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traduttor
Joined: 28 Apr 2005
Posts: 2
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 Posted: Sun May 15, 2005 8:00 pm Post subject: Literacy training work, Bangk vs. Ch Mai, Burmese refugees |
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Hello,
This is an extremely enjoyable, educational forum and I thank all of you who put time into dialogue and response to questions from the newbies..... like me.
Looking for some advice on travel/professional plans. Just found out that I may have the funded possibiliity to do graduate university degree (MA in TESOL/linguistics, rural district literacy program teaching/training) in Thailand and am looking at/comparing the possibilities of living and studying in Bangkok as well as in Chiang Mai.
I have experience working with rural/indigenous populations before, in Mexico, am a credentialed language/social studies teacher, and am hoping to volunteer/do research with Burmese refugee and/or rural hill tribe population in Thailand (which would drive me to live/work in Chiang Mai I suppose), as well as make progress towards, or complete, an MA degree --- probably more in the direction of TESL as opposed to educational research. Nevertheless, in terms of population and 'research focus,' I would like to spend at least half of my time in the field, teaching and assisting in literacy programs for youth and adults. This work could also take place in the urban environment though I would prefer more rural districts.
Also drawn to Bangkok, however --- this is the rub --- by the Concentrated Language Encounter (CLE) program training at Srinakharinwirot University in Bangkok.
I am not exactly thrilled on the potential of living in Bangkok as I have heard it is quite large, polluted, generally unpleasant. I am not drawn to life in big cities in general, preferring a quieter, less hectic, less contaminated neighborhood. Perhaps there is such a place in Bangkok?!?! : ). I have never lived in Asia before, either, so am hesitant as to whether Bangkok is the place to start. That being said, I may bite the bullet and move there, if only for a half-year, if the university [CLE] training is not to be missed. May I ask for tips/leads from readers out there? Namely......
---What can the pros tell me about life in Bangkok vs. life in Chiang Mai? Especially re--- climate, cost of living, general social/physical environment. Also in regards to general intro to life in Thailand. Has anyone spent notable time residing in both places?
---Does anybody have experience working with Burmese refugee population? I have found one lead on the www (BVP/Burma Volunteer Program, c/o AMy Neiman?) that looks promising. Any experience/knowledge with this, or other literacy/refugee programs?
---Does anyone know about/have experience with the CLE Program, or has anyone worked or studied at Srinakharinwirot Univ. in Bangkok, particularly with a Dr. Saowalak Rattanavich? She directs the CLE training program, from what I can tell, and has had notable success with it country-wide I think. Link ---
http://www.literacy.org/products/ili/pdf/alrfsrat.pdf
The CLE Program is fascinating to me, in terms of theory, method, and apparent rates of student acheivement, it was introduced to Thailand by Dr. Richard Walker from Brisbane College, circa 1985. Appears that Srinakharinwirot is the only univ. in Thailand to offer training in the CLE........any similar research/training going on at the university level in Chiang Mai? Even little details or leads to other folks would be truly appreciated.
Thanks for any and all replies...........best wishes to all readers from San Rafael, California.
Mike G. |
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Sheep-Goats
Joined: 16 Apr 2004
Posts: 527
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| Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 9:27 am Post subject: Re: Literacy training work, Bangk vs. Ch Mai, Burmese refuge |
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| traduttor wrote: |
---What can the pros tell me about life in Bangkok vs. life in Chiang Mai? Especially re--- climate, cost of living, general social/physical environment. Also in regards to general intro to life in Thailand. Has anyone spent notable time residing in both places? |
The traffic in Chiang Mai is almost as bad as in Bangkok right now, and it doesn't help that Thaksin (the prime minister) is from there and has projects lined up to develop Chiang Mai into a "regional trade and travel hub" -- which translates into "tear up all the roads at once." 90% of the bars will be closed in Chiang Mai by midnight -- but if you're looking to live in the outer reaches of the city and travel in for whatever it's still possible to have a cleanish life in CM. Cost of living is about 60% of that in Bangkok. CM is the artistic and (not that this is related) homosexual capitol of Thailand. Northern Thais are known for being even more friendly and slow paced than Central/Southern Thais.
That being said, I spent about a month in Chiang Mai and was bored 90% of the time I was there. Give me Bangkok. The skytrain and motorcycle taxis will dodge most of the traffic for you, there's always something to do, and there are so many goddamn crappy foreigners in Chiang Mai that it about drove me up a wall.
Both places have their goods and bads. If you bore easily, Bankok is better. If you eschew public transport or can't stand to sit in traffic for more than 4 or 5 minutes, Chiang Mai.
| Quote: |
---Does anybody have experience working with Burmese refugee population? I have found one lead on the www (BVP/Burma Volunteer Program, c/o AMy Neiman?) that looks promising. Any experience/knowledge with this, or other literacy/refugee programs? |
No direct experience. I have a Thai friend who is surveying refugee populations with the UN (she used to live in Chiang Mai). Most of the refugee populations are not in Bangkok or Chiang Mai from what I can tell. They're quite close to the Thai border -- Kanchanaburi province or Mae Hong Son province would be where I would expect that kind of work to be -- but, like I said, I haven't done any of it, so I don't know.
Thais look on Burmese somewhat how rich Americans look on immigrant Mexican workers, cheap labor, good for helping mind the kids or build a house, easy enough to get along with, hard working. Most rich Thais will have a Burmese nanny and/or gardner. Common descriptors for Burmese used by Thais include clever, hard working, and dark (lightness/darkness of skin being a paramount issue to status minded Thais at the moment). Unlucky or pitiable never enters into the equation.
Also, it should be noted that most refugees (as far as I know) aren't enthnic Burmese. Generally they're an ethnic minority which has been run out of Burma by the ethnic Burmese and their nasty government's army. Red Karen and Shan, I would expect, are the majority refugee populations.
Becasue living in Thailand is cheap, it's quite possible to live, work, teach and study with any of these communities by showing up in them and letting them know you're willing to do so. Many communities will have a community leader who may help arrange lodging / feed for you in excange for your skills -- some of these folks even speak quite decent English! Most of the people in the community will see English as your primary offering -- though learning Thai will also be something they'll be quite eager to do.
| Quote: |
---Does anyone know about/have experience with the CLE Program, or has anyone worked or studied at Srinakharinwirot Univ. in Bangkok, particularly with a Dr. Saowalak Rattanavich? She directs the CLE training program, from what I can tell, and has had notable success with it country-wide I think. |
You'll be very lucky if you find someone with any direct experience with any of that here -- but who knows? Be aware that Thai universities are generally frowned upon for their educational quality -- especially by Thais who can afford to study abroad. Chulalongkorn (Thailand's Harvard / MIT) and Thammasat (Berkely -- sort of) may be exceptions. |
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Dunk
Joined: 05 Apr 2005
Posts: 16
Location: Bangkok
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| Posted: Tue May 24, 2005 6:07 am Post subject: BKK living |
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Hi,
Re : Bangkok as a place to live
You'll be amazed at how different this city is to your current impressions, believe me, it's a great place to live.
I had exactly the same mental picture of BKK as you I suspect. When I visited here for the first time however, I really liked the feel of the place, and subsequently returned here to take my first teaching job abroad.
It is always noisy, and hot and annoying at times of course, but you can escape the occasional discomfort by going into the A/C bliss of all the shops, restaurants, and other places, and the streets are incredibly clean and rubbish-free.
The lifestyle for an ex-pat is very comfortable, and you have all the western comforts you need, such as cinemas, malls, nice bars, restaurants, plus excellent medical care.
Thai people are generally really nice and friendly too.
Give it a go in BKK, I'd be surprised if you didn't end up loving the place !
Hope that helps, any more questions on specifics, send me a private message or post another entry,
Dunk. |
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Legolarse
Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 36
Location: UK
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| Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2005 10:59 am Post subject: BVP |
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I have applied to Burma Volunteer Program (http://www.geocities.com/maesotbvp/) and am waiting for a reply, but I don't know much about it so I'd be interested in hearing from someone who does.
I've also heard about another project, the Karen Hilltribes Trust(http://www.karenhilltribes.org.uk/kht/). It has a minimum 6 months commitment. |
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