In response to Michael ('Take heart, the schools are out there' Ajarn Postbox 26th December 2012) MIchael, I have learned one thing in getting the respect of my students. I've been teaching them for nearly three years and I was surprised that I got their respect only the day after I reviewed them in O-Net. How? I taught subject verb agreement the easiest way. You might be surprised that one student made no mistake and many scored 80-95%.

To cut the story short, teach something that will give them the idea on how to get the correct answer. Provide rules, clues, word signals, or anything that will give the idea that such word or any word is the answer. Give 10 examples. One to five examples follow the same rule. Six to 10 examples follow the same rule. Give them exercises. Most of them will pass. So, I kept on doing this everytime we met (once a week). The students were behaved, interested, and liked to learn from me because they could understand the lesson, they could score high in the evaluation, and they were starting to have liking for the subject.

Go down to their real level. Many level four or five and six students of my school are at home with lessons I teach for levels 3 and 4. Set an attainable goal for your class. Not what we want because no matter how we lower our standard, it is still high for our students. We are not teaching ESL, therefore, teach easy lessons and students will respect you as a good teacher because they learn from you and you are the better teacher of English because you can make them understand. Give it a try.

Benito Vacio

Steven ('At the end of my tether' Ajarn Postbox 26th December 2012) I believe that is a common situation in some schools in Thailand. Unfortunately, the schools with the most vacancies are the schools that have some problems with student (and sometimes teacher) motivation and discipline) Bad treatment from the students and/or lack of support from the school administration result in a high teacher attrition rate and vacancies for new job seekers. The school administration and fellow teachers may mean wonders, but be unable to provide much support because they have their share of problems already. The situation may be compounded by teacher agencies that promise all kinds of things (to the teacher and the school), but sometimes don't even pay in time or the full amount promised (or don't pay at all).

Take heart. There ARE schools where student behavior is tolerable - sometimes downright good. It may take a few trials, though, because the odds are definitely against the new teacher.

Michael

Presently, I'm employed at a government-run school, teaching young students from Prathom 4 through to 6 and the problem I encounter with almost every class, is a lack of respect, plus attention, demonstrated by the students. I've approached the H.O.D and related my concerns about said issue, who, to my surprise, confirmed that Thai teachers alike, also face the same problem.

So its seems that the situation is not an isolated one and on reflection, I'm not at fault or even alone and that the problem of disruptive students is a widespread thing. What I'm seeking, is help with feed-back on how best to approach and deal with the problem?

Steven

Hey ladies! I have been living and teaching at a private school near Bangkok for about two months and here are my observations on the female teacher dress code.

When I first arrived, I was very surprised to find out that, not unlike 1950s Americana, dresses and skirts are the expected, encouraged, and unofficially required of all female staff and faculty at the school. So, before your first teaching gig, don't waste your money buying pants. Maybe the school you work at will not be as strict with this policy, but unless you have overwhelming feelings about this topic, buy skirts and dresses to be on the safe side.

On that note, it seems that unlike in the U.S., where this is sometimes stigmatized, wearing short skirts with hairy legs is acceptable. I have seen many high school and university students sporting this look, and the occasional teacher too. I have never seen anyone wear pantyhose here; I am very thankful for this, it's far too hot out there for such things.

Necklines on shirts should remain high. Try to avoid showing any clavicle, and cleavage is out of the question. Iron your shirts, or pay someone to iron them.

Like with men, personal body odor is highly offensive here. This may pose some problems for farangs from cold environments, because you'll sweat a lot when you arrive here -- I know I did! This means you'll have to wash your clothes more frequently. The good news is that the clothing here is less expensive than it is in the U.S., so when it wears out from washing, it's somewhat easier to replace (if you can find Thai clothing that fits). Most women here don't wear socks with dress shoes, but you might want to think twice about this fashion move if you're prone to foot stink. At my school, if a teacher smells of cigarettes, etc., it is a BIG deal. This is an understatement.

It's not a bad idea to look polished as far as hair and make-up are concerned. I have noticed that many of the female teachers here are experts in that department, Still, my hair is usually free-form, and my make-up varies depending on how much time I have to get ready for work. So far, nobody has complained.

Important note: Yellow and red are colors for two rival political groups. Be mindful of your environment when wearing these colors.

I hope this was helpful. I hope some of you female farangs reply with some of your observations and reflections too.

Sarah

In theory, problems do not exist in the Thai educational system. In reality, this theory creates many real problems. If a teacher in a Thai school questions this "Mai Bpen Rai" theory of education in any way, that teacher is removed from the position and barred from the school. I can greatly appreciate the desire to help others "save face", but not to have a zero toleration policy for hearing about problems with the schools and preventing improvements. Even great schools and school systems need improvement simply because life is constantly in change. In healthy environments (all types, including schools) constant improvements are necessary to create success, which is a positive response to life. But (by and large), Thai schools do not tolerate any level of questioning so improvements (which involves respectful and intelligent questioning) do not take place.

Thailand will make a big change in 2015 with the opening of the ASEAN Community. This change will de disasterous for the average Thai worker if they do not learn English adequately before this time. According to the ASEAN labor laws, workers from other ASEAN member countires will be able to compete with Thais for jobs in Thailand. The person who has the better job skills AND better command of English will get the job. This will a huge departure from the days when Thais had (and will have until 2015) preference over foreigners in terms of getting jobs.

I hope that Thais learn English soon so they are competitive when 2015 arrives. This requires a healthy and respectful toleration of problems. Thailand does not know have this toleration, but instead a demand for blind obedience to educators who say that problems (conflict) cannot exist in schools. What is really happening is that more problems are created and this brings Thailand closer to achieving last place in the ASEAN Community and many, many more problems in Thailand.

A very sad state of affairs, which I hope can be eliminated quickly and productively.

Doug

In response to Jason's letter; when is an NES not an NES? (Postbox 21st November) I've heard that the Ministry of Lack of Education in Thailand is now demanding that South Africans and wait for it, Irish nationals have to sit a TOEIC examination. In my opinion this is just another way for the TCT to extract money from us foreign teachers here. I was also led to believe that those who qualify as 'native English speakers' are from: UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. With regards to the teacher who wasn't born in any of the aforementioned countries - they are not a native English speaker, and therefore they are teaching under false pretenses. Jason, if I may give you a piece of advice - do the test. Believe me you'll pass it easily. A colleague of mine from the Philippines just sat it last week and he got a score of 750.

Keith

I have heard that South Africans are not NES now, and they have to take an English proficiency test if they wish to teach. How does the Ministry of Education define an NES? There is a teacher I know who was born in a non-English speaking country in Asia who then grew up in a non-English speaking country in Europe which gave him his first language. Then, he learned the language of his birth country. He finally moved to the U.S. as an adult where he learned English as his third language. He holds a U.S. passport and is working in the position of NES teacher. His accent is not NES, he speaks to his students in pigeon English, his spelling is awful and his grammar is even worse. If he had to take an English proficiency test, I think he would probably fail. Does holding a U.S. passport define him as an NES or has he got his teaching position under false pretenses?

Jason

On the topic of Thais not generally being able to speak English that well, I'm not sure teachers can fix this issue, it's more of a society thing. As for good or not so good teachers, that self fixes itself if the society thought changes. I have taught English in Laos for three years. The students there are more interested and motivated, and as a result can speak English at a higher level. Why are Laos students more motivated then Thai students ? Well it comes down to the society group thought or lack there of.

In Laos they have a thirst to talk and communicate with foreigners. They are genuinely interested and eager to learn about other cultures. They are open. Why? I don't know, maybe its because its a smaller country, lack of solid national identity, isolated. The desire to travel to other countries, to explore, perhaps a lack of society group thought governed and pushed by their government to instil a particular idea. Maybe the need to expand and grow, to evolve, perhaps a lack of Laos written books/novels/magazines and Laos TV/movies.

In Thailand they have a genuine disinterest to talk and communicate with foreigners. They're generally not eager to learn about other cultures. They are closed. Why? who knows. Maybe its because its a big country that houses everything that you'll ever need in your lifetime. No need to go outside the country, to travel, to live. Is it a super-strong instilled national identity? The abundance of everything Thai spoken and written - a strong society group with thoughts governed and instilled by the governing forces to produce a singular idea and path.

It has to impact daily life to be truly learnt. Do you remember all your secondary education of statistics? or chemistry? Well probably not, because if you don't actually use it in your daily life it will be eventually forgotten.

My thoughts are that Thai students don't absorb as much as we'd like because they never use the English language (no use, no need). Never read, write or communicate in the English language. They are perfectly happy with everything Thai language, which is perfectly reasonable since they have an abundance of material in their language including technology gadgets.

I think there are two basic needs to learn and use the English language. English outside Thailand, and English inside Thailand.

1) English outside of Thailand:
This one is tricky. Speaking Thai outside of Thailand, won't get you very far. So the obvious blanket answer would be English is the most accepted form of international language from all the countries holistically. Great ! But are your students even thinking about traveling internationally? Living and working in a foreign country? Probably not, even if they say yes, its a half-hearted yes at best. They are young, eyes closed, and everything Thailand, which is reasonable.

So to give them the need to learn English, you have to open their eyes, show them the world outside of Thailand. The opportunities, the enriching experience, the tastes and delights of foreign cultures.

2) English inside Thailand:
Very difficult but shouldn't be. There are two reasons to speak English inside Thailand.

Firstly, jobs and career ! Seems simple doesn't it? You'd think by simply explaining to your students that if they excel at the English language they will be provided with a greater opportunity in the job market. Their wages will be generally higher, and would have preference over others that can't speak English as well.

Maybe try actively showing them the opportunities that lie ahead. Clip job postings for an English speaking/reading Thai national. Create a job board, and continually post the clippings, showing all the different employers, from NGO's to government and private institutions. Show the difference of wages. You can do an in-class exercise if you have access to the internet or assigned homework, asking each student to find 5 jobs requiring English and 5 that don't. You can bring in guests, either employers or employees explaining a real life application of their English skills in the job market.

Also actively explain that everyone can get a A+ in English class, or get a degree or certificate without actually learning the subject. It might look good on your CV, and get you an interview, but probably won't land you that job when you have to demonstrate your English speaking and writing skills.

Secondly, communicate with foreigners within Thailand:
This one is extremely difficult to instil. As it is now'ish, it's kind of like two worlds, no wait, more like three worlds in Thailand. You have Thais that speak with Thais, you have Foreigners that speak with Foreigners, and then you have the Foreigners that speak with Thai bar girls. Three totally separate worlds within one country. The "average" younger and middle Thai generation don't generally speak with foreigners at all. I don't know, its a weird societal singular thought process that is going on. Whether its construed as bad, improper, or whatever. Thais always worry about what other Thais see and think, you have to keep to the norm or fear reprisal.

Open your students up to the possibilities of engaging in communications with foreigners. Actively explain that foreigners that are traveling here or staying here would love to talk with a normal local outside of the immediate tourism scene. Talk about anything, food, weather, people, activities, daily life, etc. Excite them about learning about other cultures, being inquisitive, exploring worlds with words and pictures. (this one is difficult to instil in your students, I only know that there is a universe of difference between Laos and Thai students, and this being the essential lynch pin of difference)

Long and winded yes, but the Thai culture and logic is baffling.

Steve

I really respect the people that come to Thailand and get jobs working in schools to help students learn English. I've worked these types of job in the past and know that I've made a difference in the lives of many of the students that I've worked with. I really do feel though that teachers - both Thai and foreign - are exploited in Thailand far too much and that the only way to change this would be for foreign teachers to look elsewhere in Asia and the world for jobs. I believe that by doing this it would force many schools to not be able to offer the programs anymore and the more serious schools would take measures to try and get good workers. The fact that foreigners come to Thailand to teach for 25k-30k a month isn't a huge opportunity to be giving up anyway especially when you consider the pay in places like Korea, Japan and even Vietnam. Even for what the international schools pay in many cases isn't a great deal if you compare the salaries and benefits to living in the west. I understand for some people the love of working in schools in Thailand is more meaningful than a pay check and that is why I respect these types of teachers so much, but long-term these teachers will be out more so than not with not much to show for it.

Derek

My name is Colin and I have been working in Thailand for nearly a year. My government School is in Mahasarakham Province. It has 2500 students and I teach 800 students every week, well it should be 1100 but being absent seems to be hip over here. My question is this - if I need help regarding school policy, where can I get good solid advice. I am by trade a PE teacher and teaching to me is a love, and I enjoy teaching at the school. I work 26 hours a week and I am paid 30,000 Baht. I really need to have a chat with someone who is well versed in government school protocols. I hope you can help. Please contact me by e-mail clnlesley@gmail.com

Colin