Assignment 1: Introduction

Hello! My name is Joscelin and I am from the United States. I received my Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification in 2018 and have taught in Tanzania, South Korea, and the United States. I am currently working on my master’s in teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). I have decided to move to Thailand because I have had some friends that have taught in Thailand before who had a positive experience. My goal is to increase my teaching abilities and skills in teaching English as a foreign language, as each country offers new insights and strategies. Also, Thai food is delicious and my one rule for moving to another country is the food needs to be scrumptious.
One of the main challenges I expect to face is the language barrier. I am not very good at distinguishing tones in tonal languages and so I know that I will have to do a lot of listening and speaking practice to ensure I better my abilities. I hope that I walk away from my teaching experience having gained valuable experiences and skills to improve my teaching abilities.

Hi! My name is Meltem, I am from Turkey and 35 years old. I finished translation studies in English at Istanbul Okan University. I have been working for 12 years. Mostly, I worked as a business development & marketing specialist at global companies. In the middle of my carrier, I decided to change my way and experience teaching in Thailand. Learning English as a second language gave me the opportunity to work at multiple fields, learn new cultures and meet new people over the years. That’s why, I wanted to participate this programme and help children during their journey to learn a new language. At the same time,have the oppotunity to meet a new cultures and advance my skills. I am looking forward to challanging myself. I hope this life changing programme would gave me a chance to travel and gain teaching skills.

Hi all,

My name is Audrey Kummer and I am moving to Thailand to teach English! I have always had an interest in working abroad and after graduating from the University of Washington with a Bachelor’s in Political Science, finally made the decision to join this program. My previous work history is in non-profit where I assisted people with finding housing and employment, but I have always had a love for education and learning which prompted me to start this program. I think one of the main barriers for me is that I have never been to Thailand and therefore have much to learn. I will be living in the Northeast region of Thailand and I have learned that most locals do not speak English, so there will certainly be a language barrier. My plan is to learn some basic Thai phrases prior to my arrival through free platforms like Quizlet. For more intermediate level interactions, I plan to use my translate app on my phone for assistance with speaking. I also believe that a barrier for me will be the lack of social connections I will have as I am moving solo into this country. I plan to attend all faculty social functions so that I can build my social circle through work! My biggest hope is that I will gain an experience that allows me to learn more about how to overcome adversity as well as embracing things that are uncomfortable due to cultural differences.

Hi I am Beth, originally from the UK..I have spent the last 15 yrs working in Tourism in stunning places around Europe.Over the last few yrs I’ve realised I love developing people so naturally transitioned into more training roles.

This opportunity in Thailand allows me to follow my two passions- travel and developing people so why wouldn’t I jump at the chance

I’m looking forward to integrating into a different culture and seeing the day to day of it in action, I have no doubt this will be challenging at times but also very rewarding. I can’t wait to get started and look forward to learning new skills on the job 🙂

Hello,
My name is Ada Roe, and I am from a small farm town in New York, USA. I recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Biology, during which I played collegiate field hockey for 4 years. I have always wanted to travel before returning to school for medicine, and Xplore is the perfect opportunity. Thailand was my top choice for teaching because I was born in Bangkok, as both of my parents were teachers in Myanmar for many years. From infancy until the age of 4, I traveled and lived in Southeast Asia, ultimately returning to the US to reconnect with family. I am so inspired by the stories my parents tell me of their time overseas, and going abroad was one thing they will never regret.

I have little experience with teaching, so I am excited to face that challenge head-on as I adjust to fast-paced city life with a new language/culture. I want to use this experience as an opportunity to learn a new language and immerse myself in local life. I am also a foodie, and cannot wait to try as many traditional Thai dishes as possible!

Hi Kholofelo,

It’s really inspiring to read your introduction! I love how your journey into teaching started from such a personal place—helping your nephew and seeing his confidence grow must have been incredibly rewarding. It’s amazing how moments like that can reveal a completely new passion.

Your background in law is also such a strong asset—you bring discipline, communication skills, and critical thinking, which will definitely benefit your students. I also relate to your excitement about Thailand; the culture, people, and overall experience make it such a special place to teach and grow.

Wishing you all the best on this new journey—I’m sure you’re going to make a meaningful impact in your students’ lives! 😊

# Background information:

My name is Jay. I am from United Kingdom, and am currently in Hua Hin, Thailand, a coastal town famous for its beaches and relaxing atmosphere. I enjoy exploring local markets, trying Thai street food, and spending time by the sea. Living here has given me many opportunities to meet people from different backgrounds and learn new things.

I am a motivated and reliable person with a strong interest in personal development. In my free time, I also enjoy reading, travelling, and exploring new places around Thailand.

I am particularly interested in improving my skills and gaining more experience in my field of work. I take pride in being organised, responsible, and open to new challenges.

In the future, I hope to continue growing both professionally and personally, while making a positive contribution to the people and community around me.

# The reasons for travelling/moving to Thailand:

I have decided to travel to / move to Thailand because I am very interested in its culture, lifestyle, and way of life. Thailand is well known for its friendly people, beautiful landscapes, and vibrant traditions, which makes it an exciting place to experience. Another reason is the cost of living, which is more affordable compared to many other countries.

I am also interested in trying authentic Thai food, learning the local language, and exploring famous places in the country.

In addition, I see this as a great opportunity for personal growth. Living in a new country will help me become more independent, adaptable, and open-minded.

Overall, I believe moving to Thailand will be a valuable and rewarding experience for my personal life in the future.

# What challenges do you expect to face along the way and how do you expect to overcome them?

I expect there will be several challenges when living in Thailand, especially at the beginning.

One of the main challenges is the language barrier. Although many people speak some English, communication can still be difficult in daily situations. To overcome this, I plan to learn basic Thai phrases and practise speaking as much as possible. I will also use translation apps when needed.

Another challenge is adjusting to a new culture and way of life. Customs, social behaviour, and traditions in Thailand are usually different from what I am used to. I will overcome this by being respectful, open-minded, and willing to learn from local people.

The weather could also be a challenge, as Thailand has a hot and humid climate. It may take time for my body to adjust. I will manage this by staying hydrated, dressing appropriately, and adapting my daily routine.

Finally, I may experience homesickness. Being far from family and friends can be difficult. To deal with this, I will stay in regular contact with them and try to build new friendships locally.

Overall, I believe these challenges are part of the experience, and I am confident that with a positive attitude and willingness to adapt, I will be able to overcome them successfully.

# What do you hope to get out of your experience?

From my experience in Thailand, I hope to gain both personal and professional growth.

Firstly, I want to become more independent and confident by living in a new environment. Facing new situations will help me improve my problem-solving skills and adaptability.

I also hope to learn more about Thai culture, traditions, and daily life. Experiencing a different way of living will broaden my perspective and help me become more open-minded.

In addition, I would like to improve my communication skills, especially in English and basic Thai. Being able to interact with people from different backgrounds is very important to me.

Another goal is to build meaningful relationships and make new friends, both with local people and other international travellers.

Overall, I hope this experience will help me grow as a person, gain valuable life experience, and create unforgettable memories that will benefit my future.

Hi, Raymond. Looks like we are both making our way from the U.S. to Thailand! It also looks like we are both lacking in traditional teaching/training experience but we make up for it with skills we’ve developed in other ways. Hopefully we can work together to fine tune those skills. I’m also on this journey to test my open mindedness and see new perspectives on the world. Out of curiosity.. Are these friends on a professional or amateur pickle ball team?!?! I’ve never heard of someone needing coaching but maybe my friends aren’t taking it seriously enough! Hopefully you can teach me a thing or two. Looking forward to meeting you, Raymond.
-Jesse