Chapter 8-2: Greetings and Saying Goodbye

As the title suggests: This video will teach you how to say hello and bid anyone farewell in English. In the clip is Mr. Duncan, he'll help you out on how to do this. All I have to say is just watch the video carefully and try to practice every single sentence that Mr. Duncan used in the clip. I'm sure you'll be able to do more than saying hello and bidding someone farewell in English. 


And yes, many phrases used along with greetings and farewell, depending on the circumstances....Just watch, learn, and enjoy the video, okay!?

Chapter 8: The Same Old Things

What are we doing today? Well, we're relearning the thing that call blog. Good for polishing my blogging skills which're pretty rusty now. However, it's quite boring to me. I'm bored because of why I can't keep up with my blogging skills and let them rusty like an old sword being kept away from the battlefield...


Maybe it's time to reestablish my blog once again. See you soon!

Chapter 7: The Halfway to Perfection

When you see the title, you find it irrelevant...right? But my way of learning English is very different from any of my classmates do. So don't restrain me from introducing my way. However, I assure you that everything I've stumbled upon works, at least for me; I learn English mostly by myself you know?

No matter what I've said, though. I'm still tempting on translating things by the way. I've almost forgotten to add news to my blog. You'll see some of them here...

-------------------

Unbelievable!! Patoomwan Smashed Triamudomsuksa on Doc Entrance, But Triamudomsuksa Still won in Number.

At last, the 2011 result of Faculty of medicine's entrance from the Council of Physicians was finished and ready to show off on the 25 of February, approximately at 7 o'clock in the evening. The same time as the last year.

Rumor has it; there were so many students' parents visiting the website: www9.si.mahidol.ac.th (The doctors' council site). No less than several hundred thousands times has been recorded.

Prof. Dr. Awut Srisukree, secretary general of the Doctors' Council said that there were 29 thousands of high-school students applied for the entrance exam but only 25 thousands of them actually took the test. And only 1,531 of them passed the test. Those who'd passed the test will be called for the interview and have a physical examination at their chosen university in the early March.

If there is any resignation occurs or the number doesn't meet the requirement, the Council may announce the second result.

However, there are 10 thousands more students volunteer themselves to the entrance exam this year...

This year's competition is like 1 part 17.

Unlike last year, in which there were 1,375 students out of 22,000 to pass the entrance exam. It was like 1 part 16 that year.

The Council's top scorer is "Ben" Tipok Rukumnuoykit, grade 12 of Patoomwan Srinakharinwirot Demonstration School. He's got 81.7460, which is the highest score for the faculty of medicines in Chulalongkorn University.

While the last year still retained higher marks: 83.0400 out of 100 from "Dell" Natchakorn Kwankajornwong, grade 12 student from Triamudomsuksa School who possesses 3.92 GPA. and held the first place that year...

There was inside news regarding "Ben" had taken an exam for applying himself to Triamudomsuksa but the school he belongs to persuaded him to earn honor and glory for himself and Patoomwan Srinakharinwirot Demonstration School, what a notorious deal...

This is why Triamudomsuksa loses to Patoomwan even Pasin Manurangsi, the top-notch student from Krungthep Christian College who had been highly anticipated as the top student to be the first of new generation of doctors of Chulalongkorn University. This one possesses the most promising GPAs and had been a representative to compete in the Olympic's Computer Contest, 2010. Not only that, he also decorated himself with the gold medal from Olympic's Academic Contest (Mathematics) 2008 with the eighth place comparing to others throughout the world.

The inside also said that the marks between Tipok and Pasin was like a close call...

But in number, Triamudomsuksa is still a champion.

Latest news: Triamudomsuksa's website claims that 139 of them are in Chulalongkorn University, 134 in the Sirirat and 54 of them in Ramathibodee. All of these numbers are students who pass the entrance exam to be medical students.

While Tipok says he's glad to be the one who passed the test to be the Chulalongkorn student and had the highest GPAs of 4.00 in his eleventh grade.

He also reveal his secrets on preparing himself before the examination day; diligently read books on corresponding topics and review them regularly. He also said that he reads book at night, approximately from 8 pm. till midnight. And on his preparation for the medical entrance, he buys medical books for reading since the weight of the profession mark is 30% of the entire marks. He also take a chance consulting other senior students who attended to the Olympic Academic Camp too.

He admits that he takes tutoring classes too, namely Mathematics, English, Thai and Social just in case of preparing himself to compete for the King's Scholarship. He had taken that chance and the result will reveals itself in March, 10, 2011.

"I like studying medical sciences because my mother was a nurse and my aunt is a pharmacist. I also like sciences because I'm good at physics and had a chance to attend to the Olympic's Physics Camp too. These are reasons why I'd love to study both of them." That's what Tipok says.

There's a rumor that not less than 10 top-notch students will give in the chance and take the King's Scholarship instead.

This news is from the Education corner of Matichon Online, February 27, 2011.

Click here to see the original news...

Interlude I: Haiku

Let's take a break...And during this break, I'm about to show you my poorly-written haiku.

Whew...I won't talk anything much, though. Let's see the piece then...

An over-weighted chick

wants to play hoola hoop -

epic fail...

Heh...It's funny to see such chick playing hoola hoop. I wonder if she can move her hip...

That's enough for funny part, I'm tweaking my blog right now...

Chapter 6: House Registration Form

As the title suggests, I have something to show you; my translated version of my house registration form. This thing usually consists of the member of the house, who's the house's owner? and some personal information of members and also the address where the house located at. Its detail is simple as that...

Personally, I don't want to disclose my own information about my house and anything contains along with it, so I'll encrypt it in some kind of folder for you to see...

But stay tune, though. It's because of I'll have to wait for my father's permission to see the whole document first...

You're still free to see other contents of mine within this blog. I'm writing the next entry right now...

Chapter 5: Give Me My Heart Back

It's short and simple for this entry and this chapter; it's also dedicated to a song. But this one is different because there is a Thai folk song in it. It's pretty irregular to see Thai folk song in my blog anyway...But someone in the university asked me and other classmates to place it in each others' blog...So here it is.

Give Back The Heart - Tukkatan Chollada

What happen to our love?

Why do all good things’ve faded away, by the time being.

Like we care each other no more; what I feel means nothing.

Have you asked your mind; you still love me or not?

And what about our promise, do you still hold true?

You pretend to be busy, holding those belongings,

When we walk together, you seems so far away.

You’ve made me realized; our love is just to endure.

*If our love is too much, then please give back our hearts;

You just have to tell me once; what do you want from me?

If we’re not each others’ type, then don’t care what people say,

If our love actually ends here, then we should have ended it as well.*

**I’m still waiting for your words;

When you’re ready, please explain it to me.

For when your heart’s been changed;

Is it because of me, or you…who’d changed your mind?

Since when you love me no more…could you please tell me?

Is it because of me, or you…who’d changed your mind? **

(repeat * and ** again)

---------------

Okay, I think that'll be enough...

P.S. I swear that's actually the singer's name. Though it's her stage name, to say the least...

Chapter 4: Indigo Sea

The chapter 4 is here. I'll dedicate this chapter to the song that I'd like to share with, one of my latest favourite song so far...and it's called "Kram" in Thai, performed by Bodyslam. This band of musicians are among the cream of the crop of Thai music bands for many years now. You must admit that, their songs are no-nonsense at all....

I won't talk about this song much...as it'll surely spoil most of the noteworthy parts of this song...



"Indigo Sea" by Bodyslam

The deeper it is, the darker it becomes;
The more I try to find it, the more confused I'll be.

Who knows the true nature of one's heart?

In the great blue sea, who could give me the answer?
On the edge of the horizon, where the ocean is glittering.
What shall we find?
Deep within the mirror of sea so far away.

It's where you think it's nice...
but please look at it carefully,
and reconsider it more thoroughly.

If the things you've seen,
are nothing but a lie.

*The endless field of the great blue sea,
is like one's twisted mind;
like the great blue sea, unfathomable.*

**Are you still standing, or gone.
If one day the one you've trusted.

Is nothing like you've ever thought of him;
then nothing is beautiful after all.

What about inside;
one's unfathomable heart.
If that place isn't as safe as you've thought,
then who'll get to understand,
what my heart truly is?**

No matter how beautiful the sky is,
it'll be darken one day.

Like everyone of us, must hold some truth in one's heart.
You know this fact, right?

The dream and the truth is yet to be found,
I'm afraid, if that day was the truth,
which hurt you, and made you regretted.

(repeat *, **)

The indigo mystery, no one knows it, no one understands it.
So what am I? the edge of the stormy and cruelly beautiful sea?

I want nothing,
but the one who understands me thoroughly.
But what am I anyway?
and who'll be the one to walk pass....

(repeat *,** again.)

The indigo mystery, no one knows it, no one understands it.
So what am I? the edge of the stormy and cruelly beautiful sea?

I want nothing,
but the one who understands me thoroughly.
But what am I anyway?
and who'll be the one to walk pass this cruel truth with me?

----------------------

Bah! that was pretty crappy, but I'll find my time to polish this translated lyrics for sure...just give me some times...

Chapter 3: The Bantam Gone Wild

Well, there're some tasks needed to be taken care of now. So I have to put the second part of the Conditional Sentences off until later....much later.

Anyway...welcome back! You may wonder about the title of this entry, right? I bet you do. The reason is it's about a bantam; a cock in the same family of other chickens. However, this one is a little bit different; it's small in stature comparing to its counterpart. Though it's small, it's more handsome than most of other breeds of cocks especially its feather...The bantam's feather is beautiful, you know? I have no idea how to describe it...You know it when you see it.

Wait...what am I talking about?? I don't suppose to talk about what the bantam is, right?

But I'm here to talk about how to fold the bantam out of your paper, a fabulous one...

Let's waste no time then. Some pieces of paper are ready on your hands, right? Okay, let's start!

(I'll translate this text in English, exclusively for those curious foreigners...)

-----------------

The Handsome Bantam

Stuff to use

1. Cream, red, orange, dark green and light green poster paper.
2. Latex glue
3. a pair of rollable eyes, 1 cm. diameter each.
   

How to fold it?

1. Cut your cream paper for a torso of the bantam like what the model said, then fold it by the dash line.
2. Cut your red paper for a bantam's wattle, cockscomb and mouth, one piece each. Then fold them old by the dash line.
3. Cut your orange paper for a bantam's inner tail and your red one for an outer tail like the model said, 2 pieces each. Then use the sharpened side of your divider to slit open the dash line, and fold up 0r down by the same slit line.
4. Cut your dark green and light green for the pair of bantam's inner and outer wings respectively, then use your sharpened side of your divider to scar the dash line , then fold up or down by that scarred line.

If you follow the direction, then you'll have one lovely bantam for your..."trophy". Hey, you can give this folded toy to your kids as a gift too.

That's all for this chapter, I'll return as soon as I'm ready.

Chapter 2: If Clauses (Part I)

Please, spare me your lectures...I don't want to repeat what I've already born in mind again and again. And I want to proceed to what's needed to get it done...

And, the first and foremost thing is the If Clauses. This topic doesn't seem to have anything to do with Translations, but it's worth noting since it's associated with the thing that called Grammars which is one of the most critical things to understand before you can translate any kinds of documents as if you're walking along the golden field...

Let's get to the point, then. The If Clauses is popular, that's the reason why it's worth noting and there are three main kinds of if clauses, not to mention a special kind that can be changed unpredictably...At least that's what I meant to describe it, no pun intended.

Maybe I've already learned them from my grammar book, maybe not. But they seem similar...and it's a shame that I like to use if clauses too, but not able to recognize their structures. Thanks to you, though. For you'd mentioned this grammar spot in this course...

Well, as everyone knows. The If Clauses are the collective of clauses that state the condition in the sentences, hence its parental topic: The Conditional Sentences. This topic talks about not only 3 types of if clauses and the mixed types ones. It also talk about the more complicated matters regarding this topic too. But I'll only talk about if clauses and the mixed conditionals for now...complicated things come later.

The structures of three basic if clauses are easy to understand, as follow :-

1. Simple Present + will-future (or modal + infinitive)
2. Simple Past + would + infinitive
3. Past Perfect + would + have + past participle

The first type is also known as Present Real Clause since the condition within the clause is suggested as being possible to fulfill.

The examples to this type of if clauses will be like this :-

• If I get up early, I may have time to exercise.
• If you underestimate your opponent, you may end up as a loser.
• If Johnson pays more attention to the class, he will do better in the exam.

Let us proceed to the next type of the if clauses then. This type of if clause states the condition that may be fulfill only in theory or in the past, but no longer possible in the present time or by practical means. Sometimes it's called "Present Unreal" because the condition is no longer be able to fulfill in the present time since such situation mentioned in the condition is a thing of the past.

Let's see its samples then...

• If I could reverse time, I could find a way to redeem myself from my sins.
• If I Tim wasn't a lazy type, he might perform better than other classmates.
• If we were rich, our living wouldn't be as pathetic as you know.

Let's waste no time then, the third type of the if clauses is waiting. This kind of if clauses state the condition that can't be able to fulfilled, no matter by the time being or by the past time. It sounds like such condition can only be fulfilled only when you dream for it. Apart from that, it's absolutely impossible...at least in the thought of those who think so, though.

I've already mentioned its structure, let's take a look into its samples then...

• You know what? There are so many good things happen to me while I was in the junior high school, if I had been a better man, I'd have seen even better things than I'm facing right now.
• If Damian had learned the truth, he might have been less merciful than I am.
• If we had won the lottery, we could have bought things that we always dream of.

And that's all about three major types of If Clauses, there is something I want to add into this entry by the way...

It's about another way to write these conditional sentences; you can simply swap the position of if clause with that of the main sentence. It will be like this :-

• Tim might perform better than other classmates if he wasn't a lazy type.

Can you see any differences? The position of the if clause and the main clause are changed as you can see, but the meaning is still the same. It's as simple as that.

As I've stated before, there are mixed types too. That means you may combine different types of conditions together, but that's easy to say. Let's see what it's like then...

Past --> Present :-

• If we had finished homework in time, we wouldn't have to skip this class.

Past --> Future :-

• If I had known that you love me no longer, I would give in and find a better one for sure.

Present --> Past :-

• If George had won a big lottery prize, he might have bought this house.

Present --> Future :-

• If you were in Seville, I would be spending my time with you there.

Future --> Past :-

• If Thomas wasn't sleeping, I would have invited him to join my party.

Future --> Present :-

• If I didn't have any appointment next month, I'd be relaxed.

That's all for now. However, I'll proceed to the next chapter as soon as I'm ready...

Chapter 1: About Translation II

Okay...As you may know, I've put this god-forsaken blog down for quite a while because I have no ideas to put something into it...

But I've come up with ideas now...and it's about one of many courses that I have to take class in this semester: Translation II.

This course is like its counterpart in the last semester in terms of learning basis, though. Learning by doing, you say? Learn what? The contents you want to read. Do what? Translate them. So it can hence its course's name; Translation. While Translation I concentrates mainly on how to translate English Language documents to Thai, but you will have to translate Thai back to English instead.

...And the only way to translate certain languages to another languages effectively is to understand their grammars and structures thoroughly, in which require a great deal of work and experiences, as you always say which I'm too lazy to repeat it again and again. Well, because I also bear this principle in my mind all the time!

The other things that you have also said, my dear teacher, are consisted mainly of how to apply such things that I've learned from many courses in this bachelor degree to good use in the practical teaching. So many contents that you've told also. But you've just said that English courses aren't that "fixed", comparing to other courses involving other subjects...charming.

Well then, that's all for the first entry. I'll continue to the second shortly after this...

Let's get over it!

Not much...and as the title suggest; I think it's time to have my blog back online now!

Connecting with e-Learners Through Podcasting

Okay, today is a little bit different. And the reason is; I've found an article that may catches your interests so nicely...and it's about the benefits of podcasting to e-learners.

Connecting with e-Learners Through Podcasting

By Heather Zink

July 20, 2010

Online instructors often struggle to find ways to connect with students on a consistent basis through a means other than written discussion such as forums and emails. In an online learning community where students are primarily reading a body of course material, the goal of an online instructor is often to establish a sense of connectedness between the student and the material. Words in a textbook or PowerPoint presentations do not provide enough engagement to ensure students are actively participating in their learning, therefore it is crucial to use additional modalities to facilitate connectedness.

Podcasting offers an opportunity to connect with students and enhance the instructor-student interaction. It also provides an avenue for instructors to meet students at a time most convenient for the student with information that can be repeated as often as the student needs. Students already use various types of mobile devices, which provide access to the most current news stories, weather forecasts, movie trends, and restaurant reviews. Being able to add on-the-go course content and guidance related to textbook readings would resolve the "non-interaction" that occurs between students and their online instructors, as well as greatly enhance an instructor's "visibility." Busy students want to receive information through a convenient delivery method... enter the RSS feed. The utilization of an RSS feed captured in a podcast allows instructors to "push" course content out to the students instead of students needing to search for information.

By definition, a podcast is a series of digital content files that are released as episodes through the use of Web syndication or RSS feeds. The files can be audio or video, and—if crafted carefully—can create an environment similar to a face-to-face classroom, but with the advantages of availability, accessibility, and repetition. The podcast can be played over and over again until comprehension is achieved. As modern learners experience an increasing demand on their time, podcasting can facilitate a more flexible, mobile learning option.

The Journey to Connect: A Case Study As a teacher of online pathology courses, I have come across instances that present perfect segues into possible podcasting topics. Traditional textbooks use strategically placed "think about" questions throughout each chapter to force the reader to review the material in manageable segments. This format provided a perfect template for the webisodes. I began the episodes with a brief discussion of the assignments for the week. The bulk of the episode consisted of me answering the questions posed throughout the chapter of the textbook. This methodology provided the students with time to read each section, answer the question on their own, and then play the podcast to hear my answer. I used a "disease of the week" to wrap up each episode, choosing conditions that were not covered in the class but were of professional interest.

P.S. This is only the first part of this article, the next part'll be about the concept development, theme choosing and developing and advancing plan...stay tuned.

What is Blog?

Well, well...Let me talk about something else apart from English thingies today. It's about a thing that we always see it on cyberspace; everyones use it and it'll mean they're out of trend if they don't! You can write everything you want on it, publish it, and even make money from it. Oh, of course...I think I almost forget something; you can stay in touch with your friends by using this thing too. I think you finally know what I'm talking about, right? It's the thing that calls "Blog"!

So what is blog anyway? The only crystal clear definition for this thing will be 'the personal journal' which you can use to speak your mind on everything you want. And there'll be no matter if it's about your everyday life, technologies, teaching topics, games, cartoons and even surprisingly sensitive topics like politics and religions if you dare enough to put them on your blog.

The thing that I'd like to highlight for the blog is, every blog entry has its own message box for everyone who cares to leave messages or speak, or even share some ideas with the blog owner. It is a good thing if you ask me, because the visitors can stay in touch with the blog owner by this mean.

Is it difficult to make a blog for your own? Of course it is! but that was the good old day, since the making of the blog requires the same methods to make as the original webpage. That's the reason why you have to learn how to decode the html codes, javascripts, and other codes essential to make wonders. However, the answer for how difficult nowadays will be "No!" The making of the blog today is as easy as counting 1 to 3 now and that's why the softwares like WordPress and Moveable Type come into actions; the main instruments that can effectively eliminate the difficulty of how to make a blog. All I have to say is: try it if you're an enthusiastic blogger...

As I've said before, there're so many people all over the world have their own blogs and use them in various ways to reflect their own personalities, sharing ideas and even spreading news for others to hear. What a fantastic thing, that is!

And because of all these things, the blog has already become one of the most important media as those from the TV, newspapers and other published media, radio and videos.

Blog is a website, the website that serves as one's online journal, with message boxes and links to related sites attached to it. And that's all what the blog really is, case closed.

Somethings about ESL and ESOL

To be honest: Even though I try not to give a damn to these two terms, but I still cannot refrain myself from talking about them...And it's because I'd been given birth in the country that doesn't use English as a native or second language, but viewed by fellow countrymen as an other language in which hurts my feeling so badly; hey, it isn't because of I don't like being a Thai or using my native language, but I'd already found my passion in English language long, long time ago! As soon as I could read and write my own language, to say the least...

Well, let's throw that dramatic moment away for a while. We're going to discuss about somethings that lie within ESL and ESOL, right? Then let us waste no time. But remember; all that I've written are purely come directly from my head and my own perspective. So, read them with your unbiased mind, but constructive ideas are always welcomed. I always like to talk with clever and open-minded people, you know?

Okay then, let's get to the bottom of this topic right away. Let me talk about the thing that called ESL first....it's funny that I always pronounce this 'word' like 'ea-sle' all the time. But it's in fact an acronym for [E]nglish as a [S]econd [L]anguage. It's a term, a term for an English course in classes of so many countries that use English as an second language. For example: India, Malaysia, Jamaica, etc. All those had been once a part of the former British Empire, have classes that contain ESL programs. ESL classes also say that their target language is the most important, only second to their native ones because it can switch back and forth to speak with either fellow countrymen or occupiers' officers; it's their official language. Even though the British Empire had already ceased its supremacy, those once occupied countries still retain the ESL programs. Hey, I think their decision to think about English is still their second language is nicely profitable to them. The first profit is they can speak more than one language: the bilingual...this word describes itself well enough. I think I have no need to give any further explanation for this thing. But hey, this advantage is exactly the same to the ESOL as well as an opportunity for those who attend either the ESL or ESOL class; an opportunity to practice their language prowess in real situations which is an another advantage. Sounds intriguing, right?

Let's move on to the another one, the ESOL. This is an acronym for [E]nglish for [S]peakers of [O]ther [L]anguage...I'm afraid about the fact that the definitions of ESL and ESOL are exactly the same, but the ESOL is way more specific than the ESL. The reason is the classes involving the ESOL is widely used in the British Commonwealth and Irish schools (in an exception of Australia), while the ESL classes are generally originated and located in the U.S., Canada and Australia. Even though the calling names are different, but the approaches and the goal are still the same...

Well, that's all for Something about ESL and ESOL. I'm a bit disappointed though, for Thailand doesn't applied such courses to the main structure of foreign languages learning system except the EP courses. Speaking of the EP courses, they've proven to be effective because most students are interested in English language at the first place!

Wow...I'm afraid my second personal column is pretty rough now. but I'm still only a beginner, you know? By the way...I'll improve my skill in column writing for my next story...

Why Do We Have to Learn English Language?

Hello.

This is my very first 'column' for my blog, and the very first column ever written in my whole life. And what is it about? The title describes itself really well...

Let us waste no time then...I bet you know this thing very well. It's about: "Why do we have to learn English Language?". The reason is short and simple for me; because the English language is an official international language right now! You can see through this reason easily if you guys use computer and are roaming around the cyberspace; this language is spreading around like air that filling in the Earth's atmosphere. You must admit that this language is necessary, especially nowadays. Ignoring it is like a suicide, if you ask me.

So how do we need to do in order to be good at English language? Hah! this question is so typical when talking about this topic. What should you do? The first and foremost thing you need to do is to 'change'. Just change your attitude about English language; you shouldn't think of it as an another subject that you need to learn, but to think of it as if it's one of the parts of your body. Why? The reason is parts of body are very essential for keeping your life going and must be practised, or you'll end up like a useless one.

So...keep up with it, keep practice until you are well-versed with this language. I can say that it is more than profitable once you mastered it. And you have to prepare for some wrestles that may hurt you too, but if there's no pain, you'll gain nothing from it. And learning English language can't escape this rule as well...

P.S. Maybe I've missed somethings that might be interesting enough to be added to my column...and it may be the thing that called vocabulary. Because of every languages, including English, encourage us to learn their words as many as possible to make wonders on using their languages in various ways. So, if you have no knowledge on vocabulary, then you have nothing to work with the mechanics of the language...

Based on the youtube video clips that I've put on top of my blog, see it for yourself...