h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Greetings from Russia
I think I must apologise for reading your journal, as we are not acquainted. I'm a teacher and sometimes around here, mostly for linguistic and cultural purposes. I hope you don't mind my question about Toastmasters.
Is you club part of what is described here
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toastmasters_International
I have never come across anything in this line in my country, and it sounds interesting. Can you give any reliable links about the activity as you experience it?
Best regards,
Elena

Oh dear, have just noticed your wish for me - thanks a lot, it'll make my day brighter
and to you, too

Hi Wierdo07

Yes, that's the right lot. Sorry for the late reply. I don't have internet at home for a while.

I think there are likely to be Toastmasters clubs in Russia. Let me check. Try this: http://www.toastmasters.org/find/default.asp?Country=Russian%20Federation

Let me know how you get on! Be patient if you don't get a reply for a while - I'm not back online properly until 9 May.

Oops! Spelling! Weirdo07!

... and I do wish you those things.

Of course you do!
I'm scared of forums...I always lurk a bit before I write to someone and only talk to those who are mostly harmless...
Thanks for the link and good luck with your comp

You're very welcome. What subject do you teach?

Incredibly, I seem to teach English
My little (yes, the five of them, and some of them quite huge by now, others getting bigger by the day) keep me so busy, though, that I can only hope there isn't too much Russian in it...
How is your little fish doing these days?

Five

English is a good subject to teach. Do you teach it at primary, secondary or further education level?

Hello again
Looked at at your link - thanks a lot, I might try to pay a visit to the Moscow group one day as I have no speaking practice (other than speaking to my students during our lessons) which is a horrible disadvantage
Most of my students are teenagers, and I have been teaching them for 7 or 8 years now, (so if I'm not satisfied with the results, I only have myself to blame). I like to start when the kids are 6 or 7 years old, but I also enjoy teaching at higher levels - it's the only way one can keep up one's own language. I also seem to prefer kids to grown-ups - they are a much happier lot, full of energy and enthusiasm and - most of them - not drowned in the turmoil and drudgery of life.
Forgive my being over-talkative - it's a learner's weakness
and

"I also seem to prefer kids to grown-ups - they are a much happier lot, full of energy and enthusiasm and - most of them - not drowned in the turmoil and drudgery of life." I know what you mean


"Forgive my being over-talkative - it's a learner's weakness" No, I think it's called enthusiasm!

is the smiley you wanted < zen >

Do you teach too?

Do I teach too? Yes and no. I have taught in schools as an external invited teacher (consumer law and home and road safety) and I've also taught t'ai chi and qigong.

I like the idea of green woods and daffodils.

I'm glad you do.
We went to our dacha yesterday and enjoyed a walk in the woods, although they do need a clean-up
Were lucky to see a huge black woodpecker
t'ai chi and qigong aren't something I know of - where's that Google thingy?
Is nature part of your everyday landscape (apart from the sun and the skies, of course )?