On Friday we interviewed potential freshman students for the English Department. It was most interesting. Many came with a fat binder chock full of pictures and awards and report cards and certificates. One even had 2 bulging binders full of accomplishments. Many walked in and handed us their id card. In Thailand, all students (all people actually) have a photo id. They can't attend school without it. Their report cards were serious looking documents with their photo copied at the top. All grade level reports culminated with their GPA. Some students spoke excellent English, while some barely got past "Hello, how are you." 

It became patently obvious that those with the excellent spoken English had been exposed to foreign teachers. My Thai interview partner teacher, Ooey, (very necessary as some students were unable to communicate) asked every student (1) did they participate in an EP (English Program) in their school (they have to pay extra to learn in English or, by the way, to be in "Smart Class" - which I took to be gifted classes), and (2) how many foreign teachers were in their school. Some foreign teachers have expressed that Thai English teachers are really bad, barely speak English themselves and proceed to teach improper English to generations of students.

These students were so beautiful and so nervous and my heart ached for them. It is so important for them to get into university. Their families give up everything to send them there. Noon gave me a ride to school and when we pulled into the parking lot (the place was jammed) there was a truck parked next to us with Mom, Dad, and little sister sitting in the bed of the truck with blankets and pots of food - apparently waiting for the eldest child to complete her interview. Who knows how far they traveled or how they got the money just to get here? Some students traveled long distances alone by bus.   Two students told us that they travel every Saturday and Sunday, 2 hours each way, each day, to Udon Thani for English lessons. Not only do they put forth marathon effort, but think of the expense for some of these families.

I sometimes become so ashamed of American students in that they, and their parents especially, put so little value on education. I doubt that any American family would go to these great lengths to make sure their child got a good education. Can you imagine the uproar if you suggested that a parent pay for Gifted classes? Or if you suggested he travel two hours away twice a week for extra tutoring? But I'll bet they'd welcome the chance to send their child hours away for basketball camp.

"That's your job!"  they'd blast back at the teacher.  And yet we can afford it! To these Thai parents, it's a huge percentage of their income, and yet they do it willingly, enthusiastically.   

It was quite a relaxed atmosphere for us teachers, we got to cancel our classes to do the interviews, the department bought us lunch and we were done by noon. Imagine our surprise when we were asked to sign a document (in Thai of course.) "What am I signing this for?"  I asked. "Your pay," the teacher replied. Apparently, we get paid extra money just for doing our job.