Teaching English In Thailand

[USAgal]

Hi there! I'm new to this forum and I'm glad I found this forum. I have a lot of question and I believe this is the best place to ask questions.

This past summer I went to Chiangmai, Thailand for my internship, and it was a great experience. I got to enjoy a lot of things like culture, people, and food, and I wouldn't mind going back. Here are some information: I stayed at an Orphanage where it was mostly Hmong Thai, ages from 4 years old to 17 years old. I taught at school, from 1st - 6th graders. I do not have TELF license because I didn't think I needed since I was there only for a month. I heard that it is required if you are planning to teach for a long time (1+ year or so). Anyway, I want to address some questions because I want to be a better teacher and want to make sure that my students are learning, if I do plan to go back.

Keep in mind that these questions are all based on my experience. BTW, I'm Asian too, so I understand the some culture barriers between Thailand and USA. I apologize if I come off as bit too direct in my questions.

1). I realize that my students are shy when it comes to speaking English. I'm guessing that this must be a culture thing? Correct me if I'm wrong, and if it is, how can I help the students to be confident in themselves? I know that learning English is not easy because I, too, struggled with English. I believe that anyone can learn if they practice daily.

2). While I was teaching at school, I met 4-5 college students but their English speaking is very limited yet they understand English very well. My students are the same. They don't really practice their English by speaking (unless they're lazy but I don't think it was in my case), and they are very smart but practicing English is something I don't see it too often. I know that there are some Thai who are very persistent in learning English while some are not, but IN GENERAL, do Thai students practice their English? Sorry if this is a rude question but it just got me thinking when I encountered the college students and my students altogether.

3). I taught from 1st - 6th graders, and I really enjoy this age. High school students seem to know a bit more, but what is the average English level? Again, I know it varies but please try to make a broad guess. I would like to better prepare myself next time when I come.

4). I heard that it's better to ignore grammars and teach basic English when it comes to beginning level. What should I focus when teaching beginning level of English?

5). Last question, what are some things that I can do to make English more fun? Try to be specific if you can.

Thank you to all who answer them!

[Scott]

The best way for students to learn the language is to use it. Try to speak English to them as much as possible. Cartoons, movies and music are good.

If the students speak Thai to you, answer in English.

Don't be too critical. If you correct every mistake, then they stop speaking. If you are teaching a specific grammatical structure, stick to correcting that and let other things slide. For example, if your practicing past tense (-ed etc.), then let the

's' on the end of words take a back burner.

[AyG]

Really you should get proper training as a teacher. TEFL or CELTA. However, if that's impractical, read a few books about the subject. Learning Teaching is probably a good one to start with.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Learning-Teaching-guidebook-language-teachers/dp/1405013990

To help students feel confident you need to create a relaxed environment; fear is an enormous inhibitor in the production of language. Comfortable, non-confrontational environment, not too much or inappropriate correction. Some would go as far as to suggest relaxing music, dim lights and comfortable chairs. Organising students to sit in groups rather than in serried rows is also important.

Receptive skills always run ahead of productive skills; students will understand what is spoken and read, but won't be able to speak and write at the same level. That's normal.

English levels in Thailand are generally very poor. Even high school English teachers often can't hold a simple conversation in the language.

With beginners, you need to focus on (a) vocabulary, ( simple sentence patterns, and © fixed expressions such as "Good morning", "How are you?", "What's your name?".

You need to build up a repertoire of fun, 5 minute activities. For example:

(1) Put the students in a ring. Start with a question such as "What is your name?" Then throw a ball to a random student. The student then answers that question, then repeats the question and throws the ball to another student.

(2) Write a sentence on the whiteboard. Make sure the students understand it, then get the first student to read it out. Then run out one random word. Get the next student to repeat the sentence including the missing word. Then rub out another word, &c.. Continue until the whiteboard is clear.

(3) Write the letters A-Z on the whiteboard. The students working in groups then have to write a word beginning with each letter in a particular category e.g. animals, countries. The group with the most correct words wins.

[USAgal]

Thank you Scott and AyG. The comfort zone is definitely true. I try to build relationships with them before anything else, but I heard that students are not allowed to be friends with their teachers because of status/power level. I smile a lot, talk to them in very basic words, and hang out with them. Warm-welcoming is what I'm aiming for and it has worked very well.

Thank you AyG for the book and game recommendations! I've been looking for books like that and you found one for me.

My first time teaching I failed to bring things to help them improved their English. Now I know! Thank you.

[DerekAbroad]

Thank you AyG for the book and game recommendations! I've been looking for books like that and you found one for me.

I'm finishing my MA TESOL and have come across many good books. If you're interested, I can pm you titles/ISBNs.

[USAgal]

Thank you AyG for the book and game recommendations! I've been looking for books like that and you found one for me.

I'm finishing my MA TESOL and have come across many good books. If you're interested, I can pm you titles/ISBNs.

Yes please. I would really apperciate that, thank you!