Assignment 1: Introduction

Hello, I’m Tariro, and I’m about to start a six-month fellowship teaching English in Thailand. Having recently graduated from Oxford University, I’m at a point in my life where I’m looking forward to a new chapter that involves both travel and teaching. Thailand’s unique blend of cultural richness and natural beauty has drawn me in. While I expect some challenges, primarily related to the language barrier, I’m genuinely excited about the opportunity to learn Thai to overcome them. This experience is not just about discovering Thailand; it’s also a journey of self-discovery and a chance to connect with others. It’s an adventure that promises personal growth, cultural enrichment, and the creation of lasting memories.

Hi! My name is Salma, I’m Italian-Moroccan but have been living in London for the past 4 years.
Since I was a student at highschool I’ve been studying and working to support myself, working as a tutor and teaching English, maths and science.
I’ve been one of the first students to attend the Erasmus+ project for High School students when I was 17, and I got the opportunity to both study and work in a kindergarten abroad in Berlin, Germany.
Since I was 15 I’m volunteering in the Italian Red Cross as a professional rescuer and ambulance driver, and I’ve volunteered with other associations in Italy before moving to London, such as Casa Do Menor that fight against intolerance, exclusion and violence on the Brazilian streets, offering all Brazilian children and young people a better future.
Living out of my comfort-zone and working part-time during my studies since a young age has taught me to become independent, more responsible and strengthen my leadership skills.
I consider myself a very openminded person, I love travelling, learning, I’m very curious about anything that I still don’t know: for these reasons, I’ve always tried to live new experiences whenever I got the chance, always guided by my “explorer spirit”.
GOTOCO programme will give me the chance to grow as a person first of all, and to improve my skills as a teacher which is a path I’m taking into consideration for my future.
I always wanted to broaden my horizons: out there, there is still much to learn, and when I saw that you can offer me this opportunity I decided to run for. I am sociable, precise, cheerful, and eager to learn. I love teamwork and the achievement of common goals. I have good problem-solving ability and communication skills, I like to propose my ideas in every team project, and I also know how to get by in situations where I’m alone.
From this experience, I expect to be able to increase my cultural and human baggage, to learn more about cultures and languages, to know new realities and meet new people. I think leaving abroad is the best way to learn, grow, to see the world and be an active part in it.

Hello! My name is Drew Marshall, I’m 22 years old and am from the United States. I just graduated from college, so teaching English in Thailand will be my first full time job. Some of my hobbies include: traveling, scuba diving, and martial arts. I decided to move to Thailand because I have always wanted to live in Asia and Thailand is a bucket list country for me (amazing people, cuisine, nature, kickboxing, etc.). The biggest challenge will likely be the isolation from family and friends back home, but I am looking forward to being outside of my comfort zone. I hope to create lifelong relationships and memories and hopefully reach the point where Thailand feels like my home away from home. I also hope to be able to be a valuable resource for my students and to give back to the local community that will be welcoming me.

Background:

Hello, my name is Andrew Moxon. I have a rich background serving in the military which, I believe, has equipped me with resilience, adaptability, and a keen understanding of diverse cultures and people. Having been exposed to various situations and challenges in the military, I’ve developed a unique set of skills that I’m eager to apply in a different setting, one that aligns with my personal aspirations.

Reason for Move:

I’ve decided to take a leap of faith and move to Thailand to pursue a career in teaching. This decision was driven not just by my passion for imparting knowledge but also by my intrigue for Thai culture, its captivating landscapes, and the warm-hearted people I’ve heard so much about. As someone who thrives in new environments and cherishes diverse experiences, I believe this opportunity is the perfect next chapter in my life.

Expected Challenges:

Transitioning from a military background to a teaching role in a foreign country will undoubtedly come with its set of challenges. Here are a few I anticipate:

Language Barrier: While many Thais do speak English, especially in the cities, I expect language differences to pose occasional challenges in more rural settings and in day-to-day life.

Cultural Differences: From societal norms to classroom etiquette, I anticipate a learning curve as I immerse myself in the Thai way of life.

Adapting Teaching Methods: Teaching styles that work in western countries might not necessarily be effective in Thailand. I will need to understand and adapt to the learning styles and preferences of my students.

Overcoming Challenges:

My military background has instilled in me an indomitable spirit and the ability to quickly adapt to unfamiliar situations. Here’s how I plan to overcome these challenges:

Language Learning: I’ve already started taking basic Thai language courses and plan to continue this while I’m there. Immersing myself in the community will also naturally boost my language proficiency.

Cultural Immersion: By engaging with locals, participating in community events, and being a keen observer, I aim to rapidly grasp and respect Thai customs and traditions.

Feedback-driven Approach: In my teaching role, I plan to constantly seek feedback from students and fellow educators. This will help me adjust my teaching methods to ensure they are effective and relevant.

What I Hope to Gain:

I am super excited about this journey for a multitude of reasons.

Personal Growth: Navigating a new culture and profession will undoubtedly foster personal growth, expanding my horizons and enriching my life experiences.

Making a Difference: As a teacher, I hope to inspire and make a tangible difference in the lives of my students. Imparting knowledge and life skills is a gift that keeps on giving.

Broadened Worldview: Living in Thailand and interacting with its people will provide me with a fresh perspective on life, values, and the interconnectedness of our global community.

Hello! My name is Heather, I’m 22 and live in Bedford, England. I have just completed an Early Years bachelor’s degree whilst working full time in a nursery setting. Whilst I absolutely adore my job, I have discovered a passion for teaching children whose first language is not English. I am currently taking a year out for travelling and then I plan to travel around southeast Asia teaching English to younger learners. I have chosen to start my career in teaching English in Thailand because of the beauty and culture that the country has to offer. The challenges I’m expecting to face in the classrooms are behaviour management and the different abilities in the class and the being able to adapt the lessons to be able to challenge and stimulate all pupils. I’m hoping this course will give me more confidence to be able to deal with these things and be the best teacher I can be to my future pupils.

Hi everyone, my name is Elena. I graduated this year from Edinburgh University with a degree in Theology. I am so excited to move to Thailand for the next six months because up until this year, I have only ever been in formal education and would really like the opportunity to experience new cultures and see more of the world before I get old! I am also excited to broaden my mind and learn how to teach English, which I believe I will find very rewarding and fulfilling. I can imagine a challenge during this experience would be missing my friends from home and leaving behind the ‘safety’ net of staying in my own country and following the traditional path of getting a job there now. However, that is why I am so excited about this experience and opportunity, as now is the perfect time to travel and live abroad and really think about what I want out of life and what is going to make me happy rather than following what I think is expected of me in a societal sense. I hope during this experience, I grow and develop as a person both persoanlly and professionally, as well as make some great new friends and create some exciting memeories.

Hi everyone!

I am Earin and I live in San Diego, CA in the US. I have traveled to over 15 different countries both while in the US Navy and on my own. I have a degree in Integrated Marketing Communications and have over 10 years in that field. I first went to Phuket, Thailand when I was serving in the military. I fell in love with the food, the people, and the weather while I was there. I decided to move there when I realized that I could make this dream of living abroad come true by teaching English. I have always loved kids and come from a large family. I love to learn and I am looking forward to teaching.

My biggest challenge will be the language as it is tone based. I have started learning Thai while in the States and have some basics down. I still need a lot of work and my hope is to have basic conversational Thai by the time I start teaching! For anyone looking I am using the Italki app for personal tutoring, my tutor lives in Bangkok! My hope for the outcome of this experience is a more fulfilling way of living and working. As well as, a better knowledge of the Thai language and culture!

Hello, I am Megan from the United Kingdom. I have been a youth worker for 6 years and graduated university with youth and community development BA Hons in 2023. I have a passion for teaching and empowering the young generation to support them in reaching there full potential out of life and feel drawn to help young people in south east Asia and want to continue travelling and teaching.

Through my youth work experience I have adapted my teaching skills to working with students of all ages and abilities as I believe no student should get left behind due to different levels of academic achievements. I am confident in my leadership skills and am proud of my communication skills which is another reason i feel i would be an amazing teacher in Thailand. I believe that strong communication leads to success and productivity to the highest standard. Inside and outside of the classroom.

I love to bring creativity into my work in area as I feel a creative environment encourages positive affiliation to learning and when you are having fun in a topic you don’t always feel you are studying. Its always good to help students take on new approaches in a creative way to get them thinking outside of the box as its good to have a variety of methods to help student achieve there best and lead by example when it comes to problem solving. I feel confident in my skills that i can adapt my knowledge to each induvial understanding to ensure the best success for everyone. I can not wait to start this next adventure in life teaching out in Thailand as i want to support as many young lives as i can and learn what it is like living like a local.