It doesn’t seem like long ago I was chilling out on Koh Chang island, watching the world go by, and listening to the peaceful hum of the sea. It couldn’t last. Nor should it. If you were always on holiday, would it even be a holiday?
The new school year always seems to roll around so fast, and here we are, smack bang in the middle of Term 1 all over again. I myself, a Math teacher in the English Program at Buriram Pitthayakhom (BP) School, resumed full-time classes in May. For anyone coming here to teach in Thailand, that sudden shift from relaxation to preparation is something we are all familiar with.
Preparation Week and New Beginnings
Before our return to full-time classes, we had a preparation week, during which a selection of our classes returned early to meet their new teachers for the first time and to familiarize themselves with the school’s layout. This is particularly beneficial for our new M1 (Grade 7) students each year, as it gives them the opportunity to experience high school for the first time and interact with their new classmates.
Preparation week is always a little more relaxed than a typical school week, as new students get to know us and have their first lesson, and we reconnect with our returning students. Personally, I like to incorporate some games and activities into this week and to give the students a ‘soft’ introduction to high-school Math before I hit them with the tough stuff a few weeks later.
It’s been a positive start to the year. We accepted 31 new M1 students into our English Program here, and they have been a very welcome addition. They’re a bright bunch, if a little overexcited at times, as M1s are wont to be. In the first year of high school, Math is crucial for fostering an understanding of concepts that students will encounter over the next six years. All the pieces do indeed matter.
Watching Students Grow with Confidence
One of the most satisfying aspects of the new school year for me so far has been to see a marked improvement in some of my returning students. Students who may have struggled with concepts last year, now having a firmer idea of what they are doing, is truly a remarkable thing to see and fills me with great pride. Potential should be valued, nourished, and allowed to blossom. I see myself as a facilitator of such potential.
For those who teach English in Thailand, these moments of progress remind us why we are here. Beyond exams and grades, it’s about sparking curiosity and celebrating small victories.
Celebrations and School Spirit
Not long into the new school year, on May 31st, we celebrated Her Majesty the Queen’s birthday with a longer-than-usual assembly. All of the students and teachers gathered for the raising of the flag and the national anthem, and then photos were taken to capture this joyous occasion. There were various speakers in the morning as well.
Having been here a number of years now, I do appreciate the pomp and ceremony involved in all Thai celebrations of this nature. There is always great colour, super enthusiasm, and outstanding participation from all involved. I myself am no different and always enjoy these moments.
The term has already been jam-packed and will only get busier from here on out. We have already started preparing for our Open House competition. This is an Isaan-based competition taking place in Kalasin in the coming months. It involves a Math and Science project, as well as the opportunity for different students to showcase various English language skills, such as storytelling and impromptu speech.
Expectations, Standards, and Teaching Life
I consider myself to be an eternal optimist. I was determined to start the new school year in a positive manner. It’s natural for there to be a mix of emotions as we return, teachers and students alike. That first class, that first test, that first tantrum. It’s a mix of things in every school, which makes every day exciting, but can, of course, lead to natural anxiety for those who can be affected in that manner.
In June, our typical working week was pleasantly interrupted by Wai Kru, or Teacher’s Day, a celebration of us as educators and an appreciation of the hard work we do. It is an occasion where students pay their respects to their different teachers. My students have enriched my teaching life in wonderful ways, surprising me every day with their intelligence and abilities.
I like to start the new school year as I mean to go on. I have the exact expectations for all of my students, regardless of their natural ability. That expectation is that they do their best. That’s all I can ever ask for. If the students give me that, I’m a happy teacher.
In any job you do and in any walk of life, if you don’t have standards, you have nothing worthwhile. I hope that all the little things I do can seep into the students’ subconscious and positively influence their own behaviors. For many teachers in Thailand, this balance of structure and care is what keeps the classroom thriving.
Mid-Term Reflections and Student Confidence
We are fast approaching our exams here in Buriram. As I strive to have each and every one of my students sufficiently prepared, I sometimes stop and think to myself that, important as exams are, I am almost just as pleased to see the social improvements of some of my students.
Students who were previously shy and kept to themselves are now coming out of their shells and participating more in class, as well as mixing more with their classmates. Seeing a child’s confidence grow over time is a wonderful thing, and I like to think that the atmosphere of inclusion I hope to create in my class has contributed somewhat to this.
Every year, we lose some students here. Some naturally graduate after 6 years of study in our program. Others move on to new pastures. That’s normal, such is life. A number of these students have returned for a visit in recent weeks. They wanted to call in and say hello to us, their old teachers.
It’s heartening to see an old student of yours who has graduated from high school and is now awaiting the start of the university year. It feels like a natural cycle as the wheel keeps turning. In the rhythm of teaching in Thailand, these transformations are as meaningful as any grade.
Looking Ahead to What’s Next
As I look through the calendar of events planned for the coming weeks, I see Sports Week, I see Science Day, and I see visits from ASEAN Ministers—lots to keep me busy. But I’ve always loved being busy; it keeps me focused. Being idle would be a different planet to me at this stage.
Classes so far have been a great success, and we still have many more weeks and months to go in this term, but I wanted to share my feelings on how things have developed here. For anyone who wants to teach in Thailand, I’d say this: the journey is filled with challenges and growth, but it’s worth every moment.
I would love to hear from other teachers in the BFITS community — how are you handling the new term, both the good and the bad, and what are your hopes for the rest of the school year?
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