Thread: Is anyone else frequently returning to "home based learning"?

It's good to be back in Thailand and the job is for the most part, pretty decent. I am surprised though at how often we have been returning to online learning. For an outbreak of illnesses such as COVID, hand food and mouth and norovirus, I totally understand that it is a good idea. This week we are online because of a cold-everyone tested negative for covid, so it's not that. Seems a bit over the top to be honest.

Admin are...well being on brand haha ( hey, I did say the job was mostly decent)- they have only just twigged that because the rest of the country isn't in lockdown, parents cant just simply stay home and help their child.

The whole school has gone back to online?

We've got a lot of sickness but that happens this time every year. The parents would riot if we went online while the rest of the country went to work.

Just year groups or on a class by class basis. Primary 1 were the first, now it seems to be our turn in kindergarten. I thought my lungs would have been screwed after half a decade in smokey UB, but I haven't had so much as a sniffle. Most kids in masks, but it seems like their immune system is still playing catchup after lockdown. I'm not 100% sure on the science of that though.

Good luck teaching KG online while mom and dad work!

Originally Posted by Mandaloopy

Seems a bit over the top to be honest.

It is. No way parents up here would stand for it.

Sounds well dodgy.

Originally Posted by Mandaloopy

It's good to be back in Thailand and the job is for the most part, pretty decent. I am surprised though at how often we have been returning to online learning. For an outbreak of illnesses such as COVID, hand food and mouth and norovirus, I totally understand that it is a good idea.

Glad to hear you are settled and back in Thailand, Mandy! Our government won't send kids back online at all as it isn't the best way to learn especially for young kids. Unless there is a huge Covid outbreak we have been in school for a long time now. That is a bit shit that you are going back and forth from online to in person.

Less and less masks on campus, and also parents are pushing back against the idea of going online frequently for mild illness. Long may this continue. Teaching phonics with kids wearing masks was pretty vexing for all involved.

Originally Posted by Mandaloopy

Less and less masks on campus, and also parents are pushing back against the idea of going online frequently for mild illness. Long may this continue. Teaching phonics with kids wearing masks was pretty vexing for all involved.

How old are you? For some reason I thought most of us here had aged out of the teacher TEFLer game.

^ I believe Mandy is an actual real international school teacher.

Originally Posted by Mandaloopy

It's good to be back in Thailand and the job is for the most part, pretty decent. I am surprised though at how often we have been returning to online learning. For an outbreak of illnesses such as COVID, hand food and mouth and norovirus, I totally understand that it is a good idea. This week we are online because of a cold-everyone tested negative for covid, so it's not that. Seems a bit over the top to be honest.

Admin are...well being on brand haha ( hey, I did say the job was mostly decent)- they have only just twigged that because the rest of the country isn't in lockdown, parents cant just simply stay home and help their child.

Might be because you are a chancer with no recognisable YL qualifications and that is why you have been working in Mongolia before landing in Thailand, which is arguably even worse than your previous abode when it comes to English teaching.

Just a guess, my friend.

Originally Posted by Edmond

^ I believe Mandy is an actual real international school teacher.

Originally Posted by hallelujah

Might be because you are a chancer with no recognisable YL qualifications and that is why you have been working in Mongolia before landing in Thailand, which is arguably even worse than your previous abode when it comes to English teaching.

Just a guess, my friend.

I think you’re off base there, mate.

Originally Posted by hallelujah

I don't fink so, William.

Doesn't Mandy have one of those dreadful iPGCEs that can be done online with no actual observed teaching practice?

Many years ago I used to manage a language centre set up by PGCE holders from the UK, Oz etc plus very well qualified EFL teachers with years of practice at the top schools in the game.

We had 3 things to look out for when sifting through applications for interviews.

1. MA holders from Korea.
2. Teachers from Thailand.
3. iPGCE holders

Because none of them had had any verifiable teaching observations and, if number 3 was as bad at what they did as number 1, but equally overly confident, then they were to be kept as far away as possible.

MA holders without even a basic CELTA should not be anywhere near a classroom. You need to be observed as part of any teaching qualification to have the confidence and the knowhow to do your job properly.

All the talk but can't walk the walk.

Dammit. Just when I was finking aboot becoming an Engerland speak teacher

Originally Posted by david44

Luckily I have the university of TD with the wisdom off Canada, Wonagmat and rounders at my fingertips.

. Funny one David. Thanks for the humor.

Originally Posted by hallelujah

Apologies for this to Mandy. Chancer was a bit strong and Willy informed via PM me that the IPGCE, which I think Mandy has, is indeed a good qual to have (and presumably has a practical assessment).

Tell willy I've got one and then see what he says

Originally Posted by armstrong

Tell willy I've got one and then see what he says

I'm not getting involved in your tiff.

You both need to have a Leo together.

Originally Posted by armstrong

Tell willy I've got one and then see what he says

Joe has one too............Somewhere.

In his shed ?

I do indeed have an IPGCE, and have no issue getting interviews and offers from tier 2/3 schools- I am aware it would probably be no good for tier one schools and some countries entirely. At some stage I will look at doing assessment only to QTS.

Originally Posted by Mandaloopy

I do indeed have an IPGCE, and have no issue getting interviews and offers from tier 2/3 schools- I am aware it would probably be no good for tier one schools and some countries entirely. At some stage I will look at doing assessment only to QTS.

Yeah, at least you've invested in yourself and the job and made an effort.

My apologies - as already stated.

Regarding the iPGCE though, does it have observed teaching practice?

Originally Posted by armstrong

Depends which one you go for
.

Right. This explains it then. My boss at the time, a PGCE holder from the UK (CELTA too), was dead against them even being interviewed when we looked at applications.

You've gotta have a practical.

Originally Posted by hallelujah

Right. This explains it then. My boss at the time, a PGCE holder from the UK (CELTA too), was dead against them even being interviewed when we looked at applications.

You've gotta have a practical.

I think Sunderland at least require observed lessons. I think both from an approved mentor at your current school and a Sunderland employee who fly over from wherever.

Which obviously means it costs a lot more than one that doesn't have those requirements.