ABOUT ME
CURRENT MISSION
To exchange life's experiences within all cultures
ABOUT ME
An independent full time wheelchair user having run my own business for many years and also managed an Advice giving Bureau for some 18 years after which I retired for the second time. I have had great fun travelling wherever; to exchange ideas, experiences and information with as many different cultures as possible. Hopefully this may well benefit others, so that we don't all have to re-invent the wheel. I am now running a volunteer English Conversational project in Vietnam.
PHILOSOPHY
To look at my list of wanna-do's and try to include as many as possible, but keep finding that the list is forever getting longer.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Why I’m on Couchsurfing
HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING
I get so much pleasure from meeting new friends from everywhere throughout the world, and sharing their time with us and with my local friends in Vietnam. We have already had many, many visitors and it works very well for both sides – my Vietnamese students and friends’ development and confidence leaps ahead as they explore our guest’s life experience and culture, and the visitors enjoy exploring and understanding the culture and traditions here. Also learning about the many beauties of Vietnam, especially in Nha Trang, directly from local people – face to face. I do not ask for, nor expect, perfect English -- just that you have sufficient English ability for you and others to enjoy your time with us.
Classes are totally relaxed so that students can give of their best - we purely focus on speaking and listening, give help with grammar, structure, vocabulary etc. but do not teach this aspect, because there are many others that specifically focus on this. I try to use my personal skills and experiences in life to the benefit of others, whilst I get pleasure of learning from my students, visitors etc.
COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE
I have had the pleasure of many C/Surfing visitors and have approached others for support and guidance when visiting their countries. All, so very easy, relaxed and successful.

Interests

Interests
I was an avid Contract Bridge player for many years but have somewhat lapsed since I started enjoying the pleasures of Vietnam. I played wheelchair basketball for many years and have only recently stopped playing tennis, for both exercise and fun in Vietnam. I love learning and I love people, a perfect combination.

• culture
• writing
• education
• exercise
• running
• reading
• traveling
• surfing
• basketball
• tennis
• business
• teaching
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

prefer people

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Succeeded in living a full and fun life, whilst in a wheelchair. This is not amazing, it is just that I never ran out of steam, even though I was scared that I would. Sadly today my human batteries seem to be in a permanent state of re-charging and therefore some things just take a little longer.

Teach, Learn, Share

I feel that the main thing that I can offer is with the English language - I used to teach EFL many, many years ago. I have been lucky enough to have spent some considerable time travelling, and the skills gap that I found whilst doing this, was in Conversational English. The students' general standard in this area was lacking, compared with their ability within academic English - reading / writing / grammar etc. Improving in their weaker area would be invaluable to them, within both education and the commercial world. They could improve now, it would be there for life and all that their future may hold. This project is now in its 10th year in Vietnam - currently based in Nha Trang
I also work with many students whereby we email one another and during this time I send copies of their corrected e-mails, drafts etc. --------- I will only correct if I can correct everything ie. spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, capital letters, vocabulary etc. It is then up to the student what they decide to address from there.
I do this as a volunteer --- my reward is the fun of learning about different people and cultures and a long held determination to freely share my gained knowledge and skills in life with the world.

What I Can Share with Hosts

On the various occasions that I travel I do not look to share host accommodation, because of my wheelchair needs, but I am always enthusiastic to meet local people and share our life's experiences, cultures and interests. It works perfectly!!

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Cambodia, Canada, Cyprus, France, Germany, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

United Kingdom, Viet Nam

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