Cheers, Willy... I think lol
I know I am not the smartest, or best writer on here (not by a long shot)
how do I green you back bro?
Howdy, CSSFAN :-)
Your linking word game was a staple of mine too! excellent points mate. I found you had to lace the real education between
layers of 'sanook' 'fun'.. kids attention span is akin to a fly - so mix things up.
I always used to start with quick-fire questions, just to get them switched-on to English.
Don't just stand in front of the class... While walking around the class eg. what's your name? what's his/her/my name? how are you today?
Then some form of TPR get them up and moving!..
Do you have an I-pad/tablet mate? if you do, it's easy to make your own digital flashcards relevant to the lesson's theme/topic
(animals, occupations blah blah)...
If you love teaching, it will show... you can say what you like about Thais, but I swear even the kiddies can read your every expression/emotion like a book
*be very wary of negative gestures, facial expressions, etc.
Have fun!!
Last edited by NZdick1983; 17-07-2015 at 04:20 AM.
^Goodonya. mate!
Agree that there should be a "balanced" amount of Thai (translations) during lessons. Little ones need more translations, while the older students should be able to get by without much Thai translations.
I'm lucky and have a Thai lady that speaks excellent English - she won't translate unless she has to. I'll try actions, pictures or same-sounding words to get the SS to understand. Sometimes, though, it's just a total failure and the Thai word will be used.
I don't really agree that it's necessary to know Thai, to be able to teach English. One thing I will admit, tho - it can maybe depend on just where in the country you're teaching. Some places can be easier than others.....and from what I see, some Thai teachers certainly don't know much English (at all!), but they're still able to teach English grammar. No, not their fault, either - as these particular ones are 'required' to teach English by the principal - no Thai English teachers available this year (wot woz sed, anyway, by the big nob...).
Sounds like you have your finger on the correct button - so again, goodonya!
Cheers
I've learned that pleasing everyone is impossible, but pissing everyone off is a piece of cake.
^You are right, bro...
It's not necessary to speak the L1 of your students.
It's a double-edged sword... so easy to use/abuse Thai in the classroom more for the benefit (ease) of the teacher, rather than the benefit of the students.
Whatever works for you, roll with it mate... doesn't really matter how they get there at the end of the day, as long as you see measurable progress in the students ability, (which will reflect in their exam results) it's all good...
*I just found it hugely advantageous in my lessons personally in my particular circumstance, but that could be due more to deficits in my teaching skills, rather than anything else.. lol
It's not the last bit odd. When I taught English in Thailand everybody wanted to talk to me in English. They were getting free English lessons.Originally Posted by beachers78
Just to update and conclude my own thread; I gave up on trying to teach without a Thai Teacher and gave notice of my resignation to the school at the beginning of the month.
I was basically left with a choice of not teaching, therefore cheating the students who wanted to learn, or making a complete idiot out of myself trying. There is no disciplinary system, and about 1/2 the children are completely disruptive without a Thai teacher looking over them.
I gave the school 2 months notice, and when we go on October vacation break, I will not be returning at the end of it.
Thanks for those who gave helpful suggestions, having the older children in the classroom did help, but unfortunately, during the times (classes) I needed them most, they had core classes they could not afford to miss on a regular basis.
I spent 8 years at this school, not sure if I'll look for another job, or what I'll do. Just not ready to wake up every morning with nowhere to go and nothing to do. I'm leaving on good terms and can expect good references from the Principal and Assistant Principal.
Sorry to hear that, bro.
But at the end of the day, ya gotta consider yourself first and foremost.
You did the best you could given the circumstances..
Good on ya mate!
I resigned from my last job in Thailand for the same reason. I had intended returning to the UK but this precipitated the move.Originally Posted by BobR
There was a twist. The same headmistress who ran the school poorly was later dismissed. She left under a cloud having apparently fiddled money out of the owner. So, I'm sure if I went back, I would have a warm welcome
I am not going back.
Bob sorry to hear, save you the headaches though.
If you want i have a wife,thats looking for a nice farang gent to give a hard time to.
Originally Posted by BobRIt took you eight years to realise how some Thai schools are organised/unorganised!Originally Posted by BobR
Your not sure if you will look for another (teaching) job! If you do, I suggest to visit the school to confirm that they have a discipline procedure. Maybe fee paying private schools are different, why not try one of those.
Expecting western standards, in many areas of life in Asia, may lead to disappointment.
A tray full of GOLD is not worth a moment in time.
^ That's true!
Thais would say "You might jump from the lion's mouth, straight to the crocodile's mouth"..
In other words, you are likely to end up in the same situation (or worse)
unless you do your due diligence before jumping in and signing the contract.
Wish you all the best bro, chook dee krup!
No, I knew it immediately but this the first year I've not had a Thai teachers in the room.
By no disciplinary system, I mean there is no formal system, and the Thai teacher hit them with sticks, which is not very comfortable to be around either. I've stuck it out this long because the idea of not having somewhere to go in the morning is not something I'm looking forward to.
Not so uncomfortable to see it every day and accept somebody else "controlling" your class. have you ever though of becoming an English Admiral controlling a fleet of these:Originally Posted by BobR
Is using sticks a common practice to control uncooperative students in Thai schools? What's the "civilised" option?
Personally I've been suggesting (for the last 7 years) making the misbehaving ones stand at military attention in the middle of the football field during their lunch hour, or write "I will behave in class" 500 times before being allowed to go home, instead of corporal punishment, but TIT and nothing changes.
For whatever it's worth, I went to Catholic School in New Jersey in the 1960's and the Thai teachers don't even come close to hurting these kids like the Catholic nuns did back then.
When I was Tefling it was every Friday morning they would line the transgressor students up for a caning. Only at the one school I used to teach. Not as ferocious as I remember caning back in my day as a student, just a tap really, I guess the 'punishment' might be more a public humiliation thing rather than actually an intention to hurt.Originally Posted by OhOh
Did it have any effect on discipline?
^ No, it's the ability of the Thai teacher to humiliate them and call their parents that has the effect on discipline.
Oddly enough, in terms of fights, vandalism, theft or really serious misconduct, there is less of those in the Thai school than there was when I went to school in the US. I used to see fights all the time, even in Catholic grammar school, here I've seen maybe 2 in 8 years.
I'm not sure how the Thai teachers do it, but several times I've had things stolen out of my classroom, like the DTAC modem out of my computer, a memory stick, a DVD, a gold pen and pencil, or a even the pencil sharpener off my desk. All I have to do is tell one of the Thai teachers what I lost and which class was in the room, and invariably the child who stole it turns up within 20 minutes crying to return what he (always a he) stole.
Last edited by BobR; 24-09-2015 at 05:58 AM.
Same here I went to a catholic school,and the beatings given out to students were unbelievable.
But never seen anything like this.
I never had any real problems more stuff to do with inattention so would teach to the first three rows if they were keen they would be sure to be at the front. Can't please all of the people all of the time.Originally Posted by OhOh
Well it's over. My last class ended 35 minutes ago at 2:30. Can't say I feel good about it, but continuing without a Thai teacher was not an option. I still go to work tomorrow, but the children will be taking finals, vacation starts Friday, and I'll be cleaning out my classroom.
Going to the USA next week, but now the question when I get back is; how do I handle waking up every morning with nowhere to go and nothing to do?
Vigorous masturbation?Originally Posted by BobR
Surely you can get a job at another school. If you're in Bangkok, I know a school that's hiring that has Thai teachers in the classroom with the whiteys.
Yes, I did. For many years and still as a volunteer (no charge, just help the kids)
Teaching on a Government school, special the primary school is a drama. Perhaps 10% is willing to learn some English. IF you can't stand it (and I feel sorry for you) you better try High school. Those students won't make a mess, but they are going to sleep during your lessons. hahahahaahaha
Yah, I know. My grammar sucks. It isn't allowed to correct people's grammar on a forum. It's insulting. I do not care, because you will have the same shitty wage as I got. Beside this, you (we) are not allowed to teach grammar in Thailand. But you did know this, isn't it? Many farangs I know are all f@cked up about it, but for grammar they have their own Thai teachers.
Do you have a teaching job Mr. Barlad66? Are you a NES? I think so....
You see, I'm NOT. Even my English with mistakes is 1000x better than any Thai student, not being a NES stands for 'no fucking chance', while a NES (perhaps you) with an terrible accent, can start on any school without (read without) any degree. Reason: Thai do not hear the difference and simply look at the passports.
Yah..... my grammar sucks indeed.
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