KISS stands for Københavns Intensive Sprog Skole. It has special method teaching: students have to memorize 15 new sentences each class, in form of test as reciting and writing. This is only short, speedy Danish course offered in whole of Denmark,as each level takes only 3 weeks (with 3 hourx3days per week). If you miss more than 2 classes, or mass up any of those tests more than 2 times, you are automatically take the same level again.
It is popular with foreigners who have high level of education, who are eager to do competitive, intensive course in speedy way. Otherwise, I was told by other students, one has to take painfully slow, other more common language schools, up to 2 years.
I have taken KISS since last June. From my experience, KISS can work only if one gets a good teacher. I had roughly 7 different teachers there in the course of 6 levels (it takes 10 levels to the end with Danish 3 Exam, which is required for residency). 4 of them were ok to good teachers, and 3 were horrible. Students do not have any choice for teachers, and the school has been strangely cranky on the matter.
Good teachers are same everywhere: dedicated, helpful, kind, skilled. The bad ones at KISS are authoritarians, who take things to the personal level. I strongly believe that formal test in each level would be better off for students to get an objective evaluation.
Students are not dumb, and can see unfair treatment when one sees it.
Even if I did pass this level, I have got a classic bad teacher's evaluation. I was told that I ask too many simple questions (!!!), and the teacher predicted that I shall never be able to pass future exams. I could not get any constructive information regarding my Danish, but strange personal trashing here, which I really did not see it coming. I wondered if this is the way those underprivileged kids get from their depressing teachers. Those comments are down right wrong. I do have expectation that a teacher would be supportive, even if I may not be the brightest in the class. Waite, I am not that bad, really, I did pass the level. I speak Norwegian already, and I have two masters degrees, and I love to learn foreign languages. Did I mention that I am an assistant professor in computer animation?
I had 2 nut case teachers in a row at the moment. While I loved those good teachers, I am fed up with KISS attitude and some abusive teachers. I am considering to change to other school. I want to have my learning Danish as positive as possible. It is any body's time waisted with nai-sayers.
PS. KISS certainly stroked wrong way with Kommune, and it is now closed down. It caused a mess for my exam plan. Well, life goes on.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Travelling with a baby and a kid 2: never KLM again!
This is going to be the last time I will fly with KLM with my own money. So far, service is terrible, and this is even before the trip starts. I wasn't given a baby bassinet, and it has been 5 days since I requested bulkhead seat for bringing own bassinet. It is not been confirmed yet, and I do not see why it takes so long. Why should I wait until everyone book the darn plane and see if anyone else has smaller kids than I am???? What is the purpose of book it early?? It is obvious that KLM can not, and do not provide reasonable service to small kids family. I deeply regret I ever bought the KLM ticket. I miss horribly, the friendly LH. LH even offer mileage program for 2+ year olds kid. I must have been possessed, when I booked KLM.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Traveling with a baby and a kid
I am traveling alot. My family travels alot. We fly at least 4 times per year globally, to cover family visiting and vacations. At least once a year, we all fly to Korea, to visit my family. It makes me somewhat an expert on flying with small kids. Yet it is always rather struggle to get some valuable information regarding traveling with small kids. Now I want to share my hard learn knowledge with other poor souls.
1. Flying long distance: seat and bassinet
Check with the airline regarding bassinet policy. I have been using Lufthansa for last 3-4 years. I liked it, since it has nice and spacious airbus 340 with many and roomy toilet area, and a big bassinet ( about 75 cm x 37.5 x20 ( guessing, not exact size of LH) and I think it was up to 15 kg, or so. They never fussed over weight or size of a baby as long as the baby is under 2 years. It was very easy to get a bulk head seat with friendly service. They also seemed to have more bassinet seats available compare to KLM, and 2 seats row was working nicely with me + a 3 year old + 6 month baby.
Now, I wanted to try something different and booked KLM without checking first. To my horror, they have a smaller bassinet only for up to 9 months baby who is max. 65 cm, 9 kg! Even if the baby is small (size of 63cm and 8 kg) and fit for the size of the bassinet (71cmx30cmx20cm), the age is matter (14 months), and I was flat refused! Because the baby might be bigger a month later when she is flying, the service said. I think it is disgraceful. They also have only 4 places for such bassinet. If I knew of this, I would have definitely not buying KLM. Certainly I do not recommend it to others. They would not give me any bulk head seat at all, since the service line do not have access for those seats. I was told to go to the airport early to see if it is available, yeah right!
After a week of struggling with KLM service, I finally extracted a critical information accidentally: that if I bring my own basket, they can request for a bulkhead seat. I will find out, if I get it after 48 hours. I am not impressed with whole thing so far, and just pray the 10 hour flight is not going to be a hell. I am seriously considering, that buying a seat for the little one. The child seat is supposed to cost 75% of adult price. However,it is discounted from the fare only, not the taxes, so in reality it is rather 90% of the full price.
At least, KLM allows a car seat to be used, if you buy a seat for the baby. But the seat is small (42.5 cm width) so one have to be sure of, if the car seat fits. It is expensive to buy a baby seat, but I do think it is much safer for the baby, if you can use a car seat. Some airlines do not allow a carseat, nor even provide a baby belt for take off and landing. LH provides it, but not SAS. I think I shall get my own baby belt to bring it with me in the future travels.
I plan to let my big one (almost 4 year, about 108 cm) to sleep on the floor in bulkhead seat, and have the baby on the seat. One could bring something to protect the child head and body from hard corners and seat-legs.
2. useful equipment for traveling with a baby and a kid
Now, I really wonder if I should start my own business for baby traveling. Just because it is so under developed market. Very few, but I found interesting stuff on the internet here. The sites are for demonstration purpose and quoted randomly, not for the best shop.
2-1. Samsonite baby travel cot : pop up and compact (bed: 88cm x 55cm, when folded: 27 cm). It even comes with sun shade and net. I wish I knew of this before. It is for babies. You can not buy this easily in Denmark. UK seems to have a better market for it.
2-2. Inflatable travel cot : looked very interesting. I do not know if it is good to use.
2-3.Kelty convertible stroller and backpack combi
: impossible to buy it in Europe, but it looked great. There are reviews that the stroller is not as smooth, but when you travel in Europe or places that are not stroller friendly, you can use the backpack. It can be used until 20 kg. I am considering to buy it (about 176 us$), though the shipping and tax might be more expensive to buy from US. Ah, the horrors of living in Denmark, with import tax.
2-4. LeapPad: This seems to be better than Videonow PVD player. I am waiting for mine to be delivered. This is for entertainment for my almost 4 year old in long distance travel.
2-5. disposable baby front cover for feeding time: In Denmark, you can buy this in Bilka, 10 in a package. Quite useful for small, drooling and messy babies on the run.
2-6. plastic cover for strollers for sun, rain and wind : you can buy it in Korea, cost about 17 us$. I have other brand, and it is one of must-have. If you have a Korean friend, ask them to order it for you.
2-7. Car seat and folding stroller in one ( under product, it is second item) or see here : about 500 us$. You can find similar thing in Denmark, I think. This is a good Korean design, and the set can incline backwards up to 175degree, and claims that can be used up till 5 years old, which I guess Korean child size. You can detach the car seat and use separately. I am going to look at it when I travel this March with KLM.
3. Things I wish I had
3-1. check-in size- rolling travel bag combined with a child stroller: I read about a US woman invented this product while ago. Good idea, and wish it exists.
3-2. Folding stroller for both a baby(seating or lying) and a kid (seating or standing) same time in one: it couldn't be that hard to design some thing like this, isn't it? or at least they should have something that the big child can stand on. In Denmark, they sell something called 'big sister stand', which is a panel with wheels, and you can attach it onto the baby trolley. Smart, but it is only for those big baby wagons and brand-specific.
3-3. small folding chair that fits in leg-room space in a airplane: I am thinking of making one myself. So kids can play and seat on it.
3-4. soft form bottomed sleeping bag for small kids, to use it in the air plane floor.
1. Flying long distance: seat and bassinet
Check with the airline regarding bassinet policy. I have been using Lufthansa for last 3-4 years. I liked it, since it has nice and spacious airbus 340 with many and roomy toilet area, and a big bassinet ( about 75 cm x 37.5 x20 ( guessing, not exact size of LH) and I think it was up to 15 kg, or so. They never fussed over weight or size of a baby as long as the baby is under 2 years. It was very easy to get a bulk head seat with friendly service. They also seemed to have more bassinet seats available compare to KLM, and 2 seats row was working nicely with me + a 3 year old + 6 month baby.
Now, I wanted to try something different and booked KLM without checking first. To my horror, they have a smaller bassinet only for up to 9 months baby who is max. 65 cm, 9 kg! Even if the baby is small (size of 63cm and 8 kg) and fit for the size of the bassinet (71cmx30cmx20cm), the age is matter (14 months), and I was flat refused! Because the baby might be bigger a month later when she is flying, the service said. I think it is disgraceful. They also have only 4 places for such bassinet. If I knew of this, I would have definitely not buying KLM. Certainly I do not recommend it to others. They would not give me any bulk head seat at all, since the service line do not have access for those seats. I was told to go to the airport early to see if it is available, yeah right!
After a week of struggling with KLM service, I finally extracted a critical information accidentally: that if I bring my own basket, they can request for a bulkhead seat. I will find out, if I get it after 48 hours. I am not impressed with whole thing so far, and just pray the 10 hour flight is not going to be a hell. I am seriously considering, that buying a seat for the little one. The child seat is supposed to cost 75% of adult price. However,it is discounted from the fare only, not the taxes, so in reality it is rather 90% of the full price.
At least, KLM allows a car seat to be used, if you buy a seat for the baby. But the seat is small (42.5 cm width) so one have to be sure of, if the car seat fits. It is expensive to buy a baby seat, but I do think it is much safer for the baby, if you can use a car seat. Some airlines do not allow a carseat, nor even provide a baby belt for take off and landing. LH provides it, but not SAS. I think I shall get my own baby belt to bring it with me in the future travels.
I plan to let my big one (almost 4 year, about 108 cm) to sleep on the floor in bulkhead seat, and have the baby on the seat. One could bring something to protect the child head and body from hard corners and seat-legs.
2. useful equipment for traveling with a baby and a kid
Now, I really wonder if I should start my own business for baby traveling. Just because it is so under developed market. Very few, but I found interesting stuff on the internet here. The sites are for demonstration purpose and quoted randomly, not for the best shop.
2-1. Samsonite baby travel cot : pop up and compact (bed: 88cm x 55cm, when folded: 27 cm). It even comes with sun shade and net. I wish I knew of this before. It is for babies. You can not buy this easily in Denmark. UK seems to have a better market for it.
2-2. Inflatable travel cot : looked very interesting. I do not know if it is good to use.
2-3.Kelty convertible stroller and backpack combi
: impossible to buy it in Europe, but it looked great. There are reviews that the stroller is not as smooth, but when you travel in Europe or places that are not stroller friendly, you can use the backpack. It can be used until 20 kg. I am considering to buy it (about 176 us$), though the shipping and tax might be more expensive to buy from US. Ah, the horrors of living in Denmark, with import tax.
2-4. LeapPad: This seems to be better than Videonow PVD player. I am waiting for mine to be delivered. This is for entertainment for my almost 4 year old in long distance travel.
2-5. disposable baby front cover for feeding time: In Denmark, you can buy this in Bilka, 10 in a package. Quite useful for small, drooling and messy babies on the run.
2-6. plastic cover for strollers for sun, rain and wind : you can buy it in Korea, cost about 17 us$. I have other brand, and it is one of must-have. If you have a Korean friend, ask them to order it for you.
2-7. Car seat and folding stroller in one ( under product, it is second item) or see here : about 500 us$. You can find similar thing in Denmark, I think. This is a good Korean design, and the set can incline backwards up to 175degree, and claims that can be used up till 5 years old, which I guess Korean child size. You can detach the car seat and use separately. I am going to look at it when I travel this March with KLM.
3. Things I wish I had
3-1. check-in size- rolling travel bag combined with a child stroller: I read about a US woman invented this product while ago. Good idea, and wish it exists.
3-2. Folding stroller for both a baby(seating or lying) and a kid (seating or standing) same time in one: it couldn't be that hard to design some thing like this, isn't it? or at least they should have something that the big child can stand on. In Denmark, they sell something called 'big sister stand', which is a panel with wheels, and you can attach it onto the baby trolley. Smart, but it is only for those big baby wagons and brand-specific.
3-3. small folding chair that fits in leg-room space in a airplane: I am thinking of making one myself. So kids can play and seat on it.
3-4. soft form bottomed sleeping bag for small kids, to use it in the air plane floor.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)