Does having a nice smile make someone a good dentist?
Of course not! A dentist needs to have the right education and qualifications. In the same way, being able to speak a language doesn’t automatically qualify you to teach it. Not all native speakers can be good language teachers. Now, meet SEAL’s highly trained and experienced team that can help you meet your language goals.
Our Team
Sunan Piamchonthan
Thai language
Sunan is the owner and head teacher of the SEAL Language School. Sunan is a graduate of Chiang Rai Rajabhat University with a degree in Education and English. Upon graduation, Sunan passed the examination to be a government teacher, and returned to his hometown in Mae Hong Son to teach at a government school. After teaching for the government, Sunan returned to Chiang Rai five years ago to focus on teaching Thai to foreigners. Sunan also has experience in translating, having been selected by Hillsong United to translate their songs from English to Thai. With his background in music, Sunan is a stickler about tones and proper pronunciation, which benefits his students. He desires for his students to be able to speak, read, and write in Thai as well as enjoy living life in Thailand. Sunan is also well versed in Thai history and culture and integrates them into his language teaching to enhance his students’ learning experience.
Marcia Yu
English Language
Marcia is Korean-American, being born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She received her degree in sociology from the #1 public university in the world, U.C. Berkeley, where she was a member of the Alpha Kappa Delta International Honors Society. Marcia has taught various different subjects, including English, to students of all ages, ranging from early childhood to working professionals. Her experiences in teaching include homeschooling her own children, assisting in various levels of elementary school education, directing children’s ministry at a large American church, and teaching English literature to high schoolers at an international school. In addition to her native English, Marcia is conversant in Korean, Spanish, and Thai. She aims to see students equipped with a mastery of the English language in order to open new opportunities to engage both the global market and social community. Marcia is happily married and has 4 lovely children.
Renee Vezeau
English Language
Renee is Chinese-American, being born and raised in San Francisco, California. She is a graduate of Biola University, where she received her degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). She taught at an international school in America, where she gained experience teaching adults from many different countries and language levels. Renee has also taught literacy and reading skills to students of all ages, ranging from kindergarten to adult. She loves seeing her students reach their language goals, and she loves seeing them gain confidence in their speaking. She hopes to produce students who will be equipped to use English in any setting, whether it be casual or professional. In addition to her native English, Renee is also conversant in Cantonese and Thai. She is married to her husband, Mitchell, with whom she enjoys spending time outdoors.
Julie Smude
English Language
Julie serves SEAL’s English program as a consultant and advisor. Julie has nearly 20 years of experience teaching English in Thailand and training English teachers from all over the world. Julie is a graduate of Bemidji State University and has a Cert IV TESOL (with honors) from the University of the Nations Hawaii as well as Diploma of TESOL from SEA English Academy, an English language and TESOL-certification school she founded. Julie is also the founder and president of Deeper Still Ministries International, a foundation focused on discipling young people. Julie has provided invaluable input into SEAL’s English language curriculum, teacher training and program development. Julie is now retired and resides in Chiang Rai. She enjoys spending time with her lovely grandchildren as much as distance allows.