Teacher Leonichelle: A Week in my Life as an Expat Teacher in Thailand

The Daily Life of an Expat Teacher in Thailand

"Niche, would you like to donate some clothes?" I went straight to a section in my closet, and a nostalgic shirt caught my eye. Should I give this away? It was my lucky charm on the streets of Ekamai when I applied for BFITS three years ago. It has been quite a journey!  

Monday

My day starts at 6:00 AM after hitting the snooze button a couple of times. It is the most challenging day; picture sleepy-eyed kids lining up for the morning assembly wondering if the weekend is truly over. I pump them up with interactive activities to introduce a new lesson and set learning expectations for the week.

 Tuesday 

Marie School is just two blocks from my apartment; I walk for 5 minutes with eyebrows on fleek and nude lipstick. What welcomes better than hearing my Prathom students aged 7-12 say, “Teacher, you look beautiful!” The day’s highlight is drafting assignments for my master’s program. 

 Wednesday

The most consistent thing in my life, noodles on Wednesdays! The school serves free lunch. It excites me to pick my choice of noodle and cook it using a strainer spoon ladle into the gigantic boiling pot of soup. Like the right balance of spices, it is the day where the end and beginning of a lesson meet. 

 Thursday

I tone down enthusiasm as I strictly assess student learning. Try differentiated instruction; it works! I do HIIT workout, exactly when online food delivery rescues me. It is my go-to dinner; blame it on convenience. 

 Friday

I facilitate enjoyable games to wrap up the lesson. We also watch cartoons for language exposure. That completes my 15-hour teaching load a week. I leave the office at 4:00 PM; wouldn’t it be best to end the day with mouth-watering street food at the night bazaar?

 Saturday

The stunning sunrise as I jog around the lake renews my spirit. I go to Robinson via GrabCar for my weekly consumption and prepare for any random adventures with my friends. We could go from cafe-hopping to camping, picnic to a water park, and even talking for hours about feeling down to a quickie out of town. 

 Sunday

I sometimes stay at my Thai friend’s place outside the city. We visit temples, and I get to immerse myself in their culture. Feels authentic compared to trendy temples we hit for the gram.

- Leonichelle, English Teacher (Isan, North Eastern Thailand)