
* Batholiths—large intrusions below the earth's surface.
* Dikes—narrow, vertical intrusions that rise and break through horizontal rock layers.
* laccoliths—mushroom- or domeshaped intrusions that push up the overlaying rock layer.
* Sills—thin, horizontal intrusions sandwiched between other rock layers.
* Stocks—intrusions below the earth's surface; smaller than batholith bodies.
2) Granite is the most common type of intrusive igneous rock. The composition of granite can vary depending on the kinds and proportions of minerals present in the magma that formed it. Different samples of granite can be purchased at a rock shop, or collect your own samples. Use these as part of a display showing the different shapes of intrusions and their composition.
CHECK IT OUT!
Domed mountains, such as the Henry Mountains of southern Utah or the Black Hills of South Dakota, are broad, circular mountains formed when layers of rock are lifted. Find out more about the surface landforms created by intrusions. What is the surface like in areas where the different intrusions are exposed when rocks around them are worn away by erosion? Examples of exposed batholiths are the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. Identify other exposed intrusion areas.
Read more at http://www.education.com/science-fair/article/lifter1/
http://www.languagecorpsasia.com
PROBLEM
How does intrusive volcanism (movement beneath the earth's surface) change the shape of the earth's crust?
Material
* knife (to be used only by an adult)
* clear plastic drinking glass
* scissors
* large tube of toothpaste (remove the cap)
* 1/2 cup (125 ml) of soil <>adult helper
Procedure
1) Ask an adult to use a knife to cut a hole in the bottom of the glass from the inside, then use scissors to make the hole as large as the mouth of the toothpaste tube.
2)Hold your finger over the hole in the bottom while you pour the soil into the glass.
3) Insert the mouth of the toothpaste tube into the hole.
4) Ask your helper to hold the glass while you press against the tube to force the toothpaste into the glass.
5)Observe the contents of the glass as the toothpaste enters. Pay special attention to the surface of the soil.
Results
As the toothpaste rises in the glass, the soil is pushed upward, forming a dome-shaped rise in the soil's surface.
Why?
Liquid rock beneath the earth's surface is called magma. Pressure on pools of magma deep within the earth forces the molten rock toward the surface. This movement of magma within the earth is referred to as intrusive volcanism. Intrusive volcanism is responsible for different types of intrusions (flows of magma that cool and harden before they reach the surface). Intrusions have many shapes because magma hardens in many positions as it cools. The hardened or solidified magma forms igneous rock. A dome-like intrusion is called a laccolith. A laccolith is formed when magma pushes overlying rock upward. The toothpaste simulates the formation of a laccolith. The mushroom-shaped paste pushes the overlying contents of the glass upward, producing a mound on the soil's surface.
LET'S EXPLORE
What would happen if rock layers restricted the upward movement of the magma? Repeat the experiment, adding rocks to the soil mixture and standing a second plastic glass inside the glass of soil. Ask your helper to push down on this glass to restrict the movement of soil as you force toothpaste into the glass. Science Fair Hint: Use the description in SHOW TIME! to identify the type of intrusion formed. Label and display the glass from this and the original experiment.
SHOW TIME!
1) Bodies of intrusive igneous rock are classified according to their shape and relationship to surrounding rock. Use the description of each type of rock structure and the diagram to build a clay model showing the rock structures formed by intrusive activities. This model can be used as part of a project display.
* Batholiths—large intrusions below the earth's surface.
* Dikes—narrow, vertical intrusions that rise and break through horizontal rock layers.
* laccoliths—mushroom- or domeshaped intrusions that push up the overlaying rock layer.
* Sills—thin, horizontal intrusions sandwiched between other rock layers.
* Stocks—intrusions below the earth's surface; smaller than batholith bodies.
2) Granite is the most common type of intrusive igneous rock. The composition of granite can vary depending on the kinds and proportions of minerals present in the magma that formed it. Different samples of granite can be purchased at a rock shop, or collect your own samples. Use these as part of a display showing the different shapes of intrusions and their composition.
CHECK IT OUT!
Domed mountains, such as the Henry Mountains of southern Utah or the Black Hills of South Dakota, are broad, circular mountains formed when layers of rock are lifted. Find out more about the surface landforms created by intrusions. What is the surface like in areas where the different intrusions are exposed when rocks around them are worn away by erosion? Examples of exposed batholiths are the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. Identify other exposed intrusion areas.
Read more at http://www.education.com/science-fair/article/lifter1/
http://www.languagecorpsasia.com
Monday, April 2, 2012
International Summit on Teaching Profession Held in New York
International Summit on Teaching Profession Held in New York.
This week’s second International Summit on the Teaching Profession, held in New York City, brought together representatives from 23 countries and regions around the world to share their expertise. The attendees, all from parts of the world with either high-performing or rapidly-improving school systems, sought to find a better approach to training teachers and identifying and supporting future leaders in the field of education.
“Last year’s first-ever International Summit focused on how high-performing countries support and elevate the teaching profession, contributing greatly to the RESPECT Project,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “The 2012 Summit has continued the conversation started last year, adding thoughtful insight on effective ways to prepare and develop skilled teachers and school leaders, and reaffirming the critical role they play in successfully implementing systematic reform.”
The U.S. Department of Education partnered with organizations like Education International, along with the American Federation of Teachers, the U.S.-based teachers union, National Education Association, and the Council of Chief State School Officers, to host the two-day Summit. Almost all regions of the world were represented. Attendees from Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland and Germany were some of the nations making up the European delegation. From Asia, The People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore sent ministers, teachers and union leaders. North America was represented by the U.S. hosts and a delegation from Canada.
Participants engaged in extensive discussion around policies and methods for successfully developing school leaders, preparing teachers to deliver 21st century learning skills, and matching supply with demand in placing principals and teachers in areas where they are needed the most.
The Summit attendees discussed a paper released by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development just prior to the start of the conference, that discussed various issues facing education systems around the world and their proposed solutions for recruiting, training and supporting school leaders and teachers.
A third Summit will be convened by the Netherlands, and is scheduled to take place in Amsterdam in 2013.
Read more at http://www.educationnews.org/k-12-schools/international-summit-on-teaching-profession-held-in-new-york/
http://www.languagecorpsasia.com
This week’s second International Summit on the Teaching Profession, held in New York City, brought together representatives from 23 countries and regions around the world to share their expertise. The attendees, all from parts of the world with either high-performing or rapidly-improving school systems, sought to find a better approach to training teachers and identifying and supporting future leaders in the field of education.
“Last year’s first-ever International Summit focused on how high-performing countries support and elevate the teaching profession, contributing greatly to the RESPECT Project,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “The 2012 Summit has continued the conversation started last year, adding thoughtful insight on effective ways to prepare and develop skilled teachers and school leaders, and reaffirming the critical role they play in successfully implementing systematic reform.”
The U.S. Department of Education partnered with organizations like Education International, along with the American Federation of Teachers, the U.S.-based teachers union, National Education Association, and the Council of Chief State School Officers, to host the two-day Summit. Almost all regions of the world were represented. Attendees from Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland and Germany were some of the nations making up the European delegation. From Asia, The People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore sent ministers, teachers and union leaders. North America was represented by the U.S. hosts and a delegation from Canada.
Participants engaged in extensive discussion around policies and methods for successfully developing school leaders, preparing teachers to deliver 21st century learning skills, and matching supply with demand in placing principals and teachers in areas where they are needed the most.
The Summit attendees discussed a paper released by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development just prior to the start of the conference, that discussed various issues facing education systems around the world and their proposed solutions for recruiting, training and supporting school leaders and teachers.
A third Summit will be convened by the Netherlands, and is scheduled to take place in Amsterdam in 2013.
Read more at http://www.educationnews.org/k-12-schools/international-summit-on-teaching-profession-held-in-new-york/
http://www.languagecorpsasia.com
Blonde Haired Beijinger at Home Helping Others Cope
Blonde haired Beijinger at home helping others cope.
She may never be mistaken for a Chinese person but Teresa Lawler feels at home in Beijing.
Whether it is discussing alterations for a wedding dress in Xidan's wedding mall or editing an academic report in Chinese, the thing that separates Lawler from a local is not her language skills or accent but, her strawberry blond hair and pale features.
With her hair tied in a pony tail and wearing vintage clothing, Lawler retells how, back in 2001, a housemate suggested she try teaching English overseas.
She traveled to Qingdao for six months and promptly fell in love with China.
When she returned to study at Australian National University, she changed her degree in arts and law to one in Asian studies and law, a move she doesn't regret.
She then took every opportunity to revisit China, including going on a whirlwind one-week Young Australian diplomatic program around China, studying Mandarin for a year at Beijing Language and Culture University in Wudaokou and going for a holiday in 2008.
In Lawler's words she was simply "obsessed" with China.
More than nine years on from when she first explored China, the now fluent Mandarin speaker is pursuing a long-held dream, to use her second language to work in Beijing on issues that she is passionate about.
Lawler works for the grassroots non-profit organization Hua Dan, which aims to unleash potential through theater; using creativity to empower migrant women and children and those affected by the Sichuan earthquake.
The group runs participatory theater workshops, advanced role-play and sessions on improvisation, creative games and story telling.
"We feel that, through creativity, people can realize their potential and we can do a lot to help people," she said. "Anything that is creative or artistic has the ability to express things that words and plain speech can't. It's a way for people to explore their own lives without being confronted by them."
As the evaluations and monitoring officer at Hua Dan, Lawler's job is to work closely with her Chinese colleagues to build a systematic evaluations program.
"Staff at Hua Dan have an awesome drive and a unique concept to offer China, my job is to see how it works and to make improvements," she said.
In her role, Lawler has seen the impact the program has had on participants, particularly the children from Sichuan.
"The effects are amazing," she said. "There are changes in students' relationships with other students, their families and their ability to study."
At the moment, Hua Dan has offices in Sichuan and Beijing.
In the next five years, Lawler hopes Hua Dan can expand and have offices all over China working for the needs of the local community where they are, using their hearts and passion to bring about social transformation where it is needed.
Q & A
Q: What do you love about Beijing?
A: I love the community spirit and lack of self-consciousness. People sing loudly to themselves in the street and they just don't care, there is no self-consciousness, that's how I want to be.
Q: Where do you usually hang out in Beijing? How would it be different from back home?
A: On a Friday night, I like to relax with friends and enjoy a glass of wine listening to the jazz lounge music of DJ Little Dave [her fianc] at the Bookworm.
Q: Do you feel as though you are part of the city or more of an observer?
A: It depends where I am, if I am looking out of my window on the 10th floor at the activity in the hutong below, I feel like an observer. But when I am at the KTV with my Chinese colleagues, I definitely feel part of the city.
Q: Do you have many Chinese friends? How do they differ from your foreign friends?
A: My Chinese friends are different from my foreign friends in how we are interested in each others' cultures and we ask a lot of questions. With my Australian friends, it is more about having a piece of home with you.
Q: Do you have a Beijing shopping secret?
A: It's not a secret to the university students, but Wudaokou Clothing markets have the best Korean imports I've ever seen.
Read more at http://english.sina.com/cityguide/p/2010/0716/329607.html
http://www.languagecorpsasia.com
She may never be mistaken for a Chinese person but Teresa Lawler feels at home in Beijing.
Whether it is discussing alterations for a wedding dress in Xidan's wedding mall or editing an academic report in Chinese, the thing that separates Lawler from a local is not her language skills or accent but, her strawberry blond hair and pale features.
With her hair tied in a pony tail and wearing vintage clothing, Lawler retells how, back in 2001, a housemate suggested she try teaching English overseas.
She traveled to Qingdao for six months and promptly fell in love with China.
When she returned to study at Australian National University, she changed her degree in arts and law to one in Asian studies and law, a move she doesn't regret.
She then took every opportunity to revisit China, including going on a whirlwind one-week Young Australian diplomatic program around China, studying Mandarin for a year at Beijing Language and Culture University in Wudaokou and going for a holiday in 2008.
In Lawler's words she was simply "obsessed" with China.
More than nine years on from when she first explored China, the now fluent Mandarin speaker is pursuing a long-held dream, to use her second language to work in Beijing on issues that she is passionate about.
Lawler works for the grassroots non-profit organization Hua Dan, which aims to unleash potential through theater; using creativity to empower migrant women and children and those affected by the Sichuan earthquake.
The group runs participatory theater workshops, advanced role-play and sessions on improvisation, creative games and story telling.
"We feel that, through creativity, people can realize their potential and we can do a lot to help people," she said. "Anything that is creative or artistic has the ability to express things that words and plain speech can't. It's a way for people to explore their own lives without being confronted by them."
As the evaluations and monitoring officer at Hua Dan, Lawler's job is to work closely with her Chinese colleagues to build a systematic evaluations program.
"Staff at Hua Dan have an awesome drive and a unique concept to offer China, my job is to see how it works and to make improvements," she said.
In her role, Lawler has seen the impact the program has had on participants, particularly the children from Sichuan.
"The effects are amazing," she said. "There are changes in students' relationships with other students, their families and their ability to study."
At the moment, Hua Dan has offices in Sichuan and Beijing.
In the next five years, Lawler hopes Hua Dan can expand and have offices all over China working for the needs of the local community where they are, using their hearts and passion to bring about social transformation where it is needed.
Q & A
Q: What do you love about Beijing?
A: I love the community spirit and lack of self-consciousness. People sing loudly to themselves in the street and they just don't care, there is no self-consciousness, that's how I want to be.
Q: Where do you usually hang out in Beijing? How would it be different from back home?
A: On a Friday night, I like to relax with friends and enjoy a glass of wine listening to the jazz lounge music of DJ Little Dave [her fianc] at the Bookworm.
Q: Do you feel as though you are part of the city or more of an observer?
A: It depends where I am, if I am looking out of my window on the 10th floor at the activity in the hutong below, I feel like an observer. But when I am at the KTV with my Chinese colleagues, I definitely feel part of the city.
Q: Do you have many Chinese friends? How do they differ from your foreign friends?
A: My Chinese friends are different from my foreign friends in how we are interested in each others' cultures and we ask a lot of questions. With my Australian friends, it is more about having a piece of home with you.
Q: Do you have a Beijing shopping secret?
A: It's not a secret to the university students, but Wudaokou Clothing markets have the best Korean imports I've ever seen.
Read more at http://english.sina.com/cityguide/p/2010/0716/329607.html
http://www.languagecorpsasia.com
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Living in Thailand
Living in Thailand.
Living in Thailand might be something you are considering at this time. There are many questions and areas to consider before you pack up and leave your home country for Thailand. This article will review some of the major considerations you will need to put thought toward if you are serious about living in Thailand for a long or short time.
Income?
Unless you are going to live in Thailand off your savings, you are going to have to figure out a way to make money to pay your bills. Yes, you have bills in Thailand but, they are quite affordable. Rent for a house might cost you two hundred dollars in a town away from Bangkok. In Bangkok an apartment might be four hundred dollars. Food outside Bangkok will be about three hundred dollars. In Bangkok, the sky is the limit.
Most choosing to live in Thailand are teachers. In Bangkok, with a bachelors degree and a TEFL (Teacher of English as a Foreign Language) certificate one could make $1,500 per month on average. Some teachers make quite a bit more than that. Outside Bangkok the average starting teacher salary is about $1,000 per month.
Finding a teaching job in Thailand is quite easy if you have a bachelors degree from your home country and English is your native language.
If you do not wish to teach English then the other primary option is to work in Bangkok with one of the many companies there which need English speakers. There may be companies from your home country with an office in Bangkok that need employees. Use online research to find these positions.
Choosing a Place to Live in Thailand
Thailand is quite a large and diverse country in terms of climate and terrain. There are mountain areas, virtual desert areas, and lush tropical jungle. Where you live in Thailand will be a major consideration. The right place for you to live is here - the issue is just choosing where to live.
The warm months in Thailand are February through June. The rainy season runs May through December. From November to January it is usually cool.
Northern Thailand is characterized by mountains, heavy rains, and very cool temperatures in the winter months. It never snows in Northern Thailand, and it gets quite hot in the summer.
Central Thailand is mostly flat and includes Bangkok and surrounding provinces. The central region is very hot when it is not raining, and when it is raining - floods often. Bangkok is known as the hottest city in the world due the night time temperatures remaining very warm. You will need air conditioning in Bangkok.
Northeastern Thailand is flat and very dry, even during the rainy season and the summer months are blistering hot. During winter it does get very cool and if you are riding a motorbike you will need a winter jacket to remain warm enough.
Southern Thailand is lush jungle and, though it's quite warm even during winter months, the nights are cool enough that no air conditioning is needed. The land is mostly flat in the southern provinces with rolling hills and stunning limestone mountain topography.
If you need to be near the ocean, the southern provinces are where you will need to be. If you like the mountains, the north is for you.
If you are concerned about the friendliness of people in Thailand, you need not be. Thai people are friendly across the country, but most visitors say the northern and northeastern Thais are the friendliest.
Safety?
There are a number of safety considerations you should be aware of. Thailand is a country far different from wherever you hail.
Thailand has 45 species of poisonous snakes, 9 types of scorpion, and many other stinging animals like jellyfish, spiders, and insects. One of the smallest biting pests is the most troublesome... mosquitoes.
Malaria, Dengue Fever, Chikungunra, and encephalitis are all found in Thailand and transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Mosquito repellant is a must - and anything with DEET 28+ usually works well.
Driving in Thailand is a real horror-show, and you would be wise to ease into it. First, you will be driving on the left side of the road, which might be a change for you. Secondly, the driving habits in Thailand are quite different from anywhere you have probably been. To say driving in Thailand is dangerous is vast understatement.
If you are a person that intends on enjoying the nightlife in Thailand there are numerous considerations to take into account. Use and possession of illicit drugs are penalized very strictly in Thailand and for anything with heroin or methamphetamine you might be looking at more than ten years in a Thai prison.
Fights often erupt in bar situations and you really should know what to do in these instances.
There are many safety issues that confront the visitor or person wishing to live in Thailand long-term. Below I have linked to an entire survival guide dedicated to the topic of safety in Thailand. It just might save your life.
One of my passions while living in Thailand has been developing the "Thai Black Book" for visitors and persons looking to live in Thailand either briefly or long-term. This book covers many safety issues that you need to be aware of, but that are not covered in any other Thailand guidebook.
Read more at http://ezinearticles.com/?Living-in-Thailand&id=3186331
http://www.languagecorpsasia.com
Living in Thailand might be something you are considering at this time. There are many questions and areas to consider before you pack up and leave your home country for Thailand. This article will review some of the major considerations you will need to put thought toward if you are serious about living in Thailand for a long or short time.
Income?
Unless you are going to live in Thailand off your savings, you are going to have to figure out a way to make money to pay your bills. Yes, you have bills in Thailand but, they are quite affordable. Rent for a house might cost you two hundred dollars in a town away from Bangkok. In Bangkok an apartment might be four hundred dollars. Food outside Bangkok will be about three hundred dollars. In Bangkok, the sky is the limit.
Most choosing to live in Thailand are teachers. In Bangkok, with a bachelors degree and a TEFL (Teacher of English as a Foreign Language) certificate one could make $1,500 per month on average. Some teachers make quite a bit more than that. Outside Bangkok the average starting teacher salary is about $1,000 per month.
Finding a teaching job in Thailand is quite easy if you have a bachelors degree from your home country and English is your native language.
If you do not wish to teach English then the other primary option is to work in Bangkok with one of the many companies there which need English speakers. There may be companies from your home country with an office in Bangkok that need employees. Use online research to find these positions.
Choosing a Place to Live in Thailand
Thailand is quite a large and diverse country in terms of climate and terrain. There are mountain areas, virtual desert areas, and lush tropical jungle. Where you live in Thailand will be a major consideration. The right place for you to live is here - the issue is just choosing where to live.
The warm months in Thailand are February through June. The rainy season runs May through December. From November to January it is usually cool.
Northern Thailand is characterized by mountains, heavy rains, and very cool temperatures in the winter months. It never snows in Northern Thailand, and it gets quite hot in the summer.
Central Thailand is mostly flat and includes Bangkok and surrounding provinces. The central region is very hot when it is not raining, and when it is raining - floods often. Bangkok is known as the hottest city in the world due the night time temperatures remaining very warm. You will need air conditioning in Bangkok.
Northeastern Thailand is flat and very dry, even during the rainy season and the summer months are blistering hot. During winter it does get very cool and if you are riding a motorbike you will need a winter jacket to remain warm enough.
Southern Thailand is lush jungle and, though it's quite warm even during winter months, the nights are cool enough that no air conditioning is needed. The land is mostly flat in the southern provinces with rolling hills and stunning limestone mountain topography.
If you need to be near the ocean, the southern provinces are where you will need to be. If you like the mountains, the north is for you.
If you are concerned about the friendliness of people in Thailand, you need not be. Thai people are friendly across the country, but most visitors say the northern and northeastern Thais are the friendliest.
Safety?
There are a number of safety considerations you should be aware of. Thailand is a country far different from wherever you hail.
Thailand has 45 species of poisonous snakes, 9 types of scorpion, and many other stinging animals like jellyfish, spiders, and insects. One of the smallest biting pests is the most troublesome... mosquitoes.
Malaria, Dengue Fever, Chikungunra, and encephalitis are all found in Thailand and transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Mosquito repellant is a must - and anything with DEET 28+ usually works well.
Driving in Thailand is a real horror-show, and you would be wise to ease into it. First, you will be driving on the left side of the road, which might be a change for you. Secondly, the driving habits in Thailand are quite different from anywhere you have probably been. To say driving in Thailand is dangerous is vast understatement.
If you are a person that intends on enjoying the nightlife in Thailand there are numerous considerations to take into account. Use and possession of illicit drugs are penalized very strictly in Thailand and for anything with heroin or methamphetamine you might be looking at more than ten years in a Thai prison.
Fights often erupt in bar situations and you really should know what to do in these instances.
There are many safety issues that confront the visitor or person wishing to live in Thailand long-term. Below I have linked to an entire survival guide dedicated to the topic of safety in Thailand. It just might save your life.
One of my passions while living in Thailand has been developing the "Thai Black Book" for visitors and persons looking to live in Thailand either briefly or long-term. This book covers many safety issues that you need to be aware of, but that are not covered in any other Thailand guidebook.
Read more at http://ezinearticles.com/?Living-in-Thailand&id=3186331
http://www.languagecorpsasia.com
Making a Project a Winner
Making a Project a Winner.
There's no guaranteed way to assure yourself of winning, but there are some things you can do that will improve your chances. First and foremost, you should have fun doing your science fair project as well as learning about the world around you. If your project is not fun, not something you like doing, it will be difficult to make a winner out of it. What you need to do are the following:
1. Pick Something You're Interested In - It's hard to have fun working on a project you think is boring, and you won't learn much from a project you really don't care about. So the most important step is to pick a project that you really want to do, and one you can get enthusiastic about completing. Don't pick a project just because you think it looks easy, or because you have a friend that did the same project last year. What's more important to the judges is your ability to demonstrate that you understand your project and that you have researched the issues and are knowledgeable of the scientific and technical facts that relate to your project.
2. Don't wait until the last minute to start your project - To have a winning project you have to spend quite a bit of time thinking about how it should work and planning out how to do it. Winning projects are NOT ones you throw together at the last minute thinking the judges won't notice how skimpy your research is. How long a project should take depends on the project itself. Some you might be able to do in a week or two, others will require a month or more if done right. You need to have plenty of time to research background references and read about your topic, plenty of time to plan and do you experiments, and even some extra time built in just in case you need to repeat experiments that get ruined. And even after the research and experimentation is over, you need time to prepare both your written report and your display for the fair itself.
3. Do the Work Yourself - There's nothing wrong in asking for help. Other people can certainly share resources with you, advise you about how to set up the experiment, even show you how to complete some tests. But while others can advise you, make sure that you do the work yourself, and write your own reports. Doing the work yourself will give you a much better understanding of how things work and why or why not your experimental results turned out the way they did. And remember... when the judges are at your exhibit, asking questions about your project, your friends won't be there to explain what was in a reference book you listed in your bibliography, your parents won't be there to explain why one part of the experiment was altered, and your teachers won't be there to explain why certain substances may have been substituted for others and why the experiment is still valid despite the substitution. When the judges are standing there, quizzing you, YOU have to know those answers, and the best way to learn them is to have done the work yourself.
4. Don't Get Upset If Your Hypothesis Is Incorrect - The whole purpose of an experimental science fair project is to see IF a certain hypothesis is correct, not to prove that you were right. When you state your hypothesis you are saying, "I think this will happen, based on my research." But there are many factors that can cause a hypothesis to be incorrect, and sometimes, some of the most important discoveries are made because a hypothesis was wrong, not right. It's more important to understand what DID happen in your experiment that to have had a hypothesis proven.
5. Keep Accurate Records From Beginning to End - After your project is completed is NOT the time to go back, relying on memory and trying to construct a project data book. Get yourself a set of 3x5 cards or a spiral notebook and keep accurate notes from the very first day. Good notes demonstrate your consistency and thoroughness to the judges and will be invaluable in helping you prepare your final report.
6. Prepare An Attractive, Informative Display - A neat, attractive display makes it easy for the judges and visitors to examine your project and the results you achieved. Avoid the temptation to cram too much information into too small a space, which makes your display look cluttered and confusing. Pick out the 4 or 5 most important parts of your project and use them as heads which should stand out more boldly than the rest. If you have them available, make liberal use of colorful graphs and pie charts as a means of displaying your data in a form that is quickly understood.
7. More Tips For Your Display - Most display boards are of the 3-panel version, but you should check well in advance to make sure that your display is correctly presented and sturdily constructed. Your display should not be flimsy and prone to collapsing or falling over. Make sure you observe the size limitations and follow all appropriate safety rules when preparing your display. Any required forms will have to be displayed so plan room for them right off the bat.
Good luck on your project!!!
Read more at http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Making_Project/
http://www.languagecorpsasia.com
There's no guaranteed way to assure yourself of winning, but there are some things you can do that will improve your chances. First and foremost, you should have fun doing your science fair project as well as learning about the world around you. If your project is not fun, not something you like doing, it will be difficult to make a winner out of it. What you need to do are the following:
1. Pick Something You're Interested In - It's hard to have fun working on a project you think is boring, and you won't learn much from a project you really don't care about. So the most important step is to pick a project that you really want to do, and one you can get enthusiastic about completing. Don't pick a project just because you think it looks easy, or because you have a friend that did the same project last year. What's more important to the judges is your ability to demonstrate that you understand your project and that you have researched the issues and are knowledgeable of the scientific and technical facts that relate to your project.
2. Don't wait until the last minute to start your project - To have a winning project you have to spend quite a bit of time thinking about how it should work and planning out how to do it. Winning projects are NOT ones you throw together at the last minute thinking the judges won't notice how skimpy your research is. How long a project should take depends on the project itself. Some you might be able to do in a week or two, others will require a month or more if done right. You need to have plenty of time to research background references and read about your topic, plenty of time to plan and do you experiments, and even some extra time built in just in case you need to repeat experiments that get ruined. And even after the research and experimentation is over, you need time to prepare both your written report and your display for the fair itself.
3. Do the Work Yourself - There's nothing wrong in asking for help. Other people can certainly share resources with you, advise you about how to set up the experiment, even show you how to complete some tests. But while others can advise you, make sure that you do the work yourself, and write your own reports. Doing the work yourself will give you a much better understanding of how things work and why or why not your experimental results turned out the way they did. And remember... when the judges are at your exhibit, asking questions about your project, your friends won't be there to explain what was in a reference book you listed in your bibliography, your parents won't be there to explain why one part of the experiment was altered, and your teachers won't be there to explain why certain substances may have been substituted for others and why the experiment is still valid despite the substitution. When the judges are standing there, quizzing you, YOU have to know those answers, and the best way to learn them is to have done the work yourself.
4. Don't Get Upset If Your Hypothesis Is Incorrect - The whole purpose of an experimental science fair project is to see IF a certain hypothesis is correct, not to prove that you were right. When you state your hypothesis you are saying, "I think this will happen, based on my research." But there are many factors that can cause a hypothesis to be incorrect, and sometimes, some of the most important discoveries are made because a hypothesis was wrong, not right. It's more important to understand what DID happen in your experiment that to have had a hypothesis proven.
5. Keep Accurate Records From Beginning to End - After your project is completed is NOT the time to go back, relying on memory and trying to construct a project data book. Get yourself a set of 3x5 cards or a spiral notebook and keep accurate notes from the very first day. Good notes demonstrate your consistency and thoroughness to the judges and will be invaluable in helping you prepare your final report.
6. Prepare An Attractive, Informative Display - A neat, attractive display makes it easy for the judges and visitors to examine your project and the results you achieved. Avoid the temptation to cram too much information into too small a space, which makes your display look cluttered and confusing. Pick out the 4 or 5 most important parts of your project and use them as heads which should stand out more boldly than the rest. If you have them available, make liberal use of colorful graphs and pie charts as a means of displaying your data in a form that is quickly understood.
7. More Tips For Your Display - Most display boards are of the 3-panel version, but you should check well in advance to make sure that your display is correctly presented and sturdily constructed. Your display should not be flimsy and prone to collapsing or falling over. Make sure you observe the size limitations and follow all appropriate safety rules when preparing your display. Any required forms will have to be displayed so plan room for them right off the bat.
Good luck on your project!!!
Read more at http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Making_Project/
http://www.languagecorpsasia.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)