Death & Dying Customs

Did the information on preparing a body according to Muslim, Buddhist & Jewish customs ring true for you? Can you add anything to the information? Have you had any experience with death and dying customs practised in other religions such as Christianity or Hinduism? Can you describe your experience?
You have no doubt experienced bereavement in your own life. Think back to this experience. What among the various things people said or did, was most helpful for you at this time?

Leeches

What's your opinion of leech therapy? Is it practised in hospitals or clinics in your neighbourhoods? Do you think it is an appropriate form of medical treatment?

Secrets of a Long Life

Read the article 'Secrets of a Long Life' in your course book, complete the questions adjacent to it, and then write a response to the below question.

Think about the elderly people you know who are relatively healthy and happy. Can you identify any characteristics about them that have enabled them to live a long life?

Technology in Health Care & Public Health

The article entitled 'Improving Patient Care' introduces the online tool called 'Isabel' which is available for health professionals to use to check diagnoses. Have you ever used 'Isabel' or other online tools to assist you in your work in health care or public health?
What computer programs have you found to be most useful to you in your work?
What role do you see technology playing in health care or public health in the future? Do you have any fears regarding the future impact of technology in your workplace?

Accidents in the Home

What kinds of accidents in the home do you think are prevalent in Thailand? How do you think the number of such accidents can be reduced?

David Woodfield

David Woodfield is a teacher at a University of Otago Language Centre. He teaches A English language to international students. He likes it that in his job, friendships are created by students who come from different countries. But sometimes he takes a lot of time to check papers that his students send so he wants to be able to check that and to give feedback more quickly. His special interest is extensive reading which can be realized though programs such as book clubs that are a good way to learn A English language. Sometimes, he has created blogs which students can comment about topics which improves writing skill.

In his opinion, a good teacher is reflective and passionate. He would like to learn using mobiles in his classes. In the future, he plans to arrange a conference about English language learning every year. He worked in Japan for 15 years. In the next 10 years, maybe he would like to do both teaching and administration similar to now and more work abroad if it is possible. He can speak A Japanese language and he plans to improve it on Sunday nights which he usually goes to church to meet with Japanese people. It is a good way to improve in listening skill and vocabulary. This year, he hopes to help the teachers attend at the usage to be more reflective. Finally, he would like to see ESOL are more respected at schools in New Zealand.

Chulamard Booma

Chulamard Boonma, otherwise known as Nuit, is a public health officer at Samut Prakarn Provincial Health Office. She works in the environmental health division. She is involved in pollution prevention, education and control, and more specifically promotion and risk management activities. She enjoys educating members of the public about pollution, but she doesn’t like dealing with environmental law.

Her area of specialisation in public health is health risk assessments. Nuit believes a good public health officer is service-minded and makes sacrifices. In 10 years time she would like to be a lecturer in the field of environmental health.

Nuit hasn’t studied abroad before, but in the future she would like to do a Phd in environmental health in the USA or the UK.

Nuit thinks that English is interesting. She believes that listening and speaking are the main areas she needs to improve. At present she has a 5.0 in the IELTS and she needs a 6.5 or 7.0 to apply to a Phd programme. She expects to improve her English language ability during her stay in New Zealand.

She would like to see Thai people have more awareness of environmental health problems. She wants to see them protect themselves from risks that effect their health. To be more specific, Nuit wants to see more separation of rubbish happen and more recycling. Finally, she wants to see more people washing their hands after using the toilet and before preparing food and eating.