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Labels: Burmese Learning Center, Kuraburi Junior School, Nursery School, southern thailand orphanage, teaching english, volunteering Thailand

by Noelle Smithhart

Once we had all successfully arrived in Bangkok, the volunteer and cultural exchange portion of our trip began. First, a quick flight down to Phuket. Then we loaded into a van for a three hour ride to Kuraburi. We thought it would be a shorter ride, so we arrived with a healthy appetite and ready for Chang. After having a chance to drop our stuff off at these amazing little bungalows (with western style toilets, front porches and everything) we sat to the first of many family-style dinners. Most meals had staples of rice and seafood. Vegetables. Often eggs. Always at least one dish would catch everyone's attention as a spicy one.

Our mornings in Kuraburi were delightful. We'd wake early (still adjusting to the time difference) and head to the market for breakfast. The market bustled. We'd sip thai coffee or thai tea. Strong with sweetened condensed milk. (I'd often have seconds.) Then we'd sample an array of yummy treats. Rice, sugar, and coconut concoctions, wrapped in leaves. Some of the wraps played out like puzzles -- figuring out which way to unwrap it to reveal the sweet treasures deep inside. I loved the waffles, about the size of an eggo, with coconut and turmeric in them, producing a yellow tint. There were chinese doughnuts -- little fried puffs of flour that weren't sweet. There was the coconut pudding. Absolutely delicious. We were always thankful for the little sheets of paper on the table we could use to soak up the oil from our fingers. Finally, the staple breakfast dish was a rice soup. I only had it with pork, although some mornings it was offered with shrimp.

We'd ride in the back of a truck to the Burmese Learning Center, where children greeted us. At first, a tad shy, they quickly warmed up to us and melted our hearts. Even after years of clowning and interacting with kids from various cultural backgrounds, I don't know that I've encountered children with so much affection. Their genuine eagerness to interact forced us quickly beyond our language barriers.

I'm always fascinated by the universal languages -- ones that surpass a common tongue. Laughter and play. As the days unfolded we all had turns at patty cake and thumb wars. The delight of victory, the quick, fleeting frown of defeat. And then the want to play again. And again. And again.

At the school our goal was to paint a few classrooms, prime and paint a mural wall, hang a door and hang some shelves in their library. We powered through on the painting and ended up getting to even more rooms and did the exterior as well. The second to last day we divided the wall in subsections and worked with the kids to paint their school's mural.

It was hard not to think about the last two times I've volunteered in New Orleans, also painting schools. One was an interior of an elementary school, the other was murals and the sidewalk at a newer, sterile school of portables. All of the painting projects seem simple, but provide the students with a sense of pride in the space they are receiving their education. It gets you thinking about space and aesthetics.

An excerpt from my journal:

Tuesday:

Labels: Burmese, long-term volunteering, Southern Thailand Volunteering, teaching english

Burmese Students impacted by Volunteer

Jeannine volunteering at the Burmese Learning Center.

We bid farewell (for now!) to Jeannine Curd of New Zealand, who volunteered for two months at the Burmese Learning Center. Jeannine was touched by the experience and hopes to return.

“Forming fantastic relationships with the children and the staff will forever be treasured by me.

"Things that made my stay memorable were the little things unbeknownst to me. At the last class every day, I would say 'see you tomorrow', and before I knew it, the students were saying it to me at the day’s end. I thought, How do they know that?, Then I realized that despite thinking the students were not learning, that every little thing you do and say is savored.

"Experiences I treasure include seeing the joy and excitement when giving such little things like a pencil, balloon or even a piece of paper to draw on, hearing the younger children start to say a rhyme because they want to sing it with you, watching them going from building single towers from Play-Doh to constructing various towers and buildings. Asking questions of the older children and getting the right answer the next day, when I thought no one was really listening, will last with me forever.

"The Burmese people live a very basic life and face many challenges, so the work you do is hugely appreciated. I can see from the parents around the school that the time we spend is greatly valued. Helping educate the children in any way is a huge step toward a better life.

"The whole experience has been memorable for me. I plan to return home, work hard, earn some money and come right back for more."

If you’d like to contribute your time to volunteering at the Burmese School, please contact us to learn more about how you can get involved.

Labels: Burmese Learning Center, long-term volunteering, teaching english, volunteering Thailand

Volunteer English teachers, Jeannine and Rebecca, prepare for an afternoon of classes at the Burmese Learning Center.

The last week of school came too quickly. In the brief month that I taught at the Burmese Learning Center, I felt that I developed relationships with the students and teachers. The students’ confidence and skills grew steadily, as did mine, as I learned to find my footing as a teacher in Thailand.

It was motivating to learn that I could lead classes, despite being without a formal teaching background. The month at the Burmese Learning Center allowed me to discover an artist and teacher within me.

I was instantly made welcome by the Burmese Learning Center staff. The staff supported me, so that there was always someone there if I was to encounter any problems. The children are lovely, full of personality and a pleasure to teach. There is a great atmosphere at the center.

To anyone considering taking the leap to teach in Thailand through Andaman Discoveries - I have one word – Jump!

Labels: Burmese Learning Center, education, teaching english, volunteer

I was filled with apprehension, clutching my lesson plans, as I awaited the start of my first day teaching.

The first class of the day was grade one. The class exuded enthusiasm, cheering, “Teacher, teacher, teacher!”

Rebecca takes in the scene near the Burmese Learning Center.

Just as I began to feel panic, Sawsaw (one of the Burmese teachers) calmed the class down. The lesson ran surprisingly smooth. Drawing and singing proved to be keys to the students’ attention. I’m far from being in the category of the likes of Claude Monet or Vincent Van Gogh, but I decided I’d better develop my artistic side quickly to excel at this new role.

The rest of the first day was nerve racking, but an overall success. I introduced myself to the children. After their initial shyness dissipated (excluding grade one, who were certainly not shy), I felt the students responded well. I anticipated the next few weeks, excited to see just how far the students and I would grow. Monet just may have competition yet!

Labels: education, teaching english, volunteer

Burmese Learning Center Welcomes English Teachers

We were fortunate to have Rebecca (UK) with us from mid-May to mid-June. She came to us through our partner organization, Twin UK, to teach English at the Burmese Learning Center.

Jeannine (volunteer English teacher), Kelly, Karen, and Rebecca at the Burmese Learning Center.

Rebecca wrote about her experiences as a first-time teacher, being a newbie in Kuraburi and meeting her roommate, "Gary the Gecko."

“In the brief month that I taught at the Burmese Learning Center, I felt that I developed relationships with the students and teachers. The students' confidence and skills grew steadily, as did mine, as I learned to find my footing as a teacher in Thailand,” said Rebecca.

Her stories will be shared on the blog in the upcoming weeks, so check back soon.

Teaching at the Burmese Learning Center is one of several long-term volunteering programs offered by Andaman Discoveries. We can also arrange placements at the Phuket Disabled School or a Southern Thailand Orphanage.

Labels: Burmese Learning Center, education, Kuraburi, teaching english, volunteer

Chris Allen, Peace Corps volunteer, with students participating in English language exercises.

Removed from the tourist path, the Kuraburi area provides insight into Thai life. The downside: It is a challenge to find farang. They are a rare sight, especially in low season.

A United States Peace Corps volunteer traveled to Kuraburi in search of native-English speakers. Chris Allen, from Indiana, needed farangs (foreigners in Thai) to be themselves to assist in a mock exercise in Ban Triam village.

For more than a year, Chris has been at Ban Triam village, focusing on teacher collaboration and community outreach in his role with the Peace Corps. Ban Triam is about 20 kilometers from Kuraburi.

Chris’s search for native-English speakers led him to Andaman Discoveries. Karen Spackman, from Scotland, and LesIie Welshimer, from the U.S., agreed to travel to Ban Triam School and be themselves – farangs.

“If there is one thing I can do well in Thailand, it’s to speak fluent English and broken Thai,” Leslie said. “I had previously thought being a farang, who speaks broken Thai, was a weakness. Then in May I was sought out for doing what I do best – be myself, a confused farang for a day.”

Ajan Phahon, a remarkable teacher at Ban Triam, is completing his thesis on task-based learning. He has been a teacher at Ban Triam for 12 years. Four years ago he went to Bangkok to earn his master’s degree in teaching English as a second language.

Chris said, “Phahon is much more than an English teacher at the Ban Triam School. He teaches math, computers and dedicates his time as a volleyball coach. He’s a great teacher to work with, and it’s motivating to see the progress from the students practicing his task-based concepts.”

Ajan Phahon with Andaman Discoveries’ team members, Karen and Leslie.

To help teach the students learn English, Phahon arranged several real-life (task-based) situations for them to practice. One of Phahon’s goals was to help the students improve their confidence in speaking with farang.

The first task-based lesson was at a beach-view restaurant at Ao Khoei Beach. Chris, Karen and Leslie sat at the restaurant, enjoyed the view and played the part of customers. The students assumed the role of hostesses and waiters. They took food orders and ensured guest comfort, while they practiced speaking and listening in English.

The second lesson was held at bungalows near the restaurant. Karen and Leslie pretended to be customers looking for accommodations. The exercise involved asking questions like: How much does a room cost, does the room have air conditioning or fan, does the shower have hot or cold water and can I see the room?

The students gave a tour of the bungalows. Karen and Leslie asked more questions while looking at the bungalows. Karen said, “While I was helping the students practice English, I also found myself being sold on a night at this place. The sound of the ocean, comfortable rooms and the friendly service nearly caused me to open my wallet, forgetting it was all a mock exercise.”

Students successfully completed the third English exercise of the day with Chris, Karen and Leslie.

The final task-based situation was to go shopping at a small convenience store. The students practiced the role of customer service providers, while Chris, Karen and Leslie asked a variety of questions, like: What beverage do you recommend, how far away is the bus station and where I can find soap?

"Despite having few opportunities to communicate with English speakers, the students clearly had a significant grasp on the language. They were kind, attentive and displayed how much youth can excel with the dedication of good teachers like Chris and Phahon,” Karen said.

Chris continues to contribute his skills in Ban Triam and surrounding communities. He is actively planning an English language camp this month to help youth increase their confidence in conversing.

Labels: Ao Khoei Beach, education, teaching english, United States Peace Corps, volunteer

Karen befriends the local youth in Ban Talae Nok

This month Andaman Discoveries welcomed Karen Spackman, who joins us from Stirlingshire, Scotland, via Andaman Discoveries’ new partner TWIN UK. Karen is currently piloting two new long-term volunteering programs: teaching English at the Temple Kindergarten, and vocational English at the Kuraburi hospital. “This is turning out to be such a fantastic experience for me, I have been made to feel part of the team as well as the community since arriving in Kuraburi. Working with the local children and nurses has really helped transform me from being just another tourist to a valued member of the town,” said Karen.

In November she will be greeted by anxious students at the Kuraburi High School, where she will teach for her remaining two months. “Karen is a brilliant addition to the Andaman Discoveries team,” said Erik Rogers, AD Program Manager. “She has boundless energy and enthusiasm, and is a real self-starter. She felt like part of the gang on her first day.” In her spare time, Karen has generously helped out in the office on various administrative tasks, including our English homestay pack.

Karen went on to comment that, “Integrating with the local people has allowed me to establish relationships I would never have gained if I were merely just visiting the area. Since arriving in Kuraburi I have been supported all the way by Andaman Discoveries, through having access to their online teaching plan for the children, to assistance with the development of my own lesson plans for the adults. The staff at the office has such a vast wealth of knowledge that I’m always able to share ideas and concerns with at any time”.

Labels: Karen Spackman, staff, teaching english, volunteer