By Lance Cpl. Brian A. Marion, Combined-Joint Information Bureau
BUENG TEMPLE SCHOOL, KORAT, Thailand (May 16, 2008) – U.S. service members taught English to more than 60 students from the Bueng Temple School here May 16 as part of the first English language community relations event for Exercise Cobra Gold 2008.
The future Buddhist monks, ranging from 15 to 25 years old, already knew some English, but most had never spoken to a native English speaker, and were curious about what American service members were like.
“They want to know [about] foreigners, all about lifestyles, their country and everything about them,” said Ketsaya Paddhapawarangkoom, a teacher at the school. “They are really excited about [the service members] being here.”
After introducing themselves, the students split up into three groups, with several service members acting as instructors.
“A lot of different countries are influenced by American culture, so learning a few English words here or there makes people happy,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Damien Brown, hospital corpsman and volunteer.
Since most students already had a grasp of basic English, the soldiers and sailors involved focused on words the students were curious about.
“My class already knew the words from the paper we had,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Porsche Beale, administration personnel noncommissioned officer, Special Troops Battalion, U.S. Army Pacific, Fort Shafter, Hawaii. “[So] we were giving them the proper pronunciation of words they didn’t pronounce correctly, and they seemed to enjoy it.”
The students in Beale’s room smiled and laughed as students and teachers answered questions and learned more about each other.
“I love kids, kids are great,” Brown said. “They’re fun to be around … They give adults a chance to remember what it’s like to be a kid again.”
Even though the classes were designed to help the students learn English, the service members also learned more about the Thai language.
“… I’m probably learning more about them than they’re learning about me,” Brown said. “I’m teaching English and I’m learning the words in Thai that I’m teaching in English.”
As the class concluded, the service members entertained their new friends by singing songs requested by the future monks, including Row Row Row Your Boat and In Bloom, by Nirvana.
“It makes me feel like a better person down here,” Beale said. “I always enjoy meeting different people, and that’s what makes me enjoy Thailand: the people.”
Cobra Gold 08 is the 27th annual U.S./Thai exercise promoting stability and security within the region. The Kingdom of Thailand hosts the event each year and invited Singapore, Japan and Indonesia to participate.