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Dolma

Hello-
I am an avid reader(I'm currently a librarian, go figure) and during my TEFL experience in Venice greatly missed my neighborhood used bookstore. When I was in Venice the sole (new and expensive)English bookstore closed up shop, and that one charged twice the cover price for paperbacks. I had to go to Feltrinelli's in Padova for overpriced PBs and TEFL texts. There is a good used bookstore in Florence, The Paperback Exchange, and I used to bring back a backpack full of books on my trips there. Now I am thinking of going to TEFL in Asia and would like to know if any cities besides Kathmandu have good used bookstores. During my 1-month stay in KTM 4 years ago I was delighted by the many used bookstores in Thamel, the tourist area, and wished I had decided to TEFL there in the first place instead of Italy. Any ideas? Thanks and Namaste.

sojourner · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 2:53 pm Post subject:

Dolma,

If you ever visit Bangkok and are looking for some 2nd hand bookshops, head for the Khaosan Rd area. On Khaosan Rd, itself, there are a couple of proper shops dealing with 2nd hand books, as well as some street stalls.There's also a small, but excellent, shop in an 'arcade' that runs between Tunee Rd and Khaosan Rd. Apart from the usual 2nd/3rd hand 'Lonely Planet' guides, and paperback novels, the shops that I've just referred to also stock books dealing with meditation and Eastern religion - you'd have a field day, just browsing !

If you should ever find yourself in Shanghai, visit the Shanghai Foreign Languages Bookstore, 390 Fuzhou Rd (runs parallel to Nanjing Rd East, just behind the Central Hotel). Admitedly, you won't find much on Eastern religion, but you'll find plenty of books on Applied Linguistics and TESOL - most of them unbelievably cheap.The shop also stocks most of the 'classics' of Western culture - also v.cheap.

I notice that in your other postings, you have enquired about working in Asia. Regarding China, with a Master's degree ,you would have no problem in finding a teaching job at a college or uni. Teaching in such places may not be as well paid as in language schools, but there would be far less stress.

I'm currently teaching at a college on Zhoushan Island. Near the island is an islet called Putuo Shan, which according to the blurb put out by the local tourist authority has a lot of significance for Buddhists everywhere. How true is that assertion ? If it has any substance, you may want to work on this island. Probably, there may not be any vacancies at my college for the next term, but there could be something at one of the local primary or middle schools. If interested, send me a PM and I'll make a few enquiries. But if you hunt around, you'll probably find that many towns have some sort of special significance with respect to Buddhism, Taoism, etc ! A couple of my ex-colleagues are now working at a college in a province adjacent to Tibet - they love it there - would probably be the next best thing to actually working in Tibet, itself !

You mentioned something about getting some TESOL training. If you go to Thailand, you can do a CELTA course much cheaper than back in the States. I believe that the ECC schools, both in Bangkok and Phuket, have CELTA courses.

Good luck.

Peter

khmerhit · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 10:25 pm Post subject:

The London Booksshop in Phnom Penh is quite good--it is owned by a v clever chap called Jerry. Check out his website.

Well, he had one.;;;;;;

London Book Centre
Largest collection of used books in Phnom Penh
#65, Street 240 Tel: (23) 214258

Dolma · Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 5:21 pm Post subject:

Thanks sojourner and khmerhit!
I am leaning towards getting my CELTA at ECC Bangkok-seems like a good place to start out, and it's good to hear I'll be able to find cheap reading material! Namaste, Dolma

Dolma · Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 8:46 pm Post subject:

Sojourner:
Here's a site which explains the significance of Putuo(cognate to Potala, as in the Dalai Lama's palace) Shan, the abode of Kwan Yin Bodhisattava(and other sacred mountains in China):

http://www.sacredsites.com/asia/china/sacred_mountains.html

I'm actually traveling to Emei Shan and Lhasa in August - will inquire about jobs then, though I am initially thinking of Thailand more so than China at this point since I would like to get my CELTA. Thanks again for your kind advice! Namaste, Dolma

mr.pete · Joined: 02 May 2005 Posts: 26

For Asia - Bangkok - for new and real books go to the bookshops in the Emporium on Sukhumvit road. I have bought American books there on programming, life-change, and also TEFL materials - better than some shops in London!

Dolma · Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 8:11 pm Post subject:

It sounds like BKK is the place to go -thanks for your advice! Namaste, Dolma

sojourner · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 12:37 pm Post subject:

Dolma,

Have you arrived in Bangkok for your CELTA training, yet ? If you require any ESL books, go to the Language Media Book Centre, 244-246 Siam Square 2, Rama I Rd, Prathumwan, Bangkok 10330 (ph:662-2516335). Excellent range of ESL books and tapes. If you mention that you are are teacher, they'll give you a 10% discount ! However, if you'll be passing through Shanghai on your way to Thailand, it'll be a good idea to go to the Shanghai Foreign Languages Bookstore (refer to my first posting to this thread) and buy what you need there.That shop also stocks books by Jeremy Harmer (recommeded by many CELTA trainers), as well as Jim Scrivenor's works.

Re the 2nd hand book shops in Bangkok's Khaosan Rd area, the main one is called either "Shaman's" or the "Shaman Bookshop", and is located at either 71 or 72 Khaosan Rd.The other shop I referred to is called the "Alleycat", and is located in the covered laneway that runs between Khaosan and Tunee Rds (the entrance to the laneway is near Nat's Guesthouse). I visited those two shops about three weeks ago - some great stuff in both places !

Good luck with your CELTA training !

Peter

JosephP · Joined: 13 May 2003 Posts: 445

For really cheap mouldy thrillers and detective books with lurid covers you can find interesting reading material at Chatuchak market for really low prices. But be prepared to do a bit of digging around the stalls.

wix · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Posts: 250 Location: Earth

As mentioned there are some good second-hand bookshops on Khao San Road in Bangkok. However, their prices are high. Often close to or the same as a new book at Asia Books in the same city!!! The range of books is really good though. You can often find out of print or hard to get titles there.

garlic and basil · Joined: 18 Jun 2005 Posts: 46

India far surpasses Thailand in number and low price of any kind of books in English. Not only do I know this from travelling in India and buying books at shops, stalls, and bookfairs I have also talked with owners of Chiang Mai bookstores. Where do you think they get their books? It's not from backpackers.