USING NEWSLETTERS TO CONNECT SCHOOLS AND CONTINENTS
The following is an example of the sort of short newspaper or newsletter which I put out (but with photos) twice a month for the 3 schools that I work at here in the MatsuIslands of Taiwan, i.e. just off China.
I am targeting this email to the 100,000 or more native speakers of English who work either as language assistants or full-time language trainers in public and private primary and secondary schools around the globe. I think that communication is the name of the game in our efforts for peace and learning around the globe.
Such a newsletter gives our NNST (Non-Native Speaking Teaching colleagues) a chance to get in our shoes and learn how we see and approach the world. In addition, such newsletters can evolve into platforms for further discussions and personal growth in our professions.--KAS
Kevin on BeiganIsland Newsletter November 9, 2010
(1)
Dear Schools and Friends,
This morning Victoria took Kenzenia out to the BanLiBeach for the sunrise. Giving a baby the morning sunshine is like giving vitamins to the baby. I later watched the waves roll in under the morning sun. I felt a sense of connection with all parts of our planet. Each wave has come from far away and the water touches all continents.
I recalled this connection to other corners of the world later in the morning (today) as I observed the flag-raising ceremony at our Ban Li School. Thursday, November 11, is celebrated in the USA and in many other lands around the world as Veterans Day. (In Taiwan it is yearly on November 12.) It is the day when nations recognize soldiers who have died in war.
http://www4.va.gov/kids/teachers/multicontent.asp?intPageID=4
Later--as in every November--most Americans will celebrate a 1-, 2- or 3-day holiday as part of the biggest family event of each year: This is the American Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving has been a family tradition for all Americans since 1863, but had taken place in New England states since the 17th Century.-->
My wife, my baby, and I have a lot to be thankful for this November. Kenzenia just turned 6 months old and can move on to "solid foods". The weather is suddenly very nice, sunny and warm. New friends have lent us a stroller for the baby to use here in Ban Li. (Our stroller is still in the Philippines .) Other new friends at different schools here on BeiganIsland have given us presents and a warm welcome.
THANK YOU.*
--Kevin
*I have been happy to bring my wife and daughter to visit the Tang Qi and other schools. We enjoy sharing about ourselves, our lives and our culture. It's fun. Thanks for these opportunities, too.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
