The Songkhla Exchange

 What a colourful week.

When you have been approached by an international link for an English programme you cannot refuse in the name of camaraderie and exposure. Staying true to her cluster status, SMK Seafield could but only agree to help out.

Last week we had 60 children and 7 teachers from Mahavajiravudh Songkhla School visiting us for an English enrichment programme. The visitors wanted a taste of classroom learning; observing how our English teachers deliver English lessons.

 Some of the participants are 'Gifted English Learners' and they have an inclination towards the language. They were well-behaved and some stayed with foster parents to understand local culture better.

 Very quickly the education agent for the link, Mr.Romalee insisted on the exchange of gifts and good feelings.

 The Thai Species of the Rice grain is symbolic of the nation. The principal graciously received them with gratitude and thanksgiving.

 Soon they were given a brief history of the school and how it reached its present status. Mahavajiravudh Songkhla School is a premium school of 112 years old and the school has features way back a century ago. So when they saw the very young Seafield school, they could but only say...the school is physically small when compared to theirs ! I can only imagine the stately nature of their school.

 Our local Higher Institution link; UITM sent in their representatives to conduct a workshop with them; thus enhancing the link.

In the classroom, students were introduces to idiomatic expressions and we had creative understanding indeed !

 The Thais though finding the language quite challenging, are not short of expressions and imaginations.

 The teachers too are keen in learning.

They were delighted when some English teachers gave them the materials to bring home.

 These were some of their understanding of the idioms.

Their understanding expressed pictorially.

 Mr. Romalee was the link we had when we visited Haadyai last year.

He shared that Malaysians are lucky because we are rich in languages; especially the English Language.

 He lamented that the Thais find it a great challenge to speak and write in the language.

 So he was impressed with our students' command of the language.

 This young Thai lad however showed off his narrative skill excellently. He caught us through in attention with his story telling charisma; so typical of a Thai.He did his comrades proud.

 In a local exchange, we taught them the congkat game.

 The nasi lemak was a hit with them.

 The satay is representative of the country and must be given a chance to be tasted.

 Later in the evening we gave them a treat to their delight. They expressed their gratitude.

 Perhaps the best joke was when you see 2 foreigners expressing their views in the MALAY language ! Since Romalee found it a challenge to converse in English,Robin took it upon himself to converse with him in a language which both of them could understand. Seafield's international link is indeed working well. Both of them had something in common; Robin was an AFS student and Romalee's daughter was also an AFS student in the States ! At one point, Robin spoke to his daughter over the phone about ....AFS only. So, we had fun seeing the richness of international links. You would have enjoyed it too.

 The Thais left with a good memories; how can one ever forget their rich cultural dance?

Enjoy it.

The Thai Exchange.