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When your students have names like Thipphavanh Khamchengchanh it's not easy to pronounce them, much less remember them! Mercifully, they all have nicknames.

In Laos, a newborn is not given an 'official' name until 30 days have passed for fear that they may not survive, that is, they may not have a strong enough khwan to fend off the evil spirits which are ready to attack them through their name. The nicknames which are used for that first month often stay with them for life.

So in my classes I've got a Poppy and a Bee. I've got a Happy and a Bird. I've got a Tick and a Tock and a Tick-Tock. I've got a Ping and a Pong, and a Ping-Pong. Oh, how easy life is after that first month.