Journal Reflections #3

Here are some more Journal Reflections. These were written on the last day of the orientation, following a great but intensive Thai language lesson from Keo, an English teacher from Hadsamran High School. The quotes below note the difficulty of learning a second language, and students were able to understand how it must feel for ESL students. Some were also getting anxious about meeting their host families:

Quote 1
The Thai lessons we received today were overwhelming. Thai seems as though it will be difficult to master. I am having a very hard time remembering simple words. I am not sure if it’s the pronunciation of the words, or the actual words. I know that in our short stay here in Thailand I will not be able to learn the language but I will really like to b e able to say and remember simple things. My hope is that when I stay with my host family I will be more comfortable and have more opportunities to practice my Thai words.

Quote 2
The other thing that touched me today was Keo’s hyper-intensive Thai course. Experiencing this has opened my eyes. It made me feel like our (ESL) students feel. Being a TLL (Thai language learner) is hard! Now I know how a beginning ELL feels. It has taught me the importance of pace. In this class, Keo was quick, so much so, that I felt overwhelmed.

Quote 3
Trying to learn Thai this afternoon was a real eye opener. As someone who has never had to learn another language, I do not know any of the emotions such as frustration, confusion, perceived inadequacy, that I have had to experience today. I kept thinking to myself that I am a relatively intelligent person and I should have been able to pick up a second language with little to no difficulty. I was wrong. I have never felt so insecure, vulnerable, and isolated in my life. Not being able to understand another language is not like not being able to master physics or calculus. If I don’t master physics or calculus it is not life-altering. However, if one does not master a language, it can be life altering, be it positive or negative. How many students come through our classroom doors feeling confident and intelligent in their native language only to have their self-efficacy destroyed by the obstacles and potential difficulties that come with learning a second language? Furthermore, what kind of disservice do we do as educators when we collectively do very little to incorporate the second language into the strengths of a students native language?

Quote 4
Everyone in our group is getting anxious as the time to be with our host families is very near. I am anxious to meet the students and learn about their English proficiency levels. My lesson plans seem meaningless without knowing the students. However, it has been invaluable having time to work on some generic plans. The modeling we received from Dr. Wright, Dr. Perrotta, and Hal were excellent.

Quote 5
Mr. Keo is such a nice and funny man with a lot of energy and motivation. His lesson on Thai was overwhelming! We sat in our chairs and just absorbed the Thai language but after 30 minutes, my brain was fried! It’s amazing how difficult it is to learn a second language! I now know how students learning a second language feel like (in a way).

Quote 6
The language classes were great. Yuwadee and Keo were so patient with all of us and I could tell that they were excited and appreciative of our eagerness and desire to learn their language. I was impressed by our group and their ability to pick up on words and know how, when ad where to use them. I enjoyed the laughter and teamwork the group used during the lessons.

Quote 7
At this point we’ve been busy the majority of the time with meetings and discussions of our lesson plans. That’s good, but I’ve been frustrated with trying to prepare lessons for people I don’t know. … I really feel like I need to get there and meet everyone before I can move much further.

Quote 8
I feel my anxiety about working as an ESL teacher in Trang lessen. I’m building confidence about the task I will be completing. … I don’t know if I’d ever choose to do ESL in a foreign country as a profession, but I have developed quite a lot of respect for those that do. It’s harder than it seems!