Move to Thailand. Check. Train in TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language). Check. Complete internship in Kamphaeng Phet. Check.
6 months ago I was on a plane starting this adventure and had no freaking clue what I was doing or where I would end up. I'm still pretty clueless when it comes to teaching, but I'm lightyears ahead of what I was. I know more about the ass-backwards school system in Thailand than I ever thought possible and closed out my first semester as a teacher.
Anything above 50% is a pass. Finals are worth 30% of the grade.
To finish my initial contract, I had to create, administer, and finalize final tests and final grades for my ~200 students. Fun fact: Thai schools are nuts. One of their craziest policies is "no student is allowed to fail." That's right, grades are insignificant. The school "loses face" if a student fails, which is bad karma. Bad karma goes against Thai beliefs. So, they simply pass everyone. Mai pan rai.
Students are moving to their next grade no matter what, and the older kids have figured this out. They know they can do nothing and still pass, which makes them absolute joys to deal with in class (read: kill me).
I'm supposed to pass student 12, 14, and 15, who have 17%, 24%, and 7.9% out of 70%, respectively? K.
Another fun fact: teacher bias is real. When grading, I go easy on the kids I like and who try. The kids who do nothing all semester get the grade that's coming to them. My favorites get the grade I think they need after overlooking minor mistakes that were, clearly, accidents. Since grades don't matter, I don't see the problem.
It's alright, honey. I know that you know what 14 minus 5 equals.
Clearly, this was an accident in spelling. I know what you meant, darling.
Besides, it's a blatant lie that some of my kids get passing grades when they have, quite literally, done nothing all semester. I just wonder how many of my grades growing up had to do with how much the teacher liked (or didn't like) me?
Time is by far the hardest thing I taught all year. Thai time is based on a 6-hour clock, so kids are clueless on 12 and 24 hour systems as illustrated above.
Guess what?! ALL THESE KIDS PASS WITH AN AUTOMATIC 50%!!! HOORAY!
Final for the kid who's got 8% out of 70%. Solid effort, bud.
Really learned a lot about mass this term, huh kid?
So, what's next? "The world is my oyster" as they say. I can go anywhere in the world and teach English. But, alas, nothing is that simple. Work permits and visas are a huge factor in deciding my next move. Turns out, it's easier for me to stay at my current school for another year. Mainly, so I can travel the next 6 weeks over "summer" break without having to worry about getting back into the country when school starts. Plus, I've moved 4 times since I've been here. Staying in one place for awhile is paramount for my sanity.
I've never had a vacation like the one I'm about to start: 6 consecutive weeks off without worrying about work one single time. No emails to check. No phone calls to take. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. You think corporate America would allow for this kind of holiday? Umm, hell-to-the-no. Traveling like this is the #1 reason I gave up on corporate America and moved halfway around the globe. I haven't had a vacation like this in... ever.
Bangkok > Perth
Perth > Manila
Coron > Siem Reap
Siem Reap > Hanoi
I think some bets are still going around on how long I'll make it in Thailand. Whoever had the under on 6 months (cough... Daniel... cough) needs to rethink their wager.