Author: Tarik Shahzad

by Paul Hoffman, Greenheart Travel Teach Abroad Participant in Thailand

This will be my last blog / column post during my teach program in Thailand.  The last sprinkling of Chalk Dust.  It has been a wonderful semester and now it comes to a close….

It seems like just few days ago when I first contacted Anna and Lauren at Greenheart Travel / CCI in Chicago.  I stumbled upon the Greenheart Travel website one day while I was researching the idea of teaching English in Asia.  They, and everyone else at Greenheart, were (and still are) so helpful in this entire process.  I’m sure they probably wondered more than once how one guy can ask so many questions!!  Ha!  The good thing is that their answers led me to Thailand where I’ve been able to teach English for the last five months.  (Anna, do you remember when I phoned you from the San Francisco airport after I had spent the night there because I missed my plane?  I had to laugh during that call – otherwise I would have cried – ha!)

I remember finally stumbling off the plane at midnight in Bangkok – my epic three day travel journey was almost done and I was exhausted!  Armed with the printed directions to the Louis Tavern Hotel, thanks to Phil, I approached the public taxi stand with confidence.  After about 15 seconds dealing with my Bangkok taxi driver, the confidence I had was eroded.  Lesson one was learned: Bangkok taxi drivers are great actors and great salespeople.  I swear the taxi meter was spinning like the exercise wheel in a hamster cage!  Anyway, I made it the hotel, overpaid my taxi driver, and slept for a couple hours before Orientation started.

The one week teacher Orientation was fantastic!  I know I’ve said this before – but it really was an outstanding week.  It was both entertaining and educational.  I had never taught before and the orientation sessions that were led by ex and current English teachers were wonderful!  Those sessions help put me at ease (somewhat) by showing me that making a lesson plan is doable and teaching a class is something that I can handle.  Plus, the orientation sessions that taught us the basic Thai language were very helpful.  I still learn more of the Thai language every day, but those first lessons were a great start!  In addition to all of the classroom training, we also had time for fun – and that was something I didn’t expect.  We went to a traditional Thai puppet show and we went to Kanchanaburi together – what a great time!  Thank you Phil!

The last five months have flown by.  It seems like just yesterday when I met Wattana, my Coordinator, here at school.  She is absolutely fantastic!  I can’t say this enough!  She has been there with me during every step of the whole work permit / visa extension process.  Plus, as a fellow English teacher, she has been an invaluable resource for lesson plans and classroom ideas.  She has answered countless work / school questions from me, helped me with weekend travel plans, and shown me the best restaurants in town.  If it hadn’t been for her, my experience here in Thailand would have been much less enjoyable.  Thank you Wattana!!

Of course, the teaching part of my life here has also been amazing.  I will miss it in October.  I will miss my students.  I will miss acting foolish in class and making my kids learn while they laugh.  I will miss greeting my van driver every morning with a Wai and a smile.  I will miss seeing my students light up when they “get it” and they “say it” right.  I will miss the 15 baht (50 cent) lunches here at school with fresh rice, vegetables, and chicken.  I will miss being handed a fist full of Baht at the end of the month and wondering where I should travel to next.  I will miss my fellow Thai teachers and all of the hyper students in the classroom.  Who knows, maybe I’ll miss it so much that I’ll come back next year….??

Here are few more “You Know You’re a Thailander When This Happens” moments:

*You know you’re a Thailander when you realize that you should have purchased stock in 7-11 and the company that makes Carnation Condensed Milk!

*You know you’re a Thailander when you decide not to walk a half a block and you take a tuk-tuk or motor scooter taxi instead.

*You know you’re a Thailander when you look up in the sky during the day and see a perfect rainbow circle around the sun.  (With hot weather and 457% humidity, it just happens.)

*You know you’re a Thailander when the words ‘Private’ or ‘Privacy’ do not exist in your internal dictionary any longer.

*You know you’re a Thailander when you realize that people here hardly ever get sick and it’s because of the Wai which is the equivalent of a handshake without the actual physical contact.

Have a great day, week, month, and year!  Hopefully my silly little blog has brought you (along with my 3 other readers – ha!) a smile or two….

For now though, we will watch the Chalk Dust settle for the last time.  Best regards, Paul Hoffman

by Paul Hoffman, Greenheart Travel Teach Abroad Participant in Thailand

For the last few days, I’ve been thinking about the atmosphere in the classroom while teaching here in Thailand.  By atmosphere I mean the dynamic or the environment or the feeling in the classroom.  Since I haven’t taught English in other countries (yet) I’m not sure what the classroom atmosphere is like elsewhere, but I do know what it’s like in America because I went to school there.  Even though it’s been a few years since I was in Junior High and High School, and my memory seems to fade with each passing day, I still remember my 7th Grade and 10th Grade years.

During that time, I was a ‘little terror’ in class.  Yes, I was the class clown and class court jester and class comedian.  I was the one who got sent on ‘long errands’ that usually ended up in the Principals’ office.  I was the one who always had to sit up front – usually close to the teachers’ desk or right in front of the teachers’ podium.  I was the one who talked a bit – ok, maybe that’s an understatement – I was the one who talked a LOT!  Holding back my thoughts and opinions never crossed my mind – I just rattled on and on….  I certainly wasn’t the teachers’ pet, but on the other hand, I wasn’t the teachers’ worst nightmare.  I was just a hyper kid who liked to have fun and had trouble closing his mouth when it should have been closed.

Now, I’m the teacher.  Now, I’m the one looking out at the classroom with 45 students.  Now, I’m trying to control a bunch of students who are just like me when I was their age!  What comes around goes around.  I guess it’s Karma.  The shoe’s on the other foot.  A taste of my own medicine.  Life comes full circle.  The universe strikes back.  (Ok, enough with the cliches, I’m sure you get it – ha!)  Before I came to Thailand to teach, I had a vision in my head of what the class would be like:  All the students sitting quietly, looking at the teacher, listening attentively, participating in class, raising their hand and waiting to be called on before speaking, etc, etc.   Well, the reality of the Thailand classroom is a bit different from my vision.  The reality is much closer to what it was like in my 7th Grade classroom in America – controlled chaos!

I’m not a big, tough, mean disciplinarian.  I’m not the type of teacher who carries a ruler and slaps the wrist of an unruly student.  There are different ways to get the students to quite down to a dull roar and participate in class, and I’m the type of teacher who looks for those creative ways to control the class and stay positive at the same time.

The first thing I do is try to keep the in-class topic, and the way that topic / lesson is presented, very interesting and entertaining.  I realize my job is to teach English and that is first and foremost.  I’m not here as a paid comedian, but if I can keep the students interested and involved – they talk less and are less disruptive.  So, I make class fun, I act foolish sometimes, I make jokes, I look silly or act silly, and the kids laugh.  But, they also pay attention and that’s the point.  The second thing I do is try to keep it all in perspective.  Number one, I was major talker in class at their age, so I understand why some kids go nuts sometimes.  Number two, I’m trying to teach them a language that is not their first language and they don’t always understand what I’m talking about or what I’m saying.  They just don’t know all of the words yet – they don’t have a complete grasp on the English vocabulary like I do.  Since they sometimes don’t know what I’m saying, they may become disruptive since they are ‘lost’ in class at that point.  So, I try to keep things simple and I try to get clarification that the students understand what I’m saying before I continue.

While I was in the OEG Orientation back in May of this year, there were times set aside for all of us new teachers to learn the Thai language.  I will never forget the feeling during those Thai lessons.  I was completely lost at times.  I had no idea what was being said or how to say the words I was supposed to say.  When the Thai teacher called on me to speak in Thai, I was terrified!  Most of the time, I was lost during those sessions.  So, I remember that and I realize that at times my students must feel the EXACT same way now that I was feeling back then.  They are trying to learn English just as I was trying to learn Thai.

Now it’s time for more “So You Know You’re In Thailand” moments:

*What is the deal with Thai people holding what looks like a tube of Chap Stick to their nose as they walk around??  It used to make me stop and wonder, now it’s just part of life.  (I think it’s some sort of menthol or eucalyptus smelling stick that helps cover up some of the other wonderful odors that circulate around Thailand!)

*Bare feet are ok here.  In fact, I think some people never wear shoes!  Their soles must be tough!  Sometimes bare feet are a must – like in a Wat or Temple or certain shops.  Just be sure not to use your feet to ‘point’ at anything or use your feet to hold open a door.

*Every little mirror is used as a personal tweezing device!!  This is bizarre!  There is plucking and tweezing and primping and tweaking that happens in public all the time.  I bet you thought those little mirrors on a scooter were for looking behind you – no – they are used for tweezing!  The other day, I saw a woman using a mirror to pluck the hairs in her armpit while she was on the sidewalk in front of her food shop; I just glanced once and kept on walking.  Only in Thailand….

*If there is the slightest excuse for a holiday or a party – there will be one!!!  Sanuk!

*Rubber bands – the “duct tape” of Thailand!

*It finally hit me last week… why does every building, house, apartment, shop, store, restaurant, and indoor area seem different here??  No carpeting!!  It’s true!!  The floors are all tile or cement or wood!  No wonder you always hear the clack clack clack or slap slap slap of flip flops or bare feet in the hall.

*New record:  I was in a 14 person van from Ayutthaya to Suphanburi yesterday.  There were 31 people in the van at one point.  I kid you not!  Of course, most of them were Thai college students who are about the size of a pencil.

by Paul Hoffman, Greenheart Travel Teach Abroad Participant in Thailand

A few days ago, I received an email from a woman who is coming to Thailand to teach English.  It was very interesting for me to read her email and know exactly how she is feeling.  It was just a short time ago when I was feeling the same way.  I was in her shoes.  My thoughts then are her thoughts now.  I’m sure you’ve all heard expressions or clichés about a picture being worth a thousand words, anticipation verses reality, trial by fire, only learn by doing, on the job training, etc, etc….  Well, I now have a 2.5 month perspective and it’s an amazing feeling!

She asked the same questions in her email that I had before leaving America.  How is the school?  How is the city?  How is the food?  What is the cost of living like?  Can you travel around Thailand on the salary that we make?  What should I bring?  What should I pack?  What should I not bring?  What are the living conditions like?  How about the apartment?  And the list goes on….

I thought I might include an excerpt of the email reply that I sent her:

It has been wonderful here in Suphanburi!  When I first learned about my placement, I was disappointed because I wanted to be in Southern Thailand, but this location and this school and our coordinator, Wattana, are all top notch!  I couldn’t have asked for a better placement.  Plus, you’re close to everything – Bangkok is an hour away and then there’s a van or a bus or a train to take you anywhere in the country.  This city is a safe place to live and the cost of living is low.  You’re lucky to get Kanchanapise School.

I wear ‘dockers’ type slacks and a dress shirt for teaching.  You should bring light weight fabric skirts that go to your knees or lower and light weight fabric tops that are fairly conservative.  It’s hot and humid here and you will sweat.  Bring clothing that is easily washed and dried on an outside clothes line.  Wash and wear type stuff.  What ever you do – Pack Light!!  You can always buy stuff here for very cheap!  There is a Tesco Lotus (think Walmart) store that’s close by and you can shop there.

I teach Matteoym (sp?) 1 and 4 – that is the same as 7th grade and 10th grade.  Our school has 7th grade to 12th grade – so you will be teaching two different grade levels, but I don’t know which two.  It’s a BIG school.  Your class size will be about 45 students.  You will meet your classes once per week.  You’ll teach 18 classes per week.  You will have to come up with your own lesson plans.  The fall semester is great because there are many Holidays / days off!

As I said Suphanburi is great.  Very down home.  It’s about 70,000 people – I think.  No one can give you a straight answer on that.  I walk everywhere in this city.  There are buses and trucks and Tuk Tuks, but I find that I can walk everywhere that I need.  The Market area is amazing and there are 100’s (or 1000’s) of food carts and restaurants and places to eat – it’s so cheap!!

This province has some good sites and hopefully your school van driver will take you around the province like he did for me!  It was a great Saturday!  But, you can travel every weekend to new places here in Thailand.  Some are close and others are far.  So, a two day weekend is spent close to Suphanburi or Bangkok, but a long weekend is spent in the farthest reaches of the country!

Your salary will basically allow you to live like a King or Queen.  The pay we get goes a long way here.  You can eat out every day and still travel around the country.  Now, you won’t be staying in five star hotels and eating at 5 star restaurants, but if you budget just a little, you can live VERY comfortably and still travel and see everything.

Pack light!  I can’t stress that enough.  You will be going home with more than you brought.  You can buy almost anything you need right here.  Don’t bring an iron.  Do bring sunscreen and any real special hair products that you might use.  The sun screen here is VERY expensive and some brand name hair products are not available.

You will be at the same apartment complex as all of us.  It’s filled with both local people and many teachers who teach at three different schools in the area.  The apartment is called Yoo Dee Mee Suk.  The apartments sleep one person and they are fairly spacious.  Think basically a studio.  Bathroom is ok with sit down / flushing toilet.  (Bathrooms here in Thailand are normally much different than at home – just be prepared for different.  If you have an open mind and can adjust well, you’ll do fine.)  The apartment has AC, but I use a fan.  If there is no fan in your place, go buy one.  I never turn my AC on.  You will have a TV, but I never turn my on.  You will need a hot water heater / kettle for coffee and noodles and stuff.  If you don’t have one, go buy one.  There is no carpeting.  Everything is tile.  It’s a nice place.  Very secure – thumbprint readers and stuff like that.

Before I came to Thailand, I got a Typhoid vaccine and Hepatitis A or B or C vaccine.  (I can’t remember the type – I think it was C.)  Anyway, I wouldn’t get the Malaria vaccine.  If you get Malaria, you can buy the needed medicine right here in Thailand for 1/3 the price of back home.  Buy it here only if you need it.  Oh yes – buy insect repellent at home and bring it.  Get the good stuff – Deet 40 or 50 %.

The best advice I can give you, is to be open and flexible.  Things don’t always go as planned, but it will be ok in the end.  Remember, this is different from the U.S. – that’s one of the reasons you’re coming here – right?  Thai people don’t get worked up over anything and if you do while you’re here, your time here will be miserable.  Just smile a lot and learn to let things go.  Just chill and relax and enjoy everything.  It’s the journey – right?  Always smile while you’re here!  Treat people here with respect and kindness.  They don’t always understand the U.S. sense of humor and sarcasm.  But, they like to have fun!  Learn some simple Thai language phrases and USE them!  Speaking their language goes a long way!  Don’t worry about your pronunciation or anything like that.  Just speak a little of their language and it will help.  Have fun here!

I saw a T-Shirt this weekend while I was at Koh Samet.  It said:  “Work hard, Travel harder” I love that!

by Paul Hoffman, Greenheart Travel Teach Abroad Participant in Thailand

Each year when I was in grade school we had something called Track and Field Day.  I always loved this event!  We would set aside our normal class schedule on a wonderful day in May and participate in running contests around the track to try and burn up some of our Spring Fever energy.  It was grand, and the best thing was the little box lunch that was served outside!  (You know, a PB & J sandwich with an apple, cookie, and a pint of milk.  This was back before juice boxes, tubes of yogurt, and Lunchables.)

Well, my Grade School Track and Field Day does not hold a candle to the two day event called Sports Days here at Kanchanapise School.  This extravaganza was held last Thursday and Friday and it was amazing!  The students prepare for a few weeks beforehand and their efforts really showed.  Both the students and teachers had a great time and I was happy to be a part of it.

The six different grades of students here are divided into four teams with each team represented by a different color.  (I was a supporter of the Blue Team and I now have a Blue Diamond T-Shirt to bring home as a memento / souvenir!)  There are all different aged students on each team and this makes things a bit more fair.  The main sporting events are: Badminton, Volleyball, Basketball, Table Tennis, Takro, and Football (in the USA we call it soccer for some strange reason).

The very difficult (Thai) sport of Takro is a mixture of Football and Volleyball and is extremely interesting to watch.  Imagine two teams on each side of a small volleyball net.  Each team has three people and they use a light weigh six inch diameter ball that looks like it’s weaved out of flat bamboo strips.  The players can use their feet, heads, knees, chest, etc, etc.  But, they can not use their hands – just like in Football.  The object is to get the ball back and forth over the net and not let it hit the ground or go out of bounds.  Talk about athletic skill and intensity!  As you can imagine, it’s a tough game to play and a great game to watch!

Many activities extended over the two days that were beyond just sports.  There was an incredible amount of drum beating along with yelling and screaming and cheering!  (I have come to the conclusion that the drum beating is an extension of the cheering and it seems that the drums beat faster when one team is about to score or win – it’s very exciting and I think it adds to the whole sport drama vibe.)  The students really get into their sports here!  Plus, there was a parade on the second day complete with music, costumes, and step synchronization.  The teachers and administrators had our own little shaded viewing section decorated with bunting in the school colors and extra speakers to really ‘feel’ the music.  When I say feel, I mean it’s like your rib cage vibrates in time with the beat of the music!  Maybe there were no outdoor lunch boxes, but the two days were fantastic and it’s just another positive aspect of Teaching English in Thailand!

Now, on to more “So You Know Your In Thailand When” moments:

*You can get anything in a plastic bag here!  Yes, it’s true!  You can visit a series of sidewalk vendors and get a complete 4 course meal to go in 4 different plastic bags.  Ask for dinner and they’ll put it into a plastic bag – ask for desert and that’s another plastic bag – ask for a drink and you’ll get a plastic bag filled with ice and Pepsi that is tied off with a straw sticking out.  I wish I owned stock in the plastic bag companies of Thailand!

*Classic Vespas.  If you are a motor scooter aficionado – you will love it here in Thailand!  I have seem some classic Vespas that are in mint condition!  There must be some sort of Vespa Collectors Club here.

*Even if you are like me and hardly ever perspire at home, things will change here in Thailand.  You will sweat.  Period.  Just be prepared to take two or three showers a day!

*Just like in the UK, you must get used to drinking warm beverages here.  Many items are just drank at room temperature.  Or, you can (and probably will) do what most Thai people do and just pour your beer into a cup filled with ice.  Don’t worry, it only feels weird the first time – ha!

*I may have mentioned this before….. sewing machines just seem to pop up like mushrooms on the sidewalk!  These women are busy sewing all day.  What do they do?  What do they sew?  Where do the piles of clothes come from?  They seem oblivious to the crowds of people that rush by constantly as they pump away on their foot pedals….  Good for them!  I’m sure they are making more than enough for a plastic bag dinner!

*A fruit that looks like a Velcro tennis ball ??!!  C’mon!