Esl Teachers Convention

[richard10365]

I had another crazy idea. The summer is rapidly approaching and soon teachers will find themselves with nothing to do or plenty to do. With that said, sometime between the end of the school year and the start of the school year, a convention of foreign English teachers could be held somewhere in Thailand.

Perhaps this would be a good place to invite well respected (or at least powerful) Thai school officials to discuss issues concerning foreigners working in the Thai educational system.

If planned out a year in advance, teachers could plan their vacations around it.

If sanctioned by the Thai government, perhaps they will sponsor it as well like they do for their own teachers from time to time.

What do you think?

[Casanundra]

I think getting all of the foreign teachers in one place would be an excellent idea for the Thai immigration authorities. That way, it would make it easier for them to just swoop in and deport those they don't like the look of. Don't forget to bring your toothbrush.

[richard10365]

I think getting all of the foreign teachers in one place would be an excellent idea for the Thai immigration authorities. That way, it would make it easier for them to just swoop in and deport those they don't like the look of. Don't forget to bring your toothbrush.

I think inviting Thai Immigration would be a good idea. Perhaps they can clarify immigration questions teachers might have. Good idea Casanundra!

To add to that, perhaps we can bring the people in charge of work permits and teachers license.

Of course, if your the type that just wants to let things happen then respond (complain) after, then ignore all of this.

[PeaceBlondie]

Joking aside, it's a good idea. There is some kind of Thai-TESOL group already, that meets annually.

[richard10365]

It could start small with representatives from every jangwat. Later, it could grow into reps from every amphur. Eventually, every amphur could be represented with representatives responsible for bringing information back to their areas.

I'm sure there are many foreigners teaching who are a lot smarter (and a lot better qualified) than I am at putting something like this together.

With all the negative publicity that ELS teachers have gotten in the last year or so, this would be a good opportunity to start showing ESL teachers in a positive light.

So the question is how do we start? Do we act or react (complain).

[richard10365]

I just saw a comment on another post that seemed like a good idea.

With all the new requirements it would seem to make sense that fully qualified English teachers get a higher salary (50,000 baht+). A foreign English teacher convention would be a good place to discuss this.

If every qualified teacher goes in to ask for a raise, perhaps they will get it.

When the school says no, then you just go to the next school. They will be desperate for teachers because they said no to raises for their returning teachers.

With the new requirements by MOE and MOL, there is bound to be a really, really, really biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig shortage of teachers this year.

If foreign English teachers ever wanted to get comparable wages to other ESL teachers such as in Korea or Japan, then now is the time to act.

[toptuan]

For such a convention, I think it would be very important to keep the focus positive--and not let it end up a low-level pissing contest of complaints/gripes against low-paying schools, immigration regulations, etc.

Some good seminars on sharing winning teaching methods, how to get your TEFL certificate, cultural differences in teaching Thais, etc. would go a long way in leaving a good taste in the mouth of the participants, the media, Thai officials, and anyone else connected with such an event.

Just my 2 cents...

[richard10365]

For such a convention, I think it would be very important to keep the focus positive--and not let it end up a low-level pissing contest of complaints/gripes against low-paying schools, immigration regulations, etc.

Some good seminars on sharing winning teaching methods, how to get your TEFL certificate, cultural differences in teaching Thais, etc. would go a long way in leaving a good taste in the mouth of the participants, the media, Thai officials, and anyone else connected with such an event.

Just my 2 cents...

There's a time and place for everything including complaints and gripes. I think time could be set aside at the convention to listen to opinions on how to make teaching in Thailand a more positive experience for foreigners in Thailand.

Edited February 27, 2007 by richard10365

[toptuan]

For such a convention, I think it would be very important to keep the focus positive--and not let it end up a low-level pissing contest of complaints/gripes against low-paying schools, immigration regulations, etc.

Some good seminars on sharing winning teaching methods, how to get your TEFL certificate, cultural differences in teaching Thais, etc. would go a long way in leaving a good taste in the mouth of the participants, the media, Thai officials, and anyone else connected with such an event.

Just my 2 cents...

There's a time and place for everything including complaints and gripes. I think time could be set aside at the convention to listen to opinions on how to make teaching in Thailand a more positive experience for foreigners in Thailand.

I agree, with the caution that: Don't cause any Thai officials present to lose face, or you will never have their cooperation again. Open verbal confrontation should be strongly discouraged.

[mark lamai]

dream on!

1. they won't let you.

2. sounds like a union, very dangerous.

3. sounds like a talk fest about nothing.

4. farangs can't change the english business.

5. i suggested a teachers association on another forum some time ago, and the resonses i got from teachers was a joke.

6. thais won't listen

6. thais don't want to know what you think.

6. thais want monkeys who obey and don't question or suggest.

7. remember your status is just slightly above a Burmese refugee working in a Mae Sot factory, and below the local soi dogs.

8. thais will stop you because you will be seen to be plotting to destroy a very profitable scam.

9. PLEASE do it!!!!! I wanna see what happens!!!!!!

[richard10365]

We could call it "The Foreign Teachers Association of Thailand" (FTAT). FTAT membership could be as simple as anyone with an interest can join or have the same requirements the MOE has for getting a teaching license.

If the VFW is allowed to set up business in Thailand, I don't see why foreign English teachers should be any different.

[PeaceBlondie]

The VFW is totally separate from the type of organization a teacher's 'group' would be. While mark lamai's negative points are numerous and probably overstated, he makes some good points. If you rephrased it to say something like "Thai school administrators wouldn't be enthusiastic if the Thai teachers of English did this..." you'd be close to the truth. This is a top-down, hierarchal society.

[richard10365]

Thailand host conventions all the time. I think the key to making this happening with the government would be to show how a convention like this would be beneficial to Thailand.

I think it's good to have the negative comments about the convention in this thread because it does point out some of the hurdles that would have to be overcome if this were really to happen.

With China's star rising on the world stage, English might find itself in the same boat as German or French. Not that important.

There are many reasons to have this conventions. Not having it would be a mistake.

[toptuan]

We could call it "The Foreign Teachers Association of Thailand" (FTAT).

Foreign Association of REAL Teachers (FART)?

(sorry, couldn't resist)

Seriously, I think it would have more success if it was kept completely separate from the MOE/Immigration/Labor Dept. bureaucracy. By separate, I mean not having them as speakers, seminar leaders, gripe-session recipients, seeking their endorsements, etc.

Then, there might be less chance as being seen as a threat or face-losing potential on the Thai end of things. In this case, you might be able to better retain the same independence as an "outside" organization coming into the country for a convention.

[PeaceBlondie]

Calling it something self-deprecating like FART might take some of the pressure off of it being considered overly anal-retentive.

[toptuan]

PB, thanks for adding some dignity to my FART.

[richard10365]

Maybe we can have annual Fart awards. Or, when discussing negative aspects of teaching, call it the big stinky. What's the big stinky in your school? We could see if the big stinky up north has any affect in other parts of Thailand.

There are many things we could do. We could have workshops and discuss various ways to improve teaching in Thailand. We could even discuss how to grade Thai style in Thailand. That way we are more in line with what the MOE wants their teachers to do.

Edited March 1, 2007 by richard10365