What Is Important And What Is Not

[sfgiantsfan]

I am not a teacher and I am also new to Thai visa.

it seems in order to teach in Thailand one must have the following, but of course this is not always the case

1. at least a B.A degree

2. tefl? is that it

3 English first language

4 age of the teacher and if they live in thailand

Degree.

what is the big deal after all it is just esl and most of us grew up with the language, I think it is more important to have the ability to get the students to speak English.

TEFl I don't know much about the program. Is it really needed?

English first language I do think that is important . might as well have a Thai english teacher . And I would think The students would have a problem with accents?

Age seems Thailand goes for the pretty young things. yes some older teachers but on average I have met many more under 30.

Hiring a Teacher who has lived in Thailand for a few years is a far better choice than somebody here just for the work permit and plans on leaving after his contract expires. For one thing the expat is more likely to care about the students well being not just his/her English skils, while those that come for fun and little cash most could care less as they will be home within a year.

But this is just my limited take on teaching in Thailand, feel free to set me straight

[Scott]

First, this forum is for and about teaching in Thailand. It is less of an open discussion forum for general discussions, so let's hope that posters can keep the discussion civil and on topic.

Second, welcome to the forum.

For every argument either way, there is a counter argument and an example of someone who was the exception to the rule.

I have reviewed and interviewed and seen demonstration classes by literally thousands of applicants. Here's what I've seen.

Applicants with a Bachelor's degree in Education know how to teach. They know the subject material and they know how to present it. They know techniques that can apply to a wide variety of subjects. The classroom for them is well within their comfort zone.

Applicants with TEFL (no Bachelor's degree), generally have some knowledge of English and techniques to teach it. They do well, but adapting to a different subject is a little tricky. A TEFL is not required by the Ministry of Education (MOE).

English as a first language is important, but there are a lot of people who are not from the English speaking countries who have excellent English. This includes some Thai-English teachers.

Age discrimination is a significant problem. It's rooted in the culture where it's not polite to criticize or give orders to elders. Experience is a big plus.

The motivation for people to teach in Thailand is extremely varied. A good teacher teaches the children. It doesn't matter to me if they stay 1 year or 10 years--up to them. People come and go in every occupation.

[IMA_FARANG]

First, this forum is for and about teaching in Thailand. It is less of an open discussion forum for general discussions, so let's hope that posters can keep the discussion civil and on topic.

Second, welcome to the forum.

For every argument either way, there is a counter argument and an example of someone who was the exception to the rule.

I have reviewed and interviewed and seen demonstration classes by literally thousands of applicants. Here's what I've seen.

Applicants with a Bachelor's degree in Education know how to teach. They know the subject material and they know how to present it. They know techniques that can apply to a wide variety of subjects. The classroom for them is well within their comfort zone.

Applicants with TEFL (no Bachelor's degree), generally have some knowledge of English and techniques to teach it. They do well, but adapting to a different subject is a little tricky. A TEFL is not required by the Ministry of Education (MOE).

English as a first language is important, but there are a lot of people who are not from the English speaking countries who have excellent English. This includes some Thai-English teachers.

Age discrimination is a significant problem. It's rooted in the culture where it's not polite to criticize or give orders to elders. Experience is a big plus.

The motivation for people to teach in Thailand is extremely varied. A good teacher teaches the children. It doesn't matter to me if they stay 1 year or 10 years--up to them. People come and go in every occupation.

================

Excellant reply.

I am not a teacher either, nor am I English...I'm an American.

The only thing I might add is a GOOD teacher wants to teach (educate) his students to their highest level of proficiency they can obtain...in English or any other subject. The best way to do that is to try as hard as you can to somehow get the STUDENT interested in learning. It isn't aways that easy to do.

That is where the Teaching in TEFL comes into play.

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[Tanaka]

Just because you have English as your mother language, does not mean that you are automatically suited to teach it to others. English is not just English. In England itself there are numerous dialects and linguistic discrepancies, not all suitable to share with children in other countries if they are to make good use of the language even if they manage to understand some of it. And then you have the English spoken in Wales, Scotland and Ireland. And Australia, also with its different dialects.

And as you ask if an education in teaching is necessary, makes it a bit scary to me. But yes, you do need some sort of teaching degree and experience to be able to teach. Thai children and youths have enough of bad local teachers and do not need to import more.

It always baffles me that so many expats come here and suddenly think they are suited to be teachers although they have never learned to be or worked as teachers before they came here. Thailand does really deserve better!