Thread: What's so bad about TEFLing?

There's nothing wrong with teaching English but teaching it in Thailand most likely won't give you a lot of longterm security especiially if you have a family or go back to your home country. For most teachers, the money and benefits just aren't there. On the other hand, if you are thrifty, stay single and commited to staying in Thailand forever, you might just live a comfortable life.

Originally Posted by socal

Originally Posted by Fondles

Originally Posted by Neo

Is it simply a jealous outburst by those incapable of stringing a sentence together against their better educated adversaries, or is TEFL truly the lowest form of employment known to man and deserving of derision?

My step father is an English teacher at a government school in Chanthaburi and is on 35k per month, he loves it. The salary whilst extremely low compared to what I earn easily support's him and his wife, he is happy and has a nice life whilst not needing to dip into his savings unless a major purchase is needed.

What do you actually do when you teach english ? Just draw a horse on a chalkboard and say "horse" ?

I have never really understood what they do ? Is it a classroom with 30 kids ? Adults ?

About 4 weeks ago I was happening by a place that had a huge "TEFL" and "Prepare your child for international school" etc etc posted on the windows. Out of sheer curiosity I went in and sat down to listen. There were about 6 or 8 Thai people at a few tables and a Foreigner at the helm by a white board. Here is what I noticed right out of the gate

* The class sizes, while small (Good thing), had age ranges from what I could estimate to be from 5 to 15. This must present a huge teaching issue. How to address this fundamentally must be a challenge(if they even really care)

* The teacher did pretty much as you noted SoCal. He had some pictures of various things and said the word then put them into various sentences. He wrote some sentences on the board. This particular teacher wrote in upper and lower case throughout words and his penmanship was horrific.

As I sat I had a Foreigner approach me asking if I was looking to be an English teacher. I said "No" but was curious about the curriculum standards. He looked a little lost with that comment.

I will not rip on TEFL teachers. It is a job and affords them to live here. If they like it then all good with me however I have heard from quite a few people most are terrible at teaching and if this is the case then students that leave are poorly educated which defeats the purpose. Sure they work but who ensures it is quality education? I am not sure what the requirements are to become a TEFL certified teacher. To me these little shop set ups are no different then an internet "Get your MBA" online deal. kind of scam'ish if you ask me.

On a closing note. Imagine what a Thai person must struggle with when they are at one place and are taught by a UK based teacher, then are moved to an Aussie based teacher next an American based teacher. All have vastly different ways of communicating and pronouncing the English language. None are bad but are vastly different.

The biggest, most shining star on this board teaches English to Thais, though it is never disclosed publicly. However, I cannot reveal any further information as it is privileged.

^

Don't mind Special Brew myself.

Originally Posted by The_Ghost_Of_The_Moog

The biggest, most shining star on this board teaches English to Thais.

Friggin DD, always new he was not a builder.

Originally Posted by chitown

He does not teach kids, but mostly uni students, company staff and other adults.

Not my cup of tea for a career, but I say cheers to him.

Being involved with intelligent Thais at the University level would have to be a massive bonus for a Farang. Not to mention the awesome eye candy.

The contacts one would make would be priceless and these teachers operate on an entirely different level than the basic teacher that educates Primary school children.

I also say cheers to him.

Originally Posted by sabaii sabaii

Let me think we got Sir Wilson doin it in Jakarta, if Tezza's right

Thormaturge hzas to be one, workin with kids, or animals, or fish, drive you insane

Chairman Mao ?
Anymore ?

I suppose all of us farang that are here working legally are teachers in some way, shape or form.

If the Thais knew how to do stuff themselves we in most cases wouldn't get a look in.

Originally Posted by JPPR2

I will not rip on TEFL teachers. It is a job and affords them to live here. If they like it then all good with me however I have heard from quite a few people most are terrible at teaching and if this is the case then students that leave are poorly educated which defeats the purpose.

But on the other hand I think it would be fair to say that many are fully qualified in there own country and do indeed provide quality education especially in Private schools.

The average ones would be working in low level schools where they expect a lower standard of teacher.

Horses for courses really.

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

I suppose all of us farang that are here working legally are teachers in some way, shape or form.

If the Thais knew how to do stuff themselves we in most cases wouldn't get a look in.

I certainly concur with that.

I've got this theory that Jim Thompson wasn't murdered. He just got so tired of telling Thais how to do the same thing over and over again that he "disappeared" intentionally.

Originally Posted by terry57

fok off dude and force a rubber duster up your bottom.

Tefling here i come.
Never realised it could be such fun.

Originally Posted by chitown

He does not teach kids, but mostly uni students, company staff and other adults.

This is what I did. I taught a language school for a year and I had an excellent DOS, from England. There were only two of us who taught there full time and we had a few part time teachers for evenings and weekends.

I gained great experience there in teaching all age levels, but most of the students were from around 12-18. Before I started at this language school full time, I was teaching a night class for them 2 nights per week. This was a corporate class and I taught at their offices.

I had picked up other night classes with them after I let my DOS know that I prefer teaching older kids or adults. My colleague, who is also my friend, preferred younger kids so this worked out well.

When the contracts came due, the school didn't want to increase our salaries, so we looked elsewhere. I found a job in a company that specializes in corporate classes. It worked out perfectly.

I had about a three month gap between these two jobs, but I had found work at another language school during this time. The director of that school tole me that if I ever want to work there again, that I'm welcome any time. It's a 2 minute walk from my condo in BKK too.

In my corporate teaching job, I was working at a large well known American company. The people there were really great too. They had to have good English for their jobs and they would always ask me for help. They were really good to me and it was a bit sad when I had to leave.

Originally Posted by terry57

Being involved with intelligent Thais at the University level would have to be a massive bonus for a Farang. Not to mention the awesome eye candy.

And the comments about eye candy, yes there were many attractive ladies there - intellegent, career driven ones.

In my first six months teaching in BKK, I had a couple of negative experiences, but I moved on to something better.

You do hear a lot of horror stories about teachers or schools, but we all have a choice. One suggestion I can make is, if you're looking at schools for your kids or even for your partner, to closely check out the school, the teachers, the principal or director of studies to make sure everything is OK.

Oh, I just remembered something, a bit off topic. Many of you commented on how you can spot a TEFLer from miles away by how 'he' looks. A lot of schools prefer to hire women as teachers, but the numbers just aren't out there.

There is a poster on a teachers' forum here who says that he refuses to hire women because most western women will just leave after a few months. Maybe it's him. (???)

I suppose all of us farang that are here working legally are teachers in some way, shape or form.

Indeed but we get paid a fvck load more than they do...

Originally Posted by natalie8

My colleague, who is also my friend, preferred younger kids so this worked out well.


A lot of schools prefer to hire women as teachers

Not anything against your friend (if he was a man), but I think you may find that those two things are not entirely unrelated.....

Originally Posted by natalie8

I was working at a large well known American company. The people there were really great too. They had to have good English for their jobs and they would always ask me for help.

Must have been quite a good bunch. Most Americans don't seem to realise they need help with their English.

Originally Posted by terry57

^

Don't mind Special Brew myself.

To be fair, that picture was taken in the staff room.

I don't believe he drinks on the job.

Originally Posted by Thormaturge

Most Americans don't seem to realise they need help with their English.

Originally Posted by nidhogg

Not anything against your friend (if he was a man),

My friend is a woman.

Originally Posted by Thormaturge

Most Americans don't seem to realise they need help with their English.

5555555, the employees are Thai.

Originally Posted by terry57

Originally Posted by The_Ghost_Of_The_Moog

The biggest, most shining star on this board teaches English to Thais.

Friggin DD, always new he was not a builder.

I think your barking up the wrong tree.
Wonder if he knew Grasshopper.

^

You think too mut, already new that.

Originally Posted by sabaii sabaii

Let me think we got Sir Wilson doin it in Jakarta, if Tezza's right

Tezza's wrong.

^

Could be, Willy tells me that he is but obviously bullshitting me as usual.

Carry on.

Ok Willy, what the fok are you doing in Jakarta besides playing cricket and spanking your monkey.

^Not much more to life than that...for some...