Udon Thani Timekhon kaen isaan thailand
khon kaen isaan thailand
khon kaen isaan thailand
An Early Influence That Helped My TEFL Career
Twenty-seven long days ago, I finished a second one-year contact at the High School I teach English at in Northeast Thailand. Twenty-seven short years ago I was a freshman in High School in California. Everyone was required to take a foreign language. I chose Spanish. I don’t recall why, but I’m glad I did. It was a decision that changed my life, and is largely responsible for why I am fluent in Spanish to this day and, more importantly, why I enjoy and am effective at teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) here in Thailand.
I have not seen Senor Kaska for twenty-three years, but I can picture his face as clear as day. Mr. Kaska was a native Spanish speaker from Panama. I enjoyed his classes more than any other class I took in High School. I chose to take four years of Spanish, in fact, and Teacher Kaska taught all four of those years. What was so special about this dude from Panama?
Mr. Kaska had knowledge and experience. There is a big difference between the two. I have a degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Michigan, but that in no way prepared me for stepping into a classroom of fifty-one screaming twelve-year-olds six years ago in Chaiyaphum, Thailand! Mr. Kaska had taught Spanish in Panama, and had been teaching Spanish in California for over ten years. He was educated, trained, professional, degreed, and experienced. But I didn’t know any of that when I was fourteen, just starting his class.
What I experienced with him initially, and throughout the four years, was far more important. He had a great sense of humor. He was entertaining without acting like a clown. He was kind, patient, and compassionate without being a pushover. He laid down the law if he had to, but never abused his power. If you had a question after class, he always had time for you. If you saw him in the hall, he would acknowledge you-in Spanish, of course — with eye contact and a smile. He would speak English briefly in class if it helped comprehension. (Where did this fallacious and inane idea that never speaking Thai in an English class in Thailand is a good thing originate?) One time, he arranged a field trip to a largely Latino part of the Mission District of San Francisco for the entire class. What a fantastic learning experience that was. I recall all of this quite clearly, and Senor Kaska’s influence on my TEFL teaching style has been tremendous.
I’m sure not all of my fellow classmates were as interested in — or as respectful to — Senor Kaska as I was. I do recall some kids getting out of hand, and no doubt Mr. Kaska had to deal with living in a culture quite different from the one he was born in, especially early in his career. I wonder how he dealt with being disrespected, or frequently ignored? How did he deal with being a stranger in a strange land? Probably the same way I do, and that involves a very specific attitude. This attitude will be detailed in the next article.
Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) in Thailand has been anything but boring. There are times I hate it, but for the most part, it’s interesting and rewarding. Thank God I had such a good role model in Mr. Kaska, and many other great teachers over the years. My students and I owe them a great deal.
Mr. Walker has been teaching English in the isaan area of Thailand for six years. Recently, his wife and he have started a new business in Khon Kaen that focuses on education and travel.
Bus to Khon Kaen, Isaan Thailand
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Tags: Bangkok, Isaan, Isan, Khon Kaen, Panama, Teaching English as a foreign language, thailand, University of Michigan
