If we were having coffee, I’d start off by saying IT’S SO GOOD TO SEE YOU (really slowly and overly enthusiastically, too, because I’ve been Teacher Britta for the past two days and Teacher Britta talks really slowly and really enthusiastically….and really loudly).
If we were having coffee, I’d tell you all about how this has undoubtedly been the longest and most rewarding week of my life.
Seriously.
Thailand. Teaching English. This is where I need to be. What I need to be doing. And I’m SOO glad this is my life.
If we were having coffee, I’d tell you about language camp. And preparing for language camp. As part of my TESOL course, all the teachers must participate in a two day language camp where we teach to actual Thai students for the FIRST TIME EVER. We were put into groups of two or three and while one of us teaches, the other one or two of us observes and lends a hand if necessary.
The past week has consisted of preparing for language camp. Preparing lesson plans, revising lesson plans, performing practice lesson plans, rushing to the printer, rushing for school supplies, rushing to revise lesson plans. Up at 6, to bed at midnight.
Yup, it’s been a long week.
Despite the crazy busy, we still found some time to relax…and oh, did we cherish that time.
If we were having coffee, I’d tell you about how I woke up on the first day of language camp feeling sick to my stomach. As the day progressed, I felt worse and worse. I pushed through teaching three classses of 6, 7, and 8 year olds (a rowdy, but energetic bunch), and absolutely CRASHED when I got home. I ended up having a fever that night and spent the whole rest of the day in bed (aside from the twenty minutes when I was rushing to finish my lesson plan for the next day). Needless to say, these constant going, going, going has NOT been kind to my body. Still managed to get through six classes in two days, though, AND as a first time teacher!
If we were having coffee, I’d tell you about how much I love this teaching business. I was in the Pratom classrooms (the Thai version of elementary/primary school) both days and taught all six years. Across the board (well, at least at this school), the Thai students are so kind. The respect they have for their teachers is unbelievable. The energy they have is unbelievable. Of the six classes that I taught over the course of two days, only one of them was really unmanageable…and that was partly because I had so low energy and felt so unwell at that point that I kind of lost my way in keeping them under control. It was also partly because I AM new to this teacher business and actually being in the classroom is a HUGE learning curve.
I know I’m going to love this job and I can’t wait until I get to my placement (which is still unknown) so I can develop relationships with my actual students.
Oh yeah, these kids also LOVE taking selfies.
Many of my fellow teachers are going out tonight, but I’m having a much needed night in…especially since I’m still recovering from my upset stomach/general sickness. It’s going to be an early night for me!
If we were having coffee, I’d be about ready to pass it off to you…and I’d ask you, what do you have to share over coffee?
This post is part of the Weekend Coffee Share link up at Part Time Monster.
It's a Britta Bottle! 
A trick known by traveling Americans – say it slow and loud and they’ll understand 😉 Oh, but you said enthusiastically too. Sorry, I couldn’t resist after reading your first paragraph about the Teacher Britta and knowing the reputation of the “ugly American”. I’m glad you are having a good time! You’re quite a few hours ahead there so I won’t be putting up my coffee post for over 12 hours.
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Haha, well, the students wouldn’t be able to learn anything if I wasn’t slow and enthusiastic. I have to keep their attention somehow!
Yup, I’m eleven hours ahead of the Eastern U.S. It’s so weird to be posting my coffee share this early because I know most coffee share participants are hours behind me…but other coffee share posts will be rolling in soon enough.
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When you said “slowly” and “enthusiastically” I just nodded. I understand. But when you said “loudly” I had to laugh 🙂
I figured you were about half a day away, being on the opposite side of the world. no problem being the first coffee share post of the weekend, you just have to be patient waiting for more.
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The kids are so cute!!!! Made me smile… I am super glad you are enjoying your time there. Sorry to hear you got sick though. Make sure to drink lots of fluids (juice, tea, water), get some Vit. C and multi vitamins, if you aren’t on any, your body will surely need that as you are adjusting to everything there and you need supplements for that extra energy. Don’t forget the heat can get you dehydrated too so replenish with lots of fluids. Wise decision to stay at home. Lastly, your body needs to rest too. Hopefully, tomorrow is another day and you will feel much better. Me? Nothing much, still here in Florida, leisurely enjoying my time at home. We go back to Asheville next Monday and then back to work. Hopefully we get to do more exploring too. Take care Teacher Britta!!! 🙂
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Nurse Belle, at your service! 🙂
One of my friends in my TESOL course is a registered nurse, so she gave me lots of advice for recovering.
Don’t worry. I’ve been drinking LOTS of water since being here. I don’t go anywhere without it!
Today is a day for chilling out a blogging some more. I plan on getting a Thai massage today, too! Can’t wait! I hope YOU enjoy your time at home. I saw your post about being back home today and I’m so glad you are enjoying yourself!
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Gah, we are back in Asheville now. I haven’t been back here in awhile since we have been busy unpacking and settling in, again. I hope you are feeling much better now. Glad you have a nurse friend with you! 🙂 And, how was your Thai massage? They are the best, ever, for me, that is!
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I am over the moon in reading your post! First of all I’m so glad that you’re feeling better I’m sorry you were sick. I can imagine that all the energy you’re using and the time you’re spending into your great lesson planning, has made you feel exhausted! But I know that the faces of the smiling children and the gratitude and respect that they give you makes it all worth while. Your words are full of joy and enthusiasm and I swear I feel as if I’m there with you. Oh and very cool photo of you with my fellow New Yorker! How cool is that! Take care and have a great rest of the weekend!
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Ah, Lia! Your comments always make me so happy. 🙂 I have been using up a lot of energy, but after a long nights rest, I’m feeling MUCH better.
Can’t wait to share more of my journey with you and you’ll be sure to see more pictures of your New York friend and me. We spend a lot of time together.
You have a great weekend, too!
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I’m sorry to hear that you got sick; that’s horrible! Same for my students in France: their level of English is very limited, so I have to speak slowly and loudly. But I’m glad that it’s been rewarding for you, as it has for me (so far). I can’t wait to hear more about your adventures in Thailand soon!
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Ah, well, it’s part of the process, I guess. We have been doing SO much here in my TESOL course so it’s not surprising.
I can’t wait to share more of my adventures!
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I’m so glad you’re enjoying the job! Once you get bitten by the “Teaching Bug” it’s all over. You become a lifelong teacher and when you are away from it, you miss it!
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I have absolutely LOVED it so far! I’m so excited to get to my placement school and really get to know my students and develop relationships with them.
I don’t know if I want to be a classroom teacher forever, but I am very interested in education and definitely want teaching in some way, shape, form to be part of my career in the future.
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Sorry to hear that you’ve been ill–hope you’re feeling much better after you get some time to relax!
Glad that you’re enjoying the gig, though. Sounds like you’re already finding it incredibly rewarding. 🙂
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I’m feeling much better now, thanks, and the weekend was much needed and MUCH enjoyed!
It certainly is rewarding already. I can’t wait to get to my placement school where I’ll be able to develop relationships with my students and watch their progressions overtime.
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Glad to hear it! I hope the coming week will be another good one. When do you guys get your placements?
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I have a general idea of where my placement is at this point and will get more information tomorrow. I plan to announce it on the blog once everything is 100% confirmed. I’m so excited!
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This is all so exciting, and your enthusiasm is contagious. I’m sorry though, to hear that you’ve been unwell. Good to have a break to recharge so you can enjoy even more your experience.
Have another great week!
Till next time.
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I’m feeling so much better now, Lucile! This weekend was AMAZING, though. A much needed break from the craziness that life has been lately.
I just got my initial placement information for teaching today so I’m flying on cloud nine right now. So excited!
Hope you have a great week, too!
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Congratulations, Britta!! Way to go. Amazing is the minimum you deserve! Keep enjoying it as your efforts are being rewarded!
Proud of you!
Xx
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You’re doing a great job Britta!
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Thank you, Aryan. 🙂
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well I guess the selfie thing is international. Glad you found something that you love – but please take care of yourself too. yes, I sound like a worried Mama, but hey sometimes you just need a reminder to take it easier, and you seem to need it this week. Blessings and have a wonderful – less stressful week.
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It surely is. Regardless of how high their English proficiency was, they ALL knew the word selfie.
Self-care has been hard these past couple weeks because life has been soo busy, but I’m trying to get back into the swing of my regular routine. I’m feeling much better now and had a wonderfully relaxing weekend. Thank you, Claudia.
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Congratulations on finding something you love. Teaching is hard work, but rewarding. Looking forward to having more coffee (a teachers best friend!) with you!
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Thanks! I’m so excited to teach English and definitely want to continue on in the field of education when my time here in Thailand is over.
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