What counts as ‘correct’ English? Is it that of the BBC or Hollywood? Should it be based on usage or grammar rules? This is an area of intense debate in the English teaching world; something which I don’t think will ever be solved.

With the approach of the new year, I reflect on the immense undertaking of NEH over the past 18 months.

Van and I danced. We danced on our last night in the village. We danced at a party given in our honour where students and teachers alike came forth and thanked us for our work with them. We danced in the main hall of the monastery to very loud disco trance music. We danced alone.

Ever since I arrived in Myanmar, I have been all too keenly aware that caning the children is common practice. Brandishing it menacingly is even more normal than using it to strike an unruly child.

Van and I assumed our position at the back of the cold classroom. Each classroom is where the students learn, sleep and socialize. This is evident from the rack of brightly colored fleece blankets suspended above us on a hanging rack and in the corners of the room out of the way for daytime.

During our excursion, Van suggested undertaking the English lesson we had planned, which involved collecting items from the forest to compare using the target language. However, there seemed to be a general feeling of lethargy among the group of teachers and rousing anyone to perform such tasks seemed out of the question.

I have coeliac disease. As long as I am in control of what I cook and eat, however, I can avoid any problems.

Every year during the monsoon season, the village has a harvest festival to ensure good crops.

With 3 hours of electricity per day from around 6 to 9 pm, most of our evening activities are limited to those times.