Forging meaningful connections with both students and colleagues plays a huge role in making teaching in Thailand an enriching experience. Building these relationships not only creates a more engaging learning environment but also enhances our personal growth as educators.
Today, let me share how I’ve cultivated positive connections in and out of the classroom.
Inspiration from Past and Present
“Ever tried.
Ever failed.
No matter.
Try again.
Fail again.
Fail better.”
The above quote can be attributed to the late, great Irish novelist, playwright, and all-around poet Samuel Beckett. Beckett, awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1969, wrote bleak, morose, and tragicomic prose. He is widely celebrated in literary circles, and his work is still studied to this day, more than 30 years after he died in Paris.
I have always found this particular quote inspirational, and I have introduced it to my students in the hope that they can recognise something in it. Of course, we all find different people inspirational, but it’s worth a try.
Building Trust and Motivation in the Classroom
As I endeavor to establish positive relationships with my students, I sometimes think back to my own school days. Which teachers did I perform best for? Or want to perform best for? Which teachers inspired me to do my best? Which did I dislike? And why?
In my experience, the best teachers are those who are motivated to be the best they can be and also motivating for their students. Teachers must also display empathy, as being a teacher can sometimes feel like being a therapist.
Good teachers can change lives, and that is no hyperbole on my part. They can teach students how to think critically, learn across different, multi-faceted subjects, see things differently, and grow as people—not just as students. This is more important than ever in the age of mobile phones, AI, fake news, and more.
Creating a Healthy Learning Environment
My own teaching philosophy is based on values, standards, and goals. I expect all students in my class to respect 4 things:
- Each other.
- The teacher.
- The classroom.
- The subject.
What does this manifest itself as in practice? Well, let’s start with number one. I want all students to respect each other, speak to each other in a way that shows this, not bully or harass each other, and just be good classmates. It’s not too much to ask and is a basic prerequisite to a healthy classroom environment.
Moving on, students should also respect their teacher, the person who, above all else, is trying to improve them, their knowledge, and thus their confidence. I must say that I have largely found Thai students to be very respectful of their teachers. For those who teach English in Thailand, fostering mutual respect makes a world of difference.
I have listed the classroom here. Being somewhat of a clean freak myself, I like an extremely orderly space in which to conduct class. That means clean floors, clean desks, and an absence of food and general rubbish casually left behind at day’s end. And finally, the subject.
I teach Mathematics, and I have the utmost respect for the subject. It teaches that “every problem has a solution” and gives students the tools to make connections they may not otherwise see in life. The first mathematical texts date from the time of Mesopotamia and modern-day Iraq, and some of the greatest minds throughout civilization have been students of Math (you never stop being a student).
If it’s good enough for them, it’s certainly good enough for me. It has been with us since time immemorial. Those are the basic values I encourage in my class.
Balancing Standards and Student Engagement
Generally, teachers are judged on two standards: expectations regarding quality and relevant teaching and personal and professional conduct. Believe it or not, many students look up to us, so it is important to maintain standards across the board as much as possible. Without these standards, we have nothing.
But standards do not just apply to teachers, even if they are judged more thoroughly by those standards. I think students should have high expectations of themselves—be that in the presentation of their work, how much they study, or how they behave in class. You get out of anything how much you put in.
While boosting student engagement and establishing positive student relationships are important facets of the teaching world, I guess that, ultimately, improving students’ performance in Math is my main goal as their teacher. Students should always be comfortable asking their teachers questions, but many are not, particularly in front of their classmates.
Of course, this can be achieved once I have established those positive relationships. Students should always be comfortable asking their teachers questions. But many are not, particularly in front of their classmates. This could be out of an irrational fear of looking stupid or silly, or they may not have the confidence in themselves that they can adequately ask their questions. I always want my students to be welcome to ask questions and actively encourage them.
Sometimes assessing students long-term goals can be important in understanding how they approach a subject. I see that some of my students struggle massively with Math, and I am pretty certain that once they complete M6, they will never look at Maths problems again. I also have students who are flying and have a great interest in getting better, acquiring more knowledge and may one day pursue further studies in the subject. Students can have different goals, some looking just to pass while others looking for much more.
For anyone who plans to teach in Thailand, being approachable and encouraging questions can significantly improve classroom dynamics.
Collaboration and Connection with Fellow Teachers
I am still working in the BFITS English Program (EP) at Buriram Pitthayakhom (BP) School. There are six foreign teachers working in the program, including myself. This year, we have a very positive and work-oriented atmosphere, which has greatly contributed to a healthy office environment.
We have trust, respect, and effective communication, and these are all vital cornerstones of any working relationship. The positive effects of this are increased job satisfaction and decreased staff turnover, as people who are happy in their work are less likely to seek new employment.
It’s easy to get on with good and positive people. I have always enjoyed meeting people from varied backgrounds. It can lead me to open my mind to different perspectives and ideas. I currently work alongside citizens of different countries, including South Africa, England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and the USA. Personally, I love this variety for the reasons I outlined above.
Luckily, I am an outgoing, friendly, and knowledgeable person. This has led me to easily forge positive relationships with co-workers and various people I meet through work. I am comfortable talking about a myriad of different topics, from world politics and history to sports. This has helped me a great deal as we regularly bounce ideas off each other in our shared office regarding various aspects of teaching.
There are other BFITS Programs here at my school (International Program (IP)) that also employ foreign teachers. Still, I also find it important to establish relationships with my Thai colleagues as they can, of course, provide local knowledge regarding teaching and various other aspects of my life here (festivals, restaurants, etc.).
We have had Secret Santa at Christmas, for example, a good way for us all to mix away from the pressures of work. There have been cakes presented on birthdays as well as meals out, and during school trips, we all have no issues mixing and chatting about the various goings on at that moment.
Building these connections opens up many more possibilities for teachers in Thailand to thrive in the classroom and beyond.
Building Connections Beyond the Classroom
My personal opinion is that teaching abroad can be challenging if you’re introverted. However, it’s essential to put yourself out there. Confidence and a willingness to engage with your peers can make a significant difference. Networking—or, as I prefer to call it, being friendly and open—can lead to new opportunities and lasting friendships.
A friend told me once that you should never say no to new things. And I like that advice. We’re all different but have something important in common: we are all educators. There are differing reasons as to why we all got involved in this profession, be that the chance to live and work in “The Land of Smiles,” the opportunity to pass on our knowledge, or the chance to travel in this part of the world but whatever our reasons we’re all here now, all in this together.
Embracing the BFITS Community
Being part of the BFITS family has given me countless opportunities to meet new people and grow both professionally and personally. Whether you’re here to teach English in Thailand, explore its vibrant culture, or pass on your knowledge, we’re all in this together.
I like to make connections inside the wider BFITS community and always welcome the opportunity to shake as many hands as possible when attending occasions such as last term’s The Bright Challenge in Bangkok to introduce myself.
They call it networking. I call it being friendly, open, and honest. Networking is too formal a word for what I experienced there and for what I have experienced being part of the BFITS family these past few years.
So let’s keep on keeping on, and I hope to meet some new faces here this coming school year. Talk soon!
