Legally Blind

[whalers7]

I've worked for many years as a produce clerk, then decided to

come to bangkok 3 years ago, I collect disability, but unfortunaltly im not a lazy bum and would like to work,

My thai girl friend has a BA in teaching, and is totally discouraging me from trying too take a TEFL course and teaching english. She says thai people, especially kids, would have a problem with me since i have a handicap. She also says my grammar is not good enough.. well she does have a point there.

I've always wanted too teach but always felt that I was too handicaped , but after doing some reaserch, I get the feeling I could arange the class too suite my needs and maybe have the students write a litle largeer, and clearly, ###### it may help them at the end.

my vision is 20/200. (not sure what that means) but it's bad. anyways do you think I have a chance or should I just say screw it and sell lottory tickets.

thanks

[simon43]

Hi Whalers7!

You don't have a handicap! You just have bloody awful eyesight

And I cannot agree with your GF. I think (correct me if this is rubbish), that the most important thing is for Thai children to learn to speak English, thereafter to read and write the langauge. For most Thai kids, speaking will be sufficient for them, - at least in the 1st instance.

Everyone is human, and Thai kids will act just like any other kids

You should consult with TOEFL schools, and go with one that understands your limitations, and is prepared to help you master any areas that you find difficult.

Good luck - and let us know what you decide to do!

Simon

INFO - A person with 20/200 vision would have to come up to 20 feet to see a letter that a person with normal vision could see at 200 feet

[Thetyim]

I agree with Simon.

Why do you say your grammar is bad, your post reads fine to me.

It has got a few spelling mistakes ( sorry to be picky )

What nationality are you and what accent do you have ?

Those are more relevant questions than the state of your eyesight.

[PeaceBlondie]

Sorry to say this, but if your vision is disabling enough that you are obviously, clearly a blind man, and struggle to get around without a helper, guide dog or cane, your chances are slim.

If you had fairly good vision in one eye, however, you could do all right, teaching in Thailand. I should know.

Edited September 24, 2005 by PeaceBlondie

[simon43]

I can't agree with PeaceBlondie's comments

For a start, who says that you have to get around? BKK is certainly not ideal for those with bad eyesight. So you need to pursue the option where you 'teach' from a single location, be it your home or an office.

And why limit yourself to teaching kids? I suspect that you would be more successful, (and have more understanding from your students), if you were to teach adults, perhaps on a one-to-one basis.

You can achieve anything and everything if you have a positive attitude!!

Simon

[simon43]

Also, you have experience that many other people do not have. That's to say, you have experience of the difficulties that face visually impaired people.

So why not use your exeprience to teach English to people who are also visually impaired? What about teaching English in blind schools, even if it is voluntary work?

Check out this website that I 'googled'

http://www.travel-to-teach.org/thai/bangkok.html

Simon

[chownah]

Since you don't need the money you could volunteer to go teach English to blind people...I don't think that they'd care about any disability that you might have.

[mbkudu]

Also, you have experience that many other people do not have. That's to say, you have experience of the difficulties that face visually impaired people.

So why not use your exeprience to teach English to people who are also visually impaired?  What about teaching English in blind schools, even if it is voluntary work?

Check out this website that I 'googled'

http://www.travel-to-teach.org/thai/bangkok.html

Simon

Cheers Simon 43. It's good to see someone has a good, positive attitude on this forum, especially in the teaching forum where there is a lot of flaming and snippity snapping. That school looks like a good oportunity for the OP to find work.

[Thetyim]

Best of luck, Whaler and don't forget you need a WP even for volunteer work

[whalers7]

FYI.. I am just about totally blind in left eye, and the ether. is pretty bad. When reading a restaurant menu I need too use a magnifying glass.

Anyways. I'm going to give it a shot. First off, Im going too touch up on my grammar and spelling.

it has been one of my Achilles heels all my life. (I ran 2 spell checks before submitting post)

if I do make it.. i'd prefer to teach kids "I don't like them, but they seem too always love me". I'm I mistaken in thinking that the setting may actually be in my favor, in that flash cards with big bold letters and less writing is needed too teach.. also games are used more. (I'm actually kid at heart so I could set up games easily), or am I mistaken?

thanks for advice.

[chownah]

FYI.. I am just about totally blind in left eye, and the ether. is pretty bad. When reading a restaurant menu I need too use a magnifying glass.

Anyways. I'm going to give it a shot.  First off, Im going too touch up on my grammar and spelling.

it has been one of my Achilles  heels all my life.  (I ran 2 spell checks before submitting post)

if I do make it.. i'd prefer to teach kids "I don't like them, but they seem too always love me". I'm I mistaken in thinking that the setting may actually be in my favor, in that flash cards with big bold letters and  less writing is needed  too teach..  also games are used more. (I'm actually kid at heart so I could  set up games easily), or am I mistaken?

thanks  for advice.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Your writing ability has deteriorated noticeably since your first post...you'd better start teaching right away before you become incomprehensible.

[Thetyim]

Nelson managed to defeat the french navy with one eye so I expect you to do your duty and teach English to a few thai kids.

Go for it. Good Luck.

[PeaceBlondie]

Nelson managed to defeat the french navy with one eye so I expect you to do your duty and teach English to a few thai kids.

Go for it.  Good Luck. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I suspect that Nelson had one GOOD eye, and so do I; an unmentionable august personage; the former army general of Israel, Moshe Dyan; the TV actor who played "Colombo", Peter Falk; an actress named Sandy Duncan or Sandi Denis; the entertainer Sammy Davis, Jr.; et al.

But I don't mean to discourage the original poster. The idea of doing volunteer English lessons for blind Thais is a brilliant idea. In my limited time in Thailand, I've gotten the impression that Thai schools don't go out of their way for students and ajarns with serious disabilities, although there are some noteable, praiseworthy exceptions.

[chownah]

Nelson managed to defeat the french navy with one eye so I expect you to do your duty and teach English to a few thai kids.

Go for it.  Good Luck. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just goes to show you that the old saying is really true: "The eye is mightier than the sword". Usually sailors say "eye eye, cap'ain"....did Nelson's crew say "eye cap'ain" instead? Was the time they saved by eliminating the duplicate 'eye' the edge that enabled them to beat the French? Where are the experts when a crucial question needs answering?

[Dragonman]

Nelson managed to defeat the french navy with one eye so I expect you to do your duty and teach English to a few thai kids.

Go for it.   Good Luck.  

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I suspect that Nelson had one GOOD eye, and so do I; an unmentionable august personage; the former army general of Israel, Moshe Dyan; the TV actor who played "Colombo", Peter Falk; an actress named Sandy Duncan or Sandi Denis; the entertainer Sammy Davis, Jr.; et al.

But I don't mean to discourage the original poster. The idea of doing volunteer English lessons for blind Thais is a brilliant idea. In my limited time in Thailand, I've gotten the impression that Thai schools don't go out of their way for students and ajarns with serious disabilities, although there are some noteable, praiseworthy exceptions.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Discrimination against disability is rife within the thai education system. Some NGO's have even been provided with cash from the US Embassy to consider the level of discrimination in thai society in general. Schools much prefer their teachers to be "blind drunk" than blind

[Ijustwannateach]

Blind is one thing, dyslexic and/or inarticulate is another. As you are writing on this board, I would not consider you (by inspection) qualified to write proper English, much less teach it.

Blind people can often spell (using braille or even a normal keyboard)- Helen Keller wrote remarkably well. Also, if I were blind I suspect I'd understand what 20/200 meant, and... oh, why do they bother.

If you're REALLY blind then come away- at the very least the blind masseurs could use some extra lessons- but I don't think you'll find the public schools too accommodating.

"Steven"

[kenkannif]

Also, you have experience that many other people do not have. That's to say, you have experience of the difficulties that face visually impaired people.

So why not use your exeprience to teach English to people who are also visually impaired?  What about teaching English in blind schools, even if it is voluntary work?

Check out this website that I 'googled'

http://www.travel-to-teach.org/thai/bangkok.html

Simon

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Err I always thought volunteering meant it was free?

From the website you linked to:

Please note Our Fees before you send in your initial application. If you require additional information regarding our programs or organisation, please contact us using our Online Contact Form.

So not only do you NOT get paid for teaching them, you have to pay them??? And as has been discussed before you really need a WP. Now maybe to some it's work taking a risk when you're being paid....but when you're not being paid and actually have to pay them.....errr???

[chownah]

Also, you have experience that many other people do not have. That's to say, you have experience of the difficulties that face visually impaired people.

So why not use your exeprience to teach English to people who are also visually impaired?  What about teaching English in blind schools, even if it is voluntary work?

Check out this website that I 'googled'

http://www.travel-to-teach.org/thai/bangkok.html

Simon

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Err I always thought volunteering meant it was free?

From the website you linked to:

Please note Our Fees before you send in your initial application. If you require additional information regarding our programs or organisation, please contact us using our Online Contact Form.

So not only do you NOT get paid for teaching them, you have to pay them??? And as has been discussed before you really need a WP. Now maybe to some it's work taking a risk when you're being paid....but when you're not being paid and actually have to pay them.....errr???

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm not sure if a work permit is required....I taught for 5 months as a volunteer and even got a visa based on my volunteer work and no mention was made of a work permit. Of course this doesn't 'prove' anything.

[kenkannif]

A work permit legally is required! It's been done to death here.

[chownah]

A work permit legally is required! It's been done to death here.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, I helped to do it to death just like you did....and there is still not unanimous opinion about the law on this matter.....I think the best thing is just to agree to disagree.

[whalers7]

Chill, I've already made it clear that I have a huge problem with grammar and spelling. thats why I'm not planning on taking the TEFLl class any time soon.

Actually Geography is my strong point, but I have no clue if there is a course on how too teach geography. nor do I know how to get a job teaching the subject in bangkok I received an A,A in travel and tourism management but I get the feeling it's not enough.

justwanna.... sorry man, but some of us with disabilities don't particularly want too know every detail of our problems.. we just deal with it and live our lives, thats it.

Their are not to many Helen kellar's in the world.. thats one of the reasons she's famous. You probably have never read about the visually impaired folk who cleaned yellow caked urinals for a living. Not too inspirational.

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I didn't post on this forum too mess around or for a pity job, If ya want too tease me cool. what ever. Anyways thanks for the positive and negative feedback.

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For those that suggested volunteering too help the blind. I't is something I should be interested in but honestly I have never felt comfortable around "stick wielding " blind people. hmm, I don't know why?

[simon43]

The reason why I mentioned that website was just a quick example to show that there were schools in BKK for blind children, AND that teachers of English were welcome there. I wasn't supporting or disagreeing with the organiser's fee requirement, (which BTW, is absolutely standard if you are living in the 'west' and looking to volunteer yourself during eg your GAP year).

Whaler7, you should concentrate on using the skills that you have, and look in an employment area that is realistic. That is why I suggested teaching at a blind school in BKK. (Because you only need to concentrate on spoken English, not written...)

But such employment will not come overnight. You need to think this one through. But don't listen to all the moaners and pessimists!

[The Dan Sai Kid]

I heard about a blind teacher in Bangkok acouple of years ago. Idon't know who he was or any info other than he was a blind teacher.

The only thing I knew about him is that he got thrown out of his apartment because his electric bill was so low they thought he was fiddling the meter. The poor guy didn't require any light - had no need for a TV and only used a fan!