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sandfly

sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 03 June 2011 - 19:54
we have our post re-directed here (by Royal Mail)... And we were advised to continue with "voluntary" National Insurance contributions - to safeguard full state pension entitlement. This totally depends on your age and how much you have contributed to date and long term plans and if you have private pension plans. As far as i understood it RM will only deliver for a certain number of years on a redirection plan. The other thing is you may want mail opened and checked quicker than it takes my disabled pidgeon post. Edited for typo's before Sadfly jumps in and corrects me (again). edited by Boomerang on 03/06/2011 well now you mention it...... :)
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 03 June 2011 - 19:37
20 is a ball part hmmmm...... now what is a ball part when it is at home? they're not known for having parts? (at least you can never disguise your identity :) )
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 02 June 2011 - 23:17
no, you pay them twice if they don't take their holiday (also applies to most other jobs, though there tends to be a mandatory minimum that you have to take as leave). Ie, (hypothetically) if I work 11 months and have 1 month holiday, I am paid 12 months' salary. If I work 12 months (no holiday) I am paid for 13 months. hope that helps
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 02 June 2011 - 23:15
manufan, believe it or not there are (not connected to me, unfortunately!) men out there who deal with the same issues; though when I have seen this it has been dealt with in excited2beexpat's manner - which would tend to also be mine - rather than with apologies, guilt, or excessive explaining. I have very good childcare but I still have to take time off work at no notice if one of my kids needs to go to the doctor - fortunately rare, but it has happened. To be honest I rather resent having to take a half day leave for such purposes, given the number of hours they get from me, but at least there has never been an issue about it. And I don't have a husband, so your alternative (manufan) wouldn't exactly work for me I think pulling a sickie is probably going a bit far though - Miss Piggy is that really what you would do? Incidentally I was on a conference call last night, in which we scheduled another one (has to be reasonably late as one of the participants is in Texas). Three people were concerned to avoid early evening in their time zone because of kids' bedtimes etc; one had to drop off the call for five minutes as a young child had woken up and needed to be settled. I was one of the three, but the other two were fathers - one of whom did the dropping off the call bit. Do you think that too gets people taken less seriously in the workplace?
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 May 2011 - 03:16
I've had some sort of flu and went to the dr and got Augmentin, been on them for 3 days now and still no better. My stomach and throat muscles are so sore from coughing, I feel like cr@p. Does this mean I'm on the wrong anti-biotics or it could be a virus. Have to get better as we're off to italy in 10 days :-( could be either, unless it is a long course (eg are you taking them for 10 days?). If it's actually flu, it's a virus.
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 May 2011 - 03:05
Gorobattie, Grumpy is right; the grade system works across departments and the departments do not have the flexibility to offer different benefits. Grade 7s do not have access to the Emirates clinic. There is medical cover but you have to go to outside doctors, just as you did as a Grade 6. You're also out of date with your 'every 6 months', it's now quarterly for the accomodation allowance.
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 13 May 2011 - 20:27
as a single mother.... yes occasionally have a drink; would get a cab or ask a friend to drive, if I had to. Hasn't arisen yet though :)
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 22:16
the 'y' is 'you' - ie time for yourself as the mother :)
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 21:59
ooh that posh porridge sounds really nice :)
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 20:53
Whistles with a Chanel bag!! And to think I thought Chanel was a luxury brand... You have obviously never travelled business or 1st on their aircraft, particularly the 380. No? Sorry, but there is better out there. The aircraft are great. The service, not so much.... ach, with any airline it will depend, with thousands of crew it has to make a difference who you actually get (though I am still never flying Air Canada business class again; there are limits....!) - just like a brilliant school doesn't necessarily have 100% brilliant teachers, etc.
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 07 May 2011 - 22:46
thanks abaa will give him a try
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 06 May 2011 - 14:52
anyone know a good one? wireless software on laptop has stopped working and despite all my efforts courtesy of google I can't fix it. If I could find someone who could come to the house (in Mirdif), I could maybe get a few more connections working and actually be able to print etc; but getting laptop functioning is the priority
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 06 May 2011 - 10:03
MsGeorge... I got the Skywards Gold.....but what is the BLACK CARD ? :-)) That will be the Platinum tier, by invitation only :D nice imagination!
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 01 May 2011 - 23:09
for 2K i would be looking for more than that wee socket; that's outrageous!
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 01 May 2011 - 22:35
you may find a socket like the headphone jack on a phone/mp3 player in your car - in which case you just need a cable to connect the two, which is very cheap; then it plays through the 'aux' channel on your radio.
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 01 May 2011 - 21:59
they cannot do that with a 4 yr old we did a desert safari with 2 five year olds and they loved it. we took our own car seats for them also and we did one with an 85 year old, which in a way is similar - if you ask them to modify the safari accordingly, and you have a good company, they should make it enjoyable without being too much. We used Gulf Ventures; we had a car to ourselves and a lovely driver, and they just didn't join in with the wilder bits - am sure a 4 year old, suitably car seated, would enjoy (well mine would)
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 22 April 2011 - 00:58
shelly - weird, any chemist would have it, and any decent sized supermarket.
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 21 April 2011 - 13:57
and are you sure she is constipated? BM doesn't create a lot of waste, and it is not unknown for wholly breast fed kids to go a week between poos, without being constipated at all. Even when adding solids, it isn't time in between poos which determines whether a child is constipated or not - see http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/diapering-a-baby-9/baby-constipation <<True constipation occurs when the baby's stools cause significant difficulty and discomfort when being passed, because they are very dense and hard. This definition excludes the baby who has soft, easy-to-pass stools once a week, even if he seems to strain a lot in the process.>> Sorry if that is all obvious, just your reference to the 3 days made me wonder if it was that which was worrying you.
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 23:23
they are pretty hopeless when it comes to email too - tried registering in Sept, they did send me a form but never replied when I returned it; even after chasing; then when I contacted them again at the turn of the year they promised someone would phone me; never happened, again even after following up. Not sure what else to do..... haven't found any other classes near enough and at a time that works for us (joy of working motherhood; can only guess they don't actually want any more customers!
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 02 April 2011 - 22:49
I don't know...it's just so worrying when they're little and can't really verbalize their pain. But it's also a good point that this way they won't miss so much school when older. That's the thing though, when do you rule out giving antibiotics? After all, aren't we at the mercy of doctors? Best I can do is getting a second opinion (yet another doctor). I've found occasionally just asking the doctor 'are you sure it is bacterial' will result in a more thought out plan - eg a prescription for antibiotics if it hasn't gone in X days (when a virus would be on the mend) etc. Sometimes they are just throwing everything they can at it just in case (and to make you feel like you are doing something!)
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 02 April 2011 - 22:06
Thank you all very much. They have done a swab test and are waiting for the results. Doc says it looks like bacterial infection. Worrying situation really. Son has been coming down with all sorts of infections ever since he joined nursery three months ago. I can't continue giving him antibiotics as it definitely affects his system in the long run. But I can't pull him out of nursery due to current personal circumstances. Do kids develop immunity over time? Or should I take heed and pull him out of nursery? yes they get bugs for a while when they first start nursery (or school); lots of these bugs don't actually need antibiotics so do double check each time with the doctor that they are sure it is bacterial (great that City are checking) as a virus won't respond to antibiotics; and yes they develop immunity..... they just give you lots to worry about while they develop it!
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 02 April 2011 - 21:25
ummissa, my kids had fevers for not very much (but then we may have different classifications as I am not sure I would count strep throat or an ear infection as particularly serious); certainly didn't always need antibiotics for them. As a mother, I think you can usually tell when something is really not right; if it's only a fever, I wouldn't worry too much; if the child is ill in himself that is when to worry. Anyway, good luck, hope it turns out to be not much :)
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 15 March 2011 - 23:41
The difference is that you and simple have just recently moved to Dubai I lived there for 6 long years. I did all those things over and over with the constant stream of visitor that descended upon us each year. I would be interested to hear your thoughts when the honeymoon period wears off though. I have to say that I went to many concerts in Dubai they were always a shambolic mess with no atmosphere. Nothing compares to a concert at Wembly stadium IMHO There’s no right or wrong opinion, it boils down to personal choice. I've been here nine years; don't hang out in malls, don't do designer clothes (or even remember to wear make up very often!), since having kids I hardly eat out or go to spas - so am really not in the 'glitzy' Dubai world - and I still like it here. Yes there are lovely days in the UK, but there are plenty which aren't. Yes there are things I miss from the UK, but not too many; yes there are things which drive me crazy here - but I know if I went back, there would similarly be things I would miss and things which would drive me crazy, they would just be different things. My parents don't even like Dubai for a holiday; it is absolutely a case of horses for courses; what I think is a shame is people trying to attack others for their choices (not you, tally ho) and suggest that, eg 'if you like living in Dubai you must be shallow/materialistic/whatever';, 'if you like living in X you must be Y' - life would be very dull if we were all the same :)
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 14 March 2011 - 22:53
I went through school having been put up a year, and did fine academically; still wouldn't do it to a child of mine, even if they were a superbrain. There is a lot more to school than academics. Actually currently having the opposite dilemma, whether to hold DD back, rather than have her start as one of the youngest in her year group - I think she's bright (so far as you can tell at 3!) but she is young for her age. Just so difficult to tell 6 months out..... Put her in the correct year group stop fussing, she will be fine, she will end up frustrated if you hold her back later on if she has half the brains her mother does! Flatterer! it isn't me fussing, it is school suggesting, and they want me to decide by the end of March. And there are pros and cons...... it is difficult.
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 14 March 2011 - 19:31
I went through school having been put up a year, and did fine academically; still wouldn't do it to a child of mine, even if they were a superbrain. There is a lot more to school than academics. Actually currently having the opposite dilemma, whether to hold DD back, rather than have her start as one of the youngest in her year group - I think she's bright (so far as you can tell at 3!) but she is young for her age. Just so difficult to tell 6 months out.....
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 23:14
no, I can do it for you but it isn't part of my job so there is no rate, and I would not want to charge you for something which takes 2 minutes! If you are in Mirdif you are welcome to call on me when you are back. if you post your email (sorry don't have one I'm happy to put on here; one of these days I will actually acquire an anonymous email address for this purpose!) I will send you my contact details and you can get in touch when you are ready
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 22:34
what does your UK (English?) solicitor say you actually need in terms of proof of address? if it is, for example, a certified copy of a phone bill, there are other people than notaries who can do that certifying. I also have the feeling that I remember someone having to get a bill (I think it was a DEWA one) attested for use abroad, and rather than having it notarised, they had to get it authenticated by DEWA themselves, then straight to the Ministry of Justice for the after-notarisation steps - but as I have never actually heard of an English solicitor needing a notarised anything, I suspect you may be ok with a certified copy. If you are, any lawyer could do it. And if you are able to wander over to the Garhoud/Mirdiff side of town, I could do it for you, but have no time to go anywhere else at the moment
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 11:45
she seems to have meant that she was going to charge an 'adoption fee' and that she doesn't think this is selling. Unfortunately the Municipality has a different view....
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 11:41
anyway unless the law has changed in the last few years it is illegal to sell animals unless you are a licensed pet shop. oops see that point has already been made (and an 'adoption fee' is still selling.....) <em>edited by sandfly on 09/03/2011</em>
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 10:48
Sandfly: yes, you're right: it happens all the time and in most cases with no problems. I also know some 'successful' case :) . However, you never know when bad luck knocks on the door and there have been cases where the bad luck struck. Plus, as KKS pointed other things can happen should Chocoa be struck by bad luck and she and her children will then be in big trouble. I guess the question is whether the risk is worth or not, especially when you have children and they still depend on you. I've also heard that some non-Muslim couples get married in Dubai courts just to be 'legal' here (with no 'consequences' in their cuntries - where they keep single) several times but am not sure this can be done as I do not know any case personally. I would get married ASAP and try to have the baby outside but that is me :) . I even know a couple who got through a problem like this by alledging that by the time the baby was conceived they were outside the country (which was true and they could proove) and, so, they did not have pre-marital s** IN the UAE. Then again, it's all about luck and choices. Good luck, Chocoa. Hope everything ends well. I would definitely get married quickly; all sorts of things could go wrong (eg with the pregnancy itself) that would bring you to the attention of the authorities. However having got married, I really don't think there is anything to worry about in terms of having the baby here. Getting married in Dubai courts would not be somehow 'invalid' elsewhere; your country may not know about it, but that doesn't make it invalid - if your spouse chose to make a claim at a later stage you would not be able to claim it was only a Dubai marriage or whatever.
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 06:52
I'd def have the baby outside the country. In some cases in the hospital they have made their 'accounts' by comparing date of birth and wedding date and realised something did not happen in the supposed-sequence-to-happen-here and they got into serious trouble. So, be careful and don't assume that just by getting married you are on the safe side. Marydots, that is very odd, as this happens aaaaaall the time; provided that you marry fairly quickly once you discover the pregnancy, there are no 'serious consequences' IME
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 23:06
presumably the wings would be designed differently? have never actually seen one of these older child rear facing numbers!
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 22:41
ok, am i being thick? Where would the child's legs go ifyou were to get a rear facing seat? My dd is 6mo and her feet are already touching the car seat. Have i got major baby brain and im not understanding?? That's another bit I don't get. Well, yes, there is that too... although a good line from my health visitor was "it's easier to mend broken legs than a broken head". Personally, I can't see it being very comfortable for older children. And that brings me on to the next point - what age/ weight does this 'ere seat go up to? I know it's rubbish putting a price-tag on it, but realistically, are you getting noticeably more value for money than for a front-facing *just as safe* car-seat? If it's noticeably more expensive, that is. If it's not, then get it. If you feel happiest with it, then get it. If you feel it'll work best for you and yours, then get it. I kept my two in their rear-facing seats up until they reached the weight limit for it (go by weight, not age, because the seats are tested to be safe up to the weight limit stated) and then moved them to front facing because that was what was on offer and there's absolutely nothing wrong with front-facing. In fact, I spent some time choosing the Axiss because it swivels 90 degrees so that you can get bubs in and out really easily. Rear-facing is important when they can't support their heads properly, but heck, if the simple measure of being rear-facing lowered fatalities so much across the board, why don't car manufacturers change their seating layouts? It'd be interesting to see some figures on this one to compare. the legs bend. And rear facing seats are safer in general; largely because wherever you are hit from, the car you are in is unlikely to be reversing at speed, whereas it may well have a lot of forward momentum. If you are facing backwards, you are pushed back into your seat, and the force is spread across your back and the back of your head - if you are facing forward, all of those forces are basically taken by the seatbelt, and the bits of you in contact with the seatbelt - and your head is inclined to slam forwards and backwards, especially if you have the relatively large head of a toddler. However, cars are not designed solely for maximum safety (otherwise we would all have five point harnesses and rear facing seats for all non-drivers); nor are most other forms of transport. It is not a bad idea at all to research which the safest seats are..... they aren't all 'just as safe' but the ideal is possibly unattainable; all depends where you want to draw your line.
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 22:11
Thank you nutty, I had never noticed that from Airmiles..... now have an order hopefully winging its merry way to me :)
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 22:10
well mine are now 3 and 4 and I still take them to, eg, the supermarket (because it's part of life, and they should be exposed to such things) but if you are talking about eg clothes shopping, I completely agree; practically impossible with kids; not only on a practical level but because if you are busy stopping them from fighting/annoying other shoppers/fiddling with things they shouldn't be fiddling with/saying embarrassing things about other people/all the other things kids to to torment you; you are not in the mood to buy clothes I was one of 4, with no extended family within the same country until I was 8 or so (and then it was only one set of grandparents, who I don't remember babysitting much) - I now look back rather in awe at how my mother stayed sane!
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 21:23
crikey. It is possible, lots of people do it (in the real world where there aren't so many nannies, for a start). I actually think it's easier when they are so young than when they get bigger - two in nappies definitely easier than two small-bladdered toddlers! I used to either have one in the sling, one in the buggy; or one in the buggy, one on the buggy board. Did have a double buggy but it was like pushing a bus, so didn't use it that often. With one in the sling and one in the buggy, what hand did you use to push the cart? Serious question - I know parents in other parts of the world do it, but I can't see how. the hand that wasn't on the buggy; the sling doesn't need a hand.
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 21:19
crikey. It is possible, lots of people do it (in the real world where there aren't so many nannies, for a start). I actually think it's easier when they are so young than when they get bigger - two in nappies definitely easier than two small-bladdered toddlers! I used to either have one in the sling, one in the buggy; or one in the buggy, one on the buggy board. Did have a double buggy but it was like pushing a bus, so didn't use it that often.
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 20:26
I had DD in (her original) rear facing car seat for ages; she was on the petite side so there was no rush to move her up.... until she started throwing up pretty much every time she was in the car, at 20 months or so. Which she promptly stopped when she went forward facing. So though I know where you are coming from I am glad I didn't splash out!
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 00:39
I must be out of the loop! I am in the same loop as you wuffles and it is a long way from Mariana. At home I would spend the equivalent of 100 - 150aed per gift and wouldn't dream of offering cash or vouchers instead especially for a under 13 year old. At Christmas we had a party in the garden, and all invites and some uninvited guests they all turn with gifts for the LO in their hands ...To mention 80% Muslim including us and 99% childless Various gifts which includes the Barbie in a fashion fairytale priced over 450 DHS....I mention it to give you a insight of different cultures Mariana, I'm really glad you're on this thread, you're giving a great insight into a different approach to all sorts of things (parties and sibling development for a start). I'm interested here though that you say 80% Muslim rather than eg 80% Lebanese, or 80% Arab, or whatever. Do you think the cultural aspects of things like parties are common to Muslims worldwide (eg would Indonesian Muslims have the same approach?) wouldn't be the case for Christianity, and it hadn't occurred to me it would for Muslims.
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 23:56
Hi I am a wedding planner in Dubai and the no siblings issue is always a question I get!! Many parents enjoy the fact of having an excuse to get in a sitter or call on the mother in law so they can let there hair down We all love children but sometimes it good to go back to the basics Jodie No siblings or no children? do many parents have a mother in law in Dubai??
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 23:55
just wondering...do the uninvited siblings bring separate gifts? I can't answer, as we never attend a party were one of my kids 5 and 3 1/2 been uninvited...We always attend together, as at this age, they don't have their own and only friends ! Usually our budget varies according to the relation we have with the child and the family As a scale is between 300 to 1000dhs.I will call in advance to ask what to buy as a gift or do they prefer the cash or the GV ,and we mention the budget . Mariana, doesn't your 5 year old get invitations to 'whole class parties' at school? (or your 3 1/2 year old if at nursery)? and there's another cultural difference; I would be fairly horrified if one of my friends offered cash/GV to a 5 year old, especially for that sort of money - but clearly not the case in all circles!
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 23:52
However if the 'bringing sibling' thing is very common here it is probably taken for granted in one or more of the prevailing cultures that an invitation is general rather than specific and not 'rude' to people in that culture - you can't read 'rudeness' across cultures in that way. Not to say that some people doing it aren't rude, but perhaps not fair to suggest that all are. I've found several nationalities assume siblings can attend so I don't think it's cultural - maybe a Dubai thing:-) Also if the invitation is addressed to a particular child I think the family is taking a liberty in assuming extends to others in the family. If they are in any doubt the polite thing to do would be to check. The polite thing in your, and my, culture. Not necessarily the case everywhere (thinking of more than one non Dubai, non-Western-culture, experience of 'party hospitality' among adults where it seemed to be a case of the more the merrier)
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 22:56
It is not about the money but also teaching your child what is right. More like a 'trauma' for the mom like Mariana here, opppss...what do i do with the 2nd one! well... did you ask yourself that question when hvg that child in your belly? I bet you, if you tell the kid,what is the actual party for and who is it for, I can tell you the child will be OK. It is the parents that are the stroppy cow! Child not necessarily OK even with that explanation (have had tantrums about why one or other child can't go to party with sibling) but part of life that child has to learn.....
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 22:54
Just want to say, in case they are on EW, how grateful I have been to the couple of 'school' mums who have let DD attend parties aimed at DS's class - I have never ever assumed or taken this for granted; but have on occasion had to say that DS (4) was able to attend, but I wouldn't be able to stay with him and wasn't 100% sure how he would be about being left in an unfamiliar place - if people have parties on Fridays, I don't have childcare (and am a single mother) - when it was a paid facility, of course I offered to pay. Would never just 'bring' a sibling, but if the invitation said 'no siblings' and related to the sort of age where parents usually stay, DS (and I) may not be able to attend. However if the 'bringing sibling' thing is very common here it is probably taken for granted in one or more of the prevailing cultures that an invitation is general rather than specific and not 'rude' to people in that culture - you can't read 'rudeness' across cultures in that way. Not to say that some people doing it aren't rude, but perhaps not fair to suggest that all are.
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 00:22
I wouldn't worry about no claims bonuses, either. I had an accident a couple of years ago that [b'>was[/b'> my fault (note: do not drive when exhausted) and basically wrote the car off. The same insurance company insists in my current insurance that I have something like 5 years no claims; every year I point out this is not the case (in writing, just to be clear...)... last renewal, they told me 'oh but that was a different car; you haven't had any claims on [b'>this[/b'> car'. ??? anyway, so the whole insurance thing just seems to be different here.
sandfly
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Latest post on 06 March 2011 - 22:55
errr... is it?
sandfly
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Latest post on 06 March 2011 - 22:50
16 (and I know I have seen that q before but can't guess it either)
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 06 February 2011 - 22:19
Any thoughts from ladies who are the children of older parents? My mum was 47 when she had me and the age divide always seemed huge and especially when I was a teen. At 13 mum was turning 60 and was unable, through no fault of her own, to identify with me or my friends. She had little time for fun and while she was in good health she was at retirement/slow down age. I feel that my daughter and I really bonded when she was 11-13 and this held us in good stead when the turbulent teens came (she is turning 18 this year). She knows she can talk to me and while I don't always understand everything we can talk and I listen. I can remember what it was like at her age and needing my mum and her just not being equipped to be there in the way I wanted or needed. Mum and I never became as close as what I would have liked because she was more like a Nan but without the perks of sweets and treats. I am grateful that I was lucky enough to have older sisters and have always turned to them when I really needed a mum. Mum was 67 when I had my son and while that seems like a good age by the time he was 7 she was 74 and was past having the ability to communicate or even be interested in him or his little sister. I know many older parents and grandparents who are loving, caring and have been able to get past the issues Mum and I experienced but it is not a path I would go down myself. I think that is a matter of personality too - my grandmother was 40 when she had my mum; she must have been around 80 when my youngest cousin was born but was still very involved with her (ex infants teacher); my MIL is in her mid 80s and my kids 3 and 4, and she's a very adoring grandmother. I always thought I would have my children younger than I did - life doesn't always go according to plan :) Kimball, one of my best friends had 17 years between her children, her older daughter has been absolutely fabulous with little sister and has been able to laugh off the teenage mum assumptions - maybe if you had waited 3 years she'd have been ok!
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 31 January 2011 - 00:00
OP has every right to question the present situation irrelevant of which level of class her kid is in. Nobody is questioning the teacher's credentials nor the ability to teach, what is in question however, is the accent. IMHO, that is just as important. Example & this is a fact (not just me nit picking) take radio station 103.8-one of the news readers happens to be Indian (or sounds Indian) and hasn't got a flipping clue how to pronounce some words nor some surnames & she speaks too fast etc., seriously, my husband and I commented at the same time, we hadn't a clue what she had just read!! Talk about hashing it, glory be. The radio station broadcasts in English so they ought to get somebody to read & pronounce words correctly. Whoever is responsible for having her read the news is at fault, I'd imagine she feels she's doing a grand job. IMHO, whoever employs foreign teachers ought to take this issue on board because some kids will experience difficulty following what is being taught due to the teacher's accent. @ Zedzee.....bottom line is for example...me moving to Mumbai, [u'>[i'>[b'>thinking [/b'>[/i'>[/u'>I've got a good command of Hindi and reading the news in Hindi....you get the picture. depends, doesn't it - I have plenty of Indian colleagues whose accents I hardly notice, but one or two who frankly I have difficulty understanding. I'm not sure if it is regional differences or whether it depends on whether the individual is a native English speaker or not (could well be that, but not really the sort of thing you could ask). Wouldn't have an issue with a teacher having the first kind of accent, but wouldn't be keen on young kids being taught by teachers with the second sort of accent, any more than I would be thrilled with a heavily-accented French or German teacher for that age range (in an English medium school, obviously).
sandfly
504
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 22:58
pah, I have Mr Joseph from Haiti texting me that he wants to invest 5.5 million dollars in my business (well known for its supply of millionaire investors in random businesses, is Haiti)
 
 
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