Erik CP3

When I met with Kukit, he was very excited to continue our game of Phase 10 while we talked. I think it took him awhile to realize that I was going to CIES for the TEFL certificate, because during my second classroom observation, I was in one of his classes. Although he’s a shy guy, his face lit up in the class, and I could tell he was explaining to some of his classmates that I was his conversation partner. So during our conversation, he wanted to explain all the opportunities available to teach English in Thailand. He was very hospitable, even offering to give me a tour of Thailand if I were to work there one day.

During the game, he won one round with a lucky hand, and the next round I did the same, so I kind of mumbled “Karma’s a bitch, huh?” At that, he asked me if that was slang, and what the meaning of it was. He didn’t seem to understand that Karma could be a concept translated into Thai Buddhism, so I explained that it’s a philosophical law of action and reaction, and since he easily won the first round, I won the second. Afterwards, I emphasized that he shouldn’t go around saying that openly. He laughed a bit, and repeated "Karma's a bitch, huh?". Each week I see that his English is improving, but out of all my foreign students, he needs the most work to fully grasp all the English language involves.

Also, since communication is pretty difficult between us, I find myself thinking more about what I say, and if he can follow along. I especially realized that I tend to repeat, "ya know?" after most of my sentences. Now I can't stop hearing myself and others say it in regular conversation! And so the transformation into an English teacher begins...