A teacher in the highlands and the journey to preserve Thai script for the young generation

Born in Yen Nhan commune (formerly Thuong Xuan district), Ngan Thi Tien grew up in an environment filled with Thai cultural colors. Graduating from the Faculty of Mathematics Education, Hong Duc University, Thanh Hoa province, Ms. Tien returned to her hometown to teach, but her concerns about the risk of Thai script fading away grew over the years.

Teacher Ngan Thi Tien in a Thai language class

As a Thai ethnic, she is always aware of the need to learn and teach the ethnic language to contribute to preserving the identity of her people. Therefore, although she has not received any specialized training, from 2009 to 2012, Ms. Tien actively participated in Thai language training classes organized by the Department of Education and Training.

She persevered to relearn from the beginning how to read, how to write and the principles of spelling; at the same time, she attended many training courses in the northern mountainous provinces; and participated in the ethnic language teacher certification training program at Son La Pedagogical College. Her persistent efforts helped her to be awarded a Thai language teaching certificate, opening up a meaningful journey of spreading knowledge.

After graduating, Ms. Ngan Thi Tien taught at Yen Nhan Secondary School. In 2017, she was transferred to Thuong Xuan Secondary School - Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities. In addition to her major, she also taught Thai language to students.

In each lesson, not only teaching according to the textbook, teacher Ngan Thi Tien also integrates stories about festivals, folk songs, customs, traditional costumes, helping students understand more deeply about their ethnic culture. Thanks to the close and lively teaching method, the class is always lively, students love Thai more.

Thai class is always exciting thanks to Ms. Tien's friendly and lively teaching style.

With the efforts and persistent dedication of teacher Ngan Thi Tien, up to now, most of the school's Thai students have been able to speak and write fluently in their mother tongue; even many students of other ethnicities have actively registered to study.

In addition to regular school hours, teacher Ngan Thi Tien also opens free community classes and collaborates with artisans to collect Thai cultural documents, actively contributing to the work of preserving local culture.

Spreading Thai language from passion

Thuong Xuan Ethnic Boarding School - Secondary School has about 97% of students who are Thai ethnic. For many years, the school has included Thai language in extracurricular activities, twice a week, helping students have a regular training environment. Ms. Ngan Thi Tien is the first teacher to be granted a certificate to teach Thai language and is assigned to take on key tasks in teaching Thai language.

Students attentively practice reading Thai characters.

Sharing about her work, teacher Ngan Thi Tien said: “This is completely a passion. As a Thai ethnic child, I want to contribute a small part to preserving the identity of my homeland.”

According to Ms. Ngan Thi Tien, Thai script has a separate system of characters, from the way of reading, writing to the position of the vowels. If not mastered, it will be very difficult for students to understand the rules correctly. To make it easier for students to access, she has linked the lessons with folk songs, proverbs, customs, and cultural stories, creating interest and a natural connection between students and the language of ethnic minorities.

Students practice reading Thai characters on the board in Ms. Tien's class.

Cam Thi Thao Linh, a 9th grade student at Thuong Xuan Ethnic Boarding School - Secondary School, said: “Learning Thai with Ms. Tien is very interesting. The lessons not only help me learn to read and write, but also understand the customs, festivals, costumes, and folk songs of my people. When participating in cultural and artistic activities organized by the school, I find it very meaningful. The performances of the bamboo dance, bamboo dance, gongs, or Thai costume performances help us feel more clearly the value of national identity, be proud of our homeland, and understand that preserving culture is the responsibility of each person.”

The school principal, Ms. Cam Thi Hoan, commented: Ms. Ngan Thi Tien is a dedicated, responsible teacher, always proactive in preserving and teaching Thai script. Not only does she complete her professional tasks well, she also actively preserves and promotes the traditional cultural values of the nation.

Teacher Ngan Thi Tien always tries her best to help students understand their ethnic culture.

In recent years, Thuong Xuan Ethnic Boarding School - Secondary School has paid special attention to building a cultural environment for students. The stilt house in the school grounds is both a common living space and a highlight of traditional education.

On major holidays such as November 20, March 26 or the school's founding day, school-wide cultural and artistic programs are organized. Teacher Tien often reenacts bamboo dances, bamboo pole dances, costumes and special gong performances with her students, thereby helping students become more proud of their national identity.

Simple, dedicated and passionate, teacher Ngan Thi Tien is silently "sowing knowledge - preserving souls" for generations of students in the highlands.

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