English Language Teaching Project at Huay Yai School

Author "Bell" helping the children.

“Hello!” was the word that some of our Asian University students heard every Wednesday, for six weeks during January and February. The Community Service Committee of Asian University had organized an English-teaching project at Huay Yai School. Not only the committee members but many other students joined in this project.

Our students at Huay Yai School were from grade 4 to 6. We taught them Basic English, such as greetings, numbers, colors, time, parts of the body, etc.

The students were divided into two groups – G-6, and G 4-5. Each group was taught by a foreign teacher from Asian U, while the Asian U students sat down with the kids to help them read and write. They were happy and enjoyed this very much because the teacher and staff were very friendly.

In the last class of the project, there was a test to find the best students from each group. The test was about everything we had taught them. Then, the winners were given certificates.

This project has been done ever year and it is very useful and enjoyable. We hope that this project will be organized again next year.

written by Ms. Jarupa Chuengyingruangrung (Bell) First year BA student

Thank you to Ajarn Robert B for the photos

First Year Students Visit Siam Ocean World

At the end of February, the first year students accompanied by lecturers and staff from Asian University went on a field trip to Siam Ocean World, at Siam Paragon in Bangkok.
BBA Student Muanfun Wutthisit (Fun) writes:


“Before we entered the aquarium, we had enjoyed a 15-minute 4-D X-venture film called “Take Me To The Moon”. It was tremendous and enjoyable. After, we toured the aquarium main tank in a glass-bottomed boat. Every minute on the boat was exciting for us, with super close-up views of sharks, stingrays, and a multitude of fish. Our journey through Siam Ocean World took us through seven different zones – Weird and Wonderful, Deep Reef, Living Ocean, Rainforest, Rocky Shore, Open Ocean, and Sea Jellies.


We enjoyed this trip and gained bags of knowledge from this first world-class aquarium in Thailand.”

James Kennedy: Visiting Artist

Abstract artist James Kennedy and ceramist Bob Bachler of Surface Gallery and Atelier, New Hampton, visited the Multimedia department of Asian university on 11 February. The audience included multimedia and other students as well as a group of ladies from a local art club. Welcomed by Liberal Arts Dean Robert, James gave a presentation about some of his work, and with Bob, he gave some of his views on art and life as an artist. As well as their individual works, they showed some of their collaborative work, each using each other’s skills to enhance a piece.

Bob Bachler

Surface Library in New Hampton is not only their gallery but also their workshop, so visitors can see James and Bob at work. They are also encouraged to touch exhibits, and get to know the art that is on display.

Some of James’ earlier works were clearly influenced by Turner, but he explained that all life experiences influence their art. The current holiday in Thailand has exposed them not only to classical Thai art (in many forms) and architecture, but also to the nature of Thailand, fruits, sunsets, coral forms etc.

When asked about making a living through art, James explained that some compromise was sometimes necessary, especially if works are specially commissioned by a customer. There is more about their work at www.surfacelibrary.com/

James Kennedy

After a lively question and discussion session, James ended by saying that art is about sharing: food for thought for the students who were there.

Ministry of Education staff learn at Asian University

A group of 38 Ministry of Education staff from Bangkok, have just completed a week long special English language course at Asian University. They were assessed and divided into two classes, and had lessons each day from 9.00am - 4.00pm.


The delegates stayed on the campus and enjoyed their time away from Bangkok, in the fresh air near Jomtien.

The photos show the visitors studying, learning and enjoying themselves.


After the course, one Ajarn received the following:

>Hello Roy
>
>How are you? You are my lovely teacher, you teached us with your heart. I
>feel that.
>I hope you don't forget us and I hope to come here again with new project
>to learn English by you and I also to meet you and new song from you.
>
>Take care

The Fourth College Inter-Games November 2008

The winning banner from Alexandria House shows the House Captain, Super BongBank.

The four houses, in the College at Asian University, have just enjoyed their annual competition in sports and associated activities. The College is located on the campus of Asian University on Highway 331, near Jomtien.

Rome House banner: the Joker

Troy banner: Super Lung Dang, (owner of the dormitory cafeteria)

All the students in the College are members of one of the four Houses: Rome (Green), Alexandria (Yellow), Troy (Red) and Constantinople (Blue). The House names were chosen by the students soon after the college opened.

Constantinople banner: Super Thor, the House Captain

Seven sports activities were on the programme for the two day event, including petanque, table tennis, badminton, volleyball, basketball, football and athletics as well as fun and games. There were fourteen trophies to be won, not just for the sports but also for the cheering and the most beautiful banner contest.

Boys' basketball

There were volley ball and football matches between teams of students and the staff.

Rome cheerers and Student president (in white shirt)

The trophies were presented by the head master, Mr. Bernard, the main awards being:

- The best sports award to Rome House.

- The most beautiful banner to Alexandria House.

- The most crazy cheering to Troy House.

- The best cheer leaders to Constantinople.

- The best personal performance at the 2008 Inter-games was awarded to Thor, the Captain of Constantinople House.

Athletics: 100m boys' race

The photographs show the House banners and some of the activities.

Troy's show

Dr. Mario hosts discussions at North Star Library

For the past few months, Dr. Giuseppe Mario Saccone, (Dr. Mario) a lecturer at Asian University, has been hosting a lecture and discussion group at the North Star library on Sukhumvit Road, Pattaya.

The lecture topics have included; What is Philosophy? Politics and Political Science, Philosophy and the problem of the relation between Mind and Body, and in November was The Role of Politics for Augustine and Aquinas.

Dr Mario, an Italian, has a degree in Philosophy and History from Genova University, and took his PhD in Politics at Exeter University. He also has a Master of Philosophy from the Faculty of Arts and a Master of Buddhist Studies from the Faculty of Social Sciences of The University of Hong Kong. Dr. Mario lectures and teaches in the Humanities Department of the Faculty of Liberal Arts at Asian University, to students from all the faculties. He is offering these public talks as part of the University’s Community Service programme. Asian University is located on Highway 331, about 20km from Pattaya and Jomtien.

November’s meeting was the last for 2008, but they will start again on the last Thursday in January (29 January 2009, 15.00 – 16.30) with a talk and discussion on “What is Philosophy of Science”. The talks are free to any interested parties, and each month a small, but lively group get together for a very open discussion. Members of the group include retired lecturers and teachers as well as people who are interested in philosophy, politics and history.

The photos show Dr. Mario with some of the regular attendees at the North Star Library.

Ladies from the NSO attend special weekend English Immersion Programme

Ladies from the NSO learn English at Asian University

Twenty seven ladies from the National Statistical Office, mostly from Bangkok, have just completed a special weekend English language programme at Asian University, to improve their English communication skills.

They have been at the university for eight weekends, arriving Friday morning and leaving Sunday midday with fourteen hours of class each week. The ladies were all very keen students, and their attendance record was exemplary. They stayed on the campus, alongside the regular university students, and, outside class times, they were able to walk on campus and use the sports facilities to keep themselves fit.

Some of the ladies had been on several other courses and commented that the Asian University course compared favourably.

They particularly liked having native speaker teachers, and appreciated the teachers’ patience. Several mentioned the variety of ways in which they learnt English, using songs and games; some of these methods were new to them and they found that having fun enhanced the learning process. The ladies learnt in two groups (different levels), so there was plenty of opportunity to practice their speaking and listening with each other.

The course was run especially for the NSO staff, as a part of the English Immersion programme.