Sawatdee Krab Chiang Rai!!

It's half way through my second full day in Chiang Rai at Mae Lao Wittayakom School and I love it here!! I taught my first class today, a relatively small class of 20 students in Matayom 4/1. This essentially means that they are the equivalent of 10th graders in the states. The "1" refers to their ability level, level 1 being the highest. The students were very smart and seemed very excited to learn. My lesson might have been too easy for them, but they were forced to speak a lot through my games and activities, so perhaps they will be more comfortable speaking English on a daily basis.

Yesterday I had the chance to observe three classes. Two were taught by my host teacher, Ajarn Jao (Jiriporn) and another was taught by a recent graduate of a University in Chiang Rai. Some students are more willing to speak than others, it seems, so I'll probably have my work cut out for me! Nonetheless, I enjoy the challenge. I really want to be the best teacher I can be!

I feel extremely welcome at Mae Lao. All of the faculty and staff have been very inviting and very helpful. I have my very own desk here at the school! And my house is beyond awesome! I feel bad, in a way, for having such a wonderful place when I know the other Fulbrighters have a lot less, but I also feel really good about all of the convenience. The owners of the "resort" I'm staying at have asked me to call them grandma and grandpa - Khun Yai and Khun Dtaa. I find that really comforting. I don't know how I got this lucky, but Khun Yai will be fixing me dinner every evening during the week and all three meals on the weekend!!! Of course, I will be paying her extra, but it's just amazing to me how set up I am here!

Ajarn Jao told me I would be teaching around 21 periods each week, which seems like quite a bunch. It's not really that bad, though. I will see each class only once a week, so one or two lesson plans, depending on which levels I teach, will get me through the week! I figure I will be teaching all of the Matayom levels, the equivalent of 7th through 12th grade. My plan, as a "Conversational English" teacher, is to steadily build a long conversation throughout the classes. So I started today with introducing myself and some simple greetings. I'll build up to expressing feelings and emotions, telling about hobbies and activities, giving directions, etc. If I am asked to give a final exam, it would make sense for me to give an oral exam. Maybe I'll split students into pairs and have them create a long conversation and speak it to me... Who knows! No need to worry about that now.

I'll post pictures of the house and school when I get a chance! Just wanted to let everyone know I'm doing great!

My new address:

Brad Foster
Maelaowittayakom School
Chiangrai - Chiangmai Road
Dongmada Sub-district
Muang District
Chiang Rai
57250
Thailand

I don't know what most of that refers to, but they tell me if you write that, I will be able to get your mail!