The 2010 Thai Volunteer Chinese Teachers' Living & Working Conditions Fact-Finding Meeting Convenes in Bangkok

In order to investigate the working and living conditions of volunteer Chinese teachers', Hanban's Thailand Office and the Ministry of Education in Thailand held the 2010 Thai Volunteer Chinese Teachers' Life and Work Fact-Finding Meeting on July 10th. Around 50 volunteer Chinese teacher representatives on behalf the some 1,200 Thai volunteer Chinese teachers gathered in Bangkok to exchange their ideas and share their experiences with one another. Pang Li, Representative of Hanban Thailand Office along with project officers from Thai MOE also participated in the meeting and offered volunteer Chinese teachers explanations regarding relevant issues.

To meet the requirements of the Thai MOE, Hanban dispatched 1,214 volunteer Chinese teachers in June 2010. These volunteers have adapted to the local environment and shown excellent teaching qualities through Chinese classes, and by bringing vivid and interesting teaching and cultural activities to Thai students. Volunteers have also received warm welcomes from and the praise of local schools.

During the morning, Volunteer Chinese teachers related their experiences of being Chinese teachers for the first time and exchanged their own life experiences, achievements and expectations at the Volunteer's Home in Hanban's Thailand Office. The Hanban Thailand Office then raised specific questions concerning volunteers' working conditions and accommodation, mental state and collected some suggestions and advice. Program officers from of the National Primary Education Commission, the National Commission for Civil Education, the Higher Education Commission and the National Vocational Education Commission answered volunteers' questions.

Pang Li, Representative of Hanban Thailand Office told volunteers that the Sino-Thailand Volunteer Chinese Teacher project is of great significance, she hopes that volunteers cherish their precious experience teaching Chinese in Thailand, study hard and exercise their spirit of adventure, shoulder their responsibilities and make sacrifices and further contributions in aid of the promotion of Chinese culture and Sino-Thai friendship.

Volunteer Chinese teachers stated after the meeting that the meeting has timely, vivid and a thorough demonstration of Hanban's care and support. They felt that they had learnt a lot from the event.