Teaching at a Thai School

From Michelle Chintanaphol who is interning in Thailand:
Today's my second-to-last day with the Mechai Pattana School, and it is so wonderful that I hate to leave so soon. Yesterday, I helped teach a class at MPS for the first time (before I had just assisted) with the English teacher who the students call "Teacher Hugh." The first class with the seventh grade was an extremely enlightening experience. I never thought teaching could be so hard! The students were not paying attention the whole time and everyone was chatting and talking so loud. I had to work hard to settle the students down.

The next class with the eighth grade was better since Teacher Hugh and I changed the style of teaching. Today, I created worksheets on contractions and since Teacher Hugh was busy at a workshop, I taught the class myself. I was very pleased with the students' behavior, and I felt that they really learned the lesson.

At the Mechai Pattana School, the style of teaching is vastly different than other Thai government schools. They give more freedom to the students, (other schools use sticks to discipline the students), but it comes at a price. It is harder to get the students to pay attention at MPS, but I am glad that they do not use the same method of discipline.

When I return, I will be writing a paper about Thai teaching methods and report on my experience as well as how the teachers should teach in order to discipline the students without using abuse. I wish I had more time (even a year or more) to look at the Thai educational system and the system of this school! I certainly hope to come back. This weekend I plan to travel to Bangkok to visit with my father and other relatives before coming home.