Tik Aces her IELTS Practice Test July 21, 2006
Posted by Martin in : Education , add a commentWe all know how clever Tik is but as her fiance I’m allowed to brag about it.
Tik took a mock IELTS test about a month ago. IELTS is an internationally recognized English qualification which Tik will need when we apply to emigrate to Australia. This was a free test to give her an idea what she should expect. She got her results yesterday and came top out of every student in her listening exam and came second in her reading exam.
Her real test is tomorrow where she will also be assessed on her speaking skills (no problem there) and her writing skills. Tik completed a 1-month writing class in June so I’m certain she’ll do great. Results will be back early in August.
Some More Thai Lessons with A June 11, 2006
Posted by Martin in : Education, Thailand , add a commentI had another lot of 10 x 3 hour Thai lessons with A this month.
The problem with studying so intensively is that I don’t get the opportunity to memorize everything. I was more interested in putting the time in and knowing that despite being overwhelmed with vocabulary I’d at least have the chance to practice having converstations a little more.
A taught me a lot of phrases I really need to learn. I was extremely proud of myself when visiting Suan Lum Night market on my own and being able to discuss exporting various products with the Thai traders. I’ve also taken a faulty headset to get repaired and had a long conversation only in Thai about the problems and solutions.
As Tik’s studying hard for her IELTS English examination we have been communicating entirely in Engliagh for a month so I’m glad to have the opportunity to refresh my Thai skills again.
Stupidly though I organized all the hundreds of necessary Thai phrases onto index cards, and lost them all. I just found them today, so there’ll be no more excuses. I’m determined to be at a strong enough level for our wedding (potentially April or August 2007) that i can charm all the Thai guests and present my wedding speech in both languages.
More Plans for 2006 April 8, 2006
Posted by Martin in : Education, Health & Sport, Overseas Travel, Thailand , add a commentOnce Lisa returns to the UK my new life starts again. Tik is now living permanently with me and we have an exciting year planned. For the three weeks between May and August Tik and I will study in the mornings. I will continue my gemology diploma and Tik will take some IELTS English classes to improve her writing skills and her chances of working or studying overseas. Our afternoons will be spent exercising at the gym, playing squash, swimming, playing badminton and I will return to Aikido. I am also likely to continue with learning Thai and starting private Brazilian Ju-Jitsu classes.
The End of my First Gemology Module March 28, 2006
Posted by Martin in : Education, Thailand , add a commentToday I finally completed my first three months of my Gemology Diploma at AIGS. The course comprises of 4 modules, the first one ‘Classification of Gemstones’ has just finished and I am extremely relieved.
I’ve really enjoyed the course although it was no walk in the park. I’d signed up last November anticipating a very simple 6-month course. Although there is a strong implication that the course is between 9am until 12pm weekdays the course took up much more of my life than I’d really anticipated. There was a lot of unschedules practice required to get familiar with all the different stones available.
Another Thai Language Warning February 21, 2006
Posted by Martin in : Education, Thailand , add a commentSadly another Thai language lesson I’ve discovered from experience.
The phrase “add more milk” and “shake your boobs” are deceptively similar.
“Sai nom”  = Pour in some milk
“Saai nom” = Shake your boobs
… fortunately Tik was with me to persuade the waitress my intentions were honorable.