Job Discussion Forums

[TawtViet]

I was a little disappointed to see a mention in one posting that there was a lack of real interest in English. I get sick enough of that in Japan where I am presently. Of course I adore the students who really care.
My views of "...the one and only world language..." are pretty strong. I made up a card to hand to Japanese people that says (with a Japanese translation included): "English is never a foriegn language in any country. It's the international language and it's being responsible to be able to speak it in a global community." Many agree with the card and I absolutely know it's not an act. I also tried to pass a message on to JHS students: "The Japan of your parents will not be the Japan of your future. Those without English skill in a fast changing world will only be able to get jobs far below their potential like cleaning toilets! "I don't think I am an "English imperialist" when I view English as not just simply one of many languages in the world. If I don't have a fire lit under me about English, why should I bother?
I was hoping that Thai people ( I am thinking of going there) have a better attitude in general about the world's most significant language. This significance stands strong DESPITE how many more godzillians of people speak such and such language like Chinese for example.
I would try to make fun lessons but if a student was acting up I may hand him or her a professional looking certificate (made up in advance) reading something like: "Future Toilet Cleaner in Thailand" due to no English skill in a fast-changing, globalized world. I might also hold a picture of a brain (with an arrow pointing down) above a disruptive student's head and ask the rest of the class "Is it ok? (in order to humiliate a bit).
I am really hoping to learn however that the attitudes toward THE INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE (and this does NOT mean just for business or travel) in Thailand are worthy of respect.

[legaleagle]

Sounds like some serious loss of face in the works. With regard to the brain chart, make sure you don't touch the student's head. That will get you smacked.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Hi TawtViet


I understand what you're saying

but you may be in for a big let-down.

Generally speaking (and in my experience)

Thais are among the weakest and most difficult

to teach students on the entire planet.



But they do have their pride

which legaleagle alluded to.


I know you mean well, but ...

the humiliation tactics you described above

could quite possibly cost you your job.


Respect is the fundamental element of Thai culture,

and teachers need to recognise & teach within that context,

praising small improvements, encouraging students to think and speak for themselves,

trying patiently to undo some of the damage that years of rote learning have caused.


In essence, you need to be mentor, teacher and friend -

to gain the trust, respect & motivation of your Thai students.

In so doing, they are more likely to 'open up' to what you're saying.


To accomplish this, the carrot just seems

to work a helluva lot better than the stick.


Be creative, by all means!

And serious (or strict) when you need to be.

Just don't go overboard with the toilet cleaner signs.

[TawtViet]

I appreciate the wake-up-and-keep-your-job advice. I have always tried to be a "mentor, teacher, and friend." My ideas for misbehaving students were only created in my mind after hearing about, and running into things that really disgusted me. The mention of the respect thing in Thailand makes me feel that perhaps strong misbehavior may be quite uncommon. When I worked as an assistant language teacher here in Japan (JHS ALT or AET), most of my experience was very good and the kids seemed to love me. There were only a few students who I longed to put in their not-worthy-of-respect-place.
I think that although I am under control, Japan has begun to stress me to the max and I am checking out the grass on the other side, (Thailand to be exact). Perhaps I am having fantasies (the toilet cleaning thing, the brain poster) which don't fit me, because of stress overload. I have always been so gentle and easy going.
I know there is no perfect place but I am hoping many things in Thailand may give me a fresh new start rather than going from one stressful situation to another. One thing that is quite appealing to me is the friendliness I hear about in Thailand that simply does not exist in Japan. I am hoping for a place that may be kind of healing to my soul so to speak.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

^ Understood.


And you're absolutely right ...


Teaching kids can be in any country,

mainly because kids usually have no choice about

whether to study English or not.


That's why I slowly moved away from teaching kids over the years,

and more towards adults & corporate teaching. Kids are GREAT,

but you need the right personality and patience for that.


Yes, of course ...

Thais are indeed a friendly lot, and I think you may well find

that inner peace & soul healing you're looking for -

but I'm not going to promise it ... especially

if you end up teaching large classes of Thai kids.