Teachers 'Need To Change First'

[webfact]

SPECIAL

Teachers 'need to change first'

By Wannapa Khaopa,

Darapan Kaewmukda

The Nation

Engaging students in the classroom is paramount to success, say award winners

Many teachers have discovered that making changes in this rapidly changing world is mandatory for success. This notion was proved by Siriporn Manngan from Wang-oikong School, Yuwadee Nuchthrup from Watpaknumfungnua School and Shakrit Hahan from Banrodfai School - who all changed their teaching methods for the sake of their students.

Teachers are honoured on January 16 of every year, and many true teachers use this day as an opportunity to improve themselves.

In 2006, Siriporn discovered that she needed to change her teaching methods because some of her students, who hailed from hilltribes, were having problems learning the Thai language. So Siriporn decided to use Thai characters to spell out words in the students' own language and even started using pictures to get lessons across.

"I'm happy to see both local and hilltribe students get along so well. They play together, learn together and even help each other out with lessons. Earlier, they didn't even notice each other," she said.

Siriporn was given an outstanding teacher award as part of National Teachers Day, which falls on Sunday this year.

"This award makes me proud, but seeing my students grow up as good students is even more invaluable," she said.

Yuwadee, who was also named an outstanding teacher, said her biggest reward is seeing the trust and confidence shining in her students' eyes. She said that despite having been in the profession for more than two decades, she was not afraid of completely changing her teaching methods five years ago. Now she uses instructional media and activities in the classroom.

"My students dare to ask questions and express their opinions openly. They have been paying more attention since I started using cartoon characters and fun activities in my lessons. I have earned better-than-expected feedback from them and have not had to punish a single student this semester.

"Teachers who have been remiss in their duties should apologise and realise that they need to learn from the youngsters. Teachers should be warm towards the children, so they can be open-minded to us too," she explained.

Shakrit, an English-language teacher, said he too had to change for the sake of his students.

Two years ago, he was a boring teacher who only taught from textbooks and lost his temper with naughty or stubborn children. Nowadays, he is calmer and has realised that understanding youngsters and engaging them in fun activities produces the best results. He is also using the latest technology to help his students practise the English language and is connecting them with his friends in the West via Facebook.

"My students are doing a lot better and having a lot more fun in class. I made these changes three or four months ago, after gaining inspiration from Teacher TV, which offered lots of ideas in terms of teaching techniques," he said.

"Teachers need to change their attitude and techniques to get better at their job."

-- The Nation 2011-01-15

[Scott]

Thanks for posting that Webfact, I almost forgot it was Teacher's Day. I think we sometimes forget that there are some real unsung heroes in the profession, who manage to defy the odds and teach underprivileged children in difficult circumstances.

[khaowong1]

It makes me happy to read storys like this about teachers. There are some out there who are really trying and it will make a difference to the students down the road. Congratulations to her..

[Smee]

Thanks for posting that Webfact, I almost forgot it was Teacher's Day. I think we sometimes forget that there are some real unsung heroes in the profession, who manage to defy the odds and teach underprivileged children in difficult circumstances.

Unfortunately, there are also many teachers who teach by rote and resort to screaming, ranting, raving and even beating children in their clasrooms, churning out under-educated, resentful adolescents whose futures are utterly compromised through lack of a decent, caring, appropriate education. Overall, educatoin in Thailand has a long, long way to go before it can compare with most of its regional neighbours - and by that time it may well be too late for Thailand to compete effectively against those nations with far more effectively educated populations.

Edited January 15, 2011 by Smee

[Scott]

Smee, your right, but since it's Teacher's Day, I prefer to think about the good ones and the good things in education, today. On Monday, I'll be back to my usual cynical self, though.

[ukfool]

Thanks for posting that Webfact, I almost forgot it was Teacher's Day. I think we sometimes forget that there are some real unsung heroes in the profession, who manage to defy the odds and teach underprivileged children in difficult circumstances.

Unfortunately, there are also many teachers who teach by rote and resort to screaming, ranting, raving and even beating children in their clasrooms, churning out under-educated, resentful adolescents whose futures are utterly compromised through lack of a decent, caring, appropriate education. Overall, educatoin in Thailand has a long, long way to go before it can compare with most of its regional neighbours - and by that time it may well be too late for Thailand to compete effectively against those nations with far more effectively educated populations.

Smee, it is sad to say, but you are absolutely correct

[antsrule]

I discovered from my brief time in several different Thai schools and grade levels that the problem arises primarily from the associations that students make especially in M1 to M4. Boys ignore the teacher and girls chat. In a class of 50, this is a big challenge even for an experienced teacher which I am not. I have heard that what goes on in many classes is referred to as "Edutainment". (see www.stickmanbangkok.com/teaching.html )

I would not be so quick to blame any teachers. I have only rarely seen a Thai teacher lose their temper and in my opinion it was effective and well deserved. I personally do not tolerate a male student striking a female student in anger, something I have seen and intervened in 3 times.

One answer is convincing students that the most important choice they will make in their school life is who their friends are. This is more important than deciding what you want to do with your life because your choice will decide for you. Parents have a BIG part in this. Smaller classes would help but that is still not the main problem.

Bus driving is a very important job in Thailand and many male students are headed for that profession. I think a good field trip for students who think school is a waste of time, would be to take the #26 bus from Minburi all around the entire circuit past Mo Chit and back. This is a very difficult job that is repeated several times a day by the driver 6 days a week. A rush hour run would be especially informative. Working a shop in a market is another good one. Teaching the in's and out's of the market finance process, building inventory, talking to the crowds all day. So you want to be a teacher? That's another thankless task. It's all about incentive.

[asiawatcher]

Not sure I am with antsrule but teachers get paid a pittance (unless you work for the private international educators) so I guess they do it for the love of the job. Burdening classes at 50 is crazy but how Thailand works. Rote learning without 'education' or right to question, means robotic children get robotic education and none more so than the uni (bus ticket) handouts for degrees. So sad to watch that.

Teachers need a much fairer deal. More schools and lees students spread across people who are rewarded for ensuring a child's future. Whilst I have also taught and lectured at universities, it is fairly obvious incentive to learn does not really exist unless set by example which I guess is antsrule's point (at what not to do). Put yourself in the position to say - would I entrust my child to an education under 'that' teacher - and then you can get your answer. The future of your child lis in the hands of someone who will spend more lineal hours per day with your child than you will. You get my point. Get to know the teacher and try to see if they are being paid a decent salary to get your child educated. It will pay dividends in the way your kids turn out.

[anterian]

One problem most Thai teachers have is attitude, that teacher is always right, to question teacher is a sin.

I tutor a few of the village kids, not just in English but other subjects, I am a retired science department head.

These kids often bring me their classroom handouts and worksheets, they contain many mistakes. I correct these mistakes and suggest that the kids point them out to their teachers. The kids say they cannot, teacher will hit them, these are Thai teachers.

The one exception is a Filipino teacher who is prepared to accept my corrections on grammar and usage. Part of the problem is that many of the text books used are themselves the source of these errors. Who writes and checks these books? Don't answer the question was rhetorical

[dighambara]

Thanks for posting that Webfact, I almost forgot it was Teacher's Day. I think we sometimes forget that there are some real unsung heroes in the profession, who manage to defy the odds and teach underprivileged children in difficult circumstances.

Unfortunately, there are also many teachers who teach by rote and resort to screaming, ranting, raving and even beating children in their clasrooms, churning out under-educated, resentful adolescents whose futures are utterly compromised through lack of a decent, caring, appropriate education. Overall, educatoin in Thailand has a long, long way to go before it can compare with most of its regional neighbours - and by that time it may well be too late for Thailand to compete effectively against those nations with far more effectively educated populations.

A good first step, would be to provide incentives to foreign retiree residents to teach their native languages at local schools. Currently, it is illegal for a foreign retiree to work, even for free, even at a school that has no foreign language teacher.

Thailand has vast resources in the 3 million foreigners who live here, but Thai law does not allow Thailand to use any of those resources.

[Phatcharanan]

The problems within the Thai education sector are already well documented........from a foreigners point of view.

These teachers though are to be commended for at least becoming more 'student centred'.

Faint rays of hope appearing for Thailand.

[Xangsamhua]

I discovered from my brief time in several different Thai schools and grade levels that the problem arises primarily from the associations that students make especially in M1 to M4. Boys ignore the teacher and girls chat. In a class of 50, this is a big challenge even for an experienced teacher which I am not. I have heard that what goes on in many classes is referred to as "Edutainment". (see www.stickmanbangkok.com/teaching.html )

With regard to student attitudes and behaviour in class, as well as outcomes, I wonder if there's much difference in Thailand between co-educational and single-sex schools. Many people believe that sex-role socialization is a role of schools together with academic education, and this sits nicely with the view that it is financially cheaper to run co-ed schools (I'm not sure how this is so). However, where I come from, there have been complaints that girls are disadvantaged in some classes and all-girl classes have been set up as a result. On the other hand, the "it's cool to be a fool" syndrome that some boys suffer from may be encouraged in a co-ed situation.

I went to boys' schools and my son did, too. My sister went to girls' schools and her daughter and my daughters did too, so I don't know what it's like to be an adolescent in a co-educational environment. My wife went to co-ed schools, but in a place where maybe 10% - 20% of the students were girls and only a very small percentage of the population went to secondary school at all. But I have taught in a government girls' school and private co-ed schools in Thailand and in government boys' schools and co-ed schools in the West, and, although it's a long time since I was a classroom teacher, my memory tells me that, for Junior Secondary (Years 7 - 10) at least, kids are happier and apply themselves better in single-sex schools, even with large classes. I think teachers are happier, too, and there may be more incentive for males to become teachers if single-sex schools were more available.

I suppose it's all impressionistic. I don't have the data for outcomes, and they would be skewed by socio-economic factors, given the nature of many single-sex schools in Thailand, but I wonder what other people's experiences and impressions are.

I wonder if, in Thailand, a greater availability of single-sex schools would lift morale and standards among students and teachers.

http://www.timesofma...xed-sex-schools

[ThaiFelix]

While I would like to congratulate those teachers who have made headway in their proffession, I am sick and tired of the govt and those morons who critisize teachers as though teachers have the last say. Many teachers, including myself, have their hands tied by the idiots that run these schools (I'm talking private here) who are only interested in marketing and have the idea that providing what parents actually pay for is the last priority.

[Darkman]

Thanks for posting that Webfact, I almost forgot it was Teacher's Day. I think we sometimes forget that there are some real unsung heroes in the profession, who manage to defy the odds and teach underprivileged children in difficult circumstances.

Unfortunately, there are also many teachers who teach by rote and resort to screaming, ranting, raving and even beating children in their clasrooms, churning out under-educated, resentful adolescents whose futures are utterly compromised through lack of a decent, caring, appropriate education. Overall, educatoin in Thailand has a long, long way to go before it can compare with most of its regional neighbours - and by that time it may well be too late for Thailand to compete effectively against those nations with far more effectively educated populations.

A good first step, would be to provide incentives to foreign retiree residents to teach their native languages at local schools. Currently, it is illegal for a foreign retiree to work, even for free, even at a school that has no foreign language teacher.

Thailand has vast resources in the 3 million foreigners who live here, but Thai law does not allow Thailand to use any of those resources.

If you want to work, quit the retiree status, get a work permit with a real degree, tefl and thai cultural course, otherwise stay retired. The last thing Thai students need is an old retiree who thinks they can improve Thai education even though he's only partly educated him/herself. Anything else would be disrespectful to the country and would allow every old codger and his mate to think they could put Thailand to rights. Go back to your home country and see if they would higher retirees there. No chance unless your qualified to the hilt.

[Scott]

Many countries use retirees as tutors, under the guidance of a certified teacher. My mother worked as a volunteer until she was nearly 90 doing this. The teacher would have her help students with their reading. It was one-on-one. The students responded very well to it and it was great for my mother and numerous other volunteers.

The volunteers went through a short training course, had to have a medical and a police clearance.

Whether such a system would work in Thailand, I don't know. But in some of the rural areas, it is one of the few options.