bchcomber

Lots of folks reading this thread...

Remember, please, people, that TEACHING covers two entirely different kettles of fish here.

On the one hand, we have SUBJECT TEACHERS. For that group, I agree with the most stringent and restrictive of the posters here- bachelor's degree or higher, vetting, the works.

However, the TEFL market simply can't get people with these qualifications for the money they offer- and it is very dubious whether people teaching such a skill really need that much higher education- and it is a very important and needed group of instructors (more than teachers) in Thailand. It's the only way country schools can get contact with native speakers. TEFLs are really enough in many cases.

"Steven"

TEFL Certificates have no regulatory board at all! Some are under written by Cambridge University but there is no International Standards Board or anything for TESL certificates. Anyone could start a school in Thailand and offer TESL Certification (Pattaya-Bangkok) as long as the Certificate is accepted by the MOE. Hmmm a large envelope or kickbacks should get that acceptance happening! What about diploma mills in the United States! they off legitimate Degrees with transcripts and Diploma and transcript verification. A Bachelor degree can be had for 325.00 USD! and yes it's legal and yes it's real. They call them life Degrees as somone who never went to University but has been working in the feild for 20 years possesses more knowledge than your said Graduate. Thus the life experience degree!

Transcripts are for Universities and Educational institutes to use to help further someones education. Some Universities do not recognize other Universities and please remember many Universities Education is a business MONEY!!

How about Honorary Doctorates they are true Doctorates and verifiable! Nothing like a heafty donation to a University and presto your a Doctor of philosophy!

All around the world there are Private Educational Institues that offer Degrees that can be verified but are not acceptable to other Universites for continuing education? Oh but they will accept you as a student though (money) they will allow you enter as an Adult student giving you 2 years towards your degree and making you pay for 2 more years. Business Aministration degrees at many Universities offer this as many people who have worked in busniess for years wish to re-educate themselves and get that piece of paper recognition.

Yes the Government has valid concernes with regards to quality of the teachers employed here from other countries!

From reading this thread the TESL teachers without degrees have valid points with regards to Thai teachers and their ability to teach english. How can someone who has never been to an english speaking country ever get the true grasp of speaking native english? What about grammar? Many englsih grammar books offered here are written by Thai for profit! Education is Money remember! Have you tried looking at those grammar books? try checking the spelling, I looked at 3 in a book store that were being offered to Thai, stating English grammar made easy? All 3 had bad grammar and spelling errors on the first couple of pages. Many Schools English language departments have Thai teacher who can't even speak english? Not ony in Thailand but many other counties in Asia!

I also see teachers who were educated as teachers praising the new rules and saying it's about time? It's about time Thailand kicked out someone who is willing to work for 10-30,000 baht a month? Somone who only has TESL certification? Somone who didn't go to school and get one of those fancy degrees but worked in an English speaking country for years and has a pretty good grasp on the Englsih language? Why are they not acceptable as Native Englsih Speaking Teachers?

Because they didn't go the distance and get a degree? Who say's getting a degree even qualifies you to be a good teacher! I remember school and some of my teachers, degree and all were useless!

I learned more about Business from working and life than I ever did from my University professor! and he had a Doctorate? It's not the paper you have it's the knowledge you have! It's not the paper you have it's your ability to teach!

B.A's B.S. Masters Doctorate TESL it's all paper that says you passed the tests. But can you teach?

Do you need papers to be a Parent? Some people make good parents and some not! What about the guy who has a masters degree or Doctorate in Education but his wife can manage and teach his kid's ten time better than him?

Teaching isn't about paper it's about helping someone learn, you win when you student understands! It's not the paper or the Degree it's the reward of having the person you teach understand what you are teaching. Yes some teching jobs do require someone with a higher understanding of the Englsih language and those jobs are out there and they pay well too!!! Your education ( Degree ) gives you your financial reward and recognition from your piers.... That recognition of being a real teacher. One with a Degree a licence! But can you teach?

I took the time to read all the postings in this thread and everyone has valid concerns and valid statements with regards to Thailands educational system.

Heres a valid Question:

How many Thai Officials have purchased Degrees? to get further up the ladder or to better their face in Thailand.

Unfortunately this country has the amazing ability to enact rules with thinking of the pitfalls. (Shooting themselves in the foot only to realize they have to walk on it).

Another reason the officials enact such strange rules is pressure from Western Countries (face) Yes face, this thing with that wacko from the states is a prime example.

The Thai lost big face! Yes the guy was a certified nut case but he did have a legal degree and he was a licenced teacher in the USA. The Thai Government and News papers praised themselves for helping catch this man and then the Bangkok Post slammed the Thai government with regards to letting a murder teach in Thailand. Murder? Seem to me he was absolved of that crime and to top it off the FBI didn't want him, they rulled him out as a suspect?(Oops loss of Face) The Colorado State police came here with a warrant that was issued by a Judge without the athority to have someone extraditied from another country. Yes it was Colorado State police that came to get him.

I do believe if reading the whole story and understanding the US judicial system the FBI has to seek a warrant and then the US Marshalls office has to go fetch the criminal, not the Colorado State Police. Oh yea isn't Jon Bonnets father super wealthy and has huge interests in the State of Colorado? Somehow I seem to remember reading the family are still concidered suspects in the murder by the FBI? Jon Bonnets father has offered a huge rewards HUGE! to find his daughters killer! and to clear his family name too! (Money)

Let me finish with the above statement; this man was wiered and he was wanted on charges in the State of California but none that were extraditable. Yes they were porn related involving minors and yes that's bad! Question? Was he charged in Thailand for any offences with regards to minors? No! How about the other countries he taught in? No! Has the State of California convicted him as of yet? No!

Don't forgret this man had A masters degree in education and was at one time a licenced teacher in the USA!

Yep a guy with tons of education and fancy paper and certificates!

Maybe? yes Maybe it's not the Certification of someones capiblity to teach but their past that should be brought into question! Criminal history check? Seem most Western and European Countries require one when seeking employment!

I myself am not a scholar by any means and I couldn't spell my way out of a wet paper bag! Is my Grammar the greatest? Nope! Do I have a Degree yes! A Masters Degree from an recognized International University. Yep my spelling is horrible (thank god for spell check) and my written grammar isn't the greatest either. I can however speak and comprhened English! I can even use big fancy words that I can't spell, I even know how to use them in a oral sentence!

Can I teach? I try! The people I help with English seem to be doing ok!

Teaching is a gift degree's or no degree's good techers are hard to find!

Thank you for reading my grammar ridden post and hope that what I have written hasn't offended anyone as this wasn't my intention! We are all here in Thailand for what ever reason, helping another human being in life is it's own reward! Everyone thinks differently and has different opinions on every subject of life.(Thus Free will)

The North American Indians have a saying; It takes a Village to raise a Child

Everyone has been a Teacher in some way or another in their life! Some good, some bad, some without even knowing it!

Thank you Again all

Bchcomber

Thank you for your help, yes I will ask within the forum for help with finding things here in Chiangrai! I have read through most of the forum for Chiang Rai and there is a lot of usesful information (thanks) As for the other comment I made with regards to the Limelight! Maybe I'm reading the English wrong or something? ( These things take time to do right and I will not post any false advertising for the date sure read like subtle slams at the O.P. When he states: These things take time to do right, could be looked upon as meaning the O.P has no clue how to publish a Magazine and I will not post any false advertising for the date, could be seen as a snub because the O.P has been having Printing problems?

Or both the sentence could mean absolutly nothing and I'm trying to find the inner meaning of apple I'm sure both these Magazine's are soon going to learn the problems that can be encountered when it comes to publishing in Thailand!

Thanks again for your help and best luck to both Magazines quote name='tayto' date='2006-08-15 07:59:28' post='848968']

Very good response to Chiangrai Guy. Why couldn't the guy just start his own thread? Possibly because he wanted to get into the lime light of yours? (athetic) The fella! or maybe not?as his picture seems to steer more to the other side of the fence? Anyways-I am new to Chiang Rai and have been having a heck of a time finding things. I sure hope this Magazine will help people like me? I took the time to read the responses to your thread on the Magazine and it seems quite positive. Don't fret yourself over people taking pot shots at your work, it comes with the territory! Good luck with the Magazine, printers in Thailand are a NIGHTMARE 5 days can turn into 20 19:15:35']

Another one on the way. More special ineterest based with articles not only on Chiang Rai, but done with some flare, hopefully. Articles will be done in both English and Thai for all to see, not only expats and foreign tourists, but Thai as well. Looking forward to start something fun. Also looking for writers for feature articles and any thoughts and opinions on CR and beyond.

Hey Chiang Ray Guy, what is happening with the other CR Magazine? I think it is a good idea to have it in both Thai and English, you got more readers and more readers get more ads.

I bought "Pai Post" when we were there last week. It had the same idea. Some very interesting articles about the history of Pai. It was expensive, 10 bath, but then both me and my lady could read it so I thought I could do some spending!

Good Luck to you too! I hope to see your mag soon!

Never Fear.

These things take time to do right, and finding the right people to work with is an experiment in progress. Initially looking at October, looks more likely to be around November, though I will not post any false advertising for the date. It'll come out when the time is right.

CRG

Welcome to Chiang Rai bchcomber.

If you care to read this posting in full you will see that Chiang Rai Guy was not stealing the limelight of the o.p but only stating his future intentions about a similar project.

Any problems in finding something in Chiang Rai? post it here, we're a helpful bunch.

Very good response to Chiangrai Guy. Why couldn't the guy just start his own thread? Possibly because he wanted to get into the lime light of yours? (athetic) The fella! or maybe not?as his picture seems to steer more to the other side of the fence? Anyways-I am new to Chiang Rai and have been having a heck of a time finding things. I sure hope this Magazine will help people like me? I took the time to read the responses to your thread on the Magazine and it seems quite positive. Don't fret yourself over people taking pot shots at your work, it comes with the territory! Good luck with the Magazine, printers in Thailand are a NIGHTMARE 5 days can turn into 20 19:15:35']

Another one on the way. More special ineterest based with articles not only on Chiang Rai, but done with some flare, hopefully. Articles will be done in both English and Thai for all to see, not only expats and foreign tourists, but Thai as well. Looking forward to start something fun. Also looking for writers for feature articles and any thoughts and opinions on CR and beyond.

Hey Chiang Ray Guy, what is happening with the other CR Magazine? I think it is a good idea to have it in both Thai and English, you got more readers and more readers get more ads.

I bought "Pai Post" when we were there last week. It had the same idea. Some very interesting articles about the history of Pai. It was expensive, 10 bath, but then both me and my lady could read it so I thought I could do some spending!

Good Luck to you too! I hope to see your mag soon!

Never Fear.

These things take time to do right, and finding the right people to work with is an experiment in progress. Initially looking at October, looks more likely to be around November, though I will not post any false advertising for the date. It'll come out when the time is right.

CRG