Thread: Teachers - why so negative?

Originally Posted by mad_dog

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.

Luckily NickA might be going home soon, so things are looking up.

^Then again, maybe I won't

maddie is quite right.


the industry is in rude health.

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.

Great post, mad_dog.

It seems to me that Thailand should be crying out for more and better English teachers.

Originally Posted by sabang

It seems to me that Thailand should be crying out for more and better English teachers.

I think salaries are going to increase for those working at private schools and the decent language schools to the point where Thailand becomes a more appealing place to work. The government schools and the acronymic language schools will probably start to have real difficulty finding Western staff.

Originally Posted by Umbuku

their fate with the new changes coming into effect this year and next

what new rules?

Originally Posted by Umbuku

I always ask them why they were not aware the changes were coming as most of them have been in the news for up to five years.

What yer talking about?

Enforcement of existing laws requiring a minimum of a bachelors degree from years ago. Degrees now have to be submitted with a sealed transcript from the university. Passing a fake through the system is still possible but a lot more difficult now. It doesn't of course stop nepotism and a licence can still be had with a tea money arrangement.

Police background check now mandatory for all licence applications from home country and from the Thai special branch.

New exam with 20 hour course being trialed in Surat Thani province now to be implemented nationwide for next year covering Thai language, culture and educational pedagogy.

The net is closing and the fakes and charlatans better wise up or they will be found and deported.

Originally Posted by Umbuku

Enforcement of existing laws requiring a minimum of a bachelors degree from years ago. Degrees now have to be submitted with a sealed transcript from the university.

always was the case wasn't it?

Originally Posted by Umbuku

New exam with 20 course being trailed in Surat Thani province now to be implemented nationwide for next year covering Thai language, culture and educational pedagogy.

now that, I honestly can't see lasting long.

does that apply to new to thailand teachers.

logistically unrealistic.

Originally Posted by Umbuku

Degrees now have to be submitted with a sealed transcript from the university.

When did that start? or when is it going to start?

I got my transcripts ages ago, but I've since broken the seal as nobody ever asked for them.

Originally Posted by Umbuku

New exam with 20 hour course being trialed in Surat Thani province now to be implemented nationwide for next year covering Thai language, culture and educational pedagogy.

The school asked us to go on a course like this, said it was compulsory. We refused, they admitted we probably had 3 years to do it and that the rules would probably have changed by then anyway.

I agree with enforcing the rules about degrees, just as long as teachers are told about it enough in advance to have the correct paperwork, not get told at the last minute.

The culture course is just a complete con.

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

always was the case wasn't it?

Yes, but not enforced. It is now.
More degrees are being checked randomly and the MoE has expanded it's blacklist of unacceptable institutions.
Much depends still on the relationship between the school and the MoE and how much that school will go to bat for the teacher applying.

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

now that, I honestly can't see lasting long.

Originally Posted by NickA

The school asked us to go on a course like this, said it was compulsory. We refused, they admitted we probably had 3 years to do it and that the rules would probably have changed by then anyway. I agree with enforcing the rules about degrees, just as long as teachers are told about it enough in advance to have the correct paperwork, not get told at the last minute. The culture course is just a complete con.

The admin at my school agrees that it will take 2 or 3 years until the new Teacher's Council is fully operational. But the trials have begun.
The proposed system is no different to how licences are regulated in western countries. The Teaher's Council will act as a registrar of licences removing the schools from the process and streamlining the application process and the subsequent work permit. They will also be in charge of administering the exam.

Have a read regarding the exam:
http://www.ksp.or.th/upload/301/files/570-8429.pdf

In the six years I have been here I have seen the red tape getting thicker and the regulations getting more stringent. I think this system will be put in place and it is going to shake up the whole efl industry here. So much so that I began planning my exit two years ago and will be gone this december. No degree you see, but I will have a BEd when I return in seven years time.

Originally Posted by Umbuku

The admin at my school agrees that it will take 2 or 3 years until the new Teacher's Council is fully operational

I didn't quite mean that.. I think the schools are going to run a con by claiming that teachers MUST attend a Thai culture course at a cost of X,000 baht (maybe the school will pay half), stating that it is a requirement of the MoE, when in fact it may not be. Of course, the course will be run by a friend of a friend of the school and everyone will be quids in.

We stood up against it and the school virtually admitted that was the case.

Heard anything about the 500 baht some people had to pay for a teachers license last year? Someone told me the whole thing had collapsed and they were going to give up because the number of teachers is so low at the moment.

Another example of English Teacher disgrace who are littering Thailand. They should all be deported to China.

Escape from China: The 2,000$ Visa Run...

^ that one is pretty bad i agree ! and they are all patting him on the back and saying 'there there' china is a big nasty place and its no wonder u got scared and lonely and that big nasty school giving u everything they said they wouldn and all that extra salary?

hmm its no wonder you felt worried and had to leave after 2.5 DAYS!

Originally Posted by Butterfly

Another example of English Teacher disgrace who are littering Thailand. They should all be deported to China.

Escape from China: The 2,000$ Visa Run...

Another one of Bangkok Phil's golden boys had a try at China and ended up homeless, completely skint and sacked from two of the schools in the town he moved to. He's a convicted violent felon and he's back in Thailand

Firstly I don't teach in Thailand,however in the last few months I have had the pleasure if you will call it that, of meeting some of the said, "waste of space teachers that frequent Thailand".

I am interested to know as I plan my future,what should I do when I eventually have children,should I put up with this low level of incompetance, inability to spell,write and in some cases even speak our English language.

It ceases to amaze me how the lack lustre individuals who were clearly in very small social circles in there native country seem to be able to come to Thailand,buy a Degree,smoke dope,drink and then pretend to put in a six hour day,saying I have taught English today.

I do relise that some of you are very good teachers and are passionate about teaching and want to make a difference,but I have met only One..
The bad far out ways the good,so as to all this negetivity towards English teachers,maybe your chosen profession in burdened with it..