Student Blogs - 25th June 2009

Wai Khru Day in Surat Thani

Rowan's first experience of this amazing "Respect Teacher Day" in Thailand's idyllic southern province of Surat Thani

At the school I work at located in Surat Thani on the southern coast of Thailand, teachers' meetings are held weekly, supposedly to keep us up to date on forthcoming events so we can plan better. In reality, however, it's an opportunity for the boss to drop bombshells on us; leading to massive changes in the week's teaching schedule. It's at times like these that I am glad for the warning provided by one of my trainers on the TESOL course who warned of classroom management issues that fit into the 'other' category - unexpected cicumstances beyond the teacher's control.

At a recent meeting it was announced that the afternoon and the following morning's periods had been cancelled. The afternoon period would be used by the students to make gifts. The following morning we were all to assemble in the main hall. No, I didn't bother to ask what it was because this sort of thing happens so often that we just don't question it any more.

The next morning I trooped all my class across the road to the main school and deposited them in the correct line in the hall, found a seat with my name on it, and along with all the other teachers readied ourselves for a long morning.

The Thais are notorious for their ceremonies and the ability for the most simple of things to become drawn out. The principal stood up and jabbered away in Thai for what seemed like a lifetime and then switched to English. This immediately caught our attention as this was not part of the normal run of things.

It transpires that today is, wait for it... "Respect your Teacher Day" (/Wan Wai-Kru/ or วันไหว้ครู in Thai). After a long speech by the principal another followed by the owner and then yet another by one of the students; most of which was in Thai.

A woman dressed in beautiful attire sang a couple of songs, I think meant to serenade us, the teachers, and then there was a grand entrance by selected students from each class.

Every student was carrying the most wonderful flower arrangement and proceeded to stand in front of their respective teacher. At a given signal the flowers were presented, placed on the floor in front of us, the student then got on their knees and stretched their hands and arms out, almost lying prostrate in front of us. They remained there for a time eventually sitting upright and retiring, bowing as they left.

You cannot have the faintest idea of the profound affect this had on me and (I suspect) all the teachers. I know it is just a ceremony but it left one feeling rather humble.

So that was that, but I do feel the English have got it wrong in their schools, and a ceremony like this could go a long way in making the teachers feel respected - That is, of course, if it were the case, which we all know it isn't.

Eat your heart out Brit teachers.

6th August 2009

Anna shares her experiences from training to starting work in Thailand

20th June 2009

Charlie looks back over the last three years and reflects on how dramatically his life has changed. From leaving England, to taking the course in Thailand and now teaching in Tanzania

1st April 2006

Francois and Sanru Jansen van Rensburg, a young couple from South Africa, joined Chichester College's TESOL course in Bangkok in February 2007

1st March 2006

Lindsay looks at how her life has changed over the 2 years since she took the course in September 2004

1st January 2006

Darren, a participant on the TESOL course in August 2005, looks back at the the past few months