Overall, my experience as a high school teacher has been very good. Although there were challenging moments, I wouldn't change the circumstances of my experience for any reason.
After arriving in Thailand and spending a week in Bangkok getting used to the climate and the time difference, it was off to Sukhothai for a week of orientation and teacher training. Safe and comfortable accommodations were only a hundred feet or so down the street from Kid's English - Thailand's (KET's) lounge, classrooms and offices. There was so much to absorb, but I was in good company with other foreign teachers, and KET's patient, knowledgeable and friendly staff were there to help us get adjusted. We went to a nearby shopping center for foodstuffs and supplies, then were able to store them in the lounge/cafeteria.
Within 6 days of training and orientation, we had instruction in Basic Thai language (learning numbers, greetings, foods, etc), Thai culture, lesson planning, creating a curriculum and associated classroom activities, use of classroom technology, and the principles and responsibilities of being a teacher. We also participated in a one-day English Camp program for a local grade school.
The week of orientation also included an excursion into Old Sukhothai where we visited beautiful public parks and the ruins of an ancient temple. We also stopped by a beautiful small resort and cafe situated next to a scenic rice field and enjoyed soft drinks, teas and coffees. KET staff coordinated meals and cooked lunch for us on several occasions - a tasty introduction to Thai food.
Finally, with orientation finished, off I went to Lampang, a small city in the North that I had never heard of prior to my arrival in Thailand, but definitely a place that has grown on me ever since I've been living there. When time came to go over the border to get non-B residence visas and work permits, KET staff members were helpful in resolving any issues that came up and answering any questions. I'm a bit OCD when it comes to paperwork. I always like to make sure that all i's are dotted and all t's are crossed. KET staff understood, and they were willing to help.
The process of getting to understand my Thai co-teachers and colleagues, and fitting into the system at my school as I learned the daily ins and outs of being there, was a bit daunting and frustrating at times. There were admittedly days that were a bit stressful. But KET staff, particularly Mr. Matthew John, always made time for me so I could iron things out in my mind. It was those conversations about how Thai people see the world and how they order their society that helped me to understand those inevitable moments of 'culture clash'. He listened with a sympathetic ear, but he was also careful to help me understand how they see situations through their eyes. This is always the toughest part of actually being immersed in a culture in daily life. Visiting is one thing, but depending on the social and physical infrastructure, both great and not-so-great, is quite another.
Overall, I am grateful for KET assisting me in beginning this new chapter of my life as a teacher in a foreign country. I can't believe that I am almost at the end of my first-year contract with KET. Fortunately, they have helped me find placement in another school in Phichit, Central Thailand. People will often tell you that it's just as easy to find a teaching position without a placement agency. But now that I have made the leap to teach in a foreign country, I would advise anyone to use an agency such as KET for at least the first year or two, and longer if needed. It is better to have backup from an agency in case situations arise at your school. You have a network of people to listen to and properly advise you.
In conclusion, I would definitely suggest partnering with Kids' English - Thailand if you choose to teach in Thailand. They bring years of experience in education and teaching, social and cultural knowledge and invaluable support to their recruits.
Kru Kathy
