Life of Brian

Vicarious eXperiential Machine Process

Given my long-time position as an Associate Professor at an elite university, it should not come as a surprise to anyone that I've done a lot of work in using hypnosis and trance in learning enhancement or skills improvement. One technique I use is what I call the Vicarious eXperiential Machine Process, which is a form of deep trance identification. Now, in the video here, I use a brief variation for physical skill improvement. The full version will use video or photographs as well (take a seminar for more on that). The clip here is of me performing hypnosis with an actress in India:

If you can't see the included video here because you are reading this blog post via a Facebook note or Hypnothoughts sidebar or some other stream service, then go to the original post on my blog at http://briandavidphillips.typepad.com/brian/ to access the full post with any videos or photos included.

Obviously, you can very likely imagine a number of contexts in which someone could use this sort of setup.  Certainly as a comedy or recreational process it has many applications.

We will be exploring improvisational and creative ways of achieving similar effects off-the-cuff during the Walkabout Trance Beach Resort Getaway (the improvisational speed street hypnosis event coming Aug. 15-16 at http://walkabouttrancebeachresortgetaway.blogspot.com).

Sign Up Now
WALKABOUT TRANCE
improvisational creative speed hypnosis
http://walkabouttrancebeachresortgetaway.blogspot.com
NOW for registration!

For those looking for adult erotic applications, well you can imagine where one might gently stroke or what sort of shenanigans might go on for this sort of thing.

Folks attending the Erotic Hypnosis seminar I will be teaching (the Engineering eXperiential Erotic Ecstasy seminar at http://ehbrg.blogspot.com) in August will be learning variations of these patterns and more.

Yes, the folks who attend the upcoming EROTIC HYPNOSIS seminar on Aug. 17 - http://ehbrg.blogspot.com - will also learn a great many techniques with an erotic twist and much, much, more.  They will also learn how to induce consensual full body orgasms with a single word and very much more.

Sign Up Now
EROTIC HYPNOSIS
a comprehensive course in erotic and sensual hypnosis
for any context from therapy to entertainment
to consenting adult recreation
http://ehbrg.blogspot.com
NOW for registration!

The seminar is open to beginners through experienced hypnotists, all we require is that you be at least twenty-one years of age for the adult seminar and have a genuine curiosity in the subject matter with a willingness to come in and play.  No, there is no nudity in the Erotic Hypnosis course nor is there anything untoward - as long as you don't consider inducing consensual orgasms and erotic experiences in others as untoward.  The techniques taught can be applied to a wide range of situations in a variety of appropriate contexts from therapy to entertainment to recreational activities between consenting adults.

Anyone is welcome, couples or singles, male or female, straight or not-so-straight, with special pricing available for couples and even more price advantages for groups of three or more.

Go to http://ehbrg.blogspot.com for more information and register right away to reserve your spot in the very special presentation of the Erotic Hypnosis program.

Note that folks who sign up for the Walkabout Trance Beach Resort Getaway (the improvisational speed street hypnosis event at http://walkabouttrancebeachresortgetaway.blogspot.com) and-or the Erotic Hypnosis seminar (the Engineering eXperiential Erotic Ecstasy seminar at http://ehbrg.blogspot.com) in August will be learning variations of these patterns and more. Please note, that it's actually to your advantage to sign up for both events (they are scheduled together for your convenience).

However, it's to your advantage to sign up early for either or both events to reserve your opportunity to attend. I don't travel to the US very often and likewise teach these courses very infrequently so this is a unique opportunity for folks to have an amazing experience with us.  If you have not yet completed your registration for these events, you will really want to do so NOW to ensure your opportunity to participate in a very very unique experience.

All the best,
Brian

(If you are reading this blog post via a stream, go to http://briandavidphillips.typepad.com/brian/ to access the full post with any videos or photos included.)

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Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [brian@briandavidphillips.com]
Hypnotist, Hypnotherapist, Intuitionist, Trance Wizard
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan

Hypnotic Fun at CTS

I was invited to be the special guest for a performance segment in an episode focusing on hypnosis of Michael Cheng's English language television program.  My segment is to be selected clips from a mini-hypnosis show I performed in the studio.  The piece was filmed in the CTS studios (中華電視公司) in Taipei on Oct. 17, 2008, and we absolutely had a blast.  I really liked how they dressed the set too.

My segment was a bit on hypnosis as entertainment.  The premise of the episode is that one of the regulars is invited to see my stage hypnosis show in Taipei and she then invites another friend to come along with her to see it again.  So, the studio set up a stage with a couple volunteers and in-studio audience and I performed a mini-show.

There are a few more photos in the online gallery at http://public.fotki.com/briandavidphillips/hypnosis/shows/2008-10-17-cts.

Lorraine, my wife, sat in the front row of the audience and used a digicam to take some videos of me messing about before we began taping.

SUGGESTIBILITY SEQUENCE

Here, I am running some suggestibility effects and the like with the floor director.  See the youtube clip at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVP4oGxstnI.

TICKLE FEATHERS

Once I got underway with two volunteers, I played some more with different effects.  Who can resist tickle feathers all over their body?  See the youtube clip at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbGQ8PpFeN.

SOLO HAPPY BALLOONS

Many regular viewers of my material or attendees of my shows and trainings know I like to take a physical suggestion and then associate in a positive emotional component as a rider to the effect.  The happy balloons are one of my favorite ways of doing that.  See the youtube clip at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6qOeg9vEZ.

DUO HAPPY BALLOONS

Of course, happy balloons aren't just for one person, they are great with more than one person as well.  See the youtube clip at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86THiV2kPG.

STICKY STICK SUGGESTIONS

For some reason, I've been getting a lot of comments about my sticky effects.  Here's a fun one, although it is unfortunate that the video on this one is rather blurry (when the show airs, they will of course be using professional quality footage rather than this consumer digicam stuff.  See the youtube clip at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lavgIuBzLp.

The show will air within the next couple of months.  Of course, I will post a headsup when I find out the actual air date.  We had a lot of fun.  The actual program will only use a couple minutes of footage, as is the case with such programs, but we gave them enough footage so that they can revisit the topic next season as well.

See http://www.briandavidphillips.com information, mp3s, videos, photos, courses, and more.

All the best,
Brian

  HYPNOSIS CERTIFICATION VIDEO COURSE
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Upcoming Shows
:
  HYPNOHOT: Risque Hypnosis
Comedy Club, Taipei, Taiwan (25 Oct. 2008, 10pm)
HYPNOKOOL: Comedy Hypnosis
Comedy Club, Taipei, Taiwan (25 Oct. 2008, 8pm)
 :
Course Sign Up NOW!
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      TAROT INTUITIVE
Taipei, Taiwan (7 December 2008)
PSYCHIC HYPNOSIS
b  e    p  s  y  c  h  i  c
Taipei, Taiwan (10-11 January 2009)
SPEED HYPNOSIS TECHNIQUES
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (21-22 February 2009):Hypnosis Shows, Sessions, Training . . . and MORE!
See http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com for details!  

Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [brian@briandavidphillips.com]
Hypnotist, Hypnotherapist, Intuitionist, Trance Wizard
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com

Learning Enhancement Hypnosis Tutorial

The Learning Enhancement Hypnosis Tutorial this past weekend turned out to be a blast.  We had a wonderful time as we went over various ways to use trance and hypnosis to enhance learning and skills improvement.

There aren't too many photos in the gallery, but what we do have can be found at http://public.fotki.com/briandavidphillips/hypnosis/courses/20081018learning.

All the best,
Brian

  HYPNOSIS CERTIFICATION VIDEO COURSE
COMPREHENSIVE CORE SKILLS HYPNOSIS DVDs
http://www.briandavidphillips.com/products/core.html
 
Upcoming Shows
:
  HYPNOHOT: Risque Hypnosis
Comedy Club, Taipei, Taiwan (25 Oct. 2008, 10pm)
HYPNOKOOL: Comedy Hypnosis
Comedy Club, Taipei, Taiwan (25 Oct. 2008, 8pm)
 :
Course Sign Up NOW!
:
      TAROT INTUITIVE
Taipei, Taiwan (7 December 2008)
PSYCHIC HYPNOSIS
b  e    p  s  y  c  h  i  c
Taipei, Taiwan (10-11 January 2009)
SPEED HYPNOSIS TECHNIQUES
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (21-22 February 2009):Hypnosis Shows, Sessions, Training . . . and MORE!
See http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com for details!  

Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [brian@briandavidphillips.com]
Hypnotist, Hypnotherapist, Intuitionist, Trance Wizard
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com

改善學習能力的催眠法 LEARNING ENHANCEMENT TECHNIQUES

Time is running out . . . sign up NOW!

Please email Lorraine at yuklan.law@msa.hinet.net to finalize your registration in the LEARNING ENHANCEMENT HYPNOSIS 改善學習能力的催眠法 course now.  Once you email her, she will make sure you're set.

See http://www.briandavidphillips.com for more course info.

LEARNING ENHANCEMENT HYPNOSIS 改善學習能力的催眠法

A Practical Course in Improving Learning through Trancework
運用催眠提升學習能力的方法與實務

Brian David Phillips, Ph.D., C.H.

日期: 10月18-19日 （兩天共十五小時）
時間：9:00am 至5:30pm
講師: Dr. Brian David Phillips 羅狼仁教授
地點：台北縣市 （教室另行公佈）
報名：電郵yuklan.law@msa.hinet.net
http://www.briandavidphillips.com

DATES: October 18-19, 2008
LOCATION: Taipei, Taiwan
REGISTRATION: contact Lorraine Phillips at yuklan.law@msa.hinet.net to register. International guests should contact Lorraine about accommodation suggestions or other matters. http://www.briandavidphillips.com

運用催眠改善記憶力，幫助學生考試成績，或者提升運動方面的表現，幫助改善技巧，以達到加速整個學習的過程，將催眠運用於教育，不但可以助人，也是催眠師提升社會地位，修正社會人士對催眠師誤解的最好方法。羅教授以二十多年的專業教育經驗，加上一輩子研究催眠的心德，整理出一套運用催眠於教育的課程，理論和實務並重，初學者和有經驗的催眠師都歡迎參加.

Learn to learn in ways that enhance the way you understand and use new skills. Accelerated learning is only the beginning. Welcome to a hands-on practical course in educational enhancement hypnosis methods. This is a comprehensive practical course in accelerated educational enhancement hypnosis techniques with a hands-on approach to mastering the skills presented. This course is appropriate for hypnotists, educators, parents, coaches, and anyone concerned with improving the learning curve and mastering skills. The methods presented can be applied in a very wide range of contexts.

All the best,
Brian

  HYPNOSIS CERTIFICATION VIDEO COURSE
COMPREHENSIVE CORE SKILLS HYPNOSIS DVDs
http://www.briandavidphillips.com/products/core.html
 
Upcoming Shows
:
  HYPNOHOT: Risque Hypnosis
Comedy Club, Taipei, Taiwan (25 Oct. 2008, 10pm)
HYPNOKOOL: Comedy Hypnosis
Comedy Club, Taipei, Taiwan (25 Oct. 2008, 8pm)
 :
Course Sign Up NOW!
:
     LEARNING ENHANCEMENT HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (19-20 October 2008)
SPEED HYPNOSIS TECHNIQUES
Singpore (13-14 December 2008):Hypnosis Shows, Sessions, Training . . . and MORE!
See http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com for details!  

Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [brian@briandavidphillips.com]
Hypnotist, Hypnotherapist, Intuitionist, Trance Wizard
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com

Learning Enhancement Hypnosis Seminar 改善學習能力的催眠法

LEARNING ENHANCEMENT HYPNOSIS
改善學習能力的催眠法

A Practical Course in
Improving Learning through Trancework
. . . hypnosis methods that work
運用催眠提升學習能力的方法與實務

Brian David Phillips, Ph.D., C.H.
http://www.briandavidphillips.com

====================

For correspondence, information in Chinese, or for questions regarding Chinese interpretation, please contact Lorraine Yuk-Lan Law Phillips at yuklan.law@msa.hinet.net . . . http://www.briandavidphillips.com

====================

DATES: October 18-19, 2008
LOCATION: Taipei, Taiwan (Venue Announced After Registration Finalization)
LIMITED SEATING: Positions in the class are filled on the basis of first-come first-served.
PREREQUISITE: previous experience not required
REGISTRATION: contact Lorraine Phillips at yuklan.law@msa.hinet.net to register. International guests should contact Lorraine about accommodation suggestions or other matters. Registration closes Oct. 11.
http://www.briandavidphillips.com

日期: 10月18-19日 （兩天共十五小時）
講師: Dr. Brian David Phillips 羅狼仁教授
地點：台北縣市 （教室另行公佈）
報名：電郵yuklan.law@msa.hinet.net
傳真：886-2-24526223
http://www.briandavidphillips.com

====================

Course Description:

Learn to learn in ways that enhance the way you understand and use new skills. Accelerated learning is only the beginning. Welcome to a hands-on practical course in educational enhancement hypnosis methods leading to specialist certificate in Learning Enhancement Hypnosis with the Society of Experiential Trance. This is a comprehensive practical course in accelerated educational enhancement hypnosis techniques with a hands-on approach to mastering the skills presented. This course is appropriate for hypnotists, educators, parents, coaches, and anyone concerned with improving the learning curve and mastering skills. The methods presented can be applied in a very wide range of contexts.

運用催眠改善記憶力，幫助學生考試成績，或者提升運動方面的表現，幫助改善技巧，以達到加速整個學習的過程，將催眠運用於教育，不但可以助人，也是催眠師提升社會地位，修正社會人士對催眠師誤解的最好方法。羅教授以二十多年的專業教育經驗，加上一輩子研究催眠的心德，整理出一套運用催眠於教育的課程，理論和實務並重，初學者和有經驗的催眠師都歡迎參加.

====================

The course is taught in English (we provide English to Chinese interpretation for those requesting it, please contact Lorraine for details).

====================

For correspondence, information in Chinese, or for questions regarding Chinese interpretation, please contact Lorraine Yuk-Lan Law Phillips at yuklan.law@msa.hinet.net

See http://www.briandavidphillips.com for more information.

====================

All the best,
Brian

  HYPNOSIS CERTIFICATION VIDEO COURSE
COMPREHENSIVE CORE SKILLS HYPNOSIS DVDs
http://www.briandavidphillips.com/products/core.html
 
Upcoming Shows
:
  HYPNOHOT: Risque Hypnosis
Comedy Club, Taipei, Taiwan (25 Oct. 2008, 10pm)
HYPNOKOOL: Comedy Hypnosis
Comedy Club, Taipei, Taiwan (25 Oct. 2008, 8pm)
 :
Course Sign Up NOW!
:
     LEARNING ENHANCEMENT HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (19-20 October 2008):Hypnosis Shows, Sessions, Training . . . and MORE!
See http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com for details!  

Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [brian@briandavidphillips.com]
Hypnotist, Hypnotherapist, Intuitionist, Trance Wizard
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com

Haunted Taiwan . . .

After watching some ghost hunting type programs and discussing critical approaches to such material, students in one of the courses I teach at National Chengchi University in Taipei this past semester created their own videos related to haunted locations in Taiwan. They were to demonstrate some degree of critical thinking in their videos about actual locations and events (although some dramatization would be allowed).

You can judge their success . . . here are their projects . . .

HAUNTED TAIWAN: Haunted University

HAUNTED TAIWAN: Haunted Elevator

HAUNTED TAIWAN: Haunted Pavilion

HAUNTED TAIWAN: Haunted Apartments

HAUNTED TAIWAN: Haunted Dorm

HAUNTED TAIWAN: Haunted Time Loop

Keep in mind that this is not a television production course so these were in no way expected to be broadcast quality.

All the best,
Brian

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Taipei, Taiwan (13 July 2008)
METAPHYSICAL HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (19-20 July 2008)
RECREATIONAL HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (9-10 August 2008)
SPEED HYPNOSIS TECHNIQUES
India (August 30-31, Sept. 3-4, 6-7 2008)
HYPNOTIC SCRIPTWRITING FOR RECORDING 
Taipei, Taiwan (22 Sept. 2008)
 LEARNING ENHANCEMENT HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (19-20 October 2008):Hypnosis Shows, Sessions, Training . . . and MORE!
See http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com for details!

Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [brian@briandavidphillips.com]
Hypnotist, Hypnotherapist, Trance Wizard, Intuitionist
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com

Inspiring Creativity in the Classroom

On 26 December 2008, I presented a workshop on "Inspiring Creativity in the Classroom" to senior studetns in an elite English program at Taipei First Girls High School, the top girls high school in Taiwan.

The program is an adaptation of one I have presented elsewhere to teachers and is comprised of improvisational language structures (which I have adapted from improvisational theatre games), guided imagery, and a demonstration of hypnosis for stress reduction and study skills enhancement (the students had signed parental consent forms for the hypnosis demonstration - the teacher tells me that every single student received parental permission, most enthusastically).

The three-hour workshop was a resounding success.  The teacher (a former university student of mine) tells me the kids got a LOT out of it and couldn't stop talking about the experience for days.

Here's a short video clip:

And . . . some photos . . .

More photos can be found here.

For other educators in Taiwan, I am happy to present this or similar programs by special arrangement for your students or events.  See http://www.briandavidphillips.com for contact details and more information.  If you don't see a specific program that fits your needs, email me and we will design something perfect for you.

All the best,
Brian

Sign Up NOW!:TAROT TRANCE
Taipei, Taiwan (25 May 2008)
METAPHYSICAL HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (21-22 June 2008)
SPEED HYPNOSIS TECHNIQUES
India (August 30-31, Sept. 3-4, 6-7 2008):Hypnosis Shows, Sessions, Training . . . and MORE!
See http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com for details!

Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [brian@briandavidphillips.com]
Certified Hypnotherapist
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com

Improv Taiwan 2008

This is a complilation video of students in my Theatre Arts: Acting and Directing class at National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan.  Inspired by Improv Everywhere, the students designed their own "missions" and went out into the real world of Taipei to perform scenes or bits.  The folks around them did not know they were "performing" and helpers used hidden cameras to video the act and the reactions.

All the best,
Brian

Myth and Legend into Film . . .. . . Literature and Film Projects

These are a short film projects in which students were asked to adapt a literary work into a short film. This project was completed by students in my Literature and Film class at National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan, as part of a classroom project.

The Girl Who Changed Her Fate

Candy House

Cupid and Psyche

Little Sparkler Girl

MomoTaro-San

Three Genjias

Three Sons of Fortune

Troy

And now for something completely different . . . not by my students but very kool anyway . . .

Batman Dead End

That's what I've got so far . . . a couple groups still haven't handed in their assignments . . . hopefully they will get them in before the Jan. 16 deadline. After that, have a great Winter Vacation and Happy Chinese New Year!

All the best
Dr. Phillips

NOYB . . .. . . what's your religion?

At the end of one of my lectures at the university, a student came up to me to ask if I wouldn't mind taking a survey on the campus radio station.  I told her to go ahead and fire away and ask her questions.  Well, at the end of the survey, she said she had one final question and that was "What is your religion?"  I looked her straight in the eye and said, "put down NOYB . . . None Of Your Business."  She was taken a bit aback by this as the idea of privacy in terms of religious practice was a bit alien to her.  I then told her that for me my religious beliefs are a private matter and that even if I told her what they were the list of possible choices on her survey didn't have the "correct" choice for me as I'm not Christian, Buddhist, Taoist, Agnostic, Athiest, Muslim, Satanist, or any of the other -ists usually listed for such things.  Most folks here assume that I must be Christian as the default assumption is that any random white person living in this country is probably Christian and that Americans are extremely likely to be Christian and if they are not then they're probably Budhists studying Chinese.  Since I teach a university course in Bible & Literature which I pursued with zeal, the assumption is even more so that I must be Christian (after all, I did attend a church-affiliated university and earned a minor in religion as an undergraduate and I guarantee that I know more about scripture than most of the folks walking around claiming to be Christian).  However, while I was indeed a Christian during most of my formative years and my first vocational choice as a boy was a dream to one day become a preacher and I certainly would have made a pretty damned good one . . . today, I am most definately no longer a Christian . . . that monkey sailed long ago.  I enjoy religious studies, particularly comparative religion.  However, I don't put my relgious views out there when I teach the material nor do I wish others to make assumptions that are erroneous.  So . . . when the question comes up, and it does, quite often, my response is usually NOYB . . . although, once in awhile, I will indeed be honest and open and tell some folks what my views really are . . . but those are usually the folks who don't push it and who are naturally within my comfort zone.  Hint . . . there are no ritual chicken sacrifices but there is a great deal of personal experiential bliss and communion involved (no, not that communion, no flesh-eating cannibalism or blood thirst satiation) . . . n . . . o . . . y . . . b.

Student Film Adaptation Projects . . .. . . past examples

So, my Literature and Film students at the university are now beginning their leg of the original film adaptation of a folk tale, legend, myth, or short short fantasy story.  In order to help them, here are some example videos from students past:

WILDEST DREAMS TRAILER ONE

WILDEST DREAMS TRAILER TWO

WILDEST DREAMS BTS

THE FALL OF FRODO

RUMPLESTILTSKIN

THE GREEK PRINCESS

THE FROG KING

ONE EYE, TWO EYES, AND THREE EYES

Obviously, the current student projects will be even better . . . well, at least more technically savvy given their lead time.  We should see some very interesting bits this year.

Currently, the students should be posting their story choices to the course Facebook page and from there we should begin seeing some interesting work.

All the best,
Brian

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WALKABOUT TRANCE BEACH RESORT GETAWAY
http://walkabouttrancebeachresortgetaway.blogspot.comHypnosis Shows, Sessions, Training . . . and MORE!
See http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com for details!

Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [phillips@nccu.edu.tw]
Certified Hypnotherapist
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com

The Changing Language of Conviction

Snarfed from David, who snarfed it from sleightgirl.

Taipei to model English village project on Korea

The joys of the English village . . . Taipei to model English village project on Korea . . .

It will no longer be necessary to go abroad to learn English. In the English villages, people will feel they are in a foreign country. They can watch movies, have fun in shopping malls and enjoy days without any Chinese speaking," said Huang.

While I'm in favor of the general concept, the implementation may need more thought. The English stores in elementary schools may or may not work out. I suspect it will fee more like a gimmick. The English community works if it's a real community and immersive, just like old KGB and CIA "America Town" and "Soviet Village" projects. However, if it's a "tourist" spot for folks to come and gawk, then there will be Chinese spoken quite a bit.

NLP and Language Learning

For those of you in Taiwan . . . on Thursday, March 15, I will be presenting on "Neurolinguistic Programming Techniques for Language Learners: Interdisciplinary Strategies for Affective Links in Learning" at the 2007 International Conference and Workshop on TEFL and Applied Linguistics hosted by Ming Chuan University (at the Taoyuan campus).

My session is in the afternoon from four to five. This is a university sponsored academic international conference.

Conference details should be found at http://www.ae.mcu.edu.tw (bilingual pages).

All the best,
Brian

Friday the Thirteenth
Comedy HYPNOSIS Show
The Living Room, Taipei - April 13,2007 Hypnosis Shows, Training . . . and MORE!See http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com for details!

Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [phillips@nccu.edu.tw]
Certified Hypnotherapist
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com

Sex and English Teaching . . .. . . Hong Kong Tutors Selling Sex Appeal

Uh . . . okay . . . Hong Kong Tutors Selling Sex Appeal . . .

Angela Yiu and Stella Cheng spent weeks meeting with fashion stylists and photographers before deciding on the mini skirts and high heels to wear in their promotion campaign. They're not models peddling perfume or sports cars. They're English tutors who earn good money helping secondary school students pass Hong Kong's grueling exams to get into college. "Their long legs are the most beautiful ones in the tutorial industry," said Ken Ng, head of Modern Education, one of the city's biggest tutoring businesses. "This is our selling point." Sex appeal has become a hot selling point, just as important as teaching ability and knowledge, in Hong Kong's hypercompetitive world of cram schools or "bou zap se" in the local Cantonese dialect. Attractive teachers are marketed like movie stars. Their schools show them off on billboards, full-page newspaper ads and TV screens in railway stations and on buses. Some tutors have their own teams of stylists, fashion designers and photographers, Ng said. They also have personal Web sites, where potential students can see their photos, read their online journals and download video clips of "gag moments" in class. It's just the latest twist in the competition to grab the business of students caught up in Hong Kong's make-or-break exam culture. Youngsters take two college exams during their seven years in secondary school and they have to pass both to get into a university. So hoards of students trek to after-school lectures at tutoring centers. The Census and Statistics Department says a third of secondary school youngsters sought private tutoring in the 2004-05 school year, spending a total of $18.9 million a month 25 percent more than five years earlier. Industry pioneers like Modern Education and King's Glory each have about 10 centers around the city, each offering around 200 lessons a week. All the companies boast of their ability to give youngsters an edge by predicting what questions will be asked in the exams, employing teams of full-time analysts who study patterns from previous exam papers. With competition growing fierce on that front, the tutorial centers in recent years have increasingly focused on promoting their teachers as trendy icons consumable by students. "When our rivals are equally good at predicting the exam questions, we need a new ground to outrun them," Ng said. "And that is the tutor's appearance." Last summer, Ng hired Yiu, who once won a modeling contest, to teach English along with Cheng, described by Ng as "a gorgeous former lawyer." Yiu, who has a business degree, said: "Being a model is not a long-term career. I should plan for the future. I know my good appearance has a market." Indeed, tutoring is one of the most profitable jobs in this Asian city. Top tutors who have more than 4,000 students can earn high salaries. Elaine Chow, an advertising executive, said tutoring businesses are applying a "star-making" promotion technique in which tutors dress fashionably and are given nicknames like "the Godfather of Science," "Brand-A tutor" or the "Queen of English." "In the advertisements, going to tutorial centers is portrayed as a trendy after-school activity more than a chance to acquire knowledge," she said. "This is a twisted tutoring market." Percy Kwok, a former education researcher of the Chinese University of Hong Kong who studied the private tutoring phenomenon in 2003, said tutorial centers closely follow the consumption culture of youths to catch their attention. "They may even expose tutors' private life if necessary," he said. But he added that while tutorial centers have become highly commercial, they provide useful techniques in tackling exams, such as predicting question types. Daytime teachers don't have comparable resources or the time to do that, he said. Tutorial centers will continue, he said, "As long as university certificates and exam results are the best evidence to prove one's competence and guarantee a stable income."

Evidently the kids choose their tutors rather than the parents.

Wildest Dreams . . .. . . coming soon

Check out one of the "trailers" for the upcoming performance of Wildest Dreams, the senior graduation play for my students in the English Department at National Chengchi University to be performed Dec. 14 and Dec. 15 at the university (be there!) . . . the play is about a group of friends who play role playing games (RPGs) to the point of the games becoming their escape from reality . . .

The students have gone all out and created a film that will be used in conjunction with the on-stage drama . . . the characters on stage will "play" the table top game with their fantasy personae manifested within the film. I am the faculty advisor of the play for which I am quite qualified (my doctoral dissertation is in interactive drama (live RPGs), I have advanced degrees in theatre, I deal with reality levels in my hypnosis work, and I played more RPGs than a human really should play).

See the official blog for the play here and the fullsize versions of the trailers here (download links for the mov files are below the embedded player).  Venue information is on the blog.

Koolness.

All the best,
Brian

The Joy of English . . .

Snarfed from May . . .

1. We polish the Polish furniture.
2. He could lead if he would get the lead out.
3. A farm can produce produce.
4. The dump was so full it had to refuse refuse.
5. The soldier decided to desert in the desert.
6. The present is a good time to present the present.
7. At the Army base, a bass was painted on the head of a bass drum.
8. The dove dove into the bushes.
9. I did not object to the object.
10. The insurance for the invalid was invalid.
11. The bandage was wound around the wound.
12. There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13. They were too close to the door to close it.
14. The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15. They sent a sewer down to stitch the tear in the sewer line.
16. To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17. The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18. After a number of Novocain injections, my jaw got number.
19. I shed a tear when I saw the tear in my clothes.
20. I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
21. How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?
22. I spent last evening evening out a pile of dirt

Cute. :-)

Drawing the Line . . .. . . non-naughty naughty language

How do you describe explicit material if you are not allowed to use explicit language? The Language Log takes a look at drawing the line and how pornographers do just that, using non-naughty language to create images and impressions that are explicit when describing content of men's magazines, particularly gay pornography.

English Lesson . . . . . . Japanese style

Uh, cockpit? Those girls may look the role but not so sure they're native speakers of English. Heads up for this bit of oddness that is making the rounds comes from the good folks at fleshbot who snarfed it from fazed with some discussion at boing boing. I've seen a few phrase book style dictionaries that cover just this sort of taboo language lesson.

Student Music Video Projects

Shut Up and Kiss Me (Pony Up) music video project by Genie Chang, Carole Chen, and Sarina Tseng.

Students in the Literature and Film course I teach at the university were asked to create their own music videos from a song they selected. Multiple groups would choose the same songs so they could experiment with how images and music can be combined to create story. The students were asked to have multiple locations and to explore at least three phases of mythic structure in their pieces (utilizing Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey Model).

I have created a tinyurl to the page hosting all of the student videos for comparision at http://tinyurl.com/hwy7r.

Focused Trance in the Language Classroom

I presented my paper on adapting focused trance techniques to the language classroom at the Ming Chuan University international conference on applied English today. It went well. I always enjoy presenting at conferences and this one was no exception. Thank you to the participants.

Speak English?

Okay, I teach English as a Foreign Language so I understand exactly what this poor girl is going through. These guys really need to study their English more. Classic! This is very very funny.

Ha ha ha. Reality twisted and served up just as it sometimes actually happens . . . we've a standing joke in our house regarding my Chinese ability (which honestly sucks) but I tell folks I don't speak Chinese at all . . . I have a similar conversation with my daughter's friends when they ask me if I speak Chinese and I will go on to an explanation of how I can't speak Chinese and I don't have any clue as to what they're saying but I answer their questions in Chinese and when they call me on it I go off on how I don't speak Chinese at all and they must have been hearing English and thought it was Chinese. Sure, it's sophomoric and confusing for an elementary school kid but I've a bit of a twisted humor and eventually they realize I'm havin' them on.

If the video doesn't play when you press the big ugly button, the click here instead.

English Lesson . . .. . . I want to run around naked on a deserted island

Uh, okay. If you say so.

Note: Not sure if this is actually going to embed the video correctly so if it doesn't work, just click here.

I'm a Tired Puppy

Just got home from what was essentially a long afternoon . . . really long . . . because of my background in theatre, I was asked to give a presentation to a group of high school teachers in Shilin about educational drama and preparing for short play competitions . . . once it got out that I would be doing that talk, another group asked if I could do a similar talk for another larger group in Nankang. Ended up rushing to get too and from locations as one talk ended and I only had thirty minutes to ferry my behind to the next one. Everything went very well and I made it . . . huffing and puffing for lungfulls of air, but I made it. Now I'm home and kind of beat . . . in a good way. They're good folks and really could use the guidance from folks with experience in this sort of thing. I am told the audiences both received the talks well . . . I just hope they were of some help as they prepare their kids for this year's competition. It was a fun but exhausting day.

An English Test Is Changed, and Some Foreign Students Worry

Big news . . . An English Test Is Changed, and Some Foreign Students Worry. Of course, the headline is wrong . . . a lot of foreign students in Asia as well as their parents, teachers and the administrators of programs specifically geared towards teaching students strategies for passing the TOEFL are worried. The addition of a speaking component to the TOEFL calls for very pervasive changes in how English is taught in Asia. This also means that bushibans (cram schools) that guarantee test scores will have to change how they teach the TOEFL, relying more on actual language skills instead of on test-breaking strategies aimed at the multiple choice test format.

For American students, tests like the SAT, ACT and Graduate Record Examination mark the path to college and graduate school. But for hundreds of thousands of international students hoping to study in the United States, a major concern is proving their language skills on the Test of English as a Foreign Language, or Toefl. Now that test has undergone major changes. And as the new test made its debut on Saturday, some students, particularly Asians, were worried that they would be disadvantaged because of how they were taught English in school. In recent years, many of the 5,200 English-speaking colleges and universities that use the exam have become concerned that the test fails to identify those students who have mastered only "textbook" English. And some undergraduates have complained that they cannot understand foreign graduate students teaching their classes. So after a decade's research, the Educational Testing Service, which developed the exam, has shifted the test's focus to how well students read, write and speak in combination. Students may be asked to listen to a recording and read a passage, then speak about both. Their responses will be digitally recorded, then downloaded for grading. Perhaps the biggest change is the new speaking component; previously, the testing company offered a separate speaking test, but few students took it. The company was giving the new English test, which is Internet-based, this weekend in American test centers. The exam will phase in worldwide over the next year. Last year, 750,000 students took the old test, which was mostly multiple choice. In school "you're always using a combination of skills," said Mari Pearlman, a senior vice president of the testing company. "When you read, you take notes. When you're in a classroom, you're also speaking and writing." Students need all three skills outside the classroom, too, whether to find housing or figure out the washing machine. The reworking of the test is more substantial than the recent makeover of the SAT. And the changes have some students nervous, particularly those from Asia, where schools generally emphasize vocabulary and grammar over speaking. "Most Asians, especially Japan, Korea, Taiwan, love reading, structure, grammar," Yoshihiko Iwasaki, a Japanese student hoping to attend business school, said while on break from a test-preparation class in Boston earlier this week. "Speaking is weak, because sometimes, it's impolite to speak out, to describe an opinion or talk to the teacher. When we take a class, we just sit and take notes and memorize." Emily Pierre, who manages English programs at Kaplan, the test-preparation company, said, "We're all kind of thinking this is going to be more of a challenge to Asian students." Ms. Pearlman said pre-testing did not suggest that students from particular countries would suffer disproportionately. She acknowledged that Asian students might have disadvantages, but said they would make up for them because "they are ferociously capable and determined." Educators hope the change will improve the teaching of English worldwide. When the testing company added writing to the English test in the 1970's, curriculums around the world were adjusted. The company predicts that the new speaking section will have a similar effect. It also hopes that administering the test by the Internet will improve access to it, giving more students a chance at studying abroad, be it in the United States or elsewhere.

The changes will also filter into universities where language skills have become secondary to critical background and the like. Programs that have slowly been de-emphasizing speaking components will have to rethink strategies . . . particularly as the number of young people falls and competition for students becomes much more keen within the next few years (we are looking at a number of universities and colleges failing within the next decade because of over saturation of schools and a vastly declining number of students).

Learn English?

The need to learn English . . . when we go out in Taipei, we here much worse lyrics being played from storefronts and every once in awhile a student will bring in some favorite contemporary piece liked for the rhythm with lyrics that they have no idea as to what they are about (we're talking about such classic riffs as "I hold down her head until she gags on my cum 'cuz I own that bitch and she better'd suck it dry or I'll slap her silly" or "my buddy knows you got to share your bitch and make sure she fucks your friends" or more extreme variations). The creepy part is this are English majors who have no idea as to what they're listening to. No, they're not pretending innocence, they really haven't a clue.

Dude, That's the New Thing . . . . . . comedy or language lesson?

This is FUNNY . . . Dude, That's the New Thing . . . unfortunately, a bit on the real side when you think of conformity and kids and the next new thing . . . a bit of a language lesson thrown in. Hmmmm. I wonder if I could use this technique in classes. Nah.

Vagina Closed Down

Erick Heroux, my colleague in the English Department at National Chengchi University, writes a bit about how Vagina Closed Down. Closed vaginas are never a good thing. See the post, worth the read . . . then dredge around a bit in his blog as it has much cunning about it.

Engrish

Welcome to our reality . . . Engrish . . . the FAQ has some very good points. We should also be reminded that there are a lot of folks in the West who have tattoos on their body in Chinese that they don't understand (Britney Spears and her "weird slut" bit come to mind . . . or a couple I've seen of "I am a cheap whore" or "slave to penis" or "please kill me" and more and more).

Of course, here's my all-time favorite tattoo. Although this one is pretty gosh-darned nice too.