Image via Wikipedia

To be able to communicate efficiently in today’s world it is important for one to be able to understand a few different languages. Just being to communicate in one or two languages would make it hard for one to be a global citizen.

Communication is the key to breaking down barriers and getting to know more about people and places around you.

The boys have been introduced to a smattering of Japanese since last year. This year I will be stepping it up a notch by creating a more comprehensive modular system of introducing Japanese into their daily lives. I am hoping to immerse them into the Japanese culture if we do have the chance to visit Japan this year.

For those who are new to Dominique’s Desk, Japanese is the 4th language which we are introducing to our kids. The boys actively speak English, Mandarin and Cantonese (being our native dialect).

The boys love Japanese food and one of their favourite dishes is cold soba with Ikura Sushi. I intend to introduce them to other Japanese foods and culture.

Meanwhile to widen their knowledge of other cultures and languages we too will be listening to children’s songs in French, German and other languages in the car as we commute from one place to another.

How do you integrate culture and languages into your lives?

January 11, 2010

{w}rite challenge #5- The Job

Dominique Thoughts

I’m trying out something new this week – {w}rite Challenge #5. I was first alerted to the existence of such a challenge on Nikki’s Blog

The topic this week is on my first job. I got my first part-time job when I was studying in university was in a bank doing accounts. It was a great summer job experience for a seventeen year old as I found it a novelty being able to dress up and go to work at Shenton Way- the main business district in Singapore.

It felt nice to be working among the power suits in an air-conditioned office at a 9am to 5pm job.

My job scope involved clearing cheques and doing some basic accounting. It was the first time working in an office and I slowly got to know how an office functioned.

Lunch breaks were a hassle as my colleagues and I had to rush for seats at the nearby hawker centre. The eateries and walk ways in and out of the buildings were packed like sardines during the morning and evening rush hours.

Having dealt with numbers I felt that they were not as appealing to me. I couldn’t envisioned myself seated behind a desk and having to work overtime on a long term basis if I do intend to persue a job in a financial institution.

Even though the pay was not that fantastic at about $7/hr at that time I did manage to earn enough to purchase my own laptop computer.