From Despair to Hope -- Chronological Order Amusing Cartoon Characters -- Classification How Well do you Know the Word "Swallow"-- Definition First Aid for Snakebite -- Process Analysis My Favorite Sport -- Reasons The Advantages of the News on T.V  -- Contrast

Computer Impacts on Children -- Cause & Effect Teacher Reform-- Report Writing Life in Chiengmai ( Narrative Speech) Speech about Public Speaking(Effective speaking method) My Autobiography Education and Society

Has there ever been any incident that drive you to despair?  Once I  was depressed about my studies, but what happened later had completely changed my attitude and feelings.
              One evening after I came back from school, I felt really bad about my scores and the problem with my teacher.  I was hopeless.  I tried to find the way out,  but it was hard to do.  So, I took a walk alone for a while.  While I was passing a village, I saw a 15 year-old boy gathering many of bottles and plastics.  He was thin and dirty.  After that, I followed him slowly in order to find out where he lived.  I saw his house from a distance.  It was a shabby cottage near the reeds.  Moreover, I saw a woman who must have been his mother and a little girl sitting there.  When I asked some people about his family, they said that he was a bottle seller.  He was so poor that his family ate only one meal  a day.  While I was looking at them, I thought about myself.  Although the boy was very poor, he still struggled to support his family.  In contrast, I had a better opportunities and financial status, plus I did not have to work.  Consequently, I felt optimistic and hopeful about myself.
              This event gave me the willpower to work harder and solve the problem.  Since then, everytime I am discouraged, I think of him, the boy who gave me the motivation.

   There are many kinds of cartoon characters which entertain people around the world.  There is a fierce competition among big companies to try to attract the viewers by producting the comics, movies, and T.V  programs.  Therefore, cartoon characters can be divided according to their production companies.
         According to the producers, the cartoon characters are categorized into three types.  The first sort belongs to the Warner Brothers Company, for instance, Bugs Bunny, the  gray rabbit who likes to eat carrots and teases other people because it is very naughty.  Another one is the Road Runner.  It is a bird which is able to run very fast and has  funny laughter. It has to run away from the coyote who wants it as his food. Likewise, Tweety, a pretty little yellow bird, is chased by a cat; however, it always survives at the end.
         The second group is from the Walt Disney Company. For example, the lovely yellow bear, Winnie the Pooh who  adventures in the forrest with his friends such as Tigger, Piglet, Eeyore and Christopher Robins.  The popular one is Mickey Mouse which has been well-known for ages.  It is a kind of mouse wearing red shorts and white gloves. The other one is Goofey, the dog who is a friend of  Mickey Mouse's.   It is a funny character because it is so dumb.
         The last kind is created by Sanrio. Most of its  characters are printed on the products such as bags, pencil cases and folders. A famous example for this is Kitty. It is a little white cat about which many girls are crazy.  The green frog named Kero Keropi used to be very popular in Thailand and the producer created its family later.  The pretty and popular one  is Batz Batz Zumaru.  It is a black Penguin with a frown.
         Those characters reflect the art, imagination and the intellectual of  the creators.  No matter which companies they are produced from, they can give us pleasure and entertainment.

   Learning English is not easy for Thai people because it is not their mother tongue.  Thus, there are many obstacles such as  the structure of the sentences, pronunciation and especially the semantic function of words.  How often do you have problems using English words?
         "Swallow" is a word with a lot of different meanings.  To begin with, when it is used as a noun, "Swallow" means a kind of small birds with pointed wings and forked tail, for example, "The swallow is looking for a prey."  Additionally, when used as a verb, "Swallow" conveys various meanings.  The first one refers to an action that you cause something to go from your mouth down into your stomach.  For instance, "You are asked to swallow a capsule containing Vitamin B." Secondly, it means that you believe a story or a statement completely, e.g. "I too found this story a little hard to swallow."  The last meaning signifies that you do not express your feelings although you want to very much as in "He flashed me a quick grin, but rapidly swallowed it when he saw my expression."
         In order to succeed in communicating and understanding social contexts, we should use appropriate vocabulary. Therefore, be  careful when using English words.

        There are several kinds of poisonous snakes such as a cobra, a king cobra and a Trimeresurus.  They possibly cause people die immediately. Hence, a person who suffers from snakebite can be treated by prompt first aid.
        There are very important steps and cautions when you were bitten.  First of all, you should not panic and try to notice the kind of the snake which bit you. It will benefit of treating by serum.  After that find a piece of wood and a long piece of cloth in order to put under the part of the body which was bitten.  Then, wrap the cloth around the wood, but you must not twist the cloth tightly by means of the stick because it will prevent the blood flow to that particular area. Moreover, do not suck the snake's vemon; the poison might go down to your throat.  Finally,  you should not move the bitten part and go to the nearest hospital as fast as you can.
       Not only the right first aid will be easy for the doctor, but also it will not lead to the harm.  Thus, snakebite is not frightening from now on because we can solve it.

        Most people spend their freetime on doing activities, especially sport is the popular one.  They can exercise and spend the time with their family.  There are plenty kinds of sport, but which one will be the most suitable for a person?  After I tried many kinds of sport, I found that swimming is my favorite sport.
         In my freetime, I like to swim. The reasons for this are that, first, it makes you physically fit.  While swimming, I can exercise every part of my body and it helps people get inshape very well.  Furthermore, when I was in water, I feel comfortable because the water relaxes the muscles and it also helps me relieve the stress.
         The second reason is that it is not a dangerous sport.  We are unlikely to have sore muscles  because we use less power in the water.  There is a pressure which make us move parts of the body slower than playing other sports.  Also, swimming is an individual exercise; if I collide with another swimmer, it is unlikely that I can have sessions injuries.
 The last one is that after swimming, I feel fresh.  It is very good because I do not feel sweaty while the other sports will make me soaked with sweat.  Additionally, the cool water freshens me up and I do not feel that the heat goes through my whole body.
         Sports not only brings us the good health but also we can spend our time worthwhile. There are good effects  of sports, so we should exercise frequently.

            At the present time it is necessary for us to continually seek knowledge and keep up the latest news.  Television and newspapers are likely to be the convenient ways for us to be well- informed.  However, the T.V. news is much better than the one in the newspapers.
             I prefer watching the news on T.V. rather than reading about it in the newspapers.  This is because television has several good advantages. The first one is that watching the T.V. news is more exciting.  I am exposed to the real incidents on television because I can see the pictures and hear the sound. On the contrary, when I read newspapers, there is no live action. I just see millions of letters and photos printed on the paper.
            The second advantage is that the news on T.V. is more up-to-date.  I can keep up with the latest events on television.  Supposed there is a news flash, it will be sent to the T.V. stations via satellite and then, it will be broadcast  immediately.  On the other hand, I have to wait until the newspapers are dilivered the following day to read about the same news.
            The last benefit is that the T.V. news is more reliable and concise. I can get the essence of the news on television while some newspapers report to much details. This is so because some reporters usually describe things in great details and sometimes add their own opinions and judgement.  It might lead to the lack of truth.  In contrast, the T.V. news has to be presented in a limited time, so the viewers will get the main idea of the news.
             No matter which media you choose, both means can influence and convince people easily.  Hence, after you finish watching or reading the news, you have to analyze it carefully.

        Globalization has created the borderless world and in the era of information society, computers play an important role in many aspects of our lives such as communication, business, education and medicine.  As you can see, we use computers to search for information, store data, entertain us and design something for us.  However, they can be harmful if we use them without proper control.
         When children use computers, it can cause serious effects.  The first reason is that children are likely to spend too much time in front of a computer without relaxing. This is because there are a lot of interesting things they can do such as surfing the net, playing the games and watching the movies.  Furthermore, there is radiation leaking out of the monitor. So, the more they use it, the more radiation they can get. Moreover, although the computer games children usually play can help practice their decision making skills, some are violent involving murdering, shooting and fighting. Sometimes they seem rather absurd including the nudity games.
         The consequences of children spending too much time on computers are plenty.  The first impact is that it might lead to muscular problems and stress.  Sitting in front of a computer for a long time is painful and dangerous to the muscles and the bones.  Another effect is that the radiation can harm the children's eye sight.  That is, they can be short-sighted.  Moreover, many of the violent games  are likely to make them aggressive, especially boys who like the games with a lot of  fighting and shooting.  Most parents let them play the games alone without supervision or guidance.
         Computers are both useful and dangerous.  Hence, parents or adults should limit the time they can spend on the computer and be aware of their activities.  Also, they should guide them in the right direction in order that they can acquire the knowledge and develop their intellectuality.

Overview

            After Thailand has been through the First to Seventh National Society and Economics Development Plan, the gap between the rich and the poor has not yet been solved and there have been more social and economic problems.  In fact, a nation cannot sustain its progress economically, socially and technologically, without having a sound educational system.  Thailand, the country of more than 60 million people, and no less than 600,000 teachers of all levels, is very much concerned with providing the best educational opportunities for their younger generations.  Thailand is also concerned with having new well-qualified manpowers to supports their education system. Hence, the "Teacher Education Reform" scheme has been proposed in order to renovate the significant role of teachers and educational personnel as well as to develop human resources and the nation.

Objectives of the scheme

The synopsis of Educational Goals According to the Eighth National Education Development Plan (1997-2001)

          In the era of information society, it is necessary for us to continually seek general knowledge.  Consequently, education has an important role on the process of thinking, the better livelihood as well as the intellectual development of the people.  According to the Eighth National Education Development Plan (1997-2001), the main purpose  emphasizes the human's balanced physical, intellectual, and spiritual development.  It is based on learner-centered system in order to be able to acquire knowledge, creativity and problem-solving, educate through natural learning processes and have the life-long learning.  Moreover, there will be variety of education services; people will be equally educated.  That means the basic education for all people will be expanded.  The emphasis on learners' potential development and the quality improvement of education depends upon their own needs.  The most important thing is to strengthen Thai potential of self-reliance and to sustain the stable economic.

The Aim of Teacher and Educational Personnel Reform

        *To promote the teachers' role as  community leaders and to improve the condition of teaching profession to attract the potential personnels to become  teachers.  This is a key factor for manpowers development.
        *To train, educate, and develop teacher and educational staff by emphasizing  the morality, teaching ability, creativity, environmental conservation and participation in community development.
        *To develop the administration system of teacher personnel  and upgrade teachers' status with  the appropriate regulations and methods.
        *To standardize teacher professional ethics by the strong organization and launching the teachers' licenses.

Causes of the Teacher Reform

         In the past teacher reform which has conducted by Office of the National Education Commission has not been quite successful.  The condition of teacher and educational personnel is being worse.  The problem gradually occurs  in every step and processes; production of teacher, utilizations, development and verification of the teacher professional standard.
Quantity's Problem
         *Lack of  teachers in some areas due to less cooperation between the production unit and the utilization unit brings about both of excess and shortage of teachers producing in some fields.
         *Production of teacher has become less important while other sciences have been developed instead; consequently, the direction of the production is not distinct.
Quality's Problem
         *The  selection criteria to recruit new teachers fail to select  a person who really wants to be a teacher; as a result, it is unable to seek a willing person in teaching  profession.
         *The curriculum of teacher education institutes seems to  emphasize the theory rather than the actual practice of teaching in a school; therefore, the teacher students have not enough real experiences.
         *Students' development is delayed because learning processes do not emphasize the processes of thinking, analysing, self-studying and acquiring general knowledge.
         *Most of the teachers still use the old pattern of teaching which is sometimes out-of-date; thus, both of teachers and students are not developed appropriately according to the changing society.
         *Problem of government official system is the vital obstacle which causes ineffective teachers placement, corruption and usurpation.
         *Compared to other professions, teachers' professional status is still not  paid attention to.
         *Teaching profession has suffered a lower image due to social and economic problems which teachers have faced and also some teachers misconducted behaviours.

Strategies and Principles
The Recruitment of Qualified Personnel to Teacher Education

 Both educators and teachers have to be developed continuously.  Also, teachers have to be produced and recruited urgently in public and private schools.  Hence, the followings are the specific ways to recuperate good quality in teaching profession.

1. Teacher Student Recruitment
            The recruitment process should aim to attract more personnels who are academically strong and possess an appropriate social behaviour to participate in teaching profession by providing scholarships and other privileges.  That might lead to the status of teachers augmentation.  The programme for teacher formation and training should be more strengthened and extended.  Moreover, experts and specialists whose knowledge and first-hand experience will join the quality of the training courses in local areas.  Four target groups which can be the prospective teacher students are:
                    *Graduates of upper secondary schools in the academic field
                    *Graduates of vocational schools
                    *Bachelor degree graduates in other fields
                    *Specialists or outstanding professionals

2. The proportion of the students in Teachers' Programme should be 50 percent of the annual number of retiring teacher.  In this programme the assessment should depend upon the students' capability,  potentiality, character and aptitude.  If there are students who have got the outstanding academic results, they will receive scholarships of  25,000 baht / year  until they graduate and they are employed as government teaching officials right away.
3. Graduates in bachelor's or master's degrees will be admitted to the course of training teacher and obtain a professional teaching certificate.  Moreover, they will receive 1-step in salary increase when they are employed to be teaching at government schools.  Provided that they graduate in the field which are lacking, the granted scholarships will be 30,000 baht / year.

The  Reform of   Teacher  Training  Process

         *Improving a new educational culture by letting learners learn by themselves with the teacher guidance rather than providing of  knowledge from teachers and by supporting libraries as information centers for learners' study with modern technology; computers, VCRs and media.
         *Preparing  teaching staff of teacher training institutions in order to broaden their knowledge about society, culture, economics and politics by planning assistance to qualified personnels in these areas.
         *Providing  knowledge about the curriculum of local communities.
         *Seeking the budget for research projects to allow students and teachers learn about local communities; also providing academic services in areas.
         *Providing academic forum for teachers and students to develop their continuous learning.
         *Setting up the learning network system, so that teachers and students can get the knowledge and expertise intensively and continuously.
         *Searching for local experts to prepare resources for teachers and students.
         *Promoting the teaching staff with new experiences by going out and teach in variety of levels and different kinds of schools.
         *Improving evaluation methods emphasizing abilities of analyzing, synthesizing and organizing information.

Conclusion

         Teacher is the most important factors to help the country in developing students' to be well-equipped with knowledge and virtue.  However, the status of teachers in Thailand has been ignored for years.  Hence, it is the right time for reforming it and renovating the government system in order to catch up with the changing society.  Moreover we hope that the scheme would reform and lead to the Development of Teacher Education and Teaching.  It is expected to change our society better than ever.

Bibliography
สำนักงานโครงการพิเศษเพื่อการปฏิรูปการฝึกหัดครูฯ. การปฏิรูปการฝึกหัดครู ร่วมกันทำ แบ่งกันทำ. กรุงเทพ :
         พิมพ์ดี,     2539.

อรรณพ  พงษ์วาท. จากแผนพัฒนาคนสู่แผนพัฒนาครู. กรุงเทพ : พิมพ์ดี, 2539.

อรรณพ พงษ์วาท. เครือข่ายความร่วมมือของคนในชาติ. กรุงเทพ : พิมพ์ดี, 2539.

Office of the National Education Commission. The Master Plan Reform of
       Teacher Education and Teaching and Educational Personnel Development. Funny    Publishing:Bankok, 1995.

Office of the National Education Commission. Principles and Strategies in the
       Reform of Teachers and Educational Personnel Training and Development. Funny       Publishing:Bangkok, 1995.

Office of the National Education Commission. The Eighth National Education
        Development Plan ( 1997-2001). Funny Publishing : Bangkok, 1997.

        Have you ever been to a place for a first time? It also impressed you. A few months ago, I visited Chieng Mai. I thought most of you might often go there. It is like an experience which I'll never forget.
          Chieng Mai is a province in the North. It is one of the wonderful place in Thailand.   I went there by van and it took 12 hrs! from Bangkok.  I arrived there at 11 P.M. ( I do remember).I was very tired .   The first time I arrived there I thought the city is as same as the other one.  On the contrary, I found that it is  quite beautiful. I stayed at Pang Suan Kaew Hotel.  My colleague and I went there to the representatives of the Student Government in order to participate in C.U. Symphony Orchestra  Concert  at Kard Theater. It was held in March 26 -31 ,1998.  The hotel is well-decorated  with Lanna cultural arts.
          The next day morning, we visited Doi  Suthep  and worshipped  " a relic of  the Buddha". ( you know) I went up there by a cable car which has trumbled  already! That really frightened me.  I was required to wear a skirt because I wore shorts.  Tourists   must wear politely.  The relic of the Buddha is covered by gold. I t is so fantastic that I do remember the picture well.  Moreover, there are a lot of souvenirs such as dried flowers, dolls and postcards.  I bought many of them.  My colleague and I  spent most of time on shopping and we had a great time there.
         Two days later, there was Chulalongkorn University Symphony Orchestra performance at Kard Theater.  It is such a great one which I really appreciate.  Also I like to notice the musician's behavior while they were performing.
 Staying there for  five days  was peaceful,  free and fun.  If I have a chance, I would like to go back there again. I hope to have such a good time which I'll never forget.

First of all, in the basic form of  communicating, the sender  sends his/ her  thought  through verbal and non-verbal messages to the  receiver. The communication process is completed when the receiver  understands the messages. According to various situation, an effective speaker is able to deliver messages related to the situation, the audience and the communication goals. A public speaker should use the non-verbal expression appropriately to make the verbal messages strengthen. Moreover, the quality of communication should be focussed on rather than the quantity. Becoming an effective speaker begins with understanding the communication process and the listening process. This means trying to observe or  to use the feedback from the audience. It  helps  a speaker develop the speech by analyzing the messages and improving the skill.

 There are several steps in public speaking. First, selecting a topic which can be developed and provide the speaker several potential topics. In addition, the topic should be useful and appropriate for the audience. It  presents a clear idea of the communication goals and informs the specific purpose. After getting a topic, the speaker has to plan and find more information; furthermore, refer the sources and the credible evidence to the audience.

In the second place, a public speaker thinks about the setting and understands the nature of audiences such as  age, gender and interests. Then,  improves speeches to them.  Additionally, it is important to provide the audience  the speaker's major points which are from the vital parts of the speech. The structure should be organized chronologically and logically by using ,for example, classification, comparison, contrast, cause-effect  and problem-solution. Also, connections, introductions and conclusions are added in the speech. The connections link the idea, the introductions lead to the audience's attention and the good conclusions make the last impression. In order that the audience remembers  what the speaker convey easily,  understands the ideas and is interested  in the speech. Otherwise, "visual aids"-television, video, posters, overheads and slides can illustrate the speaking clearer.

The last step, before delivering the speech, the speaker needs to practice the speech-speaking loudly, making sure that the audibility, gestures and body  movement  are well-practiced.  During the presentation, the speaker  has to keep an understandable rate, not too rapidly, and use the pace of  pause. Moreover, an effective public speaker  delivers the speech out loudly and naturally. Consequently, the public speaking and the communication process become  successful
** www.la. psu.edu/speech/100a/workbook **

In August 31, 1978, a baby was born at Chulalongkorn hospital. Twenty years later, she became me. My hometown is in Smutprakarn, a suburb consists of an industrial zone and many of factories. When I was six, I moved to Bangkok and often changed places to live. Finally, I came back to my hometown and I have lived with my uncle since 1990.

 I have got a brother. His name is "NUI". He graduated from Sri Patum University. My father works as a personal manager at MITSUBISHI ELEVATOR ASIA CO., LTD in Chonburi. In addition, my mother works in Hong Kong. She has been there since I was in the 10th grade. I do remember the day she left ; it was on my birthday. By the way, my family was not as warm as others' . My parents divorced when I was 11 years old. My brother thought much about this  story , so he did not pay attention to his study. On the contrary, I was not serious about my parents' divorce because I think I have the duty that  is study. It is more important than thinking about it. After their divorce, my brother and I lived with  our uncle  and aunt who have no children. Also, they love us like their real children. We were separated when I was in the 10th grade because he had a problem with his study. Then, he went to Chonburi and lived with my father.

 In my free time, I mostly spend time on computer, especially surfing on Internet. I really like it because I have got a lot of interesting things there I got many new friends. Moreover, I like to keep animals especially dogs. I have three dogs. There is the most favorite one. Her name is "Boonkerd". She is the first dog in my life.

 After I graduated from Sai Nam Peung School, I decided to study at the school of Education of Chulalongkorn University.  One reason is I want to be a teacher. Furthermore, my father had been the student here. When I study here, I am not disappointed at all. I have got many of good friends and I have a very good time here. Now I am majoring in English. I love English since I was in the Elementary school. My favorite English subjects are Phonetics and Pronunciation. Now I am also the treasurer of the Student Government. My duty is controlling the expenses there. It is quite a good chance to be this position. That experiences me of working together and arranging my time between studying and doing this job.

 In the next  two years, I will continue to study in graduate school. In addition, I would like to work while studying. If I have a chance and enough financial supports, I would like to study abroad.  Also I wish to have my mother live with me and I will return my father, my uncles and my aunts by taking care of them.

 Penetrating the barrier, there have been many supports from my parents, my brother and my relatives. I emphasize gratefulness, Thai morality which I believe it will be the way to progress in life. Moreover, I realize that the endurance is the most important for living and working. Everytime I have troubles, I usually consult my father. He always gives me good advises and his words also make me feel better. I admire the way my father works. He has principles and psychological trick in his living. I wish someday I would have the same ability as him.