☕ Back in the Classroom: Cambodia After 9 Years in China
☕ Back in the Classroom: Cambodia After 9 Years in China
Grab a coffee — this one’s a bit of a story.
So, here I am. After nine years in China and two years full-time on PalFish, I’ve finally stepped back into a real classroom. Not a virtual one with filters and fish avatars. A real one — in Cambodia, no less.
And let me tell you — the difference hits you from day one.
The PalFish Fallout
Before I jump into chalkboards and homework, I need to get something off my chest. If you’ve followed me, you’ll know I got myself into hot water in the PalFish OKC chat. Why? Because I called out non-natives who were ticking “native” on their profiles.
I stood up, said it was dishonest, and — surprise, surprise — I got booted out. Controversial? Sure. But I’d rather be honest than silent. And now, funny enough, teachers are whispering about how their bookings are drying up.
Why?
Summer’s over (holidays gone = fewer students).
Trials are thin on the ground.
Too many teachers for too few students.
And yes, the non-natives who slipped through vetting are now competing for the same pie.
And PalFish knew this. They knew bookings would drop post-summer. So why allow in more teachers? Numbers, plain and simple. Platforms love volume. Teachers, not so much.
Back in a Real Classroom
Now — flip the scene. Instead of one kid online with mum in the background, I’m in front of 11 students in a Cambodian classroom. And here’s the shocker: it’s easier.
Respect from day one. No battles over authority. They stand, greet, and treat you like “Teacher.”
More active learning. Group tasks, movement, energy — the room buzzes.
Tech in balance. We’ve got screens and tools, but it doesn’t dominate. Wordwall and Baamboozle aren’t just fillers; they’re homework heroes. Kids who never lifted a pen last year are now gamifying English after school.
And the principal? She pulled me aside, eyebrows raised:
“How did you get them to actually do homework? Last year, no one did it.”
Simple: I made it fun. Gamify, connect it to real life, and suddenly homework isn’t a chore, it’s a challenge.
Organised Chaos (That Works)
Here’s a secret weapon: my teacher toolkit. Honestly, I use it daily. It keeps me organised, calm, and always one step ahead. The students feel that — it creates rhythm. Teamwork builds, individuality shines.
And the kids? Their creative thinking stuns me. We’re not just parroting. We’re writing. We’re exploring. We’re actually enjoying English.
Coffee Shop Reflection
So here’s where I’m at:
PalFish feels like a rat race with too many mice and not enough cheese.
The classroom? It feels human again. Respect, laughter, teamwork.
Cambodia’s classrooms may not have the glitz of a flashy online app, but they have something PalFish can’t fake: genuine engagement.
And after nine years in China, two on PalFish, and one week in a Cambodian classroom? I can finally breathe.
☕ What about you? Do you find the online grind harder than the real classroom?
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