The Journey Lens (Thailand Edition) - Take One

Welcome to School!

Hello once again dear friends,

Here is a look for you this week of the school in Muang Tak where I have just finished my first full week teaching. The school, its staff and students, are truly wonderful. They have welcomed Connor, myself, and two other foreign teachers so warmly that I feel privileged to be teaching here. 

I teach 18 classes a week, 13 English classes for grades 10 and 12, and 5 French classes for grades 8-12. Class sizes vary with my most advanced class having only 21 students, while the majority of classes at the school have 50-52 students. It really is nothing like the teaching I experienced in Canada! 

Some students have a good grasp of the English language, but for the most part, there is very little comprehension. Although I mainly teach the senior students, in many cases I still must start at square one. It is evident that the academic system has focused on teaching them through rote repetition, grammar, reading, and writing, but actual understanding for most students is simply not there. Communication is challenging!

Classes must be very fun and engaging to motivate the students to come to class as there really are no consequences for skipping. That goes for teachers as well - I have already skipped two classes (one to meet the new school director, and another for a department meeting).

Slowly, I am picking up a few Thai words here and there which have made teaching easier. The students also get such a kick out of my Thai pronunciation and we share many laughs together. I am learning a lot from them, and enjoying being "Teacha Heeta from Canada" very much. I really do love them already.     

So now for the photos! I hope you enjoy 'Phad' at a glance!

Morning assembly (which we had to introduce ourselves at our very first morning!)

Beautiful school grounds!

Students often sit outside to do homework, to eat, to play music, and just to spend time together. 

One of the main classroom and office buildings.

One of my classrooms (also the foods lab!)

An outdoor classroom.

Another classroom.

And yet another classroom... it is a big school! 

View from a classroom window

Thailand's main religion is Buddhism but it is also heavily inked with animism. Buddhist statues and Thai spirit houses can be found outside every business, restaurant, school, hotel, apartment, market, temple, fishing pond, and even in the middle of no where.  

Thanks again for reading!

À la prochaine! 

~Heather 

Cultural Tidbits:

-Stacking plates is a no-no (Thai superstition)
-Writing in black ink is not respectful (another superstition)
-It is important to not point your feet at anyone or anything (remembering to not cross my legs is difficult!)
-Shoes are usually always taken off before entering most buildings (classrooms, apartment buildings, some shops and restaurants, etc.)
-'Thai time,' though less relaxed than 'African time,' still lines up quite nicely with  'Heather time' :)