Teaching English to Thai Police

So this week has pretty much flown by.
We have been Teaching Thai Policeman this week. Elyse, Nikki and I were so nervouse that first day. We were to teach right at the police station.
We originally had planned to teach Kids English but there wasn't any kids as its their summer holidays for another few weeks. So we agreed that Police would be the next option. It was definitly going to be a completely different experience and a challenge for all three of us.
Its not like you can think of a few games to play and a small lesson like you would with kids, with adults you have to come at a totally different approach. We were so scared that we wouldnt be able to teach them and they would all give us blank stares.
When we walked into the station that first day, my hands were shaking, and I was sweating even in an airconditioned room. They had even made an opening ceremony for us with a podium and a speach from a few of the very important directors and the chief of the Station in Singburi. In one of the speaches, they introduced us as educated English teachers that have been working in the Singburi schools. None of us had tought in the schools in Singburi, None of us had ever even tought english at all!
But they made us feel very welcome. We ended up splitting the class into two different groups which gave the police a chance to feel a lot less attimidated to speak english openly. Some were very hesitant to speak at first, but Elyse, Nikki and I were surprised how easily we ourselves became relaxed as they did as well. That first day, we went over basic conversation and tested to see how much english they cops knew. We were taken to lunch with the cheif (which is a huge honour in Thai culture) and he even treated us to a little icecream!
As the days progressed, we felt more and more comfortable with them. They were no longer scary thai cops, but kind faces and fun laughter.
Our hardest challenge was when we would plan what we would teach for that day and come to class and realize that we had no students the same from the previouse lesson the day before. This made it difficult with the levels of understanding. We had a few that had come to every class and they followed the lessons easily as we always seemed to have to review and review so that we could catch everyone up. By the last day, the police officers had brought their wives and children to learn english as well. So we decided to split up the group.. kids from adults. It was great fun but there wasnt a moment that we weren't on our toes.
Speaking of toes... we even managed to teach the police how to sing "Head Shoulders, knees and toes knees and toes" with the actions. They went a long with it and actually enjoyed it! haha It was such a funny thing to see. Its the last thing you would expect them to be doing as grown men in police uniform.
The Director, Chat, took us out as a thank you at the end of the week. He had asked us what kind of music we enjoyed a few days earlier and we told him Rock music without thinking much of it. We drove an hour from Singburi that night to arrive at this beautiful restaurant that played any rock song requested from a little band outside in a garden. He had gone so out of his way to please us. We had a wonderful dinner and the waitresses topped our beer glasses every minute, even if it wasnt even close to being done. Hanging out with the Thai Police made us all feel like we were living the lives of Kings and Queens. Maybe Nikki had felt it more than the rest of us... hahaha. She fully took advantage of the free beer!
Chat went up to the band playing and sang to songs in Thai and dedicated them to us! He spoke so proudly and clearly, "Dis is Fo Miss Alees, Miss Cowie, Miss Nikki, Miss Helan and Mista Adam". We almost felt that it was just too much for us. They were so greatful for only a short week of teaching.
They took us to a connected rock club from the restaurant afterwards and there was a line up outside with a guard at the door checking ID. We worried as the age limit in Thailand for drinking is apparently 20 (even though barely anyone checks anyways). We were escorted passed the line and the gaurd checking ID and was walked right in upstairs to get a great view of the club and the Thai band playing cover bands.
They went so out of their way to make us feel welcomed and thanked. They were so greatful for our volunteer work. I think we all felt a little undeserving of this attention. But that is definitly one thing i have found so different here in Thailand. When they are thankful, or want to show their appreciation, they go so out of their way and sacrifice so much to make you feel happy. They are such generouse and full hearted people. They gave us a lovely picture with a frame of us with the chief and director, Chat. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking of all their kindness this week.