Teaching English in Thailand?

Question

Hi-

I've always thought about teaching English in Thailand. I'm a young American woman with teaching experience (but no formal education for teaching). I don't have my college degree yet, but I'm working on it. Does anyone have any advice in regards to teaching in Thailand, or teaching English in general?

Thanks-

Answer 1

There is a British on-line book available for about $30 American dollars called '101 English Learning Games for Children' that I found very helpful.  I teach English to children ages 4-10 in France and have used many of the educational games in this book.  They also have more downloads available for other ages.  Check it out!  

The main problem I encountered teaching English in a foreign country is the most obvious, but I didn't think I'd have a problem with it: the language difference!  I speak a little French, and I thought it would be enough to teach English, especially since English is the language I want them to learn.  However, I didn't fully appreciate how much I would need French to teach English to French children!  Asking them to speak louder or telling them we're going to learn a new game or complimenting them on their good pronounciation, etc. was difficult at first.  The first year I learned more French than they learned English!  And now it's a little easier.  So I would suggest taking lessons in their language before trying to teach them your own.

Games and songs are a great way to teach English, by the way.  I have a few categories that I want to cover for my first year students (colors, numbers, body parts, animals, often-used action words, clothing, and food, for example) and I used songs and games to introduce them.  For example the American kids song 'Head Shoulders Knees and Toes' was great fun for introducing body parts to young children.  They had to stand up and touch the various parts while they sang and they loved the movement and singing.  'Old McDonald Had a Farm' was used for animals, as well as the book 'There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Spider'.  We used 'Simon Says' to learn both verbs and nouns ("Simon says sit down!  Simon says touch a desk! etc.)  We played 'Restaurant' to learn food and manners.  These are just a few ideas, but you get the picture.

Good luck!  I'm sure it will be a rewarding and educational experience for you and the kids you teach!

Answer 2

Hello.

If you're really eager to teach English in Thailand, the first thing you should (just in case) learn the Thai language (spoken and written). Based on my knowledge Thai uses different symbols of alphabets. So be well-prepared to face any obstacles. Perhaps u can have a trip to Thailand and mingle with those people before you end up with teaching them English.

Good luck!