Thai Christian School

Well where do I even begin... I just finished my 3rd week of teaching here at Thai Christian School. My schedule is actually pretty nice with lots of planning time, but truth is I need it because I am having to reteach myself everything before I teach my students.

I am teaching 7th, 8th, and 9th grade math at Thai Christian School's English Program. The English Program basically means that these kids have almost every subject twice, once in English and once in Thai. In addition to that they have Chinese teachers teaching them Chinese. My school is a private school so the kids that go here come from middle to upper middle class families here in Thailand. Sorry to disappoint those of you that thought I was helping the poor kids of Thailand.

I have six classes, 2 of each grade, and I meet with each of them 3 times a week for 50 minutes. The schools over here are pretty different for starters the students in each grade are divided into different classes and these classes are together for the whole year. They don't place students in different classes or levels of subjects based on their ability it's the same for everyone (which makes it extremely hard to teach math!). Also, I do not have a classroom of my own instead each class has their own classroom and the teachers move around.

Every morning starts out with the morning assembly where the students raise the flag while singing the national anthem. Everyone freezes wherever they are when this song or the kings song plays. Apparently it's like illegal or something to be moving during these songs. Afterwards is homeroom for 10 mins and the classes start. The best part of the classes is the way the students greet you when you enter the room. They all stand up and say in unison "Good Morning Teacher Nichole" and when I leave they stand and say "Thank you Teacher Nichole". Can you imagine middle grade students in America doing that? I can't!

As far as classes go so far so good I gave my first test last week to my 7th graders and most of them did pretty well so that's good news! I guess I'm not terrible teacher. I have had to write a few detentions for students not doing homework and one student for throwing a paper airplane in my class!

Jenn and I are headed to Ko Samet for the weekend. It's an island that is about a 3 hour bus ride (plus a ferry ride) from BKK. We are so excited for the beach and sun!!

Below is a picture of my school :)



Xoxo,
Nichole

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