As mentioned previously, I would like to focus a lot more on the alphabet during the upcoming school year than is covered in our curriculum. It is very important to me that our children have that base on which to build in future years. Thus, most of the materials I have created this month deal … Continue reading Teaching Thailand #4: Alphabet Materials
Teaching in Thailand
Teaching Thailand #3: On Starting a New School Year
Every year since 2020 has seen months of delays and indecision with distance-learning ultimately winning out. With COVID-19 falling farther into the past, the one known fact in 2023 is that all of the government schools will begin classes on 15 May. It is just the contracts between the staffing agencies and the schools themselves … Continue reading Teaching Thailand #3: On Starting a New School Year
Teaching Thailand #2: Focusing on the Alphabet
In "Teaching Thailand #1: My Past and Present", I wrote that I have not been teaching full-time Kindergarten for very long -- just over one year in which I taught this level exclusively. The school at which I taught last year (and to which I hope to return) had five levels: two Pre-K (which they … Continue reading Teaching Thailand #2: Focusing on the Alphabet
Teaching Thailand #1: My Past & Present
16 Years Teaching EVERYTHING! Graduation from my TEFL course in Patong, Phuket, 2006-10-05 Wai Kru ceremony, Kajonkietsuksa, Phuket 2007-06-14 Queen's Birthday ceremony, Saphan Hin, Phuket 2007-08-12 Christmas Show production, Kajonkietsuksa, Phuket 2008-12-24 I have been a Teacher of English as a Second Language in southern Thailand since April 2007. For the most part, it has … Continue reading Teaching Thailand #1: My Past & Present
The End of an Era
Today, I received the news that the teaching agency which I have worked at since early July 2011 would be unable to renew the contracts it holds with area schools. One of the more ridiculous aspects of the Thai education system is that the agencies -- those companies that act as liaison between the schools … Continue reading The End of an Era
Phuket Weekly 2022 #3 (15-21 January)
It was a relatively calm week. Sunday was National Teachers' Day which meant nothing as it was a regular day off (my usual two-hour in-house class cancelled due to the continuing pandemic situation). I did receive a few well-wishes from my students so that was nice. Mostly, I spent the day preparing my new laptop … Continue reading Phuket Weekly 2022 #3 (15-21 January)
Christmas In Thailand: 2021, Part Three
Merry Christmas! At last, the day is here. And it is HOT in southern Thailand, as expected. I slept in somewhat later than my usual early morning awakenings and spent some time on household chores. My big plan for today is to order a food delivery (lunch or early dinner?) and then to wander around … Continue reading Christmas In Thailand: 2021, Part Three
Daily Phuket #95: 13 December 2021 – Wonderful Workshop
Today, my Camp Crew held our first English Camp/Activity Day since pre-pandemic times. Effective with this particular event, I decided we should call the one-day sessions "workshops". This one was absolutely wonderful due to the hard work put in by everyone involved. I cannot remember the last time one of our activities went so smoothly. … Continue reading Daily Phuket #95: 13 December 2021 – Wonderful Workshop
Daily Phuket #86: 30 November 2021 – Happy for In-House
Within the teaching agency that I work for, "in-house" lessons refer to those conducted in the classrooms at our facility at the Central Festival shopping mall while "outside contract" lessons are those in the various schools around the province (and a few off-island). For the first year that I worked for this company, I did … Continue reading Daily Phuket #86: 30 November 2021 – Happy for In-House
Daily Phuket #85: 29 November 2021 – Waiting, Waiting, and Still Waiting…
I was really hoping that I would be able to report back something more positive than yesterday's post. Unfortunately, that just is not the case. To give some indication of how FUBAR this morning was, I was back home by 10:30. I still have no idea when I will begin classes at this school nor, … Continue reading Daily Phuket #85: 29 November 2021 – Waiting, Waiting, and Still Waiting…
Mark Joseph Jochim 