Working With Philipinos...

[Osiris]

First, before anyone gets in an uproar, I'm not a racist in any way. I'm just looking for insight here. Save the rhetoric.

I have begun working with a group of Philipinos at a college. We all started together and I am the only NES. I like the school and the students, and they like me, just like at my last school and university.

However, I have 6 Philipinos who have banded together and are causing me problems. I have been verbally attacked by them, including simultaneous yelling and very personal statements. They have decided that they are not going to share information or talk to me. Not that this bothers me, but it does take away from what we could give to the students if we worked in a spirit of cooperation.

The director at the uni told me that my presence creates a threat because they are compared to me, and to "hang in there". I was told of other situations by the director. I was also told by another ajarn that they do stick together and kiss a lot of a$$.

I've done absolutely nothing to warrant this. In fact I have been extremely nice and generous to them.

Anyone with similar experiences?

[JDGRUEN]

So OP ... you're an English Teacher at this College - ... And the Filipinos are English Teachers also....

You are the only Native English Speaker...

Questions: Just trying to get a 'picture' ... lay of the land so to speak...

How many total English Language Teachers are there in the University?

How many of the total English Language Teachers are Filipino?

What nationality is the Director you speak of?

Edited January 28, 2013 by JDGRUEN

[sirchai]

So OP ... you're an English Teacher at this College - ... And the Filipinos are English Teachers also....

You are the only Native English Speaker...

Questions: Just trying to get a 'picture' ... lay of the land so to speak...

How many total English Language Teachers are there in the University?

How many of the total English Language Teachers are Filipino?

What nationality is the Director you speak of?

Please read the post again.

Edited January 28, 2013 by sirchai

[JDGRUEN]

So OP ... you're an English Teacher at this College - ... And the Filipinos are English Teachers also....

You are the only Native English Speaker...

Questions: Just trying to get a 'picture' ... lay of the land so to speak...

How many total English Language Teachers are there in the University?

How many of the total English Language Teachers are Filipino?

What nationality is the Director you speak of?

Please read the post again.

I understand the question ... I don't think you understand the dynamics of your situation... thus the reason you have a question.

[puchooay]

In my experience Filipinos can be a bit "catty". They certainly stick together and they dislike NES's because of the salary gap. Most Filipinos think they speak perfect English and thus should be paid the same as an NES.

[sirchai]

So OP ... you're an English Teacher at this College - ... And the Filipinos are English Teachers also....

You are the only Native English Speaker...

Questions: Just trying to get a 'picture' ... lay of the land so to speak...

How many total English Language Teachers are there in the University?

How many of the total English Language Teachers are Filipino?

What nationality is the Director you speak of?

Please read the post again.

I understand the question ... I don't think you understand the dynamics of your situation... thus the reason you have a question.

Edited January 29, 2013 by sirchai

[sirchai]

I've experienced similar situations. Once we're up to sign our new contracts, a girl from the islands had told me that I can sell my white skin again, by signing a new contract.

They speak Tagalog all day long in the English department, will change it from ERIC to TRIC now. They're certainly in for the money, which they mostly send back to their families.

To the OP's problem: There's not too much you can do about it. Do your job well and don't waste your time trying to make friends with them. Teachers, kids and parents will see that you're different, in a positive way.

You don't have to lick their a@@. Guess it's nationwide.Don't worry, you're not alone.---

Edited January 29, 2013 by sirchai

[Osiris]

I've experienced similar situations. Once we're up to sign our new contracts, a girl from the islands had told me that I can sell my white skin again, by signing a new contract.

They speak Tagalog all day long in the English department, will change it from ERIC to TRIC now. They're certainly in for the money, which they mostly send back to their families.

To the OP's problem: There's not too much you can do about it. Do your job well and don't waste your time trying to make friends with them. Teachers, kids and parents will see that you're different, in a positive way.

You don't have to lick their a@@. Guess it's nationwide.Don't worry, you're not alone.---

Thanks Sirchai, It is the path I have chosen. I appreciate the supportive feedback.

[aidenai]

I was also told by another ajarn that they do stick together and kiss a lot of a$$.

Fact. They basically do anything to secure their income because of financial obligations in the home country.

I take it that they are trying to push you out. That is, you have to make place for one of their cousins, nieces or nephews.

On a sidenote, I consider it as strange that your university employs non-native speakers of English. Talking about the community universities (Rajabhats) or the big private universties in Thailand, I've always been told that the policy was to employ native speakers of English.

[sirchai]

I was also told by another ajarn that they do stick together and kiss a lot of a$$.

Fact. They basically do anything to secure their income because of financial obligations in the home country.

I take it that they are trying to push you out. That is, you have to make place for one of their cousins, nieces or nephews.

On a sidenote, I consider it as strange that your university employs non-native speakers of English. Talking about the community universities (Rajabhats) or the big private universties in Thailand, I've always been told that the policy was to employ native speakers of English.

I guess you're right and countless "brothers" (chong) and "sisters" (chang) are already waiting for your job. You could call it "mobbing", they'll do all to make you look bad, and make your life (at school) miserable, so please watch your back!

When I'd started at my school, some of them were already there for a few months.. One of them had produced a fake "graph", showing all the foreign teachers' evaluation, which had never happened.

My percentage "of being liked" was down to 23%, while their own ability in teaching was pushed up to 66% ! A nice Thai colleague saw that, freaked out, went to the Thai head teacher, certainly it turned out that it wasn't true. The graph was made to present it to the director.

Even when that was discovered, they still kept these fakes in their resume folders, with all the certificates for being so kind.....

I gave them so many worksheets, programs, etc, but never ever received something from them in return. I know that they hate me for making slightly more money, using my white skin?

The only reason why I can't be bothered right now might be that I'm the foreign head teacher at our English department. Not even the tourist police invites them to their yearly seminar,as one of the cops speaks a better English than all of them together.

Dear administrators, my point of view was just the answer to the OP's problems/questions. I never meant to discriminate other cultures, or people.

Wish all of you a nice week at school, without the usual gossip and backstabbing.----

[Osiris]

I was also told by another ajarn that they do stick together and kiss a lot of a$$.

Fact. They basically do anything to secure their income because of financial obligations in the home country.

I take it that they are trying to push you out. That is, you have to make place for one of their cousins, nieces or nephews.

On a sidenote, I consider it as strange that your university employs non-native speakers of English. Talking about the community universities (Rajabhats) or the big private universties in Thailand, I've always been told that the policy was to employ native speakers of English.

You're spot on! In my estimation they want to make me look bad and push me out to probably create a vacancy for a fellow Philipinos. Although judging from their behavior not all of them are as family orientated as they would like you to believe.

About the side note; there are two universities that I know of that employ many Philipinos as well as native speakers. I can't divulge their names because I do not want to escalate the matter. In my particular uni there is an ongoing situation between a Phil and a NES that has reached the police level, and I don't need that. The native speaker, by the way, has been around for a coon's age and is not known to get out of line.

Thanks again to all that have offered support. It's good to get things out of your own head, and see what the experiences of others have been.

[lostinisaan]

Seems that not all schools are happy with what they've got from the islands. Just graduated Thais make 8-9,000 baht/month. A "real" teacher in the Philippines makes around 6,000.

Some of our younger Thai teaching staff have realized that their English isn't as good as it supposed to be, teaching a language like English.

A fresh graduated Thai female teacher was sent into a lesson made by one of them "specialists."

. She wasn't impressed what she saw and her English is considerable very good.

I know a few guys having the same problem(s) with them. Fact is that we don't create such circumstances. They're the ones who're trying to badmouth Westerners, as drunks, druggies and so on.

I speak two other languages, but only use English in the English department. They do not seem to have a problem to speak their and i mean their language all day long. I was never planning to learn it.

Would they be as useful in speaking English to train kids for speech competitions etc, it would be okay. But that seems to be the job for "white" guys who make 2,000 baht more a month.

Many of them are scared shirtless that you white face could take his/her job away. But you should also see the other side of it.

What would you do, born on the islands, with the possibility to become an English teacher in Thailand?

But they should be fair to all others.Good day!

..

Edited January 29, 2013 by lostinisaan

[Jawnie]

Sorry to hear about your situation. It's probably very stressful and unpleasant and taking a lot of fun out of going to work. Do what you can to ignore them and to function as though they aren't bothering you. If they don't give you information, find other ways to get it - stay focused on the needs of your students and your class, you will be able to get what you need elsewhere if you do that. Office politics can really make things so unpleasant and unsuccessful. Avoid them to an appropriate degree and don't feed their negativity. Philipinos can be very loving and accepting but it sounds like that's not the case at your school, too bad.

[maturebrit]

OP

more than one way to skin a cat....pm me their names and addresses in the Phils....Its not hard to deal with this in a way they will understand....Wont go into details here

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[maturebrit]

I will send them a cute little message in Tagalog that will make their heads spin. I speak it and lived there a long time and have serious connections at several levels... they want to play games? bring it on

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[onionluke]

If I was feeling persecuted per say by a gang of , nae syndicated collective of , Fillipilo English teachers, I would have to introduce the school Director and the pupils to kermit the frog . Yes Kermit , and let them watch all the videos too , and provide a lesson as such related . Then I would know they know that I know they know that every one in the school knows they have a unique accent just like Kermit's . Please help me with my apostrophys .

[JDGRUEN]

OP ... check my posting history - easy to view ... you'll see that my numerous posts are quite measured and reasoned in my responses.

I simply asked you to clarify a few points - which you didn't even read before making a snarky response. I ask how many Teachers there are in total ... in your English language Dept. Is it 6 Filipinos plus you? Or are there other non native English speakers working as teachers too? (such as a person from France, India, Africa or where ever). You didn't make that clear. The answer is important in understanding your situation dynamics. And where is your Director from?..(also very important in your long term survival as a teacher there). Office politics - Corporate personnel dynamics are not exclusive to a university department or to the teaching profession. There are books on the subject should you care to read them.

Edited January 29, 2013 by JDGRUEN

[Phatcharanan]

I will send them a cute little message in Tagalog that will make their heads spin. I speak it and lived there a long time and have serious connections at several levels... they want to play games? bring it on

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Oh jeeeeez......

Let me guess...................you're ex SAS, Para, Royal Marine, Delta Force, Charlie's Angel,.............. and you like to wear black underwear because it makes you feel 'hardcore'.

Grow up.

Edited January 29, 2013 by Phatcharanan

[sirchai]

I will send them a cute little message in Tagalog that will make their heads spin. I speak it and lived there a long time and have serious connections at several levels... they want to play games? bring it on

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Oh jeeeeez......

Let me guess...................you're ex SAS, Para, Royal Marine, Delta Force, Charlie's Angel,.............. and you like to wear black underwear because it makes you feel 'hardcore'.

Grow up.

Delta Farce.

[maturebrit]

I will send them a cute little message in Tagalog that will make their heads spin. I speak it and lived there a long time and have serious connections at several levels... they want to play games? bring it on

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Oh jeeeeez......

Let me guess...................you're ex SAS, Para, Royal Marine, Delta Force, Charlie's Angel,.............. and you like to wear black underwear because it makes you feel 'hardcore'.

Grow up.

not at all.....I do have family there with Govt and Senior Police connections.....who could advise the persons concerned to stop playing games and do the job they are paid to do. Mafia tactics by Filipinos are common until they meet someone whos connected

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[sirchai]

I will send them a cute little message in Tagalog that will make their heads spin. I speak it and lived there a long time and have serious connections at several levels... they want to play games? bring it on

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Oh jeeeeez......

Let me guess...................you're ex SAS, Para, Royal Marine, Delta Force, Charlie's Angel,.............. and you like to wear black underwear because it makes you feel 'hardcore'.

Grow up.

not at all.....I do have family there with Govt and Senior Police connections.....who could advise the persons concerned to stop playing games and do the job they are paid to do. Mafia tactics by Filipinos are common until they meet someone whos connected

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Are you serious? You could just give "THEM" some names and they stop their "games"? Will they send paratroopers to Thailand and jump off the plane, land on campus? I'd suggest to make a tunnel that connects the islands with LOS!

Would the OP's colleagues have race horses, I'd "copy" the godfather's trick......

Honestly, there're other ways, just using common sense, as the OP will never be connected to the PI's underworld.--

Edited January 30, 2013 by sirchai

[maturebrit]

I will send them a cute little message in Tagalog that will make their heads spin. I speak it and lived there a long time and have serious connections at several levels... they want to play games? bring it on

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Oh jeeeeez......

Let me guess...................you're ex SAS, Para, Royal Marine, Delta Force, Charlie's Angel,.............. and you like to wear black underwear because it makes you feel 'hardcore'.

Grow up.

not at all.....I do have family there with Govt and Senior Police connections.....who could advise the persons concerned to stop playing games and do the job they are paid to do. Mafia tactics by Filipinos are common until they meet someone whos connected

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Are you serious? You could just give "THEM" some names and they stop their "games"? Will they send paratroopers to Thailand and jump off the plane, land on campus? I'd suggest to make a tunnel that connects the islands with LOS!

Would the OP's colleagues have race horses, I'd "copy" the godfather's trick......

Honestly, there're other ways, just using common sense, as the OP will never be connected to the PI's underworld.--

sounds like you have no idea what your talking about.... I wasnt referring to underworld...

when their family get told to get their offspring inline they WILL take notice....seen this happen more than once...no need for threats just shame them..... works a treat

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Yooyung]

I know a bloke that can do em over nice and clean for yah. He's an ex SAS, did work for Her Majesty on many an occasion, was the personal bodygaurd to Ghengis Khan back in the day, hes the one that found Osama Bin Laden, the one that landed the helicopter on the roof in Nam to get the yanks out, the one that solved the hound of the Baskervilles case.....

Just sayin...call me for more info on:

007 007 007

You know it makes sense.

[sirchai]

I know a bloke that can do em over nice and clean for yah. He's an ex SAS, did work for Her Majesty on many an occasion, was the personal bodygaurd to Ghengis Khan back in the day, hes the one that found Osama Bin Laden, the one that landed the helicopter on the roof in Nam to get the yanks out, the one that solved the hound of the Baskervilles case.....

Just sayin...call me for more info on:

007 007 007

You know it makes sense.

Didn't he also destroy the walls between East and West Germany a while ago? Tried to call you, but number's always busy.

[Honkie]

Easy on Maturebrit , he's just trying to help.

[maturebrit]

yes I was only trying to get the Filipinos to behave....but in a way they will understand and trust me I know what I am talking about... and have a lot of filipinos that know me well enough

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Yooyung]

I know a bloke that can do em over nice and clean for yah. He's an ex SAS, did work for Her Majesty on many an occasion, was the personal bodygaurd to Ghengis Khan back in the day, hes the one that found Osama Bin Laden, the one that landed the helicopter on the roof in Nam to get the yanks out, the one that solved the hound of the Baskervilles case.....

Just sayin...call me for more info on:

007 007 007

You know it makes sense.

Didn't he also destroy the walls between East and West Germany a while ago? Tried to call you, but number's always busy.

...well is it any wonder the numbers always busy, with a can do kinduh guy like that for hire?...and yes the wall was also his job. At the moment we are trying to sort out a meeting between Kim jong Un and Barak Obama. Sorry mate, my phone has just not stopped ringing all day. You could leave a message with my secretary, her names Ms Moneypenny.

Call: 555 555 007

[sirchai]

I know a bloke that can do em over nice and clean for yah. He's an ex SAS, did work for Her Majesty on many an occasion, was the personal bodygaurd to Ghengis Khan back in the day, hes the one that found Osama Bin Laden, the one that landed the helicopter on the roof in Nam to get the yanks out, the one that solved the hound of the Baskervilles case.....

Just sayin...call me for more info on:

007 007 007

You know it makes sense.

Didn't he also destroy the walls between East and West Germany a while ago? Tried to call you, but number's always busy.

...well is it any wonder the numbers always busy, with a can do kinduh guy like that for hire?...and yes the wall was also his job. At the moment we are trying to sort out a meeting between Kim jong Un and Barak Obama. Sorry mate, my phone has just not stopped ringing all day. You could leave a message with my secretary, her names Ms Moneypenny.

Call: 555 555 007

Does Ms. Moneypenny only speak Tagalog? She didn't understand me on the phone.

[teacher17]

The last school I worked at had 2 filipino teacher's and then me...the lone falang teacher. I was very nice to them...and at first they were friendly...but they talked in their native language ALL the time, even when I was eating lunch with them (they can speak English perfectly fine,) so I was always left out of the conversation. If I tried to ask them something in English or talk with them in English, they would bluntly answer me and then revert back to talking to one another in their native language. The school did not want to hire me for another year...to this day, I still don't know why...but I have this feeling that one of the filipino's had something to do with it. She was always "kissing ass" as you say....I think they do feel threatened sometimes by the NES teacher's. But now I am at a better school and they have a Chinese teacher (no filipino's) and I must say that the Chinese teacher's I have encountered are SO much more friendly than the filipino teacher's I have met.

Note to any filipino's who may read this: In no way do I mean to say that ALL filipino teacher's like to "kiss ass" and are unfriendly...just the ones I have encountered seemed to be this way....I am sure there are many awesome filipino teacher's out there!

[sirchai]

The last school I worked at had 2 filipino teacher's and then me...the lone falang teacher. I was very nice to them...and at first they were friendly...but they talked in their native language ALL the time, even when I was eating lunch with them (they can speak English perfectly fine,) so I was always left out of the conversation. If I tried to ask them something in English or talk with them in English, they would bluntly answer me and then revert back to talking to one another in their native language. The school did not want to hire me for another year...to this day, I still don't know why...but I have this feeling that one of the filipino's had something to do with it. She was always "kissing ass" as you say....I think they do feel threatened sometimes by the NES teacher's. But now I am at a better school and they have a Chinese teacher (no filipino's) and I must say that the Chinese teacher's I have encountered are SO much more friendly than the filipino teacher's I have met.

Note to any filipino's who may read this: In no way do I mean to say that ALL filipino teacher's like to "kiss ass" and are unfriendly...just the ones I have encountered seemed to be this way....I am sure there are many awesome filipino teacher's out there!

Agreed. never met a similar Chinese teacher. Most of them are stunning....

.

Edited January 30, 2013 by sirchai