Friday, June 17, 2011

Volunteer English Teaching and Learning Thai

Stray's been volunteer English Teaching at TFH for a few weeks now.
As you can see, the ages of his students are varied...as are their personalities. It's been a real delight to listen to his experiences about teaching the class and to watch him devise games and strategies to keep the entertainment factor incorporated into his lesson plans. After all, if you have young students (or learners like myself) attention spans can be short lived, if learning isn't made interesting.
TFH is an NGO, not for profit organisation which offers language and arts programs to Burmese refugees and indigenous Thais. Without getting into politics and taking the joy out of this post, the situation of many refugees in Thailand is sad to say the least.
Not only is Stray teaching, but he's also sitting in on learning Thai classes, with his students. A bit daunting at first for someone who proudly learns Thai out on the street...in the real world. Hence, a Thai alphabet chart now hangs right below our TV.
Not a great photo (Stray needs longer arms)...but a great photo, if you know what I mean!

More to come on Stray teaching, learning Thai and TFH, soon.

Snap's other blog Chiang Mai Thai

9 comments:

Colin said... Best Blogger Tips

Just been reading through both your blogs, great pics of stray teaching... Has stray been teaching long? Do you teach?

Snap said... Best Blogger Tips

@Colin Hi! No I don't teach, I try to learn Thai. Stray has only been teaching these last few weeks. Although that was one of the initial reasons for coming here, he's honestly been too busy with friends visiting and travelling, to look and commit to any kind of work, until recently.

If I read your profile correctly, you're not in LOS yet, where were you thinking of settling?

Paul Garrigan said... Best Blogger Tips

Hi Snap, I volunteered in a village school for a few years and found it to be very rewarding. I much preferred volunteer teaching to paid teaching in Thailand.

Snap said... Best Blogger Tips

@Paul Garrigan From what I've read and heard, I agree that volunteer teaching is probably more fun and without as much red tape, as paid teaching. Stray is really enjoying it and looks forward to every class.

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

I look forward to the updates...should be interesting.

Teaching ain't always easy but it can be great fun.

And it's the chance to interact with someone who gives a damn, rather than the actual lessons, that the students will remember most fondly, I would think.

Snap said... Best Blogger Tips

@Philip Students most definitely remember teachers that *care* and that have their hearts in the right place (I know I do) ...one of the reason's I'm not a teacher ;) It just wouldn't be fair on the kids, because it's not what I really want to do.

lanivcox said... Best Blogger Tips

Thanks for sharing this little slice of his world. . .I truly enjoy teaching and I'm glad to see that Stray is enjoying it too.

We'll have to share notes some time. Juup, juup!

Catherine said... Best Blogger Tips

The photos look so fun! And I'll bet that Stray is having a grand time teaching English to kids :-)

Snap said... Best Blogger Tips

Lani and Catherine....ssssoooo sorry for the belated response. I'm not suprised Stray's enjoying teaching, but I am pleased he's plunged into the formal side of learning Thai.

Lani, I'm sure Stray would like to compare notes. Maybe we could do lunch, but please, can we NOT eat at your place. I hear you cats like licking the butter, lol!