Thread: Are long-term "ajarns" in Thailand all arrogant & insane?

Not being able to speak a word of Thai and then passing yourself off as a 'language teacher' is just a total cop out.

Like calling yourself a car mechanic if you can only change exhausts.

Hmmm...

What about an English language teacher sitting in a school in th UK with three Afghani, four Poles, a couple of Koreans, and a Lithuanian?

No doubt he'd be some sort of fraud if he didn't teach in five languages?

Not sure how many TEFLers in Thailand call themselves language teachers. But I know plenty who call themselves English teachers.

For which the ability to speak English comes in real handy...

Originally Posted by colourful-era

Originally Posted by mikehunt

I can only speak about twenty words of Thai

Am I insane or arrogant....or both?

A bit thick probably.

"I used to be arrogant, but now I'm perfect."

Originally Posted by colourful-era

Not being able to speak a word of Thai and then passing yourself off as a 'language teacher' is just a total cop out.

Like calling yourself a car mechanic if you can only change exhausts.

Allowing Ss to use L1 amongst themselves (checking the meaning of a word, etc.) is ok for Starter and Elementary (Beginner) levels. Pre-Intermediates and higher should stick to L2. In my experience, Starter levels were best served with a (retrained!) Thai teacher.

Originally Posted by Torbek

What about an English language teacher sitting in a school in th UK with three Afghani, four Poles, a couple of Koreans, and a Lithuanian? No doubt he'd be some sort of fraud if he didn't teach in five languages?

yes, that is correct - the person should not be allowed to 'teach' if he could not speak at least some of all the 5 languages.

^ That statement is so idiotic I'll just assume you are bored and are trying to wind me up...

Originally Posted by Torbek

^ That statement is so idiotic I'll just assume you are bored and are trying to wind me up...

That's what i was thinking too, surely he doesnt really think that...

Yep. ^ and ^^

Originally Posted by Torbek

Hmmm...

What about an English language teacher sitting in a school in th UK with three Afghani, four Poles, a couple of Koreans, and a Lithuanian?

No doubt he'd be some sort of fraud if he didn't teach in five languages?

Not sure how many TEFLers in Thailand call themselves language teachers. But I know plenty who call themselves English teachers.

For which the ability to speak English comes in real handy...

Thanks Torbek. The "ignorant" shall always be intimidated by the "unknown". I'm sure that the "culprit" may not have ever taught anything to anybody & thus knows little about teaching.

^If you are refering to me as 'the culprit' then you are mistaken.

Ok, teaching in 5 plus languages was a joke but I do beleive that 'language teachers' should have some foreign language 'ability'. If you just cannot grasp learning another language or are tone deaf then really you are in the wrong game. (unless you're just doing it for the money of course).

Originally Posted by colourful-era

Ok, teaching in 5 plus languages was a joke but I do beleive that 'language teachers' should have some foreign language 'ability'. If you just cannot grasp learning another language or are tone deaf then really you are in the wrong game.

I can't believe some of the nonsense posted on here.

A local teacher teaches the basics before a native teacher takes over and it is universally accepted that the teacher only uses the language being taught.

The End.

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

and it is universally accepted that the teacher only uses the language being taught.

You are the one spouting nonsense now. ''Universally accepted'' - not true - this would be a sales pitch by a Celta provider.

Many students learning English expect a teacher to be able to speak a foreign language to some degree - otherwise they would think their teacher to be a bit of a dummy.

You can't be a decent teacher and a dumb arse at the same time.

My best teachers were all dumb arses. They made me feel smart and increased my self confidence and determination to do something worthwhile with my life. That is why I am posting on this board at twenty to ten on a Wednesday night.

Originally Posted by colourful-era

You are the one spouting nonsense now.

Nicely edited quote.

BTW, you're wrong.

I'm now teaching in Cambodia where I speak virtually not 1 word of Khmer and I definitely feel like the dummy newbie teacher again. Just knowing a bit of the local language gives the teacher it bit more respect from the students is what I'm saying.

Originally Posted by colourful-era

Just knowing a bit of the local language gives the teacher it bit more respect from the students is what I'm saying.

It's just when they start trying to be clever and use it in lessons and get it completely wrong.

There's no need for the teacher to use the native language at all if the students are not complete beginners. A foreign teacher shouldn't be teaching complete beginners.

Originally Posted by watterinja

I'd guess that most of the minority of the minority are attached in some way - a wife, SO - or are trapped here by the lack of future potential in their own countries. The older, retired set, are an entirely different group, who have made a lifestyle choice on their retirement home.

I feel sorry for the older, retired men who have come to Thailand for a 'Thai bride' & have spent most of their retirement savings on the teelak - so much so that they could never consider going back home, since they have little of substance left. Their annual visa renewal seems to be a living hell, in many cases.

As for the majority of Thai men I've come across, they are, imho, the laziest, most deceitful, inept, thick, lying, smarmy SOB's I've ever had the misfortune of coming across.

Most posters (?teachers?) on Shill's forum have very similar traits to those outlined in the paragraph above. In my time in Thailand I really cannot remember coming across a 'teacher' who really impressed me with their credentials.

would you like to expand on your descriptions of the 'teachers who dont impress" maybe your refering to those who come here because they hear that thailand is really a big sex theme park or those teacher who were invited to teach here because of special skills or expertise that are not found here - i was and i am not an english teacher -- i get annoyed with ppl who have been here for a few or less years and start pushing their narrow views -- and yes i have aquired my own thainess -- when in rome -!!!!!!

correct me if i am wrong - which i seldom but the MOE have yet to set the requirement for English language teacher to be able to teach in thai and i can tell you that most student learning English dont want to be taught the language using Thai as a medium - they have had years of this method from Thai teachers who try to teach the language with the main focus on grammar and are unable to speak a sentence without mistakes in grammar or what ever -- these kids want farang for the obvious reasons - and ask any parent enrolling their kids in an English program - no Thai language teachers thank you very much -

Originally Posted by colourful-era

I'm now teaching in Cambodia where I speak virtually not 1 word of Khmer and I definitely feel like the dummy newbie teacher again. Just knowing a bit of the local language gives the teacher it bit more respect from the students is what I'm saying.

So, all your previous ranting & raving was because YOU feel like a dummy because YOU can't speak one word of Khmer! As a consequence of YOUR feelings, you now think that all teachers of EFL students should speak some of the students' language.

Who died & made you God of EFL teachers?

You remind me of this idiot >>

Let me just interrupt this pathetic squabble and ask for the salary range projected in the headline to be DELETED as it does not reflect the average teacher in Thailand. Errr not that I'm average or anything, but $6000 is a dream.

Originally Posted by Whose Wandering

but $6000 is a dream.

We've had this debate already, and it is attainable if you're a proper teacher, very hardworking or bloody lucky.

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

There's no need for the teacher to use the native language at all if the students are not complete beginners. A foreign teacher shouldn't be teaching complete beginners

Well said.

Originally Posted by mikehunt

So, all your previous ranting & raving was because YOU feel like a dummy because YOU can't speak one word of Khmer! As a consequence of YOUR feelings, you now think that all teachers of EFL students should speak some of the students' language.

No, it's nothing to do with me not being able to speak Khmer - I've ranted on about this subject before - obviously if I stay in Cambodia for a reasonable length of time I'll learn some of the local language mainly for ease of living but also because it helps with the job.

I'm refering mainly to the layabout teachers,DOS's etc.. that have been in Thailand years but not bothered to even learn how to construct a simple sentence in Thai. I'm not talking about using the Thai language as a medium for the lesson - just saying that some knowledge of it assists your teaching ability considerably.