Talk — My English Teachers

by Hla Min

Updated : Aug 2025

Video Broadcast on January 8, 2021

Private Boundary Road School
Daw Ku Paw, Daw Kywe, Daw Yi Yi, Daw Khin Khin Aye
St. Paul’s High School
Ms. A Benjamin, Mrs. V Boudville, Ms. Amelia Kyi (Miss Hong Kong), Brother Xavier, Brother Austin
I.Sc. (A)
Daw Tinsa Maw-Naing, Daw Khin Khin Kyi
2nd BE
Mr. Des Rodgers (Primary), Sao Kan Gyi, U Khin, U Win Mra

Saya Des

Our main English Teacher in our 2nd BE Class in 1964 – 65.
Chief Editor of the RIT English Association Newsletter.
Core organizer of debates (in English) between 1st BE and 2nd BE students.
e.g. “Money is the Root of All Evils”
“Are we happier than our forefathers?”
Played on the RIT Saya soccer team.
Accomplished musician : guitarist and vocalist, a regular on the BBS Variety Show.
Would often play with Saya U Win Mra (Burma’s Elvis Presley in his younger days).
Won Singles and Doubles tournaments in Scrabble.
Held at Guardian, YMCA and RIT.

Did post-graduate studies in the UK.
Moved to Canada.
Taught “English as a Specialty Language” and other English courses.
Set up a consultancy firm
Published a book on English words that have been “selected” from contemporary news media and magazines. I helped catch some typos (which would go into an amendment).
Conducted on-line courses to students (mostly outside Canada).
Published two books.

The first book selected words from the contemporary publications (news media and magazines), provided definitions and usage.
Synonyms and antonyms are given.
Sent his book by air mail.
Sadly, I received only the envelope.
So he sent a second time using registered/insured option.
The mailing costs are prohibitive.
Cost more than the sales price of the book.
E-mailed back typos in the book to Saya.
They will be corrected in a future edition.

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