Thread: Teachers - why so negative?

Originally Posted by Controversial

I would be grateful if you put me on the straight and narrow,you now have my interest.

I see NickA & CE have already done so.

Originally Posted by mad_dog

But other qualifications like Lily's nursing Diplomas and LDMA's HND also show that someone is well educated enough to impart knowledge.

Does licking the genitalia of ajarnforum admin and mods get one removed from the banned list? I'm gonna take a deep breath and try it myself

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

That's because you (as well as many others) don't understand the difference between teaching English as a foreign language and being a 'proper' teacher in your home country.

You are obviously the expert on this, so please enlighten us.

Originally Posted by NickA

A teacher currently TEFLing could go anywhere in the World (including England) and do the same job, presuming they are not using fake documents (which is quite a big presumption)

Not in a state school (TESL). However, they can in Thailand. Sad.

Originally Posted by colourful-era

of course it's different - it doesn't matter if you screw up in Tefl

Right, so if someone doesn't get into university because they had a shit EFL teacher, and thus never get a good job, or fails at a crucial job interview for the same reason, it matters not to to you, right?

Anyone working as a paid educator in academia should have a high level of education behind them first, to show that they are educated and have a passion for education. Someone like Marmite who doesn't but wants to live in Thailand and bluff people into thinking he knows what he is doing are typical of the opposite.

A foreigner with a solid education and teaching skills should indeed be well compensated. If such a person's compensation in Thailand is less than he could receive elswhere, there are few possible explanations:
1. He is in Thailand for the ladies
2. He fool
3. He is in Thailand for the ladies
4. He is lying about #1 and #3

Originally Posted by Smeg

Right, so if someone doesn't get into university because they had a shit EFL teacher, and thus never get a good job, or fails at a crucial job interview for the same reason, it matters not to to you, right?

The comparison was between a doctor and a Tefl teacher.

If you accidently confuse a noun with an adverb it's hardly the same as confusing the thyroid gland with the left ventricle - that was the point being made.

as for 'getting into university' , I am talking about teaching English to adults

Well from what I have read in respect to my comments,I think that you have some very lame answers.

We are lucky enough to grow up learning the English language and therefore when we finally get to school,the "trained teachers" help us to improve our grammer and spelling..!!

From what I read here some of you will not put your children into expensive private schools because, you beleive the standard system here to be uncapable of teaching the English language to a high standard.
( this highlights the fact that qualifications are important) many people can impart knowledge,but they may not do this with structure..!!

I am sure though that they would learn Thai to a very high standard,however..!!!

Personnally I think this just hones the point that you need to be qualified to teach our language..

Originally Posted by Controversial

From what I read here some of you will not put your children into expensive private schools because, you beleive the standard system here to be uncapable of teaching the English language to a high standard.

Agreed.

Originally Posted by Controversial

Personnally I think this just hones the point that you need to be qualified to teach our language..

Why?

The reason Thai schools don't teach English very well is because the vast majority of Thai English teachers have very poor levels of English and shouldn't be teaching it in the first place.

Originally Posted by JimmyCA

A foreigner with a solid education and teaching skills should indeed be well compensated. If such a person's compensation in Thailand is less than he could receive elswhere, there are few possible explanations:
1. He is in Thailand for the ladies
2. He fool
3. He is in Thailand for the ladies
4. He is lying about #1 and #3

I could never understand why a teacher, who could make 40 or $45,000/yr. working 160-180 days per year, would come to Thailand to teach for peanuts. Not only are they not contributing to a retirement fund, which they will one day need, but they are loosing out on good jobs when they come out, not building up any seniority, or investing in a fast rising property market, in their own country. If they are seeking adventure they would still have plenty of free time during the year to travel here or elsewhere. They would also be able to afford it. I think Jimmy CA has probably summed it up. Of course most normal young men would probably have no problem getting laid in their own country. It's when you get older, and have far less choices in the pickings, that it gets bad. Especially for those who have been having so much fun and forgot to establish themselves. I think when I was young there was a fable about an ant and a grasshopper, it was a long time ago. You young English teachers might remember, what the ant said to the grasshopper about getting ready for winter. So think about the coming winter all you young grasshoppers, and remember what the ant had to say.

Originally Posted by mellow

You young English teachers might remember, what the ant said to the grasshopper

no never heard that one - what did the ant say to the grasshopper?

Originally Posted by mellow

I could never understand why a teacher, who could make 40 or $45,000/yr. working 160-180 days per year, would come to Thailand to teach for peanuts.

sounds like you are another one confusing 'Tefl' with 'School Teaching'

Originally Posted by Bluecat

To answer the OP: "Teachers, why so negative" Pretty simple, anybody speaking English and desperate to stay in Thailand will apply to be an English teacher. Knowing nothing about teaching. And usually very little about the English language...

Utter bollocks..

Originally Posted by colourful-era

Originally Posted by mellow

You young English teachers might remember, what the ant said to the grasshopper

no never heard that one - what did the ant say to the grasshopper?

link to the answer, dear teacher:
Aesop's Fables

Originally Posted by Controversial

You work in a "School"

TEFLers might teach in hotels, businesses, home, the students home, language centres, MacDonalds, hospitals, shops, bars, universities or schools.

Your work permit reads "Teacher"


I guess attention to detail is another area that has its shortcomings..!!!

Or , maybe I misunderstand you? You are telling me that your work permit reads:

This individual may teach in the following locations,

Bars..

Macdonalds

What a lovely white forum this is.

Originally Posted by mad_dog

I like my job. I have a good income. I think my work is rewarding. I don't feel perscuted by the Thai government. My students are well behaved and I good working relationshiops with my colleagues (Thai and farang). I haven't lived "from pay check to pay check" since my first year when I came out here straight from uni with no cash. I don't consider the time I have spent in Thailand (almost five years) will be a black mark on my CV in anyway. I plan to study at a post graduate level in the future and I feel in no way "trapped" in Thailand.


I think it is the fakes and sex toursits that have brought this negativity into the teaching profession and I dearly hope that the Thai government tightens regulations further to get rid of all the scum bag teachers that are giving the rest of us a bad name.

Me thinks thou doth protest to much.....

Right "teacher".

Originally Posted by Controversial

Hang on let me get this straight. Your work permit reads "Teacher" You work in a "School" You are called an "Ajarn" You use books to impart "Knowledge" You have "Students" But you are not a teacher,your statement some where was " Utter ********" enough said...!!!!!!!!!

Not Utter B***** at all.

Mellow was refering to the circumstances of a school teacher in the West.

It is not the same as teaching EFL abroad.

Originally Posted by NickA

TEFLers might teach in hotels, businesses, home, the students home, language centres, MacDonalds, hospitals, shops, bars, universities or schools.

I love McDonalds...you think I could get a job there? Bars would be nice too, but as a good Christian I don't think that would be appropriate.

Originally Posted by mad_dog

I like my job. I have a good income. I think my work is rewarding. I don't feel perscuted by the Thai government. My students are well behaved and I good working relationshiops with my colleagues (Thai and farang). I haven't lived "from pay check to pay check" since my first year when I came out here straight from uni with no cash. I don't consider the time I have spent in Thailand (almost five years) will be a black mark on my CV in anyway. I plan to study at a post graduate level in the future and I feel in no way "trapped" in Thailand.I think it is the fakes and sex toursits that have brought this negativity into the teaching profession and I dearly hope that the Thai government tightens regulations further to get rid of all the scum bag teachers that are giving the rest of us a bad name.

I like your positive outlook.Teaching in Thailand has given you a good life in a great country because you are probably a good teacher and who has adapted to Thai culture. I would, however, disagree that tightening regulations will improve the quality of teachers. Some of the worst teachers I knew were properly certified with advanced university degrees. Many of the best teachers were alcoholics with Kaosan Road diplomas who wouldn't know an adverb if it hit them in the face. From my experience teaching in Thailand, I saw that the ability to engage and motivate students was by far the most important ingredient to success. I'm not sure what the answer is. Certainly, the perverts and criminals should be screened out. But to select teachers on the basis of university degrees may very well lead to a lot of very bored Thai students who will learn even less than they are learning now.

^ I agree with much of that - also the ones with the top degrees tend to complain more - what gives them that right?

so what if they have a PHD in Tefl - Tefl here is a business - what employer wants a smart ass telling them how to run their ship...