Be Like Vic: Sharing Essential Tips for Newcomers to Bangkok and Teaching in Thailand

Brosé here with some info, opinions, and suggestions! Sorry, it’s Teacher Vic while I’m at school. Yeah, I’m writing this on my break, on a Friday (TGIF!), ready for the weekend! 😎 Welcome to teaching in Thailand, and welcome to Bangkok, the city with everything you can imagine and don’t wanna imagine (take my word for it, ok? 😉).

A Fresh Perspective on Teaching in Thailand

I have been living in the lovely country of Thailand for over 3 years. I’ll be sharing them in my next writings, and I myself am excited for you to read them; I have also been a teacher here for that same amount of time. That’s right; I came here fresh—no experience with teaching, no experience with Asia or Thailand.

Finding the Right Thai Language Teacher

While I was not completely alone because of BFITS Thailand, I did have to learn many things on my own and adapt myself to two brand-new settings. I picked up a lot of knowledge and understanding from throwing myself headfirst into the deep end. I had my mistakes and successes along the way, neither of which I revere over the other; my accomplishments gave me confidence, and my mistakes gave me a reason to write this. Let me give you, yeah, you who are new to this now, some tips that I learned from my mishaps.

I would suggest for anyone who is new to Thailand to find a Thai language teacher. But beware! When I first came to Thailand, I wanted to learn the language and be as culturally aware as possible. What did I do? I found a Thai language teacher. Now, the teacher I found was definitely not the Thai language teacher I needed. I found this out after I had become a pupil of an actual Thai language teacher. The first teacher was a foreigner…

The Value of Language and Building Connections

As a result of learning some Thai, I have made quite a few acquaintances in cafés, my condo building, local restaurants, and even at the school I work in. I would highly suggest learning the language. You won’t become fluent overnight (years, my friend), but it will lay the groundwork for you to build relationships in the Thai community and help you adapt to the culture as well. Thai people have no problem helping you correct your Thai when they have some semblance of a relationship with you.

Embracing Classroom Challenges and Growth

The thought of teaching a class of teenagers is pretty overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. Coming from the U.S., I didn’t know what to expect over here. We all know most teenagers are wild; we’ve been there ourselves if we can remember back that far.

Connecting with Students and Making Learning Fun

What I had to do was figure out how I could make learning English and Math attractive to them. I mean, hell, I didn’t like school when I was younger. I had to remember that and be in their shoes. Now, what I did enjoy were the charismatic teachers who showed some inkling of care, made class fun and gave tangible rewards for jobs well done. I realized I had to embody that.

Creative Activities: Keeping Students Engaged

Kids, no matter what age they are, like to move around. Make assignments and game activities that have them moving and are close parallels to games you may have played in the schoolyard. I also listen to the kids and ask for their suggestions on what they would like to do in the class. I think because of these, I have created meaningful relationships with the students. It demonstrates that I see them as full humans, not just students who need to complete the work I assign.

Making the Most of Your Thailand Teaching Journey

As you begin your teaching journey in Bangkok and Thailand, keep all of these things in mind. Get your Thai language teacher and vet them. Use the language to help you build a community here and develop cross-cultural acquaintances and friendships. Remember, the kids run the show. So, don’t try to control them—work with them and keep that memory of yourself as a student in the back of your mind.

Whether you want to teach English in Thailand or simply be part of a vibrant educational community, teaching in Thailand offers countless opportunities for growth, especially with BFITS.