If this is true.

[SlyAnimal]

I agree, the current system is a complete waste of resources at government schools (at least in the countryside anyway).

They need to find a more effective way to teach English, or perhaps as you suggest, make it an elective subject, as at present, after 12+ years of studying English, 80%+ of the students would struggle to hold even a basic conversation.

[casualbiker]

"As we're usually just teaching the students the basics, as 50m per week, 1 term per year, in a classroom of 40 kids isn't much to build a learning foundation upon. Thus so long as the basics are covered, which 99% of NES should be able to cover, then that should be enough to competently teach provided they have the right personality and work ethics etc. Admittedly, the 1% of NES who would be incapable of effectively doing this will almost definitely fall into the category of not having a degree."

Very true. I think the point I am making is that those positions are actually a waste of tax payers money and time for the students. South Korea stopped the majority of its government funded English classes in all public schools. They did it for 10 years in a similar fashion to what Thailand is doing and threw a lot more money at the problem and had pretty much the same results.

Personally, I would rather have my child get extra math or science classes or art, music, etc and actually accomplish something than spend that time in an English class and have them barely make a sentence or respond to a question after 12 years of school.

I know that I am alone on this but I really think that the importance of learning English really needs to be re-evaluated. If it was an elective for those students that really wanted it, not parents forcing their kids, you would have more happy teachers and better results and the kids that aren't going to be able to communicate anyway after 12 years aren't any worse off.

I actually do agree with your last paragraph. With the proviso that it's still compulsory up to P6, then elective for M1-6.

[lostinisaan]

"As we're usually just teaching the students the basics, as 50m per week, 1 term per year, in a classroom of 40 kids isn't much to build a learning foundation upon. Thus so long as the basics are covered, which 99% of NES should be able to cover, then that should be enough to competently teach provided they have the right personality and work ethics etc. Admittedly, the 1% of NES who would be incapable of effectively doing this will almost definitely fall into the category of not having a degree."

Very true. I think the point I am making is that those positions are actually a waste of tax payers money and time for the students. South Korea stopped the majority of its government funded English classes in all public schools. They did it for 10 years in a similar fashion to what Thailand is doing and threw a lot more money at the problem and had pretty much the same results.

Personally, I would rather have my child get extra math or science classes or art, music, etc and actually accomplish something than spend that time in an English class and have them barely make a sentence or respond to a question after 12 years of school.

I know that I am alone on this but I really think that the importance of learning English really needs to be re-evaluated. If it was an elective for those students that really wanted it, not parents forcing their kids, you would have more happy teachers and better results and the kids that aren't going to be able to communicate anyway after 12 years aren't any worse off.

"If you want to get laid, go to college. If you want an education, go to the library.” F. Zappa

[Rocketsurgeon]

Some excellent replies, and I have enjoyed reading the for and against.

I am 57 semi retired and only really work when my contacts in Sydney call with a job offer, I am in no position to take up a teaching position and I am not qualified to do so but I have been offered teaching jobs in local schools near here who badly need native English teachers.

So no need to worry your jobs are safe, and I respect all native English speakers who work here for little money compared with back home and put up with the obstacles the MOE throw at you.

LOL no one in Bangkok or in any reasonable, real teaching position is worried about you stealing their job. You are obviously located in Nakon Nowhere where any white person, breathing or not will be offered 20-25k to "teach". Any real school in Bangkok has plenty of applicants, it might not be getting the quality it wants but that is due to its pay restrictions and addl nonsense.

Apply to any of Thailand's top 100 schools, obtain a waiver and the beer is on me. There is a list of top 50 floating around the Internet.

Getting two and even three waivers is quite ez. No idea about obstacles.

Genius

Edited June 22, 2015 by Rocketsurgeon

[Tywais]

Inflammatory post and reply removed.

[nellyp]

Some excellent replies, and I have enjoyed reading the for and against.

I am 57 semi retired and only really work when my contacts in Sydney call with a job offer, I am in no position to take up a teaching position and I am not qualified to do so but I have been offered teaching jobs in local schools near here who badly need native English teachers.

So no need to worry your jobs are safe, and I respect all native English speakers who work here for little money compared with back home and put up with the obstacles the MOE throw at you.

LOL no one in Bangkok or in any reasonable, real teaching position is worried about you stealing their job. You are obviously located in Nakon Nowhere where any white person, breathing or not will be offered 20-25k to "teach". Any real school in Bangkok has plenty of applicants, it might not be getting the quality it wants but that is due to its pay restrictions and addl nonsense.

Apply to any of Thailand's top 100 schools, obtain a waiver and the beer is on me. There is a list of top 50 floating around the Internet.

Getting two and even three waivers is quite ez. No idea about obstacles.

Genius

So why is this allowed to be left on the forum when it too is inflammatory. I did not see the reply that has been removed, but I'm sure it is deserved. There is nothing wrong with Nev's comment, so perhaps bucket sturgeon needs to man up

[nev]

Some excellent replies, and I have enjoyed reading the for and against.

I am 57 semi retired and only really work when my contacts in Sydney call with a job offer, I am in no position to take up a teaching position and I am not qualified to do so but I have been offered teaching jobs in local schools near here who badly need native English teachers.

So no need to worry your jobs are safe, and I respect all native English speakers who work here for little money compared with back home and put up with the obstacles the MOE throw at you.

LOL no one in Bangkok or in any reasonable, real teaching position is worried about you stealing their job. You are obviously located in Nakon Nowhere where any white person, breathing or not will be offered 20-25k to "teach". Any real school in Bangkok has plenty of applicants, it might not be getting the quality it wants but that is due to its pay restrictions and addl nonsense.

Apply to any of Thailand's top 100 schools, obtain a waiver and the beer is on me. There is a list of top 50 floating around the Internet.

Getting two and even three waivers is quite ez. No idea about obstacles.

Genius

So why is this allowed to be left on the forum when it too is inflammatory. I did not see the reply that has been removed, but I'm sure it is deserved. There is nothing wrong with Nev's comment, so perhaps bucket sturgeon needs to man up

I thought so too,I have no way flamed anyone and only put my point of view forward, I have more important things in my life than get into any flaming or attacks on anyone I am currently getting over a TURP op on my prostate and waiting for results if it is cancerous, so lighten up rocketsurgeon there is more to life than oneupmanship.

[1900]

^ But at times you're doing the person a favor by calling him out. Drop a bomb in his Introversion, it's a noble act.

I don't know what smart is, I haven't a clue what intelligence is, but I do know it's not a test score. Stupid is as stupid does. That's the score.

[lostinisaan]

Some excellent replies, and I have enjoyed reading the for and against.

I am 57 semi retired and only really work when my contacts in Sydney call with a job offer, I am in no position to take up a teaching position and I am not qualified to do so but I have been offered teaching jobs in local schools near here who badly need native English teachers.

So no need to worry your jobs are safe, and I respect all native English speakers who work here for little money compared with back home and put up with the obstacles the MOE throw at you.

LOL no one in Bangkok or in any reasonable, real teaching position is worried about you stealing their job. You are obviously located in Nakon Nowhere where any white person, breathing or not will be offered 20-25k to "teach". Any real school in Bangkok has plenty of applicants, it might not be getting the quality it wants but that is due to its pay restrictions and addl nonsense.

Apply to any of Thailand's top 100 schools, obtain a waiver and the beer is on me. There is a list of top 50 floating around the Internet.

Getting two and even three waivers is quite ez. No idea about obstacles.

Genius

So why is this allowed to be left on the forum when it too is inflammatory. I did not see the reply that has been removed, but I'm sure it is deserved. There is nothing wrong with Nev's comment, so perhaps bucket sturgeon needs to man up

I thought so too,I have no way flamed anyone and only put my point of view forward, I have more important things in my life than get into any flaming or attacks on anyone I am currently getting over a TURP op on my prostate and waiting for results if it is cancerous, so lighten up rocketsurgeon there is more to life than oneupmanship.

Sorry to hear that and I truly hope that the result(s) will be negative. You're damn right, life's really too short to waste it for things that have no meaning at all.