Teaching in Chaiyaphum Thailand

Teaching in Chaiyaphum Thailand for 6 weeks was amazing, difficult, and stressful. But worth it.

Teaching at Anuban Chaiyaphum was the start of my stupendous journey of teaching in Thailand.

There were 6 other foreign teachers at Anuban Chaiyaphum.

On the first day of school, one of them came and picked me up. So sweet.

On my first day walking home from school I got lost. I walked by this restaurant and these two ladies were kind enough to help me. I called my advisor from Media Kids and she spoke to them and there I was hopping on the back of my second bike ride. She drove me back to my apartment. Apparently, I took a right instead of a left. Sometimes I amaze myself.

The Thai teachers were so sweet. One of them got me some dried strawberries from the northern part of Thailand. Sometimes she’d bring me random food which was awesome. I love trying new food. And then, on my last day, she gave me a skirt. So cute 💗

Before Thailand, I had never taught before. Soooo, teaching a room full of 40+ students was A LOT of work. I had to use a microphone and even then it was hard to hear myself. I never knew my voice could go so high.

I worked Monday-Friday. The English teachers had to do a morning talk once a week and we had to go on stage.. in front of the whole school 😟 It was embarrassing for me because I was a horrible MC.

The kids were cute though. I had P6 which was ages 11-12ish and then I had K3 which was 4 (I think). I actually forget their ages but I think I’m kinda right. Either way, they were all adorable. It was fun but also super stressful and overwhelming.

I began teaching in Chaiyaphum through Xplore Asia

Then, Xplore Asia handed me off to Media Kids. Media Kids was okay to work for. I had heard some mixed things about them before going to Thailand. They gave you the curriculum and you just had to make the lessons enjoyable and exciting. It was hard keeping 40+ students’ attention but it worked with the ones that actually wanted to learn.

There was no AC in any of the rooms so I had to plug the fan in to prevent the sweat from dripping off of my face. It was dry and scorching at all times in Thailand.

Thailand’s weather is quite interesting. The rainy season is between June and October. But even when it rains it is HOT.

I’d bring flip flops to school with me in case it decided to pour all of a sudden. Gooood times.

They have a huuuuge turnover of English teachers. Not only just in Thailand but everywhere. So I think it is hard for the students to engage themselves in the subject when they have a new teacher every few weeks. That’s one of the reasons why I think teaching in Chaiyaphum was so tough.

I interviewed with Christina’s agency, Sine. She was one of the girls who I met through Xplore Asia. A few weeks later, I was off to Bangkok with a few friends that were in Chaiyaphum: Anna and Amy (Dina had already left). We also met Christina and Teddy there. Teddy also worked for Sine. Anna was this super cool girl that I worked with at Anuban Chaiyaphum.

My last day at Anuban Chaiyaphum with all of my kids was emotional. Of course, I cried.

Honestly, I never knew how emotional I was until I met those students. There was this one student who just followed me around and kept hugging me. It was so precious.

Chaiyaphum was a cute little town with great food. I miss it. I think Thailand in general had such a great impact on my life. Everything that happened there will always be a fond memory.

I never noticed how much 6 weeks could go by so quickly, but also make such an impact on your life.

Teaching in Chaiyaphum was merely the start of my Thailand journey.