As a foreign English teacher in Bangkok, I’ve always prided myself on adapting to challenges. But now it feels like we’ve taken a giant step back to 2020. Schools across the city are closing their doors not because of COVID-19, but because of hazardous air pollution. Once again, students are going to be logging in from their homes, and I’ll be staring at a grid of muted microphones and blank profile pictures. Don’t get me wrong, teaching online has its perks. No sweaty commutes on the BTS, and I can sneak a coffee refill between classes. But the novelty wore off long ago. There’s a certain energy in a classroom — the buzz of students chatting in English, the spark when someone finally nails a tricky grammar point - that’s impossible to replicate through a screen.

The pollution itself is infuriating. How did we get to a point where the air is so bad that schools have to shut down? It’s a stark reminder of how environmental issues are impacting daily life here. The irony? I’d love to take a walk after a long day of screen time, but even stepping outside feels like a health risk. I feel for my students, too. Online learning is no substitute for the real thing. Some of them are clearly struggling to stay motivated, and honestly, who can blame them? It’s hard enough to focus on phrasal verbs when the world outside your window is shrouded in a toxic haze.

For now, I’ll do what I can - plan engaging lessons, keep my energy up, and hope the pollution levels drop soon. But I can’t help wishing for the day when we can all breathe a little easier, both literally and figuratively.

Sarah B