English Education 30 Years From Now

[romulus]

I teach in Khon Kaen and they have a pretty good programme that aims to develop their own local Thais to be proficient English speakers and teachers. Although I can't say it's a popular course at present, but in the next 10-20 years, I see qualified locals replacing farangs.

[Ijustwannateach]

It could happen, ironically, if foreign English teachers are successful... of course, that would be the whole point!

I think what it will mean is that those foreigners who get into the biz will have to be more qualified, more experienced, and be able to do more specialised things.

[Ijustwannateach]

An off-topic troll has been removed, more or less permanently. Normal service is now resumed.

[culicine]

It won't happen unless salaries are increased dramatically for Thai teachers and their working cnditions improved. The majority of Thais with excellent english havce spent a period overseas and aren't likely to come back to teach 50 kids in a classroom for 6000 baht a month starting salary. Not when they can earn much more even for other government ministries, not to mention the private sector.

Many children these days are going through english programs and have pretty good english by the end of grade 12. Most of them don't want to be teachers though, as most come from well off families. Their aspirations lie elsewhere.

Either way, I don't see the jobs of foreign teachers threatened anytime soon. The Ed monistry is still at least 30 years behind many other countries (we can see that in the curriculum and teaching methods).

[Thaiboxer]

As long as there are foreign teachers willing to take teaching jobs here (most of which pay peanuts), I doubt the TEFL industry will go away anytime soon. The Thai teachers get pathetic salaries, but they also get government officer status (public schools), retirement benefits and other goodies. This is why Thai teachers on 30K a month can afford to drive BMW's while foreigners making 40K/month are scraping by. Most teaching jobs here are a dead end financially; we're on our own as far as putting money aside for retirement.

[romulus]

As long as there are foreign teachers willing to take teaching jobs here (most of which pay peanuts), I doubt the TEFL industry will go away anytime soon. The Thai teachers get pathetic salaries, but they also get government officer status (public schools), retirement benefits and other goodies. This is why Thai teachers on 30K a month can afford to drive BMW's while foreigners making 40K/month are scraping by. Most teaching jobs here are a dead end financially; we're on our own as far as putting money aside for retirement.

Are there any foreigners interested in educational reformation in Thailand?

Like foreign investment, can we see ourselves as not just impacting our classrooms but educational policy as well? Can we get more involved in mentoring local Thai English teachers, undergradute teacher trainees, etc? Infusing, inspiring and equipping them to nurture their future. Let's face it. We are not here forever.

Is this already being done? I may not be aware of efforts at the government level though but they may be concentrated in Bangkok.

Edited April 7, 2008 by romulus

[Thaiboxer]

A lot of folks are interested in education reformation...and that includes many Thai teachers as well. Unfortunately, those who control the education system and aren't willing to change seem to be the majority. Some of the job ads these days, in terms of what qualifications they ask for and what salaries/benefits they're offering, are a total joke. With more and more foreigners moving here every day and taking up teaching jobs, the TEFL industry is a revolving door. If you're not satisfied with what your school is giving you, they could care less as there's always somebody willing to take your place. On the bright side, this also means that more schools are looking for people and it won't be difficult to find another job is your current job goes sour.

[mrtoad]

As sad as it is, I don't think the MOE would be too keen on the idea of involving Farangs in developing English language teaching in Thailand, think of the loss of face if they had to admit that they needed a Farang to help them out.