Surprise! My New 'TEFL English Class' is Actually a Roomful of MONKS!.... Where Western Pedagogy Confronts Ancient Meditative Practices!

The morning sun was just beginning to peek through the temple windows in Chiang Mai when I realized this wouldn't be your typical TEFL classroom.

Instead of the usual bustle of students rushing in with backpacks and smartphones, I found myself surrounded by a sea of saffron robes.

Twenty pairs of serene eyes looked back at me, waiting patiently for their first English lesson.

Talk about a plot twist in my teaching journey!

After trading my corporate suits for more modest teaching attire in Thailand, I thought I was prepared for anything.

But nothing in my TEFL certification had covered teaching English to Buddhist monks.

As I stood there, clutching my carefully prepared lesson plans, I couldn't help but smile at life's wonderful surprises.

When Two Worlds Collide

Here's the thing about teaching monks: they bring an entirely different energy to the classroom.

While most students fidget and check their phones, these monks sat in perfect stillness, their meditation practice evident in every breath.

My western-style "get up and move around" activities suddenly seemed wildly inappropriate.

"Teacher, what is meaning of 'ASAP'?" one young monk asked during our first lesson.

I paused, realizing how much of our everyday English is rushed, urgent, and completely at odds with their contemplative lifestyle.

How do you explain "deadline pressure" to someone who spends hours in meditation each day?

Lessons Learned (Not Just by the Students)

The monks taught me more about teaching than any training manual ever could:

1. Silence isn't empty - it's full of answers Western teaching often fears silence Monks showed me how powerful a thoughtful pause can be Started incorporating "reflection moments" in all my classes
2. Patience rewrites the curriculum Had to slow down my usual teaching pace Quality of understanding matters more than quantity of material covered Learning to appreciate the journey, not just the destination
3. Cultural sensitivity goes beyond knowing local customs Adapted exercises to respect their religious practices Found creative ways to teach conversational English within appropriate contexts Learned that some western teaching methods need serious modification

The Humor in Cross-Cultural Teaching

Sometimes the cultural differences led to unexpectedly funny moments.

Try explaining English idioms to monks! "It's raining cats and dogs" led to a fascinating philosophical discussion about the nature of reality versus metaphor.

And don't get me started on trying to explain "monkey business" to people who regularly share their temple grounds with actual monkeys!

A Different Kind of Classroom Management

Traditional TEFL classroom management techniques went right out the temple window. Instead, I learned:

• Mindful teaching matters more than mind-filling teaching
• Sometimes the best lesson plan is no lesson plan
• The quiet students often have the most profound things to say
• Western concepts of time and progress need serious adjustment

What They Never Tell You in TEFL Training

Your TEFL certification prepares you for many things, but some lessons can only come from experience:

• Being comfortable with silence is a teaching skill
• Sometimes your students become your teachers
• Cultural adaptability matters more than perfect lesson plans
• The best teaching moments often happen off-script

The Transformation

This experience fundamentally changed how I approach teaching English.

Now, whether I'm training new TEFL teachers or developing curricula, I always consider:

• How can we incorporate mindfulness into language learning?
• What can different cultures teach us about effective education?
• How do we balance western teaching methods with local wisdom?

Practical Tips for Teaching in Religious Settings

For fellow TEFL teachers who might find themselves in similar situations:

1. Research religious customs beforehand
2. Adapt your physical activities and games accordingly
3. Be mindful of appropriate topics and examples
4. Learn to appreciate different learning paces
5. Stay flexible with your teaching approach

The Bigger Picture

This experience in Thailand wasn't just about teaching English - it was about building bridges between cultures and finding common ground in our shared humanity.

Whether you're teaching monks in Thailand or businesspeople in Beijing, the core principle remains: respect, adapt, and learn from your students.

As I continued my journey from volunteer teacher to principal, these lessons stayed with me, shaping my approach to education and leadership.

They remind me that sometimes the best classrooms don't look like classrooms at all, and the most profound lessons often come when we least expect them.

Remember, if you're considering teaching abroad, be ready for anything.

Your "typical" English class might just turn out to be the most extraordinary teaching experience of your life.

And isn't that exactly why we chose this path in the first place?

?