A question for English teachers in Thailand

Question

I have beenbegged, badgered ,cadjoled and otherwise pestered to teach English at the local secondary school near where I live. I have NO teaching skills. and yes I know it is illegal to do even voluntary work in Thailand wthout a work permit

I eventually aggreed after the school director assured me I would be listed as a guest of the school, as I couldn't get a work permit.

I was surprised to find that Although the level of writing and reading English was quite high They couldnt say much more than good morning teacher.

The 18 yo's, were no better than the 13 yo.s

I' m wondering what's the point of learning to read and write befor being able to speak, After all I am learning to speak Thai but I can't read or write it. Surely the Thai teacher's could teach the kids the phonetics using Thai script the same way I am learning the Thai in roman script,or by using tapes and CD's.

Also, I could not learn about the syllabus. I was teaching the students how to say the names of fruit and animal's ETC, under the direction of a Thai teacher, There seemed to be no difference to the class wether the kids were 13 or 18, whats the point ?

Answer 1

I teach part time voluntary, the biggest obstacle i find is the Thai shyness and the reluctance to express themselves.

i just try to make it as much fun as possible.

good Luck

Answer 2

Welcome to the Thai education system. In my wife's school we just finish grading the mid term test for 11th graders  M5.  She has 7 classes, one whole class fails.  all but two in another class failed.  No the test wasn't hard, even I could have passed it.  She is so dishearted that these students haven't learn anything before M5.  Thank God she's moving to a good private school things should be better.