Almost Done With The Book

[Somtamnication]

I am about 90% done with the book. While I avoid the other website, I would much rather post some questions here and get good answers, hopefully.

The book is going to be extremely comprehensive, perhaps too much, but it is geared towards people who want to come to Thailand and teach. There are a few areas within a school environment that I have not experienced or not experienced enough of to make me an expert.

If anyone would care to put in some pointers to the following questions, or pm me, I would very much appreciate it. The following questions I have my own answers to, but I want a good sample of what YOU have experienced.

1. This happened to me last week. Death of a student. I need to know A) How to best handle a visit to a parent´s home and differences in what you do in A with a Bhuddist or a Muslim student. Mine was a Muslim student and calls to the local Mosque was of zero help. The school did NOTHING.

2. Dealing with local Thai teachers at your school. How you approach different issues, particularly difficult ones like antagonism, jealousy, no help from them, etc. Any example is appreciated.

3. Dealing with the Thai admins. How you approach suggestions, or do you not.

4. The book will have a very comprehensive section on classroom management and also a part on corporal punishment. How do you deal with watching or listening to the cannings at the school and what you did or not do about it.

5. Dealing with fellow falangs. How you approach good and bad issues with them.

I think that is about it. Any of your ideas would be greatly appreciated and please, pm me if you would prefer. By all means, write about anything you like if the issues noted above are of no help to you.

Thanks!

[a99az]

1) I would leave it to the Thai teachers/school to sort.

2) I just smile and get on with the job of teaching, there is always some one who thinks we are over paid and under qualified.

3) I once put forward a suggestion. Nothing was done so I took the hint, I will not suggest anything again.

4) I teach in a Thai school, if they think that a good canning works who am I to suggest it may not be the best solution. Back to 2 and 3.

5) I tend to keep my self to my self and never say any thing that could be used against me later.

I just play the gray man who plods on doing a good job.

[Scott]

With the death of a student, I would make a visit very brief. I would express your deepest sympathies and let them know if there is anything you can do to help, to please yet you know. There is no right and wrong, but try to minimize the stress on the family. A follow up of a card or letter may be appreciated (or understood).

Problems with Thai co-workers is more complex. You have to determine what is your job and what is their job. Do your job the best you can. Some teachers are more helpful than others and some will undermine you. Stay focused on the goal and not on the behavior of the other person.

Remember the structure of society when dealing with Admin. You don't tell them; they tell you. They generally don't want your advice or suggestions.

I can give you more ideas if you want.

[Somtamnication]

Shoot away...... Posts like these help everyone.

[Firelily]

I thought corporal punishment was banned in all schools, at least on paper....?

It is actually in our contract that we are not allowed to hit students. When a new colleague witnessed a Thai teacher hitting small children regularly and for no reason, she decided that whatever the consequences, she was not going to put up with it, marched immediately straight to the big boss and made a complaint. The rest of us had been too coward to make an issue, fearing that we would lose our jobs or would be accused of making things up. Things were resolved only months later and very quietly, trying to avoid loss of face for everyone involved. I really wish we had done something earlier.

Of course, if you do this, anything can happen depending on the prevalent practices in your school or the management structure. If you have a farang boss and a contract that actually prohibits physical abuse, you have better chances than with a Thai-only management where they all pretend everything is according to law but they all resort to the cane behind closed doors..... Also, obviously you get your voice heard a lot more easily if you have been around for years and do a good job, as opposed to a complaint on your first week. Actually, I suspect it must be a very different experience to work in a school managed by Thais only, who mostly care about appearances and saving face before everything else, including students. With a foreign management, I think there are better chances of things being done properly... sort of, at least.

[Scott]

For your 2nd point: In my experience, how well students respond to a foreign teacher depends a great deal on the attitude of the Thai Teacher (homeroom teacher usually). Of course, the Foreign teacher's ability to make it interesting is important. By and large, however, if the Thai Teacher doesn't like foreigners or doesn't see the subject as important the class misbehaves, and responds poorly.

You cannot make colleagues like you, but you can do your best to mitigate antagonism. Make sure the teacher doesn't see your presence as a nuisance. If possible, make sure you don't shift too much responsibility on their shoulders. Work cooperatively with them whenever possible, even if they are a pain in the behind.

My observation is based on quite a number of years of experience. The best example I can give is with a teacher of a particularly bad Mathyom 2 class. At our school Christmas party, I had planned an 'after' party at my house which is nearby. I made a point of personally inviting him. Of course, he didn't come (most of the Thai Teachers did and they had a great time), but he seemed to be very happy to get invited. His class is still not particularly nice, but he does tell them to sit down and behave--and they do.

[Somtamnication]

Canning goes on daily at my school. To put it bluntly, I hear it in STEREO. Classroom to my left and to my right sometimes, as if by military precision, the canning starts. Anyways, that is one ugly aspect of teaching at a govt school.

I make it a point, when at a new school (3 in 9 years) to wai to everyone, just in case the younger teacher is the son or daughter of the poo yai of the village. Hell, you never know. Then gradually not wai to everyone, as they are younger than you or just simply do not like you. I have always wai-ed, but some teachers only grunt, yeah, grunt or ignore me, so I completely ignore them. I have no time for their jealousy (higher pay) and xenophobia.

I get along with all the teachers with whom I have daily contact with (their students). They are always happy to assist me if I ask for help. That relationship must start from day one, or you lose them. Same as the students.

I do not get along with one of the foreign teachers and that is due to the fact that he is a hypocrite and a jerk. I go to work to teach and try to make it a fun day for all and I joke with everyone and make the best that I can make out of that day. This idiot does not.

The two school directors I get along with great. That is critical. I do know that the school director protected me from being let go due to a Thai teacher complaining about something I have no idea of. But that trickled down to me from other Thai teachers and I let the school handle it. I was led into the office and the teacher was screaming at me, pointing at me. I smiled and calmly asked what was going on, in Thai. Calmly listened to this idiot and with about 15 teachers in the teacher room, I just let this guy dig his own hole.

Since that day, that same idiot absolutely hates my guts. Why? Director had him wai a sorry to me in front of everyone. In my own way, to make me feel better, when we have eye contact, I shake my head. Makes me feel good.

Well, back to the book. Besides it, I am learning Objective C and Cocoa, to also make an interactive iOS application for the book. Too many things to do, to few hours in the day to do it.