In response to Mr. Gravoso's letter "Can't Speak English?" (Postbox 23rd April) I have one request to ask of you - please don't use our country, the Philippines, as an example of how great English flourished compared to what is happening in Thailand and Cambodia today. Let me explain why. We Filipinos were already familiar with the use of Latin writing symbols from the Spanish colonization of around 300 years. That made it easier for Filipinos in the past to learn English. If we had kept and used our own writing system the "Baybayin" today, then maybe things would be different. So in a way, we were "lucky" to have the Spanish and Americans colonize our country, so we could discard our original writing system.

As for teaching English here in Thailand or Cambodia, no matter how competent teachers are, English cannot be learned in school alone. Even if you're the most effective English teacher in the whole world, a student will only learn English to full extent if he/she uses it outside of the classroom. There should be a lot of exposure to the use of English. So to learn English much more quickly, they usually go abroad in exchange programs, or find a way to interact with foreigners here all the time, or strictly read and watch English books and movies.

The difference will be on how the governments of each country adopts the use of the English language. Take for example Singapore, a country whose natives use at least 3 different languages, Chinese, Malay and Tamil. But they have higher English literacy because their government pushes the use of English not only in schools but in other forms such as signs, billboards, newspapers, government forms and many others. Maybe in bigger cities here such as Bangkok it is somewhat being implemented, but how about in the provinces? Maybe that explains why students in bigger cities tend to have higher literacy in English?

I am happy for you though Mr. Gravoso, and I hope you do well and have a great time in Cambodia. Of course I agree with you that we need competent teachers with qualifications, but in a country where there is less supply of it, they will still put people to fill those empty slots no matter how dumb they are. I just want to point out that all these problems of English literacy is not to blame on us teachers alone but to the environment our students live and breathe during their daily lives out of the classroom as well.

Juan de la Cruz

Hello, I'm writing this whilst sitting in a suburb of London, I have just left Thailand after 10 years of teaching, my wife and two children are in the process of getting their passports and visas to follow me here in the next couple of months. Why? Enough is enough, I really do love Thailand, my life has been there, my kids were born there, but no more teaching for me.

To be honest I could of carried on, but teaching is not a realistic career if you have children in Thailand. Firstly there is no guarantee for the future, be it one year or five years. Secondly, Thai schools and teachers have an amazing ability to lie. I recently signed a contract with my school, where I had been teaching for the last few years, only to be told that I wasn't being paid for April and for the first half of May because the school was shut. I protested that I had already signed the contract, and that the contract was from April until April, one year, only to be told that this was only so the school could renew our work permits.

I was furious, I have two young mouths to feed, I wasn't going to get paid for six weeks, I had never had any previous problems with the school, in fact I was the only falang teacher at the school amongst 10 foreign teachers, I speak Thai fluently and had always got on with the Thai teachers and all my teachers assessments had been positive, but the school would not budge, I spoke to them nicely, I tried to appeal. The school then decided to pay all of the foreign teachers for May. This was good news, however they stuck by their decision not to pay us for April. Finally, with a heavy heart I decided that I just couldn't live like this any longer, my children are now the most important thing in my life and , without sounding corny, I just want what's best for them, and sadly Thailand isn't that.

Annoyed

It was my first day in school. I just signed up as an ESL teacher in an international school in Phnom Penh, Cambodia to augment my income in the university in Battambang, Cambodia where I've been teaching for three years now. I was assigned to teach Level 10 ( Intermediate) class. I asked one of the students for her opinion regarding the topic. She replied, "Can't speak English. Don't know English."
I encouraged her by saying with a smile, "Teacher Pablo believes in you. Don't worry. I will definitely understand you."

On my way home I can't help but compare my school with another school in Battambang, Cambodia. My school has a reputation for hiring only native speakers. In fact, I am the first Asian ESL teacher in that school. In spite of that I've heard several students say that they can't speak English.

COERR Language Skills Center in Battambang only hires locals. They don't have any foreign teachers. They don't even have Filipino teachers. The big difference is that I've met a lot of students at COERR who are in level 7 and they are really conversant in English. This proves that the need to hire native teachers of English is a must is wrong.It is just a myth. What schools need to do is to hire competent teachers.

Let's take the case of the Philippines for example. I never had native English teacher since the first time I entered school. I learned English in a public school and with Filipino teachers. In fact, the Philippines never hired foreign teachers. The only time that the Philippines had American English teachers was in 1901 when the U.S. government sent 500 trained teachers to the Philippines. That's just it. After that we were practically on our own.

The difference? The American English teachers who went to the Philippines in 1901 and the teachers at COERR know pedagogy. They were and are trained teachers. While most of the native American teachers here are plumbers, electricians, gardeners or waiters whom I guess are having difficulty finding jobs in the U.S. probably because of lack of qualifications. Those who are really trained and qualified American English teachers would rather go to China, Japan or Korea where they can earn 3,000 to 4,000usd. American ESL teachers here in Cambodia earn 800usd to 1200usd.

I am not giving up. This is the reason why I really enjoy my teaching job at UME (University of Management and Economics) in Battambang. Cambodia. I am sure that my students will sooner or later become school administrators. I hope that they will not look at the color of the skin when they hire ESL teachers. They can hire whites, blacks or Asians. It doesn't matter. What is important is that they should look at the qualifications. I am sure though that they will hire teachers based on competencies.

Pablo Gravoso

In response to Isabella's letter ("How to take legal action", Postbox 19th April) unless it's Bangkok, take a Thai translator with you and visit the nearest labour court. Chiang Mai is "Region 5". Bring your documents and file a lawsuit. It will start out as an arbitration hearing but in case you need to pursue this further, there are Thai lawyers who speak excellent English and don't have the wildly overpriced fees of the big law firms. We are talking some 20-25k for the whole lawsuit. Many schools like to get new staff. Often it's just for financial reasons. Looking back at schools I worked at, I noticed lots of Asian and African replacementd at lower salaries than previous teachers. Make them fire you! This will trigger a notice period and severance - a few more months' at least. To resign would be plain stupid. Good luck!

Kru Anon

Stories where teachers and teaching agencies have come into conflict are all too common and allegations (on both sides) are difficult to prove/substantiate. Also, there are always two sides to every story. After having been here for over 12 years, I find that some schools are a great fit and others are not so much.

When stuck in a position where the school is not appreciating the teacher’s effort, or the teacher is not appreciating the school, it is best to find a better “home” or, quite simply, time to make a change. And, IMHO, labour courts don’t always offer the long-term satisfaction (or short term results) one desires but they do serve a valuable purpose.

To say this type of situation is a “Thai thing” is disingenuous because we have all read to the “horror stories” of teaching in China or Korea. In addition, all you need to do is read CNN, BBC or any other news outlet from the U.S. and U.K. to see the battles and bitterness surrounding education/teaching there (vocal parents with an agenda, overcrowded classrooms, lack of resources, learning-disabled or emotional unstable students, teachers being paid based on standardized test results, schools losing funding or being closed based on standardized test results, teachers without qualifications being hired by local education boards, and teachers prior to obtaining tenure being forced out for nebulous reasons…the concept of tenure itself is under attack).

Racism, or judging one by their appearance, is also not a uniquely Thai attribute. I grew up in an area of outright racism…violent, ignorant racism… Regardless, judging someone based on the color of their skin, their sexual orientation, their religion, their economic status, etc. is wrong whatever the location or industry (or reasons).

I spent years “preaching” equality but, in the end, it came down individual connections that changed people’s thinking. All I can suggest is to focus on changing each individual’s perception rather than feeding into their preconceived (and wrong-headed) notions. Nothing that is said will change a person’s mind until they meet someone that defies what they believe to be true.

Finally, I don’t believe the finger can be pointed just at agencies since there are good and bad agencies just as there are good and bad schools…or even good and bad teachers. Each situation, teacher, agency, and school is unique.

Just as some schools are not a good fit for a teacher, some agencies are not as well (and vice-versa). The truly bad agencies don’t stay in business in the long run…and the truly bad schools change their tune after “too much bad press”...and the truly bad teachers end up leaving because they can’t find gainful, stable employment.

I wish teachers the best of luck but if you are an experienced, qualified teacher then employment will be quite easy to find. Go out there and find a more positive working environment but remember to leave the past (experience) behind you.

Don’t bring any animosity into a new job…judge the new position based on what it is…new and unique..a chance to start fresh and show them who you are and what you can do.

Mike

Reading a past ajarn Postbox letter, I was curious to know how the teacher proceeded to take legal actions against his school who were breaching his contract. I'm in a very similar case at the moment and would appreciate any advice. The international school that I work for employed me on a 23-month contract but they want to terminate it after my first school year for very vague reasons. They have asked me to pay them back a lot of money (airfare and accommodation allowances provided) to change my two-year contract to a one-year contract.

Because it isn't my decision, I find it unfair to be that penalized. I came all the way here with the intention of staying for two years and I have now got several commitments here that are hard to get out of. I read on the Thai embassy website that what the school are doing is called "resignation under compulsion" and is considered as an unlawful resignation in Thailand. I tried calling the Ministry of Education but unfortunately nobody can speak English so I can't get help from them. Please I'm seeking advice here about a very stressful situation which I am hoping to resolve very soon. We are just about to start the last term of the school year and I want to finish this experience on a positive note.

Isabella

What an intense year this has been. So many people inspired me along the way, fellow teachers, ex teachers friends and total strangers. Thailand first touched my heart and introduced me to the most basic of Buddhism more than twenty five years ago. (Koh Samui was a lush magnificent tropical jungle then, as it still is now). I went back to the UK and was fascinated by the whole possibility of a completely opposite to all I knew way of life. Suddenly less was more, and the call from my heart was to try to live a more simple life, not more complex.

Anyway, something called me to come back and say thank you. I was never particularly pro the concept of English teachers in a foreign country and thought maybe it was some leftover form of colonialism, our way is better. The truth is many people really want to learn a second and often third language. It turns out I had the courage to be able to stand up in a classroom and deliver some inspiration or at least be persuave why learning could be fun and over the year my focus was pure and simple, how to be really the best teacher I could be.

It was an extraordinary year, living in some absolutely ghastly places, (one house a school provided, actually had no back door), and being at the bottom of the food chain in a profession that is a business. I have no idea why I at times was so completely unhappy and disasatisfied with the politics of the profession, and yet, so completely sure that I was tapping into some really sweet gift that I had no idea I had been given.

Seeing students love learning, love each other and be willing to give up so much to try something new, has shaken up everything I think right now about everything. It is always been hard for me to fit into corporate systems, on the one hand I am totally passionate and out there giving my all, and then I am supposed to be meek and subordinate. I am reminded that I am if not an excellent teacher, I am certainly an excellent insubordinate! I have been trusted to totally do my own thing, and have respected that trust and worked hard to ensure that my own thing, followed really good learning principles. Like all teachers, at the end of the first year, I am happy, exhausted, certainly willing to reflect, and I promise myself after 31st March to go explore anything but teaching for a few weeks! ♥

Jojo Tiger

Well, where does one begin when they are writing a paragraph or two about living and working in Asia. I taught in several schools in several different towns and cities in Thailand for just under five years. I did my fair share of moaning and grumbling about the system there. How the Thais treated us, with utter contempt. And when the opportunity arose to relocate to Vietnam, I took it. After arriving here I did send a small post saying what a breath of fresh air it was being here and getting away from the Thais and their bad manners amongst other below par traits

Yes, I knew the dust had to settle here and to learn from scratch how these people tick. After being here one year now, I can honestly say Asians are the same throughout Asia. They might do certain things different, due to the cultural differences. But deep down, they’re all the same. To give a small example, it changed from me being called a FARANG to me being called YOU. I’ve found Vietnamese to have the same mentality as the Thais. And after talking to many traveling teachers that have taught in China, Laos, Korea and other countries. I’ve come to the conclusion, it doesn’t matter where you are in Asia. You will experience the same problems we all experience in Thailand.

So, if your thinking the grass is greener on the other side, IT’S NOT. Yes, we have to put up with ill educated Thais thinking they are superior to us and treating us as such. But unfortunately if we want to live in their land and enjoy their freedom of living, there’s not a lot we can do. Or we could go back to England, where native Brits are now the minority in our own land. As for me, I’ve started applying for teaching positions back in Thailand. Tail between the legs scenario.

P.S. Vietnam is a stunningly beautiful country and well worth a visit. But it is 15 years behind Thailand in every sense.

Russell

I would like to add to the degree vs no degree debate. I have worked in the training department for a large multinational for 10 years. I have also managed large sales teams. I worked my way up to these positions straight from school. I have taught thousands of workers and a range of different topics over the years. I am currently teaching in Thailand and I do not have a degree. With my experience I am most certainly in a better position to be teaching business English to my customers as I not only teach them English but also many other things ie sales, marketing, presentations and how to do them effectively.

I know how to grab their attention and make the classes enjoyable. DTAC and Cisco are among my current customers. Does this put me in a better position than someone with a degree? I will let you decide on that. Personally I think it does. I also do some private classes with children. The skills I have are very easily transferable as long as you have the knowledge to teach the subject. Also I understand how to network effectively and how to get new customers. Why someone with a degree in science for example would possibly think they are better than someone with much experience is beyond me.

I do not teach in a school. The reason for this is purely financial. I would not profess that I could teach English in England. You obviously do not need to teach the same material in Thailand as you would in an English School. I would guess a lot of teachers here would struggle to teach A level or degree level English in England. I have always believed experience and ability are much more important than a piece of paper. I would finally like to add I taught and trained many employees for my company on the graduate training programmes. Some were very good and some had no ability and no common sense at all. That piece of paper will not give you that.

Alexander

Just a quick response to clarify that I am educated. In fact I have been very fortunate and received a great private education courtesy of my father for which I am very grateful. I appreciate that James may well have missed this in previous comments.

In reply to Facebook, again I suspect James has misunderstood my comment I wasn't referring to the obvious slang and abbreviated comments that litter the site I was referring to where sentences in plain English had been written sadly incorrectly, by students who have undergone a rather expensive education within this system. And whilst James has been fortunate enough to have never seen or come across the incompetent professional, they do exist and to suggest that they don't is really being a little naive.

Of course there is never going to be anything that will replace a good education but there will always be room for that helping hand by intelligent people wherever they may be. So I hope James and all the other teachers will continue to do the good job that they, I suspect, actually do. Though I still hope that all the less than perfect teachers will get weeded out. It is always a contentious subject when any members of a profession are criticized, but sadly every profession has it's undesirables, a sad fact but true. So peace to all and have a great 2013.

Phil / Ajarn.com says "Thank you Jonathon and James for your contributions. Can you guys agree to disagree because I think we should bring this particular Postbox communication to an end?

Jonathan