So, I've just changed my blog name and it's the first time I've blogged since. like, years ago!
Yeah, you know what I mean?
:) Sorry, just messing around.
I'm really writing this to share a piece of my experience with Neotel.
I've kinda been a fan of Neotel because they are bringing to the South African Communication market better connections and cheaper services.
Unfortunately their service level doesn't quite meet the levels I would like. Maybe I'm just not used to the low levels of service in South Africa. I used to complain about the low levels of service in China, but I'm starting to realise that perhaps South Africa is worse!
I have just gotten off the phone to Neotel (now happens to = 5:30pm) I am not able to use my cheap internet connection any more because all the technicians have gone home.
Apparently I need a technician to tell me that I need a new phone when I can see the thing is physically broken myself!
Now they won't be in till Monday, which means the beauty of it is that I probably won't be able to get another phone until the END of next week! ARGH!
Friday, 11 September 2009
Thursday, 14 June 2007
English Teachers in Beijing Self Support
Just a quick note about my English Teachers in Beijing self support Group on Facebook. Well, basically if you have any questions please feel free to ask in the discussion forums or here.
The idea really is that English Teachers are often left to their own devices in a country that isn't really fluent enough in English and the ways of the west. I just think that as English teachers we can help each other. It's not only socially that schools don't help us, but with teaching too. I find they tend to give me a book and then say, "Oh, and add your own material, make the class interesting!" Maybe it's because I didn't do a TEFL, but "make the class interesting", well to my students that means we shouldn't work hard.
So whenever a student complains, that's when I get given advice, never mind about the actual quality of the class! It's always, include the lower level students in the class more or do more talking.
So in my mind all quality has gone out the window! It's just about making students have fun. Who cares if they actually learn anything!
The idea really is that English Teachers are often left to their own devices in a country that isn't really fluent enough in English and the ways of the west. I just think that as English teachers we can help each other. It's not only socially that schools don't help us, but with teaching too. I find they tend to give me a book and then say, "Oh, and add your own material, make the class interesting!" Maybe it's because I didn't do a TEFL, but "make the class interesting", well to my students that means we shouldn't work hard.
So whenever a student complains, that's when I get given advice, never mind about the actual quality of the class! It's always, include the lower level students in the class more or do more talking.
So in my mind all quality has gone out the window! It's just about making students have fun. Who cares if they actually learn anything!
The Beijing bus card. Am I really saving?
The other day I bought myself a Beijing bus card. It was quite easy, basically I just said "我要刷卡 (wo yao shua ka)" and handed over 50 RMB. I got back a blue card and 30 RMB on it (it costs 20RMB "deposit", like you would ever return it)
So I climb on a bus, and now, instead of paying one RMB for my journey, I'm now paying 4 mao. Wow! So cool! What's that in American dollar terms?? So I think, maybe someday I'll make my 20 RMB back.
Next, I climb on the subway, and guess what. Unfortunately it still costs me three RMB to get on the subway.
Here's the catch. Some buses you only have to swipe the card when you get on. Other buses you have to swipe when you get on and when you get off. I'm not sure how this works, but on the buses where you have to swipe when you get off as well, apparently if you don't swipe when you get off, you get charged a total of four RMB!
That's not a saving! It's an extra expense of 3.6 RMB!! Now, who knows how many times I forgot to swipe while getting off those buses?? I found I spent that 30 RMB in one week! I must have forgotten a lot! (I take a bus and then the subway to and from work)
I think this card is getting me to spend even more money rather than save it!
In conclusion, is it worth it!? Maybe I'm just saving my time and saving myself the trouble of keeping one RMB notes/coins and paying for saving myself the trouble?
So I climb on a bus, and now, instead of paying one RMB for my journey, I'm now paying 4 mao. Wow! So cool! What's that in American dollar terms?? So I think, maybe someday I'll make my 20 RMB back.
Next, I climb on the subway, and guess what. Unfortunately it still costs me three RMB to get on the subway.
Here's the catch. Some buses you only have to swipe the card when you get on. Other buses you have to swipe when you get on and when you get off. I'm not sure how this works, but on the buses where you have to swipe when you get off as well, apparently if you don't swipe when you get off, you get charged a total of four RMB!
That's not a saving! It's an extra expense of 3.6 RMB!! Now, who knows how many times I forgot to swipe while getting off those buses?? I found I spent that 30 RMB in one week! I must have forgotten a lot! (I take a bus and then the subway to and from work)
I think this card is getting me to spend even more money rather than save it!
In conclusion, is it worth it!? Maybe I'm just saving my time and saving myself the trouble of keeping one RMB notes/coins and paying for saving myself the trouble?
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