Khao Sok National Park English Camp
Three days of my English teaching experience has been spent
at an English camp in the beautiful surroundings of Khao Sok National Park. Four
of us joined the gibbons, tapirs, praying mantises, butterflies and bats in the
rainforest for what has certainly been one of the top highlights of my time here
in Thailand.
After arriving and settling into our wooden bungalows by a
raging river we were introduced to the children we would be teaching. Altogether
we played some icebreakers and had dinner. The four of us were then able to
explore the park a bit before joining back up with some the Thai staff which was
a great opportunity to learn more about the Thai culture.
The following day we woke to the sounds of the rainforest
creatures and the river flowing beside us. It really was a fantastic way to
start the day teaching! The English lessons we taught were centered on the flora
and fauna of the National Park, including its vast biodiversity and the
importance of conserving our rainforests as well as the outdoor activities
available to do there. The children were aged 10/11 years old and were all very
eager to learn and have fun which helped make the camp a great
success.
In the evening after a full day of teaching in between the
heavy downfalls of rain we organized a few games of duck, duck, goose and hokey
cokey which went down very well with the children (and us!) The children then
put on some plays which they had rehearsed that day for us. Some groups had
incorporated some of the content of our lessons into their plays making the
whole experience even more rewarding.
Later in the evening we were able to relax with some of the
staff again and we even got to meet the Mayor of Phuket - quite a way to end the
day in the rainforest!
On the last day of camp a ceremony was held with the Mayor
who awarded the children with certificates and thanked us for teaching the
children.
Teaching at the English camp in Khao Sok was not only an
experience of a life time but an adventure I will certainly never
forget.
Julia Whitehall, Teaching Children Volunteer, Thailand
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