Hello from sunny and warm Thailand! It's July now, and I am about 2 1/2 months into my second term teaching here and I'm really starting to feel like a real teacher, like I'm "part of the club" so to speak! The term is going wonderfully(and flying by) and I can't believe it has been 9 months since I packed up my bags and flew to Bangkok, Thailand all alone wwithout a soul in the city who knew me! What an incredible 9 months it has been too! I'm hooked on traveling and living abroad; it is exactly the kind of adventure I have always craved!
I was a first-time teacher too, and 9 months later I feel so much more confident in the position! I remember my first day teaching K's, I was petrified I would make them cry and mess up the lesson, but looking back, it was way less difficult than my anxious mind made it out to be! Kids are wonderful and as long as you have a smile on your face, games up your sleeve and some stickers, they will enjoy your lesson! Last term, I didn't teach any P level students(middle school), and I remember thinking, "I could never teach P's, they wouldn't take me seriously, I can't handle it"....well, what do you know, this term I am teaching P's(1,2,3) and I went into my first class confident and focused and all my classes have been a success; in fact, I am starting to like teaching P's better than K's!!
The kids understand you more, so you can play more complicated games and make jokes with them and have longer conversations than, "Hello". haha!
As for living in Thailand; I love this country. It was the best place, I feel, for me to come as a new teacher and new to living abroad. The people truly are very friendly and there are plenty of Westerners here that you don't feel too overwhelmed by culture shock(although, I'm trying to escape that now!). Personally, I love learning and speaking Thai and I have grown to love the little nuances that annoy other Farangs(Thai word for foreigner) like "Thai time"(nothing is ever on time) and chaotic driving...but most of all, I love their attitude of "mai pben rai"; DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT! Relax, it's okay, be happy and enjoy life! :)
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Hi Jessrw, Glad to hear your having a great time teaching in Thailand. You were lucky you got a good school that gave you a chance. I done a tefl course a few years back and then decided to try my hand at teaching i got a school in Hua Hin After the first week the head teacher didn't like the way i was teaching because i was going to slow and concentrating to much on vocabulary, it put a big dent in my confidence. That was three years ago and i haven't taught since.
I am a South African and intend taking up teaching in Thailand, can anyone give me advise on who to contact to find out how to apply for teaching jobs!!!
I hope to leave early September
MalindaB
Thanks for reply! Ill check that website out. Hope the rest of your teaching goes well. And keep your blogs coming. They're really nice to read :)
Hey! I came to Thailand on my own after finding a job on www.ajarn.com. I really recommend this site if you want to get an idea about what kind of jobs are available to you. Arrival in BKK alone was no problem..there is an efficient and easy to use airport link to the city and taxis from the taxi stand are reliable. I understand your nervousness, but try to stay calm and positive, it's great ride if you keep a smile on your face :D
wow! Im so jealous! Im going to Thailand in January without the internship. Did you find it difficult to get a job? And how did you go about your job hunt? Plus how did you find arriving in bangkok alone? Never travelled alone so Im a bit nervous about it all even though i know ill probably be fine!
did you do the internship? or did you find the job by yourself and where? i reallly wanna go to thailand and am doing it with a friend so just curious if you used a placement agency, cant find any!
I have a question for you. Maybe two. Is it very difficult to grow accustomed to the language and customs of Thailand? Also, when you first arrived were you worried you wouldn't fit in? I suppose you answered that one but I was just curious to see how it is really like over there. How is the food, the people? I imagine they are all very friendly and the food to be excellent but that is also just my hope. What is your favorite thing about teaching over there?
Thanks for your post by the way. It was very helpful and interesting to read.
That sounds great! I am glad to hear that people are having a good time because I want to do something like that one day soon. Thank you for sharing your experience, it helps the rest of us! : )
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