Using Canva as a tool to generate enthusiasm in your classroom should not be overlooked as it is a powerful and helpful suite of products.
Who is Canva?
Canva, an Australian business with a global reach, was established in 2013. Now, it has offices in Beijing, Manila, and Sydney.
To enable everyone worldwide to design anything and publish anywhere, Canva is an online design and publishing platform. It is used to make presentations, social media graphics, and more. The app offers users pre-made templates and all the tools necessary to create their original creations. Undoubtedly, Canva is my go-to tool for all my graphic design needs.
Canva in the Classroom.
You can design and customize lesson plans, infographics, posters, videos, and more using Canva, a platform for visual communication and collaboration. Canva may be used in various ways to teach English in your classroom. Here are some recommendations based on the results of your web search.
Getting started Canva for Education.
Canva provides a lot of training tools for all the areas it covers.
Register for Education Uses.
Teachers and students at qualified schools can register for Canva for Education, which is a free tool. To access services like LMS integrations (Learning Management Systems), the sharing of work and assignments with students, thousands of top-notch educational templates, and more, you can become verified at Canva.
For your upcoming lesson, presentation, or task for class, you can select from a collection of ready-to-use templates. Also, you can design your templates or edit pre-existing ones to fit your requirements.
You can sign up as an educator through this link. “Register here“
Create and Communicate.
You can create and communicate in any format, including documents, presentations, videos, websites, and whiteboards, by using Canva’s visual work suite. Canva’s photo and video editor can improve your photos and videos. As the old saying goes, you are limited only by your imagination. I have been using Canva for 2 years and the more I use it, the more things I find I can use on it.
And, you can collaborate with other teachers and students using Canva’s team features. All while inviting others to join your team, share your designs, comment and give feedback, and edit together in real time.
To connect with other educators who use Canva, join the Canva Teachers Community on Facebook. You can also become an education creator and create and publish your resources on Canva.
Sharing Your Designs.
You may share your creations with your pupils in various ways on Canva. Here are some options for sharing.
Your creations can be shared by links from the editor or the main page. You have the option of selecting the recipients of your sharing as well as the types of permissions you wish to grant, such as the ability to view, modify, or comment. Also, you can use a template link, watch link or view-only link. You can view and adjust permissions via the settings button as shown below.
You can also find more about sharing via email here and Canva’s team features. You can email your designs to particular recipients. You can type in your students’ email addresses and select whether to grant view-only, edit-only, or comment-only access.
Your designs can be exported, and then you can add them to a Google Classroom assignment. When you click the Export option, you can select whether you want to export your designs as an image or a PDF.
When you click the Export option, you can select whether you want to export your designs as an image or a PDF. Using Canva’s team capabilities is a great way to teach and learn together. You can ask your pupils to join your team so that you can collaborate on real-time editing while sharing your designs and receiving comments from them.
Instill Best Practices with your Students.
Here are some bullet points of how I use Canva.
You can use Canva to help your students visualize and communicate their ideas and solutions.
Design your lesson plan with Canva. You can use Canva to create and personalize your lesson plans, infographics, posters, videos, and more.
Discover other educators’ lesson plans on Canva. You can find lesson plans written by other educators on Canva’s Teaching Materials page. You can browse by subject, grade level, or topic. You can also use them as inspiration or customize them to suit your needs.
Use Canva to help your students create learning portfolios that showcase their work and progress throughout the year. You can also use them as a revision and review tool.
Create presentations and videos with Canva. You can use Canva to create engaging and interactive presentations and videos for your lessons or assignments.
Build a brand for your classroom with Canva. You can use Canva to create a consistent and professional look for your classroom materials and communications.
Make group projects more appealing with Canva. You can use Canva to make group projects more fun and collaborative for your students.
Use Canva for setting up remote learning.
Final Thoughts.
There are so many tools you can use from Canva that it will “blow your mind” As teachers, we are always looking for new ways to engage with our students, and with a bit of preparation, you can make your lessons a lot more fun and interesting.
I would love to hear if you have been using Canva. Either as a teacher or for your business or even for fun.
Stephen.
Some links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through these links, I will make a commission on them. There will be no extra cost to you and, you could actually save money. Read our full affiliate disclosure here.
Vietnam is a backpacker’s paradise. For foreigners, it’s one of the best and most affordable places to reside. There is a lot to see and do in Vietnam, despite the fact that it is still somewhat of an undiscovered gem when it comes to affordable places to live and explore. Vietnam is a place for travelers seeking adventure and beautiful landscapes to explore and delectable native cuisine.
Ho Chi Minh City in the south, Hanoi, the nation’s capital, in the north, and Da Nang in the country’s center are the major cities. These cities have the majority of jobs and teaching English is arguably the most common job for native English speakers.
The Cost of Living.
After 15 years of living in Vietnam, I have almost forgotten the reason I first came here, but I certainly know the reasons why I stay. And the cost of living is something that is very near the top of the list.
Like anywhere in the world, depending on where you live in the country and your lifestyle will have substantial effects on the prices you pay for living. But first, let me step back 15 years and tell you how much money I brought with me and where it went in setting myself up in Vietnam.
Vietnam 2008.
My first trip to Vietnam was in 2006 and it was a holiday that started in Hanoi in the north and ended in Ho Chi Minh City in the south after meandering down the coastline and taking in sites like Halong bay, Nha Trang, Hoi An, and Da Nang.
Those were the days when I could “4-star” it and not worry and not interact with the locals. In short, like a lot of westerners with too much money and not enough “chutzpah” do. However, I did learn one thing…I loved Vietnam and its people and wanted to move back, So after 3 years of preparation, I moved back to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.
If you look at my other posts about Vietnam you will find many that cover my initial foray into Vietnam as well as posts relating to retirement in Vietnam. you will find these links below.
Living in Vietnam, is about just that—my experiences, or at least some of them, relating to life in Vietnam.
And many other posts relating to my interpretations of Vietnam and its people. An overview of Vietnam and a guide to visiting Vietnam are also great articles that will help you to get a feel of what the country is like, and will also drill down deeper into the character of the Vietnam soul. And before I lay out the cost of living for Ho Chi Minh City, I have an introductory post to Vietnam called “A Guide to Visiting Vietnam“
Vietnam 2023 Cost of Living.
The cost of living in Vietnam is overall fairly cheap and I can say quite honestly say that little has changed over the years. Yes, prices have gotten higher but nowhere near the price rises of the west.
The above list is brought to you by “Numbeo“, a company that puts together “cost of living” charts for countries all around the world. I have been living in Vietnam for 15 years, most of which have been in Ho Chi Minh City, and I can vouch for the accuracy of these figures. If you click on the blue “numbeo” link it will also show costs for utilities, sports, and leisure childcare, clothing, and jewelry as well as salaries and other useful information.
Teachers Salaries.
As this is primarily a site for ESL teachers, I must add wages and salaries for teachers. This is one area that ‘Numbeo” has not quite got the information correct. However, I understand this may be a summary of different jobs for “ex-pats.”
I would argue that the majority of ex-pats employed in Vietnam are English teachers or more specifically English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Salaries vary for English Teachers and it depends on experience and the quality of the school as to how much you will receive.
When I first arrived and started working as a teacher in Vietnam my salary or wage was only $14.00 per hour salaries, as I said, fluctuates depending on your qualifications, experience, and the country you come from. If you are a native-born speaker from the USA, England, Australia, New Zealand, etc, you will command a higher dollar rate per hour.
Yes, the wages are normally broken down into hourly rates and even though it is common to see prices in US dollars the rates should be shown in the local currency or ‘Dong”. The average salary for ex-pat teachers is around 500,000 dong per hour. (about $21.00 US per hour). Some are higher and some are lower. I have seen some schools offering only $14.00 per hour for ex-pats and some at the other end of the scale offering up to $50.00 per hour.
There are various different types of schools and ways to teach English and if you wish to delve deeper you may look at my previous post about “How to Teach English in Vietnam“
Dollar to Dong Conversion Rate.
The local Vietnamese currency is called the “dong” and you will quickly become accustomed to seeing all those extra zeros on your notes. And at least once per month when you paid you will become an instant “dong” millionaire.
When you first arrive it is a good idea to add a conversion rate calculator to your “smartphone”. You do not want to be taken advantage of due to the “strangeness” of the denominations. The one I still use is XE currency converter at www.xe.com.
Worlds Cheapest Countries to Live Video.
Can I Retire in Vietnam.
There is no reason to not consider retiring in Vietnam, but there are a few issues that may make you stop and think.
The Cons.
There are significant distinctions between Vietnamese and Western cultures. You might have a cultural shock if you don’t initially learn. It will be simpler for you to assimilate and make more friends the more you are aware of the cultural distinctions between Western society and Vietnamese culture.
While requesting a visa in Vietnam, foreigners are subject to a number of tight limitations. For instance, only tourist visas with a period of one to three months are permitted for foreigners who intend to retire in Vietnam.
However, If you have a Vietnamese parent or spouse, you may be eligible to apply for a visa exemption for up to five years. After your existing visa expires, you must apply for a new one if you want to stay longer.
Generally, unless you have your own transferrable health insurance, you will have to pay for any health costs. Most Vietnamese have their own hospital coverage at the hospital of their own choice and while costs are substantially cheaper than in the west, medical bills can still add up.
And while it may seem almost exciting, the traffic congestion can seriously get you down after a while and then you have the pollution that goes with it.
At the beach in Da Nang
The Pros.
So if you feel like you can cope with the above, by all means, there is plenty to make retiring in Vietnam an attractive option.
Vietnam has a 2,000-kilometer coastline and there are some beautiful smaller cities like Da Nang and Nha Trang which still have an ex-pat community but is small enough to overcome some of the major cons of the big cities. namely, traffic congestion and pollution.
You will still have to deal with the “visa runs” ( having to go to Cambodia etc to extend your visa), but most of the smaller cities have buses for ex-pats that will take you over the border to do the visa paperwork and extension you need.
Final Thoughts.
Vietnam is a beautiful country and has some wonderful people. Even the frustrations of learning a new language can turn into a plus as you make new friends along the way.
It is your attitude that will make any transition to living in Vietnam fun and enjoyable. Yes, there are still problems, for example, we had a power outage yesterday for 8 hours. And this is Ho Chi Minh City. And paperwork at times can feel ‘Kafkaesque”.
But whether you decide to live in Vietnam for a short while or a long while, the “cost of living” is a major draw card for most people.
A recent advancement in artificial intelligence called Chat GPT enables computers to comprehend and reply to input in natural language. It was developed by San Francisco-based OpenAI, a startup with close ties to Microsoft.
This technology represents a substantial advancement in artificial intelligence and is based on the most recent developments in language processing and machine learning. Deep learning is used by Chat GPT to analyze data from different sources, then use that information to provide answers to any questions being asked. Then, as you wait for your question, it will search its database and reply in microseconds to what is being asked.
What is Deep learning?
Where can It Be Used?
Customer service, sales, marketing assistance, human resources, legal, and government, are just some of the things it can be used for. It can be used wherever natural language is required, such as in chatbots and virtual assistants.
This technology will change the way we interact with computers, and it is a major advance in artificial intelligence.
How Much is Chat GPT?
Currently, Chat GPT is free. And for something that Elon Musk says is “scary Good”, how can that be?
ChatGPT had more than 1 million users in the first five days of its launch, according to OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman. And ChatGPT is the fastest-growing app in the whole world, said Swiss bank UBS. About two months after its debut, UBS analysis predicted ChatGPT would have 100 million active users by January (It was right). It is also attracting 96 million new visitors a month and its revenue is expected to hit 1 billion dollars by the end of 2024. Source. Gitnux, Chat GPT statistics.
Comparatively, TikTok reached 100 million users in nine months. Do you think with a customer base like that, it will remain free? The computer costs alone must be astronomical and I can’t see any business that could continue to absorb those costs.
Monetization.
Open AI’s Sam Altman admitted that will eventually need to be monetized because of its “eye-watering” compute costs, Musk was informed that the average cost of each response was in the “single-digits cents”. With 100 million users asking multiple questions even single-digit cents will be adding up.
Can Chat GPT help Educators?
As teachers, we must be asking ourselves the question “Can we ethically use Chat GPT in the classroom or even outside the classroom in pursuit of school business? can we use it for writing tests, or even putting together lesson plans or sample “papers” for the classroom, or even for marking tests. let us first look at what can be done before we discuss the moral and ethical implications of Chat GPT or any of the other A.I. programs out there.
What AI Programs are in the Market Now?
1. VoicePen AI: Convert audio content into blog posts, using AI.
And these are just a few of them, there are a lot more out there. And as sure as eggs our students will know a lot more than we do.
How can We Use AI in the Classroom?
A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) is one of the most recent changes we’ve observed in the educational system, and it has many people concerned about the potential consequences it may have. But it will never fully replace human instructors, AI supposedly has a lot to offer in the classroom.
They have already deployed “Robot Teachers” to varied degrees of success in some places in China where they are unable to send foreign teachers (mostly due to remoteness).
Source: The Daily Mail 2019 I can almost hear the Robot teachers saying, Dr Who like, exterminate, exterminate.
What areas could we effectively use AI in the classroom?
Teaching, and teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) needs to have a human in the classroom. I have yet to come across any AI that can understand sarcasm or when describing a new word be able to articulate via body language. Also picking up different nuances in the accent requires a human ear and an electronic ear, in my books, doesn’t cut it. Not yet anyway.
The Cons of Chat GPT.
One thing we must remember is Chat GPT only has an accuracy of 85% +. And while that may be good enough for most other things, it is not good enough for marking, tutoring or any other teaching activity. But if you can build those parameters into what you are doing and still manage the results effectively then it may be a useful tool.:
It’s also critical to be aware that Chat GPT is still in beta format. The website clearly states that it may yield misleading information, including outright false information. Some have discovered that, when specifically prompted, it can also produce biased and discriminatory information.
Marking or Grading.
Scantron testing and computer tests have both been used for electronic grading for many years. As AI develops, teachers may be able to delegate all assignment marking to an AI, freeing up their time to spend more time with each student individually and adapt the curriculum to fit the needs of each class.
Additional cons apart from the 85% accuracy are the need for constant internet supply and the cost. So why do it? The time saved is immensely powerful. The amount of work teachers are expected to do just keeps increasing and if we can find anything to streamline our workflow, don’t get in my way.
Tutoring.
Tutors are crucial because teachers can’t be with their pupils at all times. Some students merely require a little bit more assistance with a certain subject. Going to a tutoring lesson might be unsettling for shy students rather than meeting with a tutor. Students who struggle with social or academic anxiety may find that working with an AI tutor gives them the support and self-assurance they need to thrive in school.
Helping Students Write.
Along with Chat GPT, you also have tools like Quillbot and Grammarly. Quillbot and Grammarly have slightly different ways of doing fairly similar things. Namely, they will check the spelling, grammar, and word order of what you have written. There are both free versions and paid versions. For students, especially ESL students, the non-paid version is quite ok.
And Chat GPT and a lot of other AI writing apps may help by prompting the student with appropriate headings for the student to add extra text or information. While Chat GPT and tools like Rytr make it easier to write content, it leaves itself open for blatant copying. Not plagiarism but copying straight from what the AI writes.
This is the part of AI that scares me the most. While trying to help the students we may inadvertently end up with a generation who can not write a story without help from AI.
In Ryters own words, “Generate killer content, effortlessly. Never face writer’s block again. From blogs to emails to ad copies, auto-generate catchy, original, and high-converting copies in popular tones & languages in just a few seconds. Just pick a use case, enter some context, and boom…your copy is ready.” Source Ryter.
Lesson Plans.
Writing lesson plans eventually becomes a chore. After your 3rd or 4th year, let alone 15, lesson plans can become a certain type of hell that only teachers understand. How can you say the same thing but differently after your 6th thousand lesson plan?
This is where Chat GPT comes in handy. Simply enter a topic or subject matter, and the chatbot will produce a list of related terms, ideas, and illustrations that you can use in your lesson plans. or perhaps even write your lesson plans for you. This is one I feel no qualms about using at all.
Personal Development.
Another use of Chat GPT I have no qualms about using is personal development. You can type into Chat GPT areas you believe would help you become a better teacher and see what ideas it comes up with.
To assist in enhancing teaching abilities, it may offer pertinent articles, videos, and other resources once you have typed in certain topics that are areas of interest..
Moral and Ethical Implications of Using Chat GPT.
As a teacher, the major ethical worry I have is the potential misuse by the students. Rather than just using it to improve grammar or check vocabulary the students may get the AI to write the whole essay. And if there is any problem with the training or input of the AI that will reflect in the final written paper.
Or in AI speak, the output of Chat GPT depends on the input is a key ethical issue. The output will be tainted if there are any issues with the input. For instance, if there is prejudice surrounding the input based on race, sexual orientation, or age, that will show in the final draft.
Results from this may be unjust and misleading, especially for underprivileged groups. In order to counteract prejudice and guarantee fair and accurate results, it is essential to have a broad and representative dataset in the first place.
Final Thoughts.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that ChatGPT is a bot, therefore you shouldn’t rely on it blindly. While depending on the chatbot’s recommendations, it’s crucial to exercise caution and apply your own discretion.
I suggest taking the chatbot’s responses as a model or guideline for all the things I listed above, then personalizing them for your needs and target audience by including your own thoughts and quirks. By doing this, you may avoid sounding robotic or generic and instead produce material that is more engaging and authentic.
Ultimately, using ChatGPT as a resource can be a great way to learn and get inspired, but it’s vital to keep in mind that the content will only be genuinely yours if you utilize your own imagination and judgment.
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About 11 years ago I had a bowel cancer problem and ended up with a colostomy bag.
And I want to tell you a funny story that happened to me when I went back to teaching in a Vietnamese primary school.
A Big Stomach.
It all started with me being “blocked-up”. I couldn’t pass anything in the “nether regions”. And I just thought, “ah well, living in Vietnam I am accustomed to this happening”. But after 5 days I started getting a bit worried. Day 7 and my stomach had swelled up like a balloon. It was rock hard and no amount of water or laxatives would get things moving.
My wife eventually got me to go to hospital and after an x-ray or several the doctors told me I had cancer of the bowel. They also told me they needed to operate immediately. To say I was “freaked out” is to put it mildly. The same day they operated on me and after a 12-hour operation I woke up. More stories about this part later, and yes we get to the truly disgusting and funny parts soon.
Back to Teaching English.
After 2 to 3 months off recovering the wallet told me I had to get back to work. All good except I had a colostomy bag that I had to carry around for another month while my “insides” were recovering.
At this stage I was working in a primary school teaching English to kids from 6 to 12 years of age in Ho Chi Minh City. Young kids and a teacher with a colostomy bag, no problems right? It was an accident waiting to happen and it ended in a veritable “shite storm”.
Same Same, but Different.
I had been back teaching and things had been going well. Just another day teaching truly great kids. I had no mishaps and I always had a spare set of clothes “just in case”. And little did I know it, but on this day I was definitely going to need them (and then some).
All the teachers knew I was wearing a colostomy bag and so did the children. An announcement at one assembly by the Principal saying “Mr Stephen had a “Tui Colostomy” and please do not bump into him or hug him. This announcement was made at the start of my return to work and “today” as I found out, it would be forgotten.
My morning classes of the day had gone well and it was a beautiful hot day. It ended up being lucky that it was a hot day as I was going to need that fast drying time. I was walking down the outside balcony on the way to the staff room for a coffee.
No Coffee Today.
There would be no coffee that morning for me. I was walking and talking with my T.A. (teachers assistant) when a young student of about 6 years old rushed up to me and gave me big hug. Vietnamese kids are really nice and this was a good student from one of my classes. However, you can imagine a 6-year-old kid and a colostomy bag come in around the same height and I knew the “proverbial” was about to hit the fan.
I looked down and was surprised that everything looked ok. I should have known better. One whiff and I knew we had a leak, the ship was going down. I excused myself to the TA and grabbed my bag and took off to the nearest bathroom. Luckily for me, these toilets had a shower, I didn’t know it yet, but I was going to need them.
A Veritable Shite Storm.
I got to the bathroom intact and started to strip down. By the time I got into the cubicle, I knew it was going to be bad because the smell had ramped up to level 9. I got to the bag and as soon as I touched it the bloody thing exploded. You might think these things can’t explode, and I never thought before then they could either. But I was dealing with a shite bomb and when I say it exploded, it went everywhere.
The bag had been full and when it went “off” it hit the roof, covered the walls, and splashed all over the floor. It could not have been worse. Luckily there was no one else in the toilets. Or if there were they must have quickly left because of the stench. It was like “Dantes inferno”, fecal matter was dripping from the ceiling and the walls looked like they had been smeared with old rotten cabbage and I can’t even describe the floor.
Thank god my spare clothes were in a plastic bag.
It Could Only Get Worse.
I very quickly grabbed my stuff and moved into the shower and washed me, my bag, and my first outfit. I also always carried spare colostomy bags, tape, etc, and for everything squared away. Twenty minutes and I started feeling I had pulled it off and could flee the scene of the crime unscathed and uncaught.
In hindsight, I should have just stuffed everything into my bag and run. However, I thought I would drape my clothes in the sun for 10 minutes and partially dry them off. Bad move.
The Cleaning Lady
I knew I had made a mistake as soon as I saw the cleaning lady head into the toilets. It was impossible to clean my cubicle and it was still in the same state as when I left it when the cleaning lady headed in. OMG.
She had seen me draping my clothes on the balcony and you didn’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure out what had happened. I had never seen a Vietnamese person turn white before today. She came out after about 3 seconds and just looked at me, shook her head and fled. I believe she never came back and I guess she had some burning questions that would never be answered. Or at least not by me as I fled the scene of the crime too and luckily had finished teaching for the day.
Life as Usual
I did go back to the school the next day and nothing was ever said to me about it. It is times like this you have to admire the politeness of the Vietnamese people. But I did get the odd funny look and none of the Vietnamese teachers sat next to me for a couple of weeks. Just in case I guess.
When you come to Vietnam to work you will acquire your own “funny” life stories, however, I truly hope this never happens to you.
Stephen
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Tet is a wonderful time of year to get to know your Vietnamese friends and their family. Make the most of this time to learn about the culture.
Tet in Asia 2023.
The Lunar New Year is observed in many Asian nations from late January to mid-February. The world’s largest yearly human migration occurs over the holiday as hundreds of millions of people travel back to their homes, paralyzing the global economy and creating crazy traffic jams.
China.
The Lunar New Year is the only time of year in China when the entire nation gathers for a family reunion at once. The government estimates that approximately three billion journeys will be made during the 15 days of celebration.
South Korea.
Except for a few years when they alternate by a day, the Chinese New Year and South Korea’s Seollal coincide for the most part. Three days are often spent celebrating the holiday, including the day before and the day following. On New Year’s Eve, Koreans remain up till the wee hours because, according to local myth, if you don’t, your eyebrows will turn white and you’ll age more quickly than usual.
Bhutan.
The longest night of the year, the winter solstice was originally the day on which Bhutan celebrated the New Year or Losar. However, the nation later synchronized with the Tibetan calendar thanks to Buddhism and began to observe Losar in February, as did Mongolia and Tibet. As it was the day when people gave their yearly offering of grains to the monk Ngawang Namgyal, the religious figure who brought Bhutan together.
Mongolia.
The Mongolian word for the new year is Tsagaan Sar, which means “White Moon.” During the festival, Mongols used to wear only white clothing, ride white horses, and consume only dairy products. The country’s nomadic herders celebrate the New Year as the arrival of spring after the long and difficult winter. A month before the festival, families must clean their homes, fix any broken items, make food for the feast, and either purchase or make new traditional clothing to wear on the big day.
Laos.
In Laos, the New Year begins much later—in mid-April—than in other Asian nations. The start of the monsoon season coincides with the hottest time of the year. Water is the most prominent element of their New Year celebrations, perhaps as a result of this. Young people participate in water fights with each other on the first day of the year to wash away any negative karma. This happens after pouring water on their elders, and Buddhist monks and requesting blessings of long life and peace.
Vietnam New Year 2023.
You will already see from the brief descriptions above that the main focus of TET is the coming together of family and friends to celebrate this time of year. A lot of time, effort, and money go into Tet and there are some very important traditions to do.
As well as things you should do there are also things that should not be done. For example, before the holidays begin the house gets a thorough cleaning. However, you should not sweep anything out the front door because your money will go along with the dirt. It will be swept out the door and you will have a bad year financially.
The Year of the Cat in Vietnam.
My Vietnamese zodiacal sign is the dog. And as the animal sign for 2023 is the cat, I am unsure as to what this means for me in this coming year. My wife, Nga, has already told me that this year is not an auspicious year for me. I enter this year with trepidation, what will happen to me?
The year of the cat lasts from January 22nd, 2023 through to February 9th, 2024. And the cat is the 4th sign in the Vietnamese zodiac.
Vietnamese New Year (Tet) is based on their lunisolar calendar that gives a varying date in January/February that Tet will fall upon. Each Lunar New Year marks the start of a new zodiac sign year, as shown below.
Tet Festivities.
Even while the public holiday only lasts six days, local festivities last roughly 20 days, starting on “Minor New Year” or “Kitchen God Day” (January 14 in 2023) and ending with Tet Nguyen Tieu, or the “First Full Moon of the Year” (February 5th, 2023).
Visiting someone’s home on the first day of the new year (xông nhà), doing ancestor worship, exchanging New Year’s greetings, presenting lucky money to youngsters and the elderly, and visiting friends, family, and neighbors are just a few of the customs and traditions that are observed during Tet.
Tet is a time for family get-togethers. Vietnamese people visit their families and temples during Tet. This is the time of year to look forward to a better new year and forget about the problems of the previous one.
Vietnamese people, like those in other Asian nations, think that the colors red and yellow would bring good fortune, which may be why these hues are so prevalent during the Lunar New Year (And also the flag). People consider what they do on the dawn of Tet will determine their fate for the whole year, hence people always smile and behave as nicely as they can in the hope of a better year.
Tet and Family.
During Tet, most Vietnamese people visit their families. Some people go back to their hometown to catch up with family and friends. Some people go back to their hometown to catch up with family and friends.
All Vietnamese celebrate Tet, although each region and faith has its own customs and traditions.
Tet can be divided into three parts in the three Vietnamese regions.
These parts are called Tất Niên (Before New Year’s Eve), Giao Thừa (New Year’s Eve), and Tân Niên (the New Year, and they stand for the preparations leading up to Tet, Tet eve, and the days of and following Tet, respectively. All of these customs are to celebrate Tet in Vietnam.
Tet Traditions and Customs.
According to Vietnamese custom, if a family experiences good fortune on the first day of the lunar New Year, the entire following year will also be fortunate.
A family’s fate for the entire year is determined by the very first visitor they have in the new year. A person with high morality, success, and “good standing” is fortunate; yet, the contrary is viewed as unfavorable.
Sweeping is discouraged during Tet because it represents throwing good fortune or money out the door or window.
The second day of Tet is often allocated for friends, whilst the first day is for family. Nevertheless, this is not strictly followed. The third day was traditionally reserved for teachers.
Visiting Pagodas and Temples During Tet.
A pagoda visit is customarily advised during Tet. The practice is referred to as “Lễ Chùa” – in which “lễ” denotes paying homage to Buddha and the deities represented in pagodas and temples and visiting them.
Despite their busy schedules during Tet, all Vietnamese make an effort to visit their local pagoda and make well their wishes for the upcoming year.
Tet and Flowers in Vietnam.
Wherever you go on the lead-up to get you will see flowers. They will be in the local markets, on the side of the road, and totally filling your local park.
Unless you have spent time in Vietnam during Tet you will have no concept of the number of flowers that are on show everywhere in the lead-up to Tet.
The Vietnamese decorate their homes during this festive time with a variety of flowers and plants. Chrysanthemums, marigolds, Mao Ga flowers, paper flowers, and lavender are a few examples of what is used.
Even if it’s not yet common, some people showcase orchids and roses nowadays. Additionally, three plant species—peach flower, ochna integerrima, and marumi kumquat—are synonymous with Tet and should be present during Tet celebrations.
Mao Ga Flowers.
Look at “Tuoi Tre News”, the English newspaper from Vietnam for more information about “Flower Street” and the beautiful display of TET flowers for 2023.
Tet and Food in Vietnam.
There are quite a few different types of food on offer over Tet. However, it sometimes feels that “Pork and Eggs” are the main source of sustenance during this period. During my first Tet, I really enjoyed this standby. However, after 3 or 4 Tets and visiting numerous families where they would dish up “Pork and Eggs”, “Pork and Eggs”, “Pork and Eggs” “Pork and Eggs”, “Pork and Eggs”, “Pork and Eggs” repeatedly like a lost wandering Turkey after a New Years Eve, you start to wonder if your taste buds have gone crazy.
It is quite honestly delicious. Nice juicy chunks of braised pork belly with coconut milk and eggs – a fatty, sensuous melt-in-your-mouth delight – and it can be eaten with pickled vegetables for an orgasm-in-the-mouth moment.
Traditional Tet Foods.
Families and friends get together to commemorate this occasion with one another through a range of customs and activities, like gift-giving and cooking traditional foods, as we have already covered.
Gift baskets for Tet are stuffed with sweets including candy, fruits, and traditional Vietnamese cakes. Additionally, there are delicacies like Xôi, Bánh Chung, and Bánh tét.
This is a holiday where food plays a significant and symbolic role. For many people, the celebration would not be complete without festive appetizers.
This is also why in the Vietnamese language, Tết is not celebrated but rather “eaten”. And, oh boy, there is a huge selection of different foods you can enjoy.
Here is a post about =>Vietnamese street food<= that may help you understand the importance of food within Vietnamese culture.
Do’s and Dont’s about Tet in Vietnam.
In Vietnam, there are several traditions that specify what should and should not be done at certain times. You should follow these guidelines, especially if you have been welcomed into a Vietnamese family’s home during Tet.
Do enjoy yourself and have fun with these beautiful people in this wonderful country.
Do prepare “lucky money” for younger children and older citizens to express good wishes. These should be given with both hands and normally only in small denominations. If you are going to someone’s home over yet check if they have children so you can prepare the “lucky money” in advance.
Do exchange gifts during Tet, especially if you have a business arrangement. The most popular gifts are sweets like cookies, chocolates, fruit baskets, wine, soft beverages, and other goodies. In most cases, individuals can get a gift set from the store that includes a variety of foods. Use this chance to strengthen your relationships with any Vietnamese business partners you may have.
Do buy new clothes before Tet as you wish to look as good as possible over these holidays. Also, smile and turn that frown upside down.
Do pay back any outstanding debts. This is the time of year to clear the slate and be fresh for the new year.
And don’t.
Don’t swear, argue or be rude over Tet. Do not talk about death, or swear and argue. We should be bringing no conflict or bad thoughts into the new year. We need to calm down and be peaceful.
Don’t commit cruelty to animals. This is the time of year you can set animals free. Birds are the most typical animal released during Tet festivities. Because of this, during the Tet holidays, birds are sold in pagodas. This idea derives from Buddhism, which holds that individuals will experience luck if they do good things for others.
Don’t sweep the house or empty the bins. Especially on the first day of the new year, sweeping the home or emptying the garbage will cause all of your luck and money to leave your home. So, remember to do this. Tet is not the time to drop things on the floor and dirty the place and it is best when visiting someone to ask before you do anything significant.
Don’t wear black or white clothes as they symbolize death and are commonly worn at funerals. Colorful clothes are recommended.
Final Thoughts.
Vietnam, the country and its people are, for the most part, beautiful people and Tet is a great time to get to know them and their families.
You want to try to get to be invited to someone’s “hometown” and see how they live and enjoy themselves. Tet otherwise can be extremely boring as most people have left the city and it can be difficult to find a good restaurant open or a lot of services open as well.
I remember one Tet before I knew many people and it was difficult to find anything (Outside of the tourist and pricey areas) or anywhere to buy food and other services.
It is a good idea to stock up your fridge (if you are an ex-pat) and have phone cards or other day-to-day needs covered before Tet happens.
However this is a great time to relax but because everyone else is holidaying at the same time, it is pricey and crowded.
Stephen.
Any or all links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through those links I will make a small commission on them.
There will be no extra cost to you and at times due to my affiliation, you could actually save money.
Whether in Vietnam for a holiday or to work these tips will make your stay a bit easier.
Tips for Living in Vietnam.
I have been living and working in Vietnam for over 15 years and these few tips will help you in your daily life in Vietnam.
Vietnam is a beautiful country with some truly wonderful people and fantastic landscape. For example, Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its emerald waters and limestone islands covered in rainforests. If you wish to find out more about Halong Bay visit my article on “Holidays in Halong Bay“.
My top 10 tips.
1. When entering someone’s home, remove your footwear. Vietnamese are very neat and clean and it is expected for all to remove their outside shoes at the doorway.
2. Like a lot of Asia, patting or touching someone’s head is seen as rude. The younger generation doesn’t care so much about this, but it is better to be discrete and not do it.
3. Do NOT put toilet paper in the toilet. You will find a basket or bin (Yucky) next to the toilet, put it there. Even after a wipe. The pipes in Vietnam are not big enough for paper. There is normally a water gun ( bidet, foreigners call it a bum gun ) next to the toilet, do NOT drink the water. This is to wash your bottom and other parts.
4. Do not drink tap water unless you are staying in a 5-star hotel. Otherwise, you will get sick. You can brush your teeth, cook, and use it for washing dishes in most urban areas. However, I would recommend using bottled water or boiling the tap water for several minutes before use. It is better to be more cautious in rural areas though and boil or use bottled water in all cases.
5. Please do not put boiling or very hot water down the kitchen sink. Most houses have thin plastic pipes and not metal, and they will dissolve in contact with boiling water. (and there will be water all over the floor) Then you have to go to the hardware store and try to find the correct pipes. Haha, I can laugh now, but it was not fun when it happened.
6. Drinking beer is a BIG part of Vietnamese culture and is used to relax after work. Quite often you will see the workers out having a good time, and where are the wives? But please do not vomit or fall asleep at the table, that is what the toilet is for. Also, be prepared to have ice in your beer, it keeps it cold and waters it down. A good idea if you end up drinking 15 beers. Be careful of the ice, although it is much better now than when I first arrived in Vietnam. I was out having a few drinks with my Vietnamese co-workers when I saw firsthand a waiter scooping ice out of the urinals for a customer. Lol, be nice to the waiters. What I do like though is that food and beer go hand in hand, so you are always eating and drinking at the same time.
7. This tip I should have put this as number one. Before you come to Vietnam, please leave any preconceived ideas at home. Please remember that Vietnam is run by and for the Vietnamese and if we can understand that our life will be much easier. If you wish to delve deeper into this, please look at my blog, “Living in Vietnam“
8. If you invite someone for coffee or lunch, dinner, etc, you pay.
It was common that if you had bought a new “toy” like a motorbike or another expensive “toy”, then friends and neighbors would be invited for drinks. This is certainly not as common these days.
9. Don’t be mean. It is OK to bargain, but when I see foreigners quibbling over $1.00 it makes me angry. That is the Vietnamese merchants profit and while $1.00 is not much for us, it is for the Vietnamese. Also, when haggling, be polite.
Do not get angry. Sometimes not easy but if you get angry……you lose. You lose your dignity, and it turns your day into something less pleasant.
10. Vietnam uses phone cards to top up their credit on their mobile phones. It is not difficult to do, but you may want to ask the shopkeeper to add it to your phone the first time or two. Obviously, you can not add this to any phone you have brought with you (Unless you have transferred it to a local carrier like Mobifone or Vinaphone). Be aware you only get 3 attempts to add credit to your phone. If you make a mistake and use up your 3 attempts, you will lose your money.
Final Thoughts.
Whether you come to Vietnam for a holiday or an extended stay including work, you will have a great time as long as you remember we are a guest in this wonderful country and things are quite often done differently than what they are at home. You can read more about etiquette in Vietnam in an older post here.
Learning a few phrases will go a long way in opening the doors of friendship. Even if you get the phrases wrong, you will be appreciated for making the attempt. My preference is the “Mondly” app to help learn a few phrases and you can find the link on the right-hand side of this article.
Any or all links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through those links I will make a small commission on them.
There will be no extra cost to you and at times due to my affiliation, you could actually save money.
What I want to write about today is a bit different from what I normally write about. But, it is one of the most important topics if you want to work or live in Vietnam for an extended period of time.
This article is not so much about what you can find in Vietnam or even what you should bring. But, it is about what you should leave at home.
Ethnocentrism and the Uneasy Traveller
According to the Oxford Dictionary “Ethnocentrism” is the ” evaluation of other cultures according to the preconceptions originating in the standards and customs of our own culture”
Before heading into the topic of a foreign teacher being fired (And what sparked this article) and the debate as to whether he should have been fired or not, I want to cover more on “moral codes” and what makes up “ethnocentricism”
Moral Codes and Cultural Differences.
Moral codes are a set of rules that show how a person should treat others and behave within society. They are learned through interactions with others in society by picking up behavioral standards within your cultural area.
Our moral codes are heavily dependent upon our culture. All these codes may cover aspects of our lives from how we act, how we dress, and how we treat others.
There are some moral codes that are regularly found throughout the world. These would be “though shall not kill” or “treat others as we would like to be treated”
However, each culture has its own idea as to what is right or wrong. These other aspects of moral codes are a direct reflection of the ethical thinking of that area.
Cultural Insensitivity in the Workplace.
I have been living and working in Vietnam for 16 years and I have seen a truckload of cultural insensitivity from both foreigners and Vietnamese. However, the thing to remember is that Vietnam is run by and for the Vietnamese and if we can understand that our life will be much easier.
I have often seen new foreign English teachers come to Vietnam with preconceived ideas telling the Vietnamese teachers how English should be taught. While some of the topics raised by the new teacher may be valid, they should take their time to find out how things are done. Losing “face” is still quite a big thing in Vietnam.
I remember talking to someone very high up in Sacom bank and we were discussing how banks (Being a capitalist entity) survived and thrived in Vietnam and how they dealt with the Government. The gentleman I was talking to gave me an example of how an idea that the bank has is introduced to the government.
First off the idea is planted within the government, at a lower “rank”, and allowed to percolate up to the top. Then a meeting between the bank and the government is organized during which the bank praises the government for its forward-thinking idea.
I’m not saying this is how teaching is, but it gives you some idea about the different approaches that need to be taken.
The Firing of a Foreign Teacher.
There was an incident very recently involving a foreign teacher, a security guard, students, and a Vietnamese teacher.
If it wasn’t so serious it would sound like the start of a bad joke. To start at the end, a foreign teacher was fired after a “scuffle” with a 65 year old security guard. The security guard was checking the names of students who were allowed to leave after the 4th lesson of the day.
At the school above, the 11th graders were allowed to leave as long as their names were on the guards’ list. The guard also checked the name tags of the students who were eligible to leave.
One of the 11th graders was wearing a jacket so the security guard could not see her name. When the security guard asked her to remove her jacket she refused and the guard started yelling at her. This is when the foreign teacher stepped in and pushed the guard over.
The “scuffle” then broke out after the guard was pushed over. Because of the violent acts carried out by both the teacher and guard the school board got together to discuss what should happen next.
The foreign teacher was allowed to continue teaching while the decision was being made about what was to be done with all parties. The head of the English department then asked the foreign teacher to refrain from posting anything on social media.
This seemingly didn’t go down well with the teacher who then started kicking the “teachers’ room” door and yelling at the head of the English Department. He was obviously fired at this stage. But to add one more piece of ludicrousness, the teacher then went onto social media and tried to get the students to defame the school. Trying to incite the students to rebellion.
Who does this guy think he is? he obviously has no regard for any other foreign teachers in Vietnam. Surprisingly there were some who supported this teacher. I did not see the whole story and did not get to talk to anyone firsthand about this, but I think just pushing the 65-year-old over would be grounds enough for dismissal alone. What do you think?
Final Thoughts.
If and when you come to Vietnam, please leave your preconceived ideas at home. We are guests in this lovely country and yes there are things that are different and they may not sit easily with us. However, if you can adapt to this culture (and there is not that much you need to adapt) you will have the time of your life.
Also, remember there are other foreigners and teachers who live here and we get “tarred by the same brush” if we do anything wrong. Vietnam is a very tolerant country, however, it doesn’t take much to influence the Vietnamese that we are insensitive to others feelings.
Thank you.
Stephen
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There will be no extra cost to you and at times due to my affiliation, you could actually save money.
Keeping one’s physical health together when teaching in the classroom and online is important, especially when doing remote instruction via a computer. But as a teacher, it’s crucial to look after your mental health as well. You will benefit from this as well as improve your teaching and student outcomes.
Being a teacher is such a demanding job. A teacher is continuously “on the go,” and if they are not careful, the students can quickly sap your energy on a regular basis. Many teachers feel exhausted and drained when they return home. Not physically fatigued, but mentally spent. A person will eventually start to feel mentally exhausted and “hit the wall”. As a result of this, you will undoubtedly be affected outside of the classroom as well.
Being an EFL or ESL teacher in a foreign country can also leave you open to feelings of “aloneness” and wondering how you can cope. Often there is no support structure in place and this can lead to harmful substance abuse situations.
Common Educator Health Problems.
Teachers are generally held in high regard because of the challenging work they do.
They have the responsibility of assisting students in learning and helping with intellectual development, from young children to adults and they are expected to adhere to rigid lesson plans. On top of that, they are not necessarily paid the greatest salary.
It may be necessary for them to attend class even though they are feeling under the weather, then stay up late to prepare for their upcoming class of students. All this contributes to various physical health problems and there are some health issues that are more likely to emerge in teachers.
Here are a few of the most prevalent physical health issues that instructors encounter.
Due to the physical demands of the profession, educators deal with a wide range of medical conditions, from back discomfort to vocal demands from speaking in large noisy classrooms and eye strain from the amount of reading done.
Most physical health problems can be solved by fixing the problems with the school administrators or dealing directly with doctors and related problems.
However, today we are going to be looking at stress and the problems related to protecting your mental health. And what we can do as individual teachers to help alleviate these problems, especially as ESL teachers.
Trying to Maintain Mental Health in the ESL Classroom.
The answer isn’t as straightforward as “taking a break” (although it can help momentarily), in my opinion, you should match your daily actions with your emotional beliefs. Make sure your actions and the topics you cover in your teaching are consistent with your beliefs.
The simple reality that many teachers are tearing out their hair because their ideals about teaching and learning don’t align with their teaching environment can cause a lot of mental tension and misery.
You only need to look at what is happening in the U.S.A at the moment with mass resignations reverberating throughout the teaching profession to understand the depths of despair in the education industry.
More Options.
It can be challenging to seek the support you need to maintain your mental health when mixed with a culture of self-sacrifice and external pressures.
Without assistance, continuing is unsustainable, and eventually, something will break. This can make it difficult for you to manage your day-to-day workload at work, necessitating time off for treatment, and more.
How to avoid problems or relieve symptoms:
You have alternatives to handle pressures at work, depending on how severe they are for you. You can get the tools to handle this through talk therapy, support groups with other educators, mental wellness applications, and the usage of perks like an employee assistance program if these are available.
However, as I mentioned before, when you are in a foreign country with a lack of resources you will be struggling to find any type of support structure. Added to that, if you are in a country that has a large “party scene” you may find some teachers start abusing alcohol as a coping mechanism. This is something that should be avoided at all costs.
Simple Solutions.
There are some simple measures you can take that will help insulate you from some of the worse conditions of living in a foreign country where you may or may not be feeling homesick.
Before you leave for your new life in the country of your dreams check out the Facebook groups you can join and look for other activities you can do as well. At the same time, get your ideal lifestyle and employment worked out! It’s not as difficult as it may seem to select a work abroad program, especially if you prepare prior to traveling.
Another thing you may wish to do is to put together a selection of photos of friends and family to remind you of your support groups if and when you need them.
Surrounding yourself with things and people that remind you of home will help you to settle into your new country and new job more easily.
Join Clubs.
Most large cities in Vietnam have a good selection of clubs and groups that you can join and make friendships with people who have similar interests.
Learning the local language will not only help you develop new friendships it will also open new doors of understanding within your new country.
After living in Vietnam for more than 15 years, the people I see who survive and thrive are those who immerse themselves in the culture and develop a strong network of friends.
For example, Expats in HCMC are an English-speaking community in Vietnam and are one of many groups available.
Final Words.
With the post-effects of covid still trickling through and with Christmas on the horizon I wanted to make people aware that it is OK to feel a bit down at times.
You can do a few things that will help you cope if you are having problems. Remember you are not in it alone and there are a lot of people who can help, and not just professionally. It is just as important to be able to sit down with friends and discuss how you are feeling.
Christmas can be a time when you feel alone and isolated, so if you are feeling like that, I urge you to reach out and get in contact with someone to talk with. I am also here if you need a good listener.
Spending your first Christmas away from family can present its own challenges and there are always people available to talk to. Don’t try to cope with any problems alone. As cliched as it sounds, a problem shared is a problem lessened.
Stephen
Any or all links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through those links I will make a small commission on them.
There will be no extra cost to you and at times due to my affiliation, you could actually save money.
“Students fly overseas to take IELTS exams after indefinite suspension in Vietnam” was the headline from VN Express International, an English language newspaper catering to all English speakers in Vietnam.
IELTS is an English proficiency exam that is used to assess students’ ability in listening, reading, writing, and speaking. It is commonly used by students in Vietnam to enter foreign schools and universities to further their education. And it is also being commonly used to enter Vietnamese Universities at an increasing rate as well.
To find out more about the course details you can look at IELTS.org.
One Students Ordeal.
To give you an understanding of how this has upset the students who have been studying this, here is one persons ordeal.
A young lady had her test canceled by the British Council ( One of 2 bodies that can conduct tests in Vietnam) because of the MOETs ruling to stop tests. She was scheduled to take this test as a final prerequisite for applying to a Canadian college. She lost her fee with the British Council and on top of that paid out an additional sum to fly to Thailand to take her test there. The additional costs were obviously an added burden but she needed her IELTS score asap so the visa to Canada could be arranged.
Following the abrupt postponement in Vietnam, this young lady is one of the hundreds of Vietnamese students who intend to fly abroad to take IELTS tests.
Why has MOET Suspended IELTS Exams?
The British Council and IDP, according to the MOET, failed to obtain their approval documents, and the tests were improperly managed. And for that reason, the testing was abruptly stopped. The British Council and the IDP are the 2 bodies in Vietnam authorized to conduct these tests in Vietnam.
Poorly Planned
The government directive requiring organizations to obtain updated authorization from the education ministry to conduct foreign language exams was issued in June 2018, according to Ho Quang Huy, chief of the Legal Document Inspection Department at the Ministry of Justice.
He attributed the lack of information to the education ministry and claimed that earlier statements from the department would have allowed companies more time to submit their paperwork.
Students who had started to submit their admission documents to study abroad have experienced significant difficulties as a result of the IELTS exam postponement attributed the lack of communication to the ministry of education.
Is This The Only Reason?
There have been other reasons suggested as well as the above for the abrupt termination or suspension of IELTS testing.
Online Scammers and Leaked IELTS papers.
The only two IELTS testing organizations in Vietnam, the British Council and IDP, caution applicants against falling for online con artists who sell “genuine” exam papers.
IELTS test papers containing answers that were claimed to be “genuine” have cost “candidates” millions of dong. As more and more colleges prioritize IELTS as a requirement for admission, the demand for the credential is surging.
IELTS was just a requirement for admission to a small number of colleges in 2017. But when more than 30 colleges added it to the admissions process last year, the number went up.
Many con artists claim that the day before the examination, candidates will receive the “genuine” test paper. The money quickly vanished after the “applicant” pays for the “genuine” test paper.
Test Too Difficult for Vietnamese English Teachers.
It has been discussed by some “foreign” teachers that now that Vietnamese English teachers must sit and pass the test for their jobs, the content has been found to be too difficult for them. With some people going even further in their responses. Albeit this is not necessarily the opinion of this website.
Editorial Comment by Marty Hoare.
We can all be certain of one thing. This IELTS drama is more complicated than what we are seeing in the news.
Without providing a reason, the BC has abruptly stopped all IELTS exams till further notice.
The local media alerts us to problems with the exam itself the very next minute.
It’s rather safe to presume that the BC and MOET have gotten into a battle over something.
I wonder if the requirements and evaluation of the IELTS have anything to do with that.
I also wonder if it has anything to do with the terrible results of the most recent IELTS tests that Vietnamese English teachers had to take and pass.
The likelihood that the abhorrent and embarrassing results of the English Vietnamese teacher testing for MOET, and the local education sector more broadly, has caused this fight.
Promises for a Quick Fix.
On Saturday, the education ministry declared that in the upcoming days, it will give IELTS and TOEFL approval priority over all other foreign language competence exams.
According to the Ministry of Education and Training, the choice was made to remove obstacles for candidates who want to sit for these tests. In order to get ministry approval to resume the testing, it has asked pertinent units to finish papers.
The postponement, according to the education ministry, was caused by organizations not finishing their approval documents and improper management of exam quality. If all of the required documentation is submitted, the approval procedure should take about 20 days, according to deputy education minister Nguyen Huu Do.
Let us hope that whatever the issue that started this, it will be resolved quickly so there are no more problems for the students affected.
Any or all links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through those links I will make a small commission on them.
There will be no extra cost to you and at times due to my affiliation, you could actually save money.
Thhis year let’s ask for the stars and we might hit the moon anyway. Tired of books for Christmas, let’s ask for laptops and see what happens.
Associates Program
What You Wanted and What You Got.
We have all woken up on Christmas day at some stage and been totally underwhelmed by what we received. When you were wishing for a new bicycle and ended up with a pair of socks.
And it always started with the advent calendar. All the other kids were getting metal whistles and cool gifts and you ended up with a plastic “dummy”.
This Christmas is about Karma and will right some of the wrongs you have been dealt with over the years.
The Gifts You Always Wanted.
Here are some suggestions for gifts that are MUCH better than gift cards or socks if you have an English teacher on your gift list.
Alternatively, if you ARE an English teacher, you can leave this list open on your laptop for your students to “inadvertently” find. Or go and treat yourself. Isn’t it time you upgraded your laptop and added some speakers to play in the class?
There will be no judgments from this teacher.
Books, The teachers’ choice.
Teaching is a stressful profession, and reading for enjoyment can help you decompress by transporting you into a different world. This is why teachers adore books.
Whether it’s fiction or non-fiction if it is a captivating read you can be transported through time and space to a place where you can escape and explore.
Books are a teacher’s and student’s choice.
The World Book Company.
Since 1915, the World Book Corporation has dedicated itself to producing accurate, impartial, and trustworthy products that have regularly been rated as the finest in the education industry by teachers, librarians, and families.
The complete World Book Encyclopedia is the most recent and up-to-date print and online encyclopedia available thanks to the work of thousands of specialists.
From the 2017 World Book Encyclopedia’s 100th Anniversary Commemorative edition to intriguing new titles like Enigmas of History, Building Blocks of Science: Life Science, and Endangered Animals of the World, the titles cover a variety of topics and age groups.
There are various advertising campaigns every month, and they offer free shipping to consumers in the United States and Canada. You’ll come across information that will enlighten and enrich you.
The World Book company has everything from sports-related books to encyclopedias. A teacher’s dream and delight await all who hearken upon this voyage.
Or divest yourself of pretense of unselfishness and throw your head back and scream for your laptop.
Laptops for Legendary Teachers who Create.
And books are great, but let’s get real. These babies are for the hardworking teacher who crafts his lessons from scratch and demands the best. So if you want to reward yourself, These come strongly recommended.
Are you already dreaming of i9 Laptops? The Real Dream.
Maybe a bit of ASUS will spice things up for you…You can just watch or be part of the action for less than US$2,000.000.
Asus New Features.
There are a few features that make this laptop a standout and stand apart laptop. This laptop includes a secondary 3.5-inch OLED display on the lid in addition to the primary display in its usual location. This display may show various animations, notifications, battery life, date and time, and user-customizable text.
This laptop’s compliance with US Space System Command Standards (SMC-S-016A) and resistance to vibrations and extremely low or high temperatures are its other unique features. This device’s durability meets MIL-STD-810H specifications for toughness.
The ASUS ZenBook’s internal processor, the Intel Core i9-12900H, has 14 cores and 20 threads. The laptop’s integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics are available for graphics. A 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD and 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM are added to the potent processor.
It lacks a number pad because of size and space limitations. However, it does have a virtual number pad. It comes with 2 Thunderbolt 4 connections, a USB Type-A port, an HDMI and headphone jack, and an SD card reader.
A USB Type-A to RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet converter from Asus is also included in the box.
The ASUS ZenBook is currently available for purchase. The laptop costs $1,999 and has a metallic Titanium color. Words and numbers aside, it is ready for some heavy duty processing work
The M1 MacBook Air, M1 MacBook Pro, and M2 versions of those models have already been released, and their successors might not be too far away. Here is all the information you require for the upcoming release.
Despite rumors that the new laptops would be released soon, the prediction that the MacBook Pro with M2 Pro and Max CPU s would arrive in the fall of 2022 has been crushed.
New Macs are often introduced by Apple in November.
Next year will bring new Macs. Apple’s upcoming lineup of Macs “probably won’t ship until early next year,” according to Gurman. Gurman anticipates the first half of March 2023 as the timeframe.
Pricing.
The prices for the current models are as follows. Despite some significant price increases, we don’t foresee any significant changes in the U.S. With the M2 makeover, Apple increased the cost of the base MacBook Air by $200, or 20 percent.
Final Thoughts.
Despite or maybe because everyone seems so serious this year, I have put together a couple of things that I would love to receive under the Christmas tree.
Sometimes Santa is better when he tries to be worse. They say “karma” is a b****. Well, this year I’m up for it and I hope you are too. My ‘karmic” balance involves a couple of hi-end laptops and I hope this can go somewhere in bringing a bit of balance in your life.
If these don’t tickle your fancy, send me an email and Include your righteous response with a plethora of your perfect presents. And I will see what Santa can do to provide some Santa treats.
Editor to VietnamESL, Kool Affiliate, and recently acquired Gardening-Guru, Stephen has worked in small business for the last twenty years. He has clocked up many hours, days weeks, and years in growing small businesses into large healthy ones.
Stephen’s career highlights include establishing and running two English schools in H.C.M.C Vietnam. Conducting training for native English Teachers in Pleiku for the Ministry of Education of Vietnam (M.O.E).
And now helps people with their own dreams who wish to teach in Vietnam or live the nomadic lifestyle of the laptop warrior.
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The Gifts You Always Wanted.
