Category: Teaching

The cure for Wanderlust?

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 28 January 2017 As those already acquainted with myself already know, I earn my income in two ways:  I am a Canadian, resident in Switzerland, working as a freelance English-as-a-second-language teacher and part-time Starbucks barista. And while both physical and psychological health remain I wish to continue to do both jobs for a… Continue reading The cure for Wanderlust?

The Last Sigh

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 4 January 2017 Outside my window, upon the streets of this wee hamlet, the snow remains. Beneath the snow nature sleeps, awaiting the resurrection of spring. Yet life continues nonetheless… Cows and sheep graze beneath the snow for succulent grass. Birds continue their happy carefree melodies. Humans scurry and hurry about, seeking sustenance… Continue reading The Last Sigh

Canada Slim and the Teacher’s Travels

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 14 December 2016 They are beloved by everyone from misunderstood teens and fools for love to the serious-minded middle-aged and those of a critical bent. Now the Bronte sisters are taking centre stage again as the bicentary of Charlotte´s birth (born 21 April 1814) brings a host of events at their Yorkshire home… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Teacher’s Travels

Wooden soldiers and little books

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 8 December 2016 Oh, what a lucky man I am! As much as I complain at times about teaching there are also great moments that I also must share… As regular readers of the gobbledygook I produce know, I have… along with Cambridge Certificate courses, business and technical English courses… conversation courses. In… Continue reading Wooden soldiers and little books

Walks of Life: The Apple and the Grape

Landschlacht, Canton Thurgau, Switzerland, 6 November 2016 It is true. I often feel quite critical of this country in which I have resided in these past six years. I criticize its government and its xenophobic policies. I criticize its people and their parochial ways. I criticize its economy with its soulless greed. But what I cannot find… Continue reading Walks of Life: The Apple and the Grape

“…and then I built a school.”

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 25 October 2016 Watching the present American elections feels akin to watching a drunk publicly soil himself – you want to look away but the drunk is so loud and obvious and different from your common experience that you can´t keep yourself from staring. There is so much that feels repugnant and offputting about… Continue reading “…and then I built a school.”

RIP Earth (or how I started worrying and learned to love science)

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 23 – 26 September 2016 As the few, but faithful, followers of my blog know, I am a freelance teacher of English as a second language here in Switzerland. So this position often finds me, on a regular basis, in situations that can be quite challenging. My latest challenge is an old foe… Continue reading RIP Earth (or how I started worrying and learned to love science)

Adam in the Abbey 3: The greater fool

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 17 – 20 September 2016 I have, up till recently, been an avid comic book reader and collector. And, sorry, DC comics, generally I have made mine Marvel. For it has been Marvel that struck upon the notion of making their heroes with feet of clay, rather than just Super aliens or vengeful billionaire Batman… Continue reading Adam in the Abbey 3: The greater fool