First Impressions of Bangkok
Well I thought I'd start this blog to keep you as up-to-date as I can of our adventures in Thailand!
Since arriving in Bangkok I have been pretty much non-stop with work. When we arrived we were taken to a basic hotel close to my school, so it was handy. The following day after we looked at some different properties and eventually decided on the one for us. It is a fairly new condo called 'Four Wings'. We have fitness membership for the year which means that we have access to the condo pool, hotel pool, gym, squash, badminton, basketball, table tennis, yoga/aerobics classes and a couple of other things!! We are enjoying our comfy western style living!
We didn't move in til the Thursday so ended up staying in a really nice hotel for our third night.
On the Saturday I had the first of my 3 day Thai Culture course that was completed on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I had school INSETs.
Impressions so far of teaching in a Thai International School
Let's start with the fact that I only have 15 children, quite nice when use to 30! I get at least one session free each day as I don't teach Thai, PE, Music or French/Mandarin. I have a break duty for morning break and lunchtime, however this is nothing like in England as the children seem very mellow and rarely (none!) any issues. There isn't actually a playground. The children play on a field, climbing frame or walk along the outside corridor. I buy my food from the canteen everyday with my coupons which is normally a choice of a noodle dish, rice dish or more western (which costs more) consisting of chips and some type of meat. Oh yes... I mustn't forget my daily shaved ice with a choice of 3 toppings and syrup!!
It has been quite frustrating at times, but I don't want to go too much into that! We have easy access to a B/W printer, but for colour I have to go to the office to print out. Also, photocopying has to be handed in at least 24hours before needed to the photocopying guy (so this means I need to be more organised - not sure that's a bad thing!!). Oh, and having access to laminates, a trimmer (not the nice ones we use in UK but quick pull down leaver while chopping off a few fingers in the process!!). I'll stop there!!!
One more thing that made me smile today and I had to resist laughing, when the children sing in a big group it sounds lovely and very American. My voice sounds so English amongst them!
Well I'll stop for now and let you get on with your own lives! Do leave any comments as I will enjoy reading them.
Since arriving in Bangkok I have been pretty much non-stop with work. When we arrived we were taken to a basic hotel close to my school, so it was handy. The following day after we looked at some different properties and eventually decided on the one for us. It is a fairly new condo called 'Four Wings'. We have fitness membership for the year which means that we have access to the condo pool, hotel pool, gym, squash, badminton, basketball, table tennis, yoga/aerobics classes and a couple of other things!! We are enjoying our comfy western style living!
We didn't move in til the Thursday so ended up staying in a really nice hotel for our third night.
On the Saturday I had the first of my 3 day Thai Culture course that was completed on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I had school INSETs.
Impressions so far of teaching in a Thai International School
Let's start with the fact that I only have 15 children, quite nice when use to 30! I get at least one session free each day as I don't teach Thai, PE, Music or French/Mandarin. I have a break duty for morning break and lunchtime, however this is nothing like in England as the children seem very mellow and rarely (none!) any issues. There isn't actually a playground. The children play on a field, climbing frame or walk along the outside corridor. I buy my food from the canteen everyday with my coupons which is normally a choice of a noodle dish, rice dish or more western (which costs more) consisting of chips and some type of meat. Oh yes... I mustn't forget my daily shaved ice with a choice of 3 toppings and syrup!!
It has been quite frustrating at times, but I don't want to go too much into that! We have easy access to a B/W printer, but for colour I have to go to the office to print out. Also, photocopying has to be handed in at least 24hours before needed to the photocopying guy (so this means I need to be more organised - not sure that's a bad thing!!). Oh, and having access to laminates, a trimmer (not the nice ones we use in UK but quick pull down leaver while chopping off a few fingers in the process!!). I'll stop there!!!
One more thing that made me smile today and I had to resist laughing, when the children sing in a big group it sounds lovely and very American. My voice sounds so English amongst them!
Well I'll stop for now and let you get on with your own lives! Do leave any comments as I will enjoy reading them.
Enjoyed catching up on your news!
ReplyDeleteThink you've done well to get everything so sorted in such a short space of time.
School reminds me of what life used to be like in UK schools before all the technology happened! Have fun!
yay...looking forward to reading your blog Becky, especially all the school stuff. I would be useless with the photocopying system...my own system is nip outside the classroom during the lesson to photocopy what I need for that lesson!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are settled in. Looks a lovely place. What a wonderful classroom and only 15 good children. Must be less stressful than here!! Look forward to reading all about it.
ReplyDelete