Troublesome Teachers in Thailand

7th February 2007

There I was enjoying a drink at a bar when I couldn't help but notice a rough looking British guy passionately explaining to his friend how they both should become English Teachers in order to stay in Thailand, "Its easy!" The Brit exclaimed! "We just hand over some cash and get a certificate and then we can start work!"

As he went on I lost interest, I'd heard it all before and gauged that yet another poor sap may be joining the ranks of the desperate TEFL English Teachers in Thailand

An outsider seeing this would think:
"Boozy bar talk! This guy is dreaming, you can't just buy a cert. and get a job in teaching english like that!" Well unfortunately when a country like Thailand is in desperate need to recruit english teachers for impoverished schools this can and does take place. Alas if its one thing that is a blight on the fair and pleasant land of Siam it is the state of the english teaching standards in Thailand. Not all fault lies at the TEFL boys and girls but also at the government which seems to let the English standard remain low for the state sponsored schools. Those who teach english are typically a sub-culture that tends to be centered in Bangkok (where most of the work is) although there are other areas such as the provinces of Isaan and Chang Mai and Rai. For those of you reading this who aren't aware the hallmarks of teaching english in Thailand are: Poor pay of about 25,000 baht a month (deduct tax and fees out of that figure too!), poor career prospects, precarious legal position due to work permit / business visa complications and so on (an exception to most of the above are teachers of private international approved universities). Many TEFLers are without work-permits which effectively means that they are working illegally. Those that are legit often have to pay for their own permits and work visas, something that should be done by their employer.

Now the TEFLers may be doing the right thing, they may not be but a stark fact remains that the english language is still spoken very poorly in Thailand. Roam the land for even a short time and without basic thai understanding you will struggle to make yourself understood. Even in the Bangkok the level of english spoken is considered poor and much of it is learnt by casual conversation than in the classrooms. Thailand, compared with other asian countries such as Japan, Singapore, Philippines and Malaysia does not make an impact but remains at a sub-standard level. Even the former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawata spoke only moderate english.

The recent deportation to the USA of Mark Karr has hardly enhanced the good standing of TEFLers. Mark Karr is an example of a Troublesome Teacher and his arrest and deportation has led to some changes. One of which is the government looking more closely at the TEFLers situation. One question they have asked themselves is this: Is it a good thing having a core of english teachers from foreign countries?

The argument is quite complex, those in favour will stress the advantage of a native english speaker in the classroom, cross cultural exchange and benefits of allowing kids to learn in a more free-form manner. However the english language, despite being the most complex language in the world can be learned easily by many races. Indeed perhaps a locally born Thai National would, with the correct training be a more suitable choice? Also, the often staggering level of lack-lustre supervision and lesson plans can mean the standard level of english attained is abysmal. Far from having anything against English Teachers I, Johnny Bravo salute those who, in the spirit of progress teach the English language, one day a great inventor or the like may make his / her mark on the world with their english speaking skills key to their success. However it is only right and above board that these English Teachers are properly qualified and brought in from approved agencies and companies overseas. By properly qualified it is fair to say that the two week TEFL (Teaching English in a Foreign Language) attendance course is in no way sufficient to properly teach english at an international level. It's pushing the barrier for the TEFL to be suitable in secondary school!

A real english teacher in any civilised country is, at a minimum a university graduate. Unfortunately an estimated 70% of foreign teachers are of the TEFL crowd who also are, for the most part, 'farang-desperately-wanting-to stay-in-Thailand'. Many of us have run into the type, they've spent nearly all their money already, love the country to death (often it may be the death of them!) and don't want to leave or go home. Still, even the most under-qualified of the TEFLers can make a good teacher given time. Although looking at the bigger picture Thailand strongly ought to be consider introducing regulating the TEFLers by means of vetting and keeping a closer eye on the troublesome teachers! The troublesome teachers are difficult to spot amongst the majority of decent ones. While those TEFLers who indulge in nightlife activities such as flagrant bar and whore mongering shouldn't be considered 'bad' teachers per sa, would a parent want such a TEFLers teaching his or her child english? Its a question that perhaps Thailand will need to answer lest more troublesome teachers from Mark Karr's ilk rise from the woodwork in the near future!

A Farang Expat in Thailand

Farang Low-lifes

24th January 2007

It’s just after eleven o’ clock and my buddy and I are outside an ATM getting cash when along comes what could be only described as a classic example of a low-life Farang hurling abuse at all and sundry. In this case a few choice words from the wise were all that was needed to ‘cool his heels’ somewhat.

Like the perpetual cycle of day and night there's no escaping the fact that even in the seeming remoteness of Thailand's most northerly city they are a common sight and can blight the typical ‘thai’ experience that many more sensible visitors are searching for.

We’ve all seen them, beer in hand and staggering the streets, often in broad daylight oblivious to their surroundings and offending many in their typically loutish and arrogant behaviour. Perhaps in their tiny brains they see themselves as superior and ‘better’ often weighing-in at more than 100 kilos and towering over the indigenous people.

The low-life mentioned in the first paragraph actually exclaimed ‘Well I’m English!’ almost to try and justify his mindless behaviour. Sorry mate but the English no longer hold sway over all that the sun shines upon, I and many others read our history books and know the days of the British Empire are long gone! I’m part English and I can see that (violins are playing – Ed)!

Many Thai people see this kind of behaviour is the reason their can ‘confirm’ in their minds that the foreign westerner is an uncultured animal.

Do these people not realize that typically as foreigners here in Thailand they ought to be acting more responsible and setting a good example for others to follow.

‘Back in the day’ during the 1970s, 80s and 90s the traveling folk who came to Thailand were a different breed by any stretch of the imagination, hippies, neo-hippies and backpackers tended to be a majority of the ‘tourist’ visitors to Thailand.

All this began to change with the rise of low-cost flights and easy-to-obtain visas. The 4,000+ miles distance to the Land of Smiles (LOS) is a barrier of sorts from Europe along with diversions such as Ibiza, Costa del sol, Majorca, falraki etc to appease the package tourists.

By 2001 onwards the trend had shifted heavily from the ‘original’ backpacking crowd. Introducing the new wave of Farang tourists:

Among them has arrived the ‘Low-life Farang!’

Join us on a journey into what is the typical ‘Low-life Farang’:

Usually male and here in Thailand on a two week holiday.

Typical primary destinations include : Pattaya, Bangkok, Phuket ( Patong Beach) and Koh Samui.

Typical Secondary destinations include: All the other tourist islands, Chang Mai and Hua Hin.

Group size can vary but typically from 2 to 4.

Nationality varies but they are usually English speaking and hail from the following areas: The UK (Majority from England I’m afraid), Europe and the USA.

Activities include the following: Drinking, causing trouble, sex, drinking, more sex, sleeping through most of the daylight hours before hitting the streets and repeating activities ad nauseam.

An distant relative of the low-life Farang is the low-life expat. (covered in another column.)

Not usually dangerous although the potential for violence rises when mixed with alcohol!

So what can be done? Short of rounding them all up and pushing into the nearest canal little can be done I'm afraid.

However whenever I hear of tales like the one about the low-life Farang I always whistle to myself knowing that the thai words "Tum dee jai dee, tham chua dai shua" can often ring true! (Rough Translation: "What goes around comes around!")