The Talking Traveller

Have you ever wondered what my voice sounds like, or you do now what it sounds like but you are wondering if it still sounds the same? Wonder no more! I am alive on skype and willing, eager and able to verbally communicate to anyone or any...thing. There are two options. Firstly, you can use SKYPE to talk to me, my skype ID is hein_vdm, and you will even be able to see me on my webcam. 2nd option is that you can privately (or publicly) send me a phone number of a landline and I WILL call you! Anywhere on earth as long as it's a land-line. Isn't that a bargain!?

I will tell you everything you want to know about the countries I have visited, my life, stuttering or the McGuire program. So come on! Don't delay! Do it today! 

Talking about talking of the talking traveller. The past week I have entered into two new speaking situations. Of course this has to do with teaching. Last week I was a substitute teacher at a kindergarden school. I had a class of 16 children between the ages of 4-5 years, wow, what an experience. At that age you won't even let them try to recognize written words and the teaching method is totally focused on amusement with the aim of letting the hear them words, say them, and associate with the correct picture or movement. They have an attention span of about 5 seconds, but loads and loads of love to give. If all else, I at least taught them to say "Gooda Morning Teacher Han!" The teaching went very well, and talk about letting go.....5 little monkeys jumping on the bed! One fell down and broke his head........., ringa ringa rosies....etc etc etc ha ha ha etc.

The other situation is that of 1 2 1 (get it?) tutoring of more advanced students who want to improve their English by just having some conversation. Basically I visit them at their home and then we discuss a magazine article or other interesting material for an hour. The pay is pretty good but even better is the practice I get as these 1 2 1 conversation gets me to really focus on my articulation and enunciation of words and also my listing skills as I have to correct their tenses, grammar etc. With the use of skype I have been able to receive some support worldwide from other McGuire grads. This has helped me to work out some of the major "glitches" in my speaking technique and there is an improvement on the frequency of fumbles, stumbles and crumbles I had in 121 talks during the last 3 weeks.   

Chinese proverb of the day........." Fall down seven times, stand up eight!"