NCPO to reform Thailand with education

[onlycw]

They've also decided that all Thai English teachers from now on have to pass a TOEIC examination with at least a score of 850 points,as they're not native English speakers.

P.S. Sorry, that's just wishful thinking, but the Thai English teachers at my school have to pass such an examination now.And that's in the middle of nowhere in Isaan.

Really?!? Then why don't they get it right and demand the IELTS test?!???

I'm lost for words.

OTOH, a friend has had severe difficulties getting his "BA Hons equivalent" degree accredited by the TCT although he's a brilliant orator and was a solicitor for a few decades.

Now he's making 29 k teaching 24 periods a week.

850 points out of what, 950? Okay. But then they better enforce this ruthlessly on each and every non-NES!!

[tagranados]

@sirchai. Don't make assumptions, ask questions. If you had asked me how many people have my ID it is less than 20.

And, my reply was direct at the post previous to mine. It highlighted maturity and I feel that the lack of maturity (in many forms and at many levels) affects this system. It starts at the bottom, works it's way up, and is a self-perpetuating cycle.

Does this post make more sense for you as to where my thoughts are coming from and going? I think it's important to understand how our views are being shaped and watching my fellow teachers definitely shapes my views. What is it like at your school?

[tagranados]

Does anyone know of an online resource comparing education systems around the world? I can't find any with concise information. I leave for Saudi in two months and am interested to see the differences, what is successful, and what is not. It seems like reform is a never-ending story for Thailand. There has to be a great reform story somewhere in this world.

[sirchai]

They've also decided that all Thai English teachers from now on have to pass a TOEIC examination with at least a score of 850 points,as they're not native English speakers.

P.S. Sorry, that's just wishful thinking, but the Thai English teachers at my school have to pass such an examination now.And that's in the middle of nowhere in Isaan.

Really?!? Then why don't they get it right and demand the IELTS test?!???

I'm lost for words.

OTOH, a friend has had severe difficulties getting his "BA Hons equivalent" degree accredited by the TCT although he's a brilliant orator and was a solicitor for a few decades.

Now he's making 29 k teaching 24 periods a week.

850 points out of what, 950? Okay. But then they better enforce this ruthlessly on each and every non-NES!!

To be fair, I'd love to see the scores of so many "qualified native English speaking teachers with a real lifetime degree in electrification."

A good example might be a Scottish kid, 20 years old, mispronouncing almost every word. No degree, no idea, can't even book an inland flight from Ubon R. to Bangkok online, as his "mom" had always done that for him.

And that guy's teaching computing and health from P.4-6 ( drew a human body on the white board in a health lesson, as he's got no idea how to make a Slide, but all technology and Internet available) at a well known school with an EP in lower northeast?

This kid's making 36 K/month, "teaching" ( sorry had a laugh attack, when thinking about him) around 12 periods/week.

Neither an idea about computers, programs, he doesn't know what a DDR memory card is and for what we need it, nil knowledge about health education. All he's used to is some weird English camp bs. Hey-Hello. OMG.

C'mon, give me a break, please.

It's not just that he says sex when he means six, it's his whole speech. Most Americans don't get it, how should kids understand Nessy's last world wonder?

An IQ test would be okay, as not always the brightest native English speaking guys make it to Thailand.

Then the result compared to the IQ of a Thai first grader...

Edited June 30, 2014 by sirchai

[sirchai]

Well, we have had internet trouble (school failed to pay the bills... ). Then there was a stopped up toilet. Moreover, there have been frequent repair requests for classroom equipment like projectors, loudspeakers etc. Each and every time, the excuse I heard was the budget...

There are xx unpaid students working as teachers.

While the OTPC policy was killed, the "smart classroom" initiative won't work when schools won't even keep projectors and loudspeakers operable

TBH, my school doesn't have curricula. When I raised this issue, I was referred to some book. Enough said. It's hopeless.

In my program, parents have to pay >17,000 Baht. But maintaining the teachers' PCs in just 6 classrooms is too much, with xx IT specialist son the payroll?!? You bet!

Maybe they need to pay us 10 k more and we bring in our own projectors and speakers, complete with some SLA?

I would love to see total TRANSPARENCY regarding a government school's finances and the "budget" preventing them from having unusable toilets cleaned.

I remember at my first school, where the flushing set for the toilet in grade two was non existent. That part was within five years never replaced.

There're usually always "students" from Rajabhat, especially those who'll become teachers sooner, or later. And they do not get paid.

I was the one at my former school, who did maintenance four PC's and three printers,solving soft and hardware issues. Honestly speaking, I did that more as a hobby.( Just curious, who's doing that now..lol)

Sorry, but it would be in my own personal interest to have a good functioning computer, I'm pretty sure if you'll talk to the parents, they'll do something.

It is as it always was. They might have bought 20 new computers, but maybe only on paper. Or they maybe landed somewhere else, you never know, until you know.

But to get to the point. ( A pint wouldn't be that bad now) It's all useless to ask Ass director A ( yes ass!) then get sent to Ass director B, then back to Ass A. Go to those who pay these Ass directors.

The parents who pay relatively good money do have the power. If they have a meeting, you might see a very quiet director listening.

All the parents can make it happen that a director has to pack his suitcase and go to Nakhon Phanom. Let them fix your problems, the Thai way.

Edited June 30, 2014 by sirchai

[Scott]

An off-topic post has been deleted.