The INEB Institute

Tutoring Hour

A typical day in the SENS program consists of three main parts: morning class by our director, afternoon class, and then tutoring hour to wrap up the day.

Tutoring session is a space where SENS participants can reflect on the day, share what they learned and what they found challenging from the morning or afternoon sessions. It is also designed to give personalized language support to each member of the tutoring group based on their needs. Sometimes, our students and tutors dedicate this one hour to provide emotional support to one member of the group.

One thing we are very proud of is that our tutors have used this special hour very creatively. They always make sure the participants can make the most out of it. These two photos are from the tutoring group of our Indian tutor in SENS 2026.

What does the SENS classroom look like?

The first SENS program started in this octagon-shaped building in 2016. Over 10 years, this classroom has been improved with better equipment and also air-conditioned. It provides us enough room to move around during activities that require physical movement.

On the outside, the classroom is surrounded by the greenery of the ashram. This is the place where connections have been formed, transformation has unfolded. It has witnessed generations of SENS students coming in and out. But it remains there — calm, grounded, and steadfast. This space always feels safe and welcoming for us, the SENS graduates.

What Participants Say about SENS?

About two weeks before the graduation day, we ask all of our students and new tutors to prepare a 3-minute talk about what they learn in SENS and what they want to carry on after SENS. Each of them brings a unique perspective with their own lens.

Let's learn about the experience from one of our Indian students from SENS 2026.

Our Second Major Field Trip - Forest Temple Field Trip

This is the most loved field trip during the 3 months of the SENS program. Every year, we bring our students to visit and study with a renowned forest monk in northeastern Thailand. There, we get to listen to his socially engaged work with the local villagers, experience some parts of the forest temple life, and join the morning alms round.

Every morning starting at 5:00, we gather at the meditation hall for morning chanting and a short dharma talk by Phra Paisal, abbot of the temple. Right after that, we head to the village and walk along with the monks on the alms round. This simple walk leaves a profound impression on many of us, where we witness the connections between the monks and the locals, observe how the inhabitants of that land live, and enjoy the cool morning breeze.

Apart from that, we spend the rest of the day on a question & answer session with Phra Paisal. We can ask questions on any aspect of life, and he would give us very grounded and thoughtful responses. Surrounded by the lush forest, we have time to slow down and deeply reflect on our lives with just a few days at the forest temple.

How important is it to sit back and reflect?

In the SENS program, reflection is a regular and valued practice after a major event or activity. We use the name "Reflection Circle" to be exact. It's when all of us, both participants and work team members, sit down in a circle and talk about our experience, feelings, and insights about a certain event. It is essential for everyone to think, reflect, then generate ideas and share them with the group. It condenses, for instance, one's experience in a workshop into a 2-minute sharing.

We hold a "Reflection Circle" after every movie we watched, workshop we attended, and field trip we went on, as well as after group activities in the afternoon session. It equips our participants with a reflective mindset that stays with them after the program.

This photo is a collection of drawings from SENS 2026 participants, reflecting on their memories of our time at a beach in Prachuap Khiri Khan during our field trip to southern Thailand. After completing their artwork, each student took turns to share with the group what they drew and what remains in their hearts and minds after the field trip.

How often do you reflect on your life?

We Don't Run SENS Only in The Classroom

Every year, we organize at least 2 major field trips in order for SENS participants to explore more of Thailand and meet with remarkable leaders from across Thailand. One of them starts from our campus (north of Bangkok) to Bangkok, then heads south. The other brings us to the northeastern region of Thailand, where we live and study at a forest temple.

The photos below were taken during our time at Prachuap Khiri Khan province, southern Thailand, where we had a meaningful time listening to the stories of an extraordinary leader who fought back and saved her homeland from corporate power. It shows us what people power truly means in real life.

Apart from meetings, our students headed to the beach to clean up plastic. It's a small but beautiful act and a strong reminder for us about the way we use plastic in our daily lives.

Do you like to learn from a field trip like this?

Lasting Bonds

What we have been trying to nurture in SENS is not just an English classroom. These are long-lasting connections that cross borders, ethnic and religious lines, keeping us engaged as a network. These bonds transcend the boundaries that keep us separated.

We find this kind of connection every year among our participants, and between the participants and our work team members. They have become close friends, Co-Counselors, or even mentors for each other.

This is one of the values we would like to create and sustain in SENS.

Movie Night

In SENS, we watch a film every week. It's usually chosen by our Director to fit with the main theme of the week. It varies from people's relationships with the economy, inequality, racism, and much more. We sometimes watch a short documentary to supplement the topic we are discussing that week.

After the movie night, we spend a major part of the next morning reflecting on our feelings and insights from the film. Everyone has about one and a half minutes to talk. It has been proven to be a very good practice for all of us to precisely say what's important within a very short time.

This photo was taken a few days before our graduation day. We were watching "The King's Speech" to inspire and prepare our students for their graduation talks.

Art Therapy Workshop

This is one of the workshops in the SENS program led by our alumni. A Thai alumnus offers a workshop every year based on her experience in Art Therapy.

This year, we had a great time playing with clay. Different unique things were shaped by our hands and imagination. Through each other's artwork, we were able to catch a glimpse of who our friends are.

And it was also a time to reflect on our inner world by looking at and sensing the artwork we created.

Do you believe that every one of us is creating art every day in our daily life?

Learning with Joy

In every SENS classroom, learning with joy is always one of our top priorities.

Understanding that the traditional classroom often feels boring and teacher-centric, we at SENS engage students with interactive activities to ensure they stay active and involved. From "Conversation Circle" to "Board Race" and small group activities, students get to move while naturally gaining the English language.

What is the best way for you to learn?