Thai Students

I started teaching a 2 week class about American Culture and History to 15 to 17 year old students preparing for a year studying abroad in the States. It has been my first experience teaching Thai students. And I have to say they are a little different than American students.

We were warned that Thai students can be a little "naughty". They are not like the diligent, hardworking, respectful Asian students that we have always imagined students in this part of the world to be. Thai students chit-chat, text and goof around like American students. They love to play around. Remember this is the Land of Smiles. And giggles. And laughs.

Today I reviewed the highlights of American History. Not surprisingly some of my students talked the entire time. No matter what I did to get them to stop. I like to think that were talking about the history content. I mean, they could be, I can't speak Thai. But they probably weren't. Phones went off. Girls giggled. Boys tried to avoid my eye contact. But at the end of class I did feel that they had learned something.

Of course, every student redeemed their naughty behavior by bowing to me and saying, "Thank you, Teacher. Good bye" as they left the classroom. Every single one of them. Can you imagine if American students walked out the door saying thank you. Every time? You may forgive texting during class too!

"Good teaching is one-fourth preparation and three-fourths theater." ~Gail Godwin