Day 2

Day 2 at Satriwittaya 2 School has gone much smoother.Scheduling issues have been resolved and now I understand the layout of the school. I have decided that I really like teaching English for the little bit that I get to do! The Thai teachers told me to “Speak English” during homeroom. Today we practiced some tongue twisters. The Thai students think it is hilarious getting there tongue twisted trying to say all the words as faster as they can. Even funnier when TeeeeSHA MaEEEEE messes up the words. I started small. Unique New York and Yellow Leather. Go ahead try it. Say Unique New York five times fast. Then yellow leather. It is hard! Then imagine saying it in front of a bunch of 11 year olds who expect you to speak perfect English. I was quite proud of myself. The Thai homeroom teacher said, “Good!” as I left the classroom. First compliment!

My office is with the other foreign teachers in the English program-Jenna, Matt from Boston, and Nathan from England. Matt, Jenna and I are all new and still getting used to everything. In the adjoining office are the Thai English Program teachers. I am not quite sure of all their names yet. Just Aj. Oi, our coordinator, who we go to for everything. The rest I have given nicknames. There is Young Ajan, Part-time Ajan and Ajan Sito/Grandma. Ajan Sito/Grandma is an older lady and she worries so much about us, new farang teachers. The other teachers are constantly translating for her, “Have you eaten?” “Is everything ok?” “Do you need anything?” After giving her the proper respect by bowing with my hands in the prayer position, she grabs my hand and rubs it, speaking in Thai to me. She is very kind. The students really respect her. Like more than the normal respect they give to teachers. I can tell she is an excellent educator. She seems like one of those very soft-spoken teachers who can motivate her students by making them feel wanted and welcome. I would love to watch her teach. I think I could learn a lot in spite of the language barrier.

Almost Day 3!