(The picture to the left is the kids playing soccer on the field in the middle of campus, Christin and I watched them for a minute during our lunch break...they actually are pulled out of classess for these games!!Middle right: Our dinner cruise a few nights ago)
Today was my first day actually in the classroom observing and I loved it! Christin and I are in the EIP building (English Immersion Program) so we are teaching all subject matter, whereas the other three girls are in the IEP (Intensive English Program) so they are teaching only English. The students and parents get either one of those programs, or the Thai only program where they are taught by thai teachers in thai. I am really glad I'm teaching in the EIP because my students are more fluent in English, and I am able to teach all subject matters which will help me in preparing to teach once I graduate. I am team teaching with three different teachers in grades 2nd and 3rd and I cannot wait. I loved all of my cooperating teachers and my two main advisors, so it helps my nerves going into my first student teaching placement! I observed my supervisors two classes today (6th grade science) and it was interesting to see how behavior management works in Thai classrooms, because as I mentioned before it is tremendously different than ours. He let the students out 15 minutes early and the school is fenced in with security so when they are not in class they are allowed to just run all over with no supervision which seems so crazy to me. I think they pay attention in class because they are allowed so much freedom inside and outside of the class to get all of their chatter and energy out. The schools co
lors are purple (yeaah Epsilon!!) which I love, and they presented us with little fanny packs yeste
rday and a purple collared shirt to wear today. We have an hour lunch break so our advisor, Chris, took us to a nearby coffee shop and bought us a delicious american breakfast for lunch! It is going to be difficult to go back to the uptight strict standards of the classrooms and schools in the states! One thing I already think I will have trouble with his memorizing and pronouncing my students names because they are so different than what I am use to. Also, I have trouble understanding what they are saying in English because they speak so fast and use tones that we don't. It amazes me how intent they are during class and their willingness to soak in every word you say. These kids are very bright, I mean obviously, most of them are already speaking two languages! Sorry for all you non-family or non-teachers, I'm sure this blog really bores you, but today was the first day of the rest of my life!! haha, I'm just glad it went well. They asked Christin and I to go on a teachers field trip friday to check out an area they want to take the kids for summer camp (and we get to ride fourwheelers and stuff!!) Picture below was the room where we all 6 got thai massages yesterday..."Health Land" is our favorite part of each day:)
hey allison, I am really enjoying reading your blog..sounds like you gals are having a great time. I so wish I could have done a placement outside the states but I dont think my kids would like to be without me for that long. Keep up the great blogs...and I find this one very interesting....I'll be starting my placement next week at Cleveland Middle School. Looks like we will all be Graduating in May together..woo hoo
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