Thai Culture And Language Classes: Reguired..

[Rhys]

Has anyone attended these required Thai culture and language sessions required now?

Comments or Reaction?

What did the instructors cover during the sessions?

Cheers Mates

[wasabi]

Can Farangs teach the culture class?

[mopenyang]

Here's a good place to start:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Teacher-Lice...ing-t89409.html

[TerryLH]

Lots of info about the course on ajarn dot com.

[PeaceBlondie]

Indeed, and if the natives look restless here on ThaiVisa, the despair and loathing on ajarn dot com is too thick to stir with a soup ladle, mostly due to the TCT's requirements shoved on top of the usual Thai school bullshit. They have reported culture classes that would drive a sane man mad (mad both ways). Some respected farang ajarns at prestigious schools have been told crap that made their blood boil. Lessons in how to wai (since I was the oldest ajarn on campus, were all the Thai ajarns required to wai me first?). Some farang have been asked to sing Thai songs or dance Thai songs (with or without long curving fingernails). One experienced farang teacher lecturing on ethics indicated that it might be okay to screw your students (most of whom are under 18 years old). Thai history that somehow overlooked the country's brutal occupation by the same army that literally raped Nanking. Many teachers had to pay 4K to 8K for the course, plus lodging and transport, and had to waste a weekend they could have been teaching private lessons or being with their family. Most of them report that they learned virtually nothing except how stupidly Thai culture can be mis-presented. Others have said it was only 82% worthless. One of the more prestigious school faculties raked their bosses over the coals for making them take the course, even though it was free.

That is a synopshit of what you can hear from others.

[wasabi]

I never wanted to be a teacher until now! If I can teach this Thai Culture course I will take the job.

[Xangsamhua]

I've not taken the course and fear it may be as bad as people say; however, I've always thought that you get out of any course in proportion to what you put in (sorry to sound sanctimonious ). Surely with a whole bunch of critically-educated Western teachers on a course they can do something to steer the input and activities into a useful direction. (No? )

Speaking to a well-educated (UK and Australia) Thai administrator yesterday, she stressed that it is important that foreign teachers know about Thai culture and a well-constructed course is the way to do it. I was struck by her genuine commitment to this idea.

Perhaps the courses so far have been sub-standard, but with a positive approach and constructive feedback maybe they'll become more helpful. I don't want to do a Thai culture course either, but if it's going to happen we'll have to make the best of it.

[Rhys]

Then this is the cash cow syndrome... It must be such an insult to take this... but it appears many of the teachers jump the hoop, then move on.. And who.. exactly hatched this brain child... any clue...YES the MOE or TCC id... admin folks.

[davidhagan]

I attended a Thai culture workshop held over 3 Fridays (working school days) at Burapha University during July/ August 2004. I have a certificate to show that I satisfactorily completed the workshop.

My school provided transport and paid a fee of 2000 bht for each teacher attending. There were three from our school. I was aware of most of aspects about Thai culture as I am married to a Thai lady and have a child but I still thought the course was worthwile at the time. It certainly was nothing like some of the recent courses people have been describing. I wonder if the TCT would accept this as it was over a period of 16 hours not 18. Anyway that's my 2 bobs worth.

[Rhys]

David,

Good to hear your attitude was positive, even with your experience with actual Thai culture. I suppose there is always some cultural aspects to pick up.. Being informed and all that... I have a few pals that have taken this course in the south of Thailand, and like you had much practical experience living in Thailand..

What did you find worthwhile? What was the langauge training like? Helpful, review, a waste..

Cheers Mate Rhys

[davidhagan]

David,

Good to hear your attitude was positive, even with your experience with actual Thai culture. I suppose there is always some cultural aspects to pick up.. Being informed and all that... I have a few pals that have taken this course in the south of Thailand, and like you had much practical experience living in Thailand..

What did you find worthwhile? What was the langauge training like? Helpful, review, a waste..

Cheers Mate Rhys

Rhys,

Thanks for your positive comment. As it is 4 years since I did the course the content has become a little vague. I still have all the written material they handed out somewhere. I am certain though that we didn't do language training. The course was about Thai culture and how to fit into Thai society. They even spent time on food. Also there was no dancing.

Cheers Mate David

[JiveTalker]

I did the course a couple of weeks ago. I was lucky in that our school paid for a few of us to take it. While it was mostly a waste of time, a couple of the lecturers were decent sorts and it was fairly easy going. If your school is paying for it I'd say do it.

If nothing else it's a nice way to meet a bunch of teachers from around your region and just have a chat about the teaching situation in Thailand.

We got a little language training which was a bit of fun, and the only Thai dancing was performed by Thai dancers, not the teachers attending the course...

[Rhys]

Jive Talker, What it be bro... Well that is for sure, meeting other teachers regarding teaching practices at the course is a plus. The couple of lecturers that were decent, what did they approach that made it.. shall we say.. bearable.. To sit that long is a pain.. yes.

Cheers Rhys..