brucetefl

With 20 or so contact hours,.....

I HATE HOMEWORK. Always have, always will. I hated it when I had to do it (and almost never did) and I hate it when my kids are forced to do it.

Lets teach our kids to hate learning. Good idea. Make it something they absolutely dread.

Let them read books for extra credit. Watch Discovery Channel. Do something they enjoy.

If most of us had a job that required you to work at home 2 or 3 hours every evening we would quit.

If kids are hating homework, I'd suggest they are also not enjoying their classes very much.

Homework, if it has to be given to primary age kids, should be easy and enjoyable to do. Maybe just a puzzle to reinforce the day's concepts.

Either way, homework is supposed to be formative assessment and used for diagnostic purposes. It should not be graded. The problem in Thailand, if you don't give it a grade, the students don't bother with it. If you grade it, they all scramble to copy off the best student for the highest possible grade. It's a no-win situation.

If most of us had a job that required you to work at home 2 or 3 hours every evening we would quit.

As teachers, a lot of us already do that. I do a bit on the weekends, but not much during the week. I manage to mark my 100 or so tests/homework per week, every week, at school.

I HATE HOMEWORK. Always have, always will. I hated it when I had to do it (and almost never did) and I hate it when my kids are forced to do it.

Lets teach our kids to hate learning. Good idea. Make it something they absolutely dread.

Let them read books for extra credit. Watch Discovery Channel. Do something they enjoy.

If most of us had a job that required you to work at home 2 or 3 hours every evening we would quit.

I HAVE TO AGREE.

teaching English illegally is the real equivalent to murder. Lucky it is not quite up to the level of genocide.

But its close.

So, you're just asking how to teach illegally, as you'd already taught for for four years and you're asking if they're so stupid not to find that out?

You're planning to get an education degree, but you seem to lack of some common sense.

Your question is similar to: " If I kill somebody and nobody will find out that it was me, I'll be fine. "

Your thread should be deleted immediately. Good luck.

Even yesterday I heard confirmed information about (unnamed) Thai language school having dual pricing--one for actual classes and one for the visa only and no class...

There is no way Chinese girls are better looking.

There are some gorgeous women in China. Amazing. But they are 1 in 10,000 or 1 in 100,000. China has 1.3 billion people, so ther are plenty of them, but your average Thai girl is way more attractive than your average Chinese girl, and its not even close.

Don't bother teaching in Thailand, do yourself a favour please.

Teach in a place where people genuinely want to learn and have the motivation like China.

You'll get paid more too.

But the problem is that you would be in China.

David

What is the problem with that, the women are better looking, more caring and have more ambition that Thai people.

OK this picture question brought up a fond memory for me...

I have hired many teachers and trainers in my day, so I have received many resumes. One resume came complete with a very professional picture of the gentleman wearing a very nice suit and tie, clean shaven, hair neatly combed... and just behind him to the left a pair of and cuffs lined with pink fur!!!

LOL

Thanks guys! I really appreciate your responses.

You mentioned that the picture is important. What can I do to make mine more 'acceptable'. For example I have a beard. Should I get rid?

Short hair?

Body shot or close up face shot?

And anything else I should know.

Yeah, looks like I'll check out Ajarn as well!

Shave your beard, get a decent haircut, wear a suit and a neck tie. Being well dressed and mannered is already half way in.

Create some sets of resumes and visit schools in person in the area you'd like to live/stay.

You might consider to read "my private dancer" first....Best of luck.

No, he is probably right. But you also have to live in China.

OK here is my opinion:

DO NOT work with an agency or take a job that someone offers you over the internet. These are always the worst jobs. Who else would hire someone sight unseen! They are desperate and you are going to suffer because of it.

Arrive in Bangkok and go to interviews looking really good. Appearance is more important in Thailand than almost any place I have ever been.

The first you get will likely not be that great.

Networking is the key to getting a good job in Thailand. Let me give you an example:

I have a friend who worked at one of the best schools (great pay, top students, good hours) in Bangkok. One day we were having lunch and his phone rang. One of the teachers at his school had quit. Within 5 minutes he had called another friend, told him about the position and put him in touch with the woman who hires teachers at his school.

Once you know a lot of teachers you can find a job that meets your needs.

The US does not even really know about our marriage as it never happened there?

You can divorce in Thailand but the US will only recognise a divorce done at the court, they will not recognise a divorce done at the Amphur Office.

Went through the same problem.

I have tried to find the answers online but no luck so far. And the lawyer who is trying to help is not having much luck.

Married a Thai woman in Hong Kong 20 years ago.

It seems, according to HK law we cannot divorce there because we have not lived there for so long.

My lawyer says US law would cause a problem with getting a divorce in Thailand. That makes no sense to me since we have both been living here for 18 yeas now.

Suggestions?

Not sure where you you studied in the US but thats not even up to my "party school" standards. Not far, but more like 150+ pages of readings in multiple subjects. The one thing Thai universities (and all Thai education for that matter) seem to excel at is giving a lot of busy work like writing summaries. Count me out.

I just started my Masters Degree at Chiang Mai University, in an International Program and I come straight from a Western Uni. I was actually very worried, that the quality of education could not live up to what I was used to back home. But I must say, most of the teachers ( foreign and thai) seem very knowledgable and on western standards. And the workload is way, way more. 150+ pages readings a week + summaries + weekly presentations is pretty time consuming.

I have never been that into bikes.  I had a Phantom for six or seven years didn't really drive very often.  But my son is now 19 and just bought a bike.  We hang out a lot and I've been thinking about getting one myself.  Generally I like cruisers.  But how is limited experience I'm not really sure.

 So I thought I might rent a bike (in Pattaya?) for a month.  Are there places that rent big bikes? What would be the normal cost per month in rental?

This, of course, brings up the problem of after-school tutorial. In Rayong, where I live, every government school except one is rigged so that the only way students can be successful is by attending after school tutorials (usually by the teachers in their school).

Obviously this situation is rife with potential conflict of interest and favoritism.

In case you missed it, it goes both ways. You can usually walk from a job within 120 days without notice.

Thanks for the comments richard but I am going to stick with a 3. Here is why:

Even in the US there is a range. I went to one university where it was so competitive you had to work extremely hard to get a B in a general education class. Lets call that an 8, because I have to imagine that Harvard or Stanford are more difficult.

I went to another university where if you showed up and read the book you were pretty much guaranteed a B. Lets call that a 5.

But both of these universities are more rigorous than your average Thai university.

Good questions. There are obviously some rare exceptions to the rules, like Statistics.

By the way, you study Monday through Friday but you can study as many or as few weeks as you choose.

Honestly we do not have many students who post here. Nellyp is one. Phosphorescent is another.

But I hope you will allow me to respond since I am the founder of the program.

1. How would you rate the work load (from 1- too easy to 10- overloaded)?

Honestly I think its about a 3. This is a Thai university. We are professional and serious, but we are not trying to create a US degree in Thailand with this program. The level of difficulty is below that of Western degrees, just likes most (if not all) Thai universities. Its also focused on Adult Learners who are working.

2. Do you take tests like any normal college class? What are those like?

Mark Uekervitz, the new head of the program, is standardizing all the courses to include a group presentation and a short (3 to five page) paper. No exams.

3. Is Thongsook out in the boonies or is it near necessary things if you plan to live near the school?

Its kind of out in the boonies as its near the Southern Bus Terminal. But there is a 7-11 and market right across the street and alls and shopping centers in the vacinity.

4. I have read that the classes are roughly 8 hours per day, 5 days a week for up to 10 weeks. Is this hard on you?

Yes. But there is no real viable alternative.

5. What kind of learning do you actually do for 8 hours a day in school? (sorry, I just can't imagine a 8 hour school day for college. Just curious)

Some lecture, some group work, some presentations.

LOL I am willing to bet that I have forgotten more about ESL in Thailand you will ever know!

What is your qualifications?

That is really ok?

Glad I got out of teaching.

Parents nationwide agree

You guys should be fiction writers.

Raids? What raids? They may happen. But they have not. Saying they will is pure speculation.

My dog speaks English better than most Thais and crappy English teachers, foreign or Thai, are one of the reasons why.

Having personally been involved in the TEFL training of 3,000 Thai teachers and visited many hundreds of schools in Thailand over nearly two decades I could literally write a PhD thesis on this topic. But here I will just say this:

In my professional experience and opinion, the NES are not the problem but are a small part of a solution if other factors could change.

Well, here is what you are going to have to do:

Convince every school in Thailand not to hire the guy.

But, guess what? He is going to have a really easy time finding a job. Like falling off of a truck. The schools will be happy to hire him.

You can scowl and complain. You can pontificate and belittle. It will not make a bit of difference. The schools, in other words the Thai people who run the schools, have decided that this guy is an asset--an asset they are willing to pay well for.

When I say that young, good-looking people have an easy time finding a job in Thailand, I'm not stating opinion that I necessarily agree with. I'm simply stating a fact based upon a great deal of background knowledge and history. Like you, it matters little if I like it or not. But at least I'm realistic enough to understand that the situation is what it is and I'm not trying to deny reality.

Well Bruce, being young is definitely not always a virtue. However, if I have the choice between hiring someone young, well-kept, and polite versus an old unkempt, impolite man in shorts, of course I'll choose the young candidate. Rarely is it so cut and dry though.

As far as not convincing the schools in Thailand to not hire the guy, right you are, however, as more schools are raided and the crackdowns continue, more visa mills will close.

Also, you make the mistake of thinking that just because this guy can find a job at some so-called English school that this means he is an asset. Immigration may think otherwise. I think otherwise.

If a school wants to hire a guy without a degree and without a work permit, I hope immigration throws the book at the school and the teacher. Excuse me for being so righteous, but it's for the good of the kids. My dog speaks English better than most Thais and crappy English teachers, foreign or Thai, are one of the reasons why.

Well, here is what you are going to have to do:

Convince every school in Thailand not to hire the guy.

But, guess what? He is going to have a really easy time finding a job. Like falling off of a truck. The schools will be happy to hire him.

You can scowl and complain. You can pontificate and belittle. It will not make a bit of difference. The schools, in other words the Thai people who run the schools, have decided that this guy is an asset--an asset they are willing to pay well for.

When I say that young, good-looking people have an easy time finding a job in Thailand, I'm not stating opinion that I necessarily agree with. I'm simply stating a fact based upon a great deal of background knowledge and history. Like you, it matters little if I like it or not. But at least I'm realistic enough to understand that the situation is what it is and I'm not trying to deny reality.

" If you're referring to me, I'm hardly bitter." Really Scott? Notice any "likes" posted on yor comments? Sure the OP sounded a little full of himself but as you know in Thailand looks do mean a lot. Young well groomed, professional looking guy, vs young long haired back pack looking "hippie' vs Old (60+) short wearing expat looking guy---who would get the job? And he didn't ask about any help with a visa , maybe he's going to marry the G/F so will be able to stay because of marriage..

Thank Buddha.

Personally, I would like to know the school is only hiring educated teachers who are qualified to teach my kids, not some kid who feels entitled to stay in Thailand because his girlfriend has a family member in the school. It's about having decent teachers, not unqualified, spoiled, punk kids.

If you're referring to me, I'm hardly bitter. I would, however, like to see the Thai school system hire someone qualified. Apparently this matters very little to you. Lemme guess....you teach, you have a TEFL, but no degree?

We took our neice to her 1st day of school (not BKK) and she introduced herself to her teacher in perfect English. Teacher asked "who taught you" she said " my uncle"

Later were told by my sister-in-law that they wanted to know if I wanted a job --reason both her teacher and Pinay aid spoke English badly so i guessed they wanted me to be like a teacher's assistant to help with pronounciation and grammar. Probably same thing OP's G/F wants him to do there just to give him something to do and extra spending money. He already mentioned he did not need cash for ticket home ect.

And your remark to the other poster about "would you want him teaching your kids" I would let him as a TEFL teacher or teachers aid rather than a Thai or other NES who could not pronounce correctly yet was certified as a teacher.

Well Tony, there are 7 likes and the post is now POPULAR, imagine that.

Bottom line - the guy has no degree, is illegal, is not a teacher, and has no business teaching in a school. Your logic is so skewed it's ridiculous. Just because someone isn't vain enough to declare himself, "young, fit, and handsome," or someone else isn't drooling over their good looks, doesn't mean the other teachers are young hippies or old, short wearing expats.

Regardless of this guy and how unqualified he is, Thai schools need real teachers. This means they need to pay real money but first, it means getting rid of all the fly by night, wanna be teachers and visa mills. In my opinion, that's what this guy probably is. Do you seriously believe he came to Thailand because he wants to teach children and make a difference in their lives? Please...wake up bucko.

You're entitled to your opinion though, no matter how misguided and illogical it is.

Instead of trying to magically find native speakers who are qualified to be full teachers, not an easy task, why not get the Thai teachers to do their jobs?

"And native ESL teachers in Thai schools should be supervised and supported by the Thai "professional" teachers who have degrees in Education. They go in, teach a class with the curriculum provided, and leave. They should not be responsible for anything else. "

100 % agree. Should but unfortunately aren't.

So?

They are professional teachers who do not have any training in how to teach. But they are very familiar with the subject matter. And they teach because they know the subject matter.

A native English speaker is like someone with a Masters degree in speaking and listening in English (I would not go so far as to say they are PhD). Give a native speaker a TESOL certificate and they are already better prepared to teach than any of my university professors.

And native ESL teachers in Thai schools should be supervised and supported by the Thai "professional" teachers who have degrees in Education. They go in, teach a class with the curriculum provided, and leave. They should not be responsible for anything else.

Bruce "

None of my professors in my BS (Economics and International Relations) or MBA had a teaching qualification.

Apparently I am doomed."

I do hope that they didn't just have a high school diploma. Or perhaps you are doomed.

I also assume that by the time you were in University you had already learned the study skills that allowed you to b be a successful student. Professors are not qualified teachers and often just use lecture based methodology to introduce material. If you taught primary or secondary students subjects or even as an EFL teacher, that lecture methodology isn't as effective. I love lectures as they are often the fastest way to get information however because I had good teachers that taught me study skills and different approaches to learn information. I take the information from the lectures and on my own do activities that help me retain that knowledge.

As a primary or secondary teacher your job isn't just inputting knowledge but introducing study skills and learning strategies that they can continue to do for the rest of their life. These are things that you learn from studying education. Though I believe any educated person can self study and learn all of these educational theories and practices, it is safer for schools and the deparment of education to require degrees in education.

Well one thing is certain, he is NOT working at the top international school. Top schools are:

ISB

Harrows

Looking professional would consist of what exactly? Also an athletic build would benefit you in what exactly whilst teaching... carrying an extra text book and pen? Anywhoo for one of the best International schools to accept applicants without a degree, I'd like to just double check the website I've logged into as I'm not sure if this is thaivisa.com or total bullS**t.com ... this post has made me laugh. Thanks Mr. Blonde much appreciated for bringing a positive start to my day :-) maybe holdout for a remake of reservoir dogs


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand