Robski

DOH! What's a Troll? If I don't know what one is does that mean I am one? if I find out what it is does that mean I can stop being a Troll and be something else? will you guys let me know what that something else when the time comes? is it like having the lurgey? is it just my turn to be 'the Troll' or is it much, much worse than that? is it terminal? help me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In my own experience, gender did make a difference, maybe it is more of a factor with young children.

I guess if you had a wish list of teacher qualities, knowledge of the subject would be at the top, personality somewhere around the middle and perhaps gender all the way down near the bottom, but I don't think you can say that gender has no bearing at all in education.

I could also argue that gender can have a negative effect, in a male dominated society, would a female teacher receive as much respect as a male teacher from male students? Could this make them feel that the ideas being put forward are not as important?

Tefltommy how can the sex of a teacher be irrelevant? of course it is relevant, people look for role models amongst their own gender, why would children be any different? by seeing the teacher as a positive role model the student may be more inclined to learn. of course there are many factors that can motivate the student, but I think gender is one of them and in some cases could be a crucial factor.

If he wasn't called notstickman would anyone take any interest? Are you smoking both of their beef by even posting the topic? Don't you have a life? It's just opinion, if you lived your life by what these guys say wouldn't you be missing out on finding out for yourself, a lot of recommendations these guys make regarding the social scene make are crap, turn off the computer and get out there and make your own opinion.

In my only real teaching experience so far, I worked in an English play school in Finland, the children were 3-7 years old. When I went there I was the only male teacher the school had ever had. There were four mixed groups and in all the groups the boys were very withdrawn, unmotivated and unhappy, this wasn't really the fault of the female staff although they did seem at a loss as how to motivate them, the problem was that the boys seemed to feel that activities initiated by females were 'sissy', and the peer pressure amongst themselves was too great for any of them to lose face by joining in the activities. Well gradually over the first couple of weeks they all came out of their shells, I did this by taking part in the activities the girls were doing to show them that it was ok to be colouring in pictures and singing songs etc, by making activities that I knew would interest them, boystuff you know and by generally playing and taking an interest in them.

This was very rewarding and made for a happy school and some very happy parents. It was such a sense of fullfilment when more than one parent told me they had seen such a positive change in their son at home and that he was so eager to interact with people and wanted to learn about so many things.

Well said southbot, there seem to be a few posters on this site that jump at at every opportunity to, critisize the machinations of LOS, yes at moment rules are ambiguous and open to interperatation, but there are changes happening and the Goverment do seem to be making the effort to clarify their position in many areas. the protection of areas like handicrafts and manual trades is, I would think, aimed at stopping foreign cheap labour from undercutting the already very low wages of the Thai's. As a 'Brit' this is something that would have people dancing in the street if it were implemented back home. Thailand does seem to be going through a transition, I hope for the better, but it will take time and if they can reinforce the foundations by providing clear guidelines, and get rid of the ambiguity that creates uncertainty, we will all feel more secure about our future here. Of course money talks and will always be a factor, but do you know of any country where this is not the case?

Gizza job! I can do that.

ah yes plenty of info about koh larn tho'. I guess it's all in the translation. cheers

Spot on Neeranam, that's the answer I've been waiting for. I dont have a uni degree, just a willingness to do something different and where better to start from scratch than Thailand. Cheers.

thankyou.

ok thanks pattayapunter I will definately visit. like I said there isnt a lot of info out there about it, should make it more interesting to find out first hand. fantastic avatar by the way! cheers.

Ok how about this, I am english, white, mid thirties. no uni education, 20yrs in a manual trade. I am just about to start the 6 week T&T course in Pattaya. Great I'm looking forward to it,new country, new life. Will I find it difficult? without a doubt, but it's better than banging my head against a wall in Blighty.

What's the worst thing that could happen? I won't get a job, I wont even get started. But maybe I will, maybe with hard work and determination I can get my foot on the ladder, I think it's worth a try, What do you think? If I don't raise the bar too high I won't be dissapointed. Well we shall see, watch this space.

Hi everyone, pretty basic really but we all have to start somewhere, I'm moving to Pattaya and need to open a current account for all the usual stuff, is it straightforward? which banks are better for money transfers, atm machines and service. I would appreciate your views on this. cheers

Hi everyone, this is my first post. I will be in Pattaya as of 6th oct, I wonder if ko lan (coral island) is a good place to get away from it all, the internet is not a great source of info on the subject, I want peace and quiet, mid price accom and good food, am I asking too much? Please give me your thoughts and help my gf and I have a hassle free time. cheers.