monkeyboots

Thai teachers and students generally respect and like foreigners who have made an effort to learn their language more than those who havent.

This is a very important point imho. Someone on the main Ajarn forum recently raised the question about whether TEFL isn't just the new face of imperialism - "cultural imperialism"; and we all know that Thais are rightly proud of their historical independence. A teenage student can quickly sus you out, even if they don't speak your language very well. For example, I have been into country schools where the kids realise within a minute or two that I'm not the same as the previous missionary foreigners; I am told that they respond much more favourably to me (I hope this is true, but of course it is possible my Thai colleagues are just being polite). The fact that I know something about their language and I respect a lot of things about their culture creates a lot of resonance with them; it's not just a simple pedagogical trick.

Of course I know this might ruffle the feathers of those people committed to a target-language only approach (in most cases it's the only approach they can offer, so it's making a virtue out of a necessity). But please have the professional integrity at least to differentiate, if you can, between what you believe to be the most efficacious philosophy and the limitations of your own linguistic skills.

At school I studied 3 languages other than English, in each case using the native language (English) as the vehicle for communication, not the target language.

PS this mini-rant is not directed at the international schools, where the goal seems to be to churn out surrogate farangs.

OK, but this is a different issue. Having the ability to speak Thai (and respecting Thai culture) doesn't mean that it's a more effective way to teach a 2nd language in the classroom. You can gain respect from your students in this way outside the classroom, which can certainly influence their response inside.

First I would ask WHY I was learning - it's a very important question to answer. Then I would think carefully about HOW I wanted to learn. Some people can sit with a book and absorb a lot - a friend taught himself to read and write from just a bilingual dictionary. Other people might be better off with alphabet flashcards (easy to make yourself). learningthai.com is a great resource for beginners and higher levels if computers are more your thing. I would echo everyone who mentioned the importance of reading and writing - improves your tones and you can practice reading all the time if you're based here. Throw yourself into situations where you have to speak Thai rather than your mother tongue. Don't be afraid to just sit and listen to conversations. Find a sympathetic listener - partner/friend/neighbour - who will help you where needed but not correct everything you say. Ask questions.

I studied Thai for 4 years at (a UK) university and was taught in English using none of the 'TEFL' methods (i.e. communicative language teaching stylee). No fluency work, all accuracy. Reading using a translation method, word by word. Listening and being required to write mini essays to test receptive ability. Never using each other as a resource - i.e. pair/group work. The result? Some of us got a First and we ended up with excellent tones. However, none of us could carry out any sort of extended conversation, only barely being able to string a sentence together. As several people have mentioned above, it is generally far more effective to avoid the students' mother tongue in the classroom (while accepting there are a few situations where it can be used). Put the learners in an environment where they need to think and speak in the language they are learning and, if they are motivated, I believe they will do better. Talking about the language you are learning in your mother tongue seems to have severe limitations on learning the language from my experience.

We would have made more progress in communication had our teachers been on some sort of teacher training course, preferably using EFL methods, which far from being primitive are more cutting edge than a lot of those used in state institutions in many parts of the world.

Anyone had experience with live in home help?

We (my Thai wife and I plus two 4 month old twin girls) are losing the help of Mum-in-law who has to return to BKK for a number of reasons and will need the help of a cleaner/cook living out OR preferably a live in full time home help - both options would involve someone who likes kids. The house is small and the work will not be full-on. We are not looking for a fully qualified nanny - just someone to do the cooking/cleaning/washing while my wife watches the kids and maybe stepping in to help if they both kick off at once! Not a good thing to be outnumbered by kids...

I've been told how difficult it can be to get a trustworthy reliable person for this type of job.

Anyone know of anyone who may be worth trying?

We are SW of the city, not far from Wat Umong.

Any help much appreciated.

When we read about this non-sense in Thailand (get out of jail free card)we feel little regard what happens to this crazy country.May it slide further into hell.who cares,really.they deserve it,we can always move on to Viet nam or otherwise..

Off you go then. Bye.

Try nothing.

Hi

I worked for the BC for about 8 years including some time in Chiang Mai. Compared with other schools and private language schools in CM, the salary is certainly better than most (if not all?). There is provision for professional development, again better than most other schools. You get access to the BC global network of teaching centres - good for if/when you want to move on within the organisation. It's very pleasantly located as opposed to some of the corporate office block BC centres in other places. They are a good organisation to get on your CV if you plan to teach EFL long term. I left because I didn't fancy getting sucked into management, which is what I felt was expected of me after 10 years or so of teaching.

Try it out if you have the necessary quals.

Good luck!

Arrived home from work recently to notice my 1 month-old twin girls' heads were blacked up on the top of their heads and eye brows (actually a deep blue). Mum-in-law had done it to promote good hair and eyebrow growth. Found out it was Butterfly Blue Pea flower (the flower with a clitoris like bit at the top) mashed up to a paste in water. Had always been done in their family and I would have objected, but mum-in-law and wife both have great hair with strong eyebrows...

Just wondered if anyone had any experience with buying 2nd hand from Toyota Sure? Got a reasonably priced 3 year old Vios I'm about to buy having test driven - my first 4-wheeled vehicle after 15 years of being here on bikes. 25k on the clock. Comes with a 1-year warranty and 2 services in that year. This suggests it doesn't have anything serious to worry about. Wondering if I should be looking out for anything here - getting an outside mechanic in to have a look? Small print in the finance deal? Things to look out for with the 1st class insurance - with SMK ins. co.? Buying privately I'd be a lot more finnicky with checking out the vehicle.

Anyone bought through them before? I'm in Chiang Mai and it's the Mahidol Rd branch.

Cheers

Just received a gift of clothes for my newborns from UK (valued at 2000bht (half a kg). At least, I've just received notice that they are at the Post Office and I can pick them up for 800 baht. Why did I receive another 2kg box of clothes from the UK last month from another relative which came straight to my address without P.O. interception and money requests? Both were sent by regular post not courier services.

Am I missing something?

Anyone got any experience with newish second hand pick ups i.e. a year or so old?

Just test driven one (a Vigo) at Sure Toyota and it all seemed fine. Not being an expert I wasn't sure what could have gone wrong (if anything) during the 1st year when it's still under warranty. Obviously a smash is one possibility but there didn't seem to be any signs. What, if anything, should I be looking for in a vehicle which still looks and sounds in top condition? It's going for 130k less than the brand new book price. Maybe it's just a reasonable deal?

Cheers for any pointers.

A King Cobra shot by the neighbours last year - pity coz they're beautiful and impressive creatures. Dangerous though, and it was next to their house with kids playing around. Watched as they put it on a fire to tenderise it before taking the skin off and putting part of it into a curry. Bit spicy for me.......!

Some good points, and bold for a Thai journo as others have said. Wouldn't call Buddhism a 'faith' though.

Cave Lodge, Mae Hong Son province. Loads to do or just a great place to do nothing - near the Burmese border. Google it for info and directions. Been well worth it for the 17 years I've been going...

Good to bear in mind that TEFL just means Teaching English as a Foreign Language and is not a company, product or course in itself. It is used as shorthand to refer to English teacher training courses of all shapes and sizes, both good and bad. Some companies use it in the name of their courses, but there is no one specific TEFL course.

Cheers.

Re- courses being geared to teach in Thailand

The CELTA courses available in BKK, CM and Phuket by IH and ECC provide certificates which are recognised around the world. So, although you will build up an awareness of Thai learners and their strengths and weaknesses in the language as well as aspects of Thai culture, they are not specifically designed just for teaching in Thailand. Compare this with other courses on offer which are more geared to teaching in Thailand and sometimes offer placements in state schools on completion. There is a difference between teaching in private language schools and in the state system. Do a bit of research and decide what suits you. Good luck.

Crisps - shrimps - crispy shrimps - really - rarely - posts - lists ........... As much fun as we have hearing Thais attempt these words - I'm sure we are just as bad to them with words like meuang - ngwan (norn) - dteuan and the like....

There is a video, here http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EROXP8JDG9M

He does not look Islamic to me and does seem to have a strong British accent.

Err, what do 'Islamic' people look like? Does having a British accent preclude someone from being Islamic? Certain sections of the media are really doing a fine job creating convenient sterotypes for us. Better to do a bit of research and inform yourself rather than rely on the scream of the media.

Anyone know of a reliable builder for a one room house extension in Chiang Mai, preferably on the Doi Suthep side of town?

Cheers.

"Did you say that you've been living here for 5 years and also do not speak Thai? It might be time to start learning (more) Thai. Imagine living in, say, America for 5 years and not being able to speak english. Imagine all the flack you would get from Americans. Just saying.

I like the idea of adopting a Thai nickname though."

I agree - make the effort with the language and get involved. It seems to make a difference with how us falangs are treated!

Hi

Just wondered if anyone had experience of a pregnancy with identical twins who are developing in the same gestation sac? It's rare (about 1% of twins pregnancies) and is dangerous for one or both of the fetuses as they are so close to each other and are sharing the same placenta ( cord tangling, one accidentally compressing the other's food supply, one taking more of the food).

We are in this situation with my partner at about 12 weeks and a doctor at Sriphat (Chiang Mai) is helping us to find a doctor who has experience of this type of pregnancy (supposedly one at Suan Dok Hospital who we are in the process of trying to contact - we are in Chiang Mai).

From research I've done, I know that it involves heavy monitoring and regular scanning by someone with relevant experience to increase the chance of either one or both of them surviving. It's a long shot but wondered if anyone out there had ever been through this in Thailand and if so, how it went and what advice they could give?

Thanks.

Try the 71 Export shop on Huay Keaw Rd on the left between Chiang Mai Hills Hotel and the Canal Rd intersection. Some very baggy stuff in there and cheap too.

I'd be interested in hearing any comments about Lek Chaiya, a very well established place 100m or so up the walking street from Thapae Gate (inside the old city). It's not your average routine massage place but specialises in treating nerve problems. I'd always heard good things and had some good work a few years back with herbal compresses on a lower back problem. However, I went recently with a similar problem and the woman insisted on twanging some of the wiring on the inside of the upper thighs (excuse the lack of technical language here!) - something which was very painful and I told her this. She carried on a little despite my comments and left me feeling very tender. A work colleague had bad lower back pain and he went to the same place telling them of this. Within an hour or so of getting home he was unable to walk. A hospital visit and a scan informed him of a trapped nerve. I wonder if a place which specialises in nerve-touch massage should do more exploratory diagnostic work before launching into treatment?

The purpose of this is not to bad mouth the place but just to get people's further experiences. Maybe a physio is the place to go for real problems e.g. Lanna Hospital's back pain dept (very positive experience recently apart from the uncomfortable chairs while you wait!). I'll give some of the people mentioned in previous posts and see.

Hmmmm, let's forget about the many thousands of people who had a fantastic time and focus on some unfortunate incidents and hopefully we can scrape up an opportunity to shake our heads at moan at what Thai New Year is really about - death and murder. Dear me....

I had a great time and kept wondering how long something like this would last for in the UK. And no, it's not my first time, it's my 12th.

Wake up whingers.

Are there any links to video footage of his drunken rant in parliament last week?.......would like to watch it.

Classic stuff - the speaker maintains a mildly ruffled calmness while the deaf signer sticks admirably to her job. Thanks!