Adventures of a Farang: FOR REAL, I'm a Teacher

This week in teaching I focused on words relating to family.

I thought if I drew a house and people standing next to it it would make sense. Obviously not since my kids stared. So I had my smart kid in class (and if you ever talked to a teacher, there are always one or two smart ones you pick to assist you, and if they say that’s not true, they’re lying) help me translate family – translated loosely to “krapcua.” Of course I butchered it and the kids got a great kick out of it, and helped me pronounce it properly. I retaliated and had them pronounce “family” correctly along with a few choice vocabulary.

I found this method to be the best. I teach them one word, they teach me another. Those that are interested in learning the language are really eager to assist in my pronunciation as I help them pronounce English words correctly. Those that aren’t usually do other homework, goof, and/or primp themselves. Isn't it great how Thai students are the same as American students? Slackers are slackers everywhere. haha.

Something I've been thinking about for awhile since I learned more about the Thai educational system, but specifically here at my U-Thong school since that is where I'm teaching and I can only speak about what I know... why is it that all kids from lower to upper secondary school (12-18 yrs.) have to learn English even if they don't want to? Why force them if they have no interest? Wouldn't it be better to have students invest their time into something they are passionate about? I believe that if students want to learn, they’ll do everything they can to learn, and vice versa for the others. It should be a option the kids have rather than a forced obligation. I wonder sometimes if this is what makes the kids so uninterested, or rather the system itself - where Thai teachers teach English grammar so strictly, that when they learn the conversational they refuse to speak it for fear of punishment.

Sorry for my "teacher" moment.

On a fun note, in Thailand, they have this very popular thing called “Sports day.” This is where students and teachers alike practice and compete on one day or depending on the school several days. My school has one ‘official’ day to compete but have been practicing more intensely as the days get closer. I guess this is reason for the attendance dwindling, and why they started school earlier than others did. Now, I'm still not sure how my kids are supposed to learn enough English if they are constantly 20 minutes late to a 50 minute class or absent, but I guess rolling with the punches is the right concept. I teach what I can when they enter, and hope they are able to grasp and retain the information. (Hopefully it'll happen less when the day passes...fingers crossed.)

Some Thai teachers this week encouraged us after school to play Bocce ball or “Bah-tong" with them. They were very kind in teaching us the basics, and letting us 'practice.' I must say it was a very interesting game, and I had more fun then I imagined. I lost, of course, with Jenny and Jaeb (the other director), but I know everyone had a “Sanuk” time. What is so amazing is that almost half the teachers and students will stay after school til at least 7 or 8 practicing or playing volleyball, badminton, soccer/football, or bocce ball. I hear the marching band, see the cheerleaders practice daily, and see more and more decorations being arranged on campus everyday. I am really quite excited to see what "Sports Day" will be like.

Update: I didn't see what the entire day entailed, but the opening ceremony was quite a sight. Colors, elaborate costumes, dances...