Job Discussion Forums

[Jaime1]

I want to compile a list of phrases for the classroom we can all use. Here are a few I know . Add some if you like.

Sit Down - Nang Long

Be Quiet - Niyap Noi

Understand? - Kow Jai Mai

Listen - Fang

Homework - Gan Ban

Quiz - Tot sob

Exam - sob

Repeat after me - Pootam

Read - An

Break - Pak

Break 5 minutes - Pak han na ti

Raise your hand - Yok mi Kun

Don't cheat - Ham Lok

What is your name? - Kun Chu Alai

How old are you? - Ayuk Tow Lai

Paper - gradart

Pencil - din-saw

That's all wrong - Phid thang-phe

Stop doing that! - ??

[MaiPenRai]

While this is argued by many teachers, I don't think it is necessary to use most of what you have posted in class. If you are teaching primary or very low levels, it MAY be useful at the beginning, but you should be trying to encourage and facilitate classroom language in English.

Hands up, sit down, listen, be quiet, paper, pencil, read, etc. can be taught, modelled and drilled visually. Not sure why you would want to say to a young second language learner "That's all wrong"?

Many teachers tend to use Thai instructions in class because the students tend to respond better to "Ngiep" rather then "Be quiet!", but it is a slippery slope. I admit that I used to use Thai very occassionaly, but learned that the more I used it, the more the students expected it.

I have lots of experience working with Thai schools and admin and I know that most of the schools really dont want to hear the foreign teachers using Thai in the classroom (Thai teachers can do that).

There are also are few mistakes in your translations, but no need to be picky.

[sr]

If you are teaching English why are you using Thai? When I teach English (university level) everything is done in English as this is the only way that the students learn. Granted if they have a problem with some words then I will explain in Thai, but that is very rarely. I also have them look up any words in the Thai English dictionary. Remember you are teaching English not Thai even at the lower levels.

As was pointed out by MaiPenRai they will become more depended on you to speak Thai to them if they don�t understand, so it is better if you don�t start that.

[Jaime1]

you should add your own classroom phrases instead.

[roguegrafix]

I agree with the above. I occassionaly use Thai in class but mainly if I'm trying to tell a joke and it has nothing to do with what we are learning. If you really want them to listen (and I'm talking about university students here not young school kids), swear at them in English using a few F words. They sure pay attention then!

[perfectweapon]

Roguegrafix the problem with that is if you swear at them, and they repeat it outside in ear shot of someone then guess what? You got it, it will come back on you, and you will have all kinds of problems.

[NigerianWhisper]

[perfectweapon]

NW this is also very true

[MaiPenRai]

Rogue, are you a teacher? I think its just common sense that swearing at your students is just plain wrong and demonstrates a lack of understanding or effort in classroom management.

I've had grade 3 students that all know (because I taught them and we reinforced it lesson after lesson) pen, pencil, stand up , sit down, notebook, quiet, come here, write, read, etc. There is no reason that all teachers cannot do the same.

Schools do not pay you to practice Thai with the students. Plenty of time for that outside the classroom.

[Mini09]

Hi,

Thanks Jaime, I found these phrases really useful. Chances are I will be teaching very young kids/kindergarten and not 'directly' teaching English, so being able to get the kids (2-4 year olds) attention is very helpful. I know that when teaching older kids you need to speak in English all the time, but Im sure thats not the case for everyone

Mini

[davidrwest2005]

I don't know anything about Thai language but I am curious where people actually stand on the issue of using the native language in the classroom at at the school.

My guess is that the people who are against using the native language in the classroom are sticking to the teacher trainers' rule. I was taught that using the native language is counter productive. But I suspect for the most part that the teachers who are against using the native language in the class cannot use it very well themselves.

These are my reasons for using the native language in the class:

*translating
1. it's a skill
2. in some instances it saves time

*knowing what the students think
survival Thai for the classroom isn't necessarily about learning phrases to say to the students. How about listening to what the Thai students are saying in Thai? My bet is that the students are saying something like: Did he say copy the blackboard? or I don't understand.

*Communicating with homeroom teachers
When the other teachers know what I am doing and know me as a person, they become great resources for handling classroom management issues.


*relating to the students as people.
Young learners cannot be expected to strictly use English. Young learners are some of the most personable students you can hope to meet. make friends with them on the break and they will jump through hoops of fire for you during the lesson.

* confirm their comprehension
my guess is that 80% of a class relies on a handful of bright students to find out what is going on. Getting feedback from them in any form is an accomplishment. The goal is to get them to respond in English but a correct response in Thai is not the worst. Some students have better reading skills than speaking skills.

*understand the way they understand language
We all grasp new concepts by attaching them somewhere to existing concepts. I'm sure there is a fancy word for this. Thai and English are so dissimilar that learning English for a thai student is difficult in ways that an English speaker might not imagine. When we hear Tinglish we are hearing this 'carry over' from the native language. (Again, I forgot the fancy word). I see nothing wrong is pointing out the Thai structure the student is mistakenly applying to English and then eliciting from the class the correct English structure.

*they are used to learning from a teacher who switches between their native language and the target language.


I know this line of reasoning is impressive only up to a point.. I too try to encourage the students to use English more. Sometimes my efforts are in vein. But for the most part, I still have a sense of control in the classroom because I know where the breakdown occurs and I know what the class is saying.

I wish the students had the attitude necessary for total immersion. But in most instances it is not realistic. This is easier with advanced adult/college students. Doing this on a consistent basis requires a lot of effort and my hat is off to the teachers who do this and succeed.

[NigerianWhisper]

[Pauleddy]

"...sometimes my efforts are in vein"

mistakenly corrected to vane

both wrong

needs to be "...efforts are in vain"

vane is a noun--a device for measuring wind direction.

I am amazed that the first teacher got it wrong, and was then wrongly corrected by another teacher. Says a lot for Thailand. Little wonder that things are bleak.

pedantic PaulEddy

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

Let's stay on topic, please.

The topic relates to using Thai in the classroom.

If the discussion does not focus on the topic, the thread will no longer be available.

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

Two members chose to deliberately disregard the warning above and so the thread is now locked after their postings were deleted.

Other action is pending.