Halal Food!!

By: Andari Amalia S. (15th August 2018)

We were still continuing our observation. This time we wanted to take a look at their teaching method and learning system. Here is what we found:

1. Teaching methods

For Thai teachers when they teach, they use variety of methods such as grammar-translation, audiolingual, and the structural approach. As the students and teachers can communicate in one language, there would likely be no obstacle in applying these methods in classroom. However, for this SEA TEACHER program, we must communicate in English, so we use the Direct Method in classroom.

2. Learning materials and innovation

Learning materials are usually obtained from the certain syllabus that has been given according to the curriculum. However, for some free topic like English for Daily Life, which we can develop the learning material as long as it is proper and acceptable for students. Teacher can create games, fun worksheet, or practical learning for students to follow.

3. Sources and learning technology

There is no certain source we can use because for the given topics are mostly authentic, so we can create materials from what they have already known and experienced in their daily life. As the classroom does not have certain technology such as speakers and projector, we could only apply the traditional method of learning, such as using worksheet and group discussion to help the students be more active in class.

  4. Authentic Assessment

In the classroom, students are asked to do some tasks in order to measure their comprehension of their knowledge. For example, students are asked to create their own maps and present it in class, or they have to retell their activities from morning until dinner in full English. The purpose of this is so that students can create their own materials based from their experience and practice their English speaking skill instead of reading some texts which the context is not part of their life.

On this day, we also learnt a rule that students are not allowed to turn on their motorbikes inside the school area, except for teachers and staff. Students also adopt this culture, where they plant vegetables and grow fish in their pond, or even chicken. Their school has these facilities which teach them about agriculture, and how important it is to protect your environment by growing greens and respecting animals.

Also, this day is meaningful for us as we haven’t met halal food for ages!! We had lunch outside, and thanks for our lovely friends who found a halal food restaurant for us. We ate a ton!