Amazing Anuban by Jocelyn Guzman

My life as a teacher has never been as challenging as it is until I experienced teaching in anuban level(pre-school).I am a professional and licensed teacher in the Philippines for more than 11 years when I decided to give teaching in Thailand a try. I wanted to take the adventure of being an EFL teacher. I was offered a starting salary of twenty-three thousand (23,000) baht by a prestigious language school in the South. It was really mouth-watering so I took a vacation leave of absence in my work. I packed my things and prepared everything for my first time trip outside my home land. I was indeed excited!

A day before my flight, something unexpected happened so I was hold to leave. My father was then very ill.I postponed my flight. I almost lose the opportunity of working abroad. Although my contact employer understood my situation, she couldn't afford to disregard the need of her school. I was replaced by another Filipino teacher. I never lose hope then. I packed my things and flew. I will do everything under the sun. I went straight to Yala City without knowing that this city is in the deepest south. I never knew anything about the bombs and terrorism issues here. I didn't care. I need a job.

Khun Charin,who was supposed to be my first employer, helped me to seek a teaching job. I was recommended by her best friend in Anuban Yala School, the most beautiful school that I have ever seen I guess. The landscapes and architecture of the school was indeed enchanting.The arrangement of ornamentals and flowers were heart- warming!And the people were all accommodating and very warm.

I was assigned in Thai program from Pratom 1 to Pratom 6 and in Anuban 2. I never had any experience teaching in such a very young age.I was handling Grades five and six classes in the Philippines, the lowest level was grade three so teaching in Pratom 1-6 was not a big deal. Teaching in anuban was extra exciting and challenging. I was totally blind and I didn’t know where to start. But I need the job. I didn’t have anything in my pocket anymore so I started working.
It was quite difficult to teach English here because the students from Anuban to Pratom 6 were all beginners of English although they had group of good English teachers and 2 more farangs from Canada and Iran. I just got a slight problem in primary levels because I am used teaching it Generally, I enjoyed teaching them. But in Anuban, oh God!

My first day was indeed tear-jerking and heart –breaking! It had never been that easy to stand and speak English infront of young children where the only language they appreciate was their native tongue. So sad that neither the homeroom teacher nor the pupils can hardly understand me. They couldn’t speak English. What a pity! But despite those things, I could see that my pupils were so excited and interested to learn from me.

I first introduced an action song. My pupils began to interact. I asked them to sing and dance with me so they did with all excitement and enthusiasm. I was all relieved then and found myself dancing and singing with my pupils. What a joyful view seeing some of them giggling, rolling on the floor while the rest were excitedly dancing and trying to sing the song with me. Since then, I started my lessons by an action song to arouse their interest. And believe me, it’s really effective!
Whenever my pupils saw me anywhere, they would joyfully sing fly, fly, fly the butterfly and the little naughty boys would dance. I also brought my pupils in the playground to conduct my classes. They could freely sing aloud and dance more gracefully in a bigger space. Through songs, I taught my pre-school classes to pronounce words correctly and understand its meaning using real or colourful pictures.

When they became familiar with my accent, I began teaching conversational English to them. I started asking their names ,addresses and age .At first, it was hard. I needed to translate my questions in Thai for them to understand it. If I asked about their names, I must ask, “Chu arai?” or “Ayu kipi” if I asked about their age. I remember asking a boy the question of, “How old are you?” He automatically answered, “Fine, thank you, and you?” I smiled and repeat the question again and the teacher whispered to him, ”Ayu tawrai Nong?” The little boy tried to answer like, “I am…….ha pi.” I thought he understood the question like “How are you?” I told him I am glad to know he’s happy that day. But my question was “How old are you?” so I tried to translate it in Thai as saying, ”Kipi”. The boy replied again, ” Teacher, I am ha-pi !” I was confused until I realised that he was actually telling me his age, ha- pi which means five years old. I was laughing harder to understand him. Then he learned to say it as “I am five years old.” I then appreciate the usage of bilingual method in teaching.day by day, I observed progress in my classes.Instead of saying ,"Ajarn, pai hongnam...."
They learned to say it like,"Teacher, can I go to the toilet?"

It was the first time in my life that I feel like a super hero to my pupils or a very famous superstar because I won their hearts. Whenever and wherever they see me, they would run to me and would hug and kiss me or they would call out my name. Even parents and other people around began to know me. I had been so popular in the place. I was so loved both by teachers and children in the school. Huh, I felt my worth both as a teacher and as a human-being!

I treated my pupils like my own children so I enjoyed teaching them. I appreciate the efforts of the Thai parents for supporting and supervising the studies of their children. Anuban level is the foundation of education. But parents should also understand that children have all the rights to play and learn. Close supervision and guidance are essential elements to create a healthy and bright future for the children. Anuban is an educational playground where the foundation of learning should begin. So dear parents should always have much time for their children in playing with them and at the same time teaching them or assisting to make the homeworks.Cooperation with the teachers would be more effective to raise a better child and student. My five month-experience of teaching in anuban would always be a lasting memory to cherish. As my contract expired, I moved to a Secondary School just next to my previous school. Just like a short story, everything should have an ending, but the plot and memories will linger till the end. My experience in anuban is incomparable.