Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from December, 2017

Quotes About Education & Learning, Part V

Language reproduces the world, but in doing so, organizes the world like language. – Émile Benveniste Books make epochs and nations like epochs and nations make books. – Jean-Jacques Ampère Linguistic history is basically the darkest of the dark arts, the only means to conjure up the ghosts of vanished centuries. With linguistic history we reach furthest back into the mystery: humankind. – Cola Minis Ultimately, education in its real sense is the pursuit of truth. It is an endless journey through knowledge and enlightenment. – A. P. J. Abdul Kalam The arts personalize knowledge and visions, demanding an ever growing development of the mind and spirit. We do our children and our country ill service by not supporting them adequately in our schools. – Shirley Trusty Corey The truth that a work of art seeks is the universal truth of that which is singular. – Michel Deguy Art is a lie which brings us closer to the truth. – Pablo Picasso Who searches for truth runs the ris

Classroom Supplies for Teaching English

Markers, pencil crayons, pastels and other art supplies encourage creativity in your student's work! I don't even want to think about how much money I've spent on my students, the classroom and the school. Of course, as a teacher, you are not technically obligated to buy classroom supplies, but without them, your job is a lot harder and less fun. Your school will most likely have the essentials for you such as pens, pencils, paper, white board markers, scissors, tape, stapler, staples, etc. However, you may need to ask someone where these supplies are located. For the extras like stickers and art supplies, I recommend buying the cheapest products possible as they will run out fast when you're teaching hundreds of students. The dollar store has a great supply of stickers and colouring books. I also found quite a few good quality activity and sticker books at Marden's Surplus and Salvage in Maine. (https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g405

Giving Back to Your Community in Thailand

There is poverty in Thailand, there are people struggling to eat, there are homeless people, there are unwashed, unkempt poor people without access to sanitation or toilet facilities. While living in Thailand, you will undoubtedly see varying levels of socioeconomic disenfranchisement and it will stun you.  As foreigners, as people lucky enough to travel and privileged enough to become teachers, it is a moral imperative that we give back as much and as often as we can.  Here is a great list of Thai charities you can donate to or volunteer for: Image from: Foundation for the Better Life of Children http://bk.asia-city.com/city-living/article/get-involved Practicing gratitude is a great way to rejuvinate your sense of purpose when the trials of teaching in a foreign country get you down. At the end of the day, despite minor annoyances such as students forgetting their homework, missing tests, the heat, the rain, feeling exhausted or being dissappointed in yours

Teaching in Thailand

Here are some basic tips you will want to know if you plan to teach Thailand. I've taught in the rural countryside for three semesters in northeastern Thailand, so some of these observations may not apply in Bangkok or other large cities, but should generally hold true for the Esan area (northeastern provinces). The application process and orientation go by very fast, so make sure you ask your recruiter for specifics and pay attention to details. Always ask what, where, when, how, how much and how long. Don’t ask why though, because you won’t get answers. T he accommodations may not be what you expected . If the company says t he accommodations are "rustic", it may mean that part of your living space has unfortunate openings or crevices through which cockroaches, hunter spiders, mosquitos, flies, unknown insects, and gec kos can enter ! You might be expected to fold your hands together and stand for the morning Thai prayer. I'm not a B