This letter is in response to "the darker the skin, the smaller the wage." (Ajarn Postbox 4th February 2013)
Those who are in Asia teaching English need to understand this simple reality: English teaching is a superficial industry. English language aptitude is simply social and economic capital in Asia. Is this not stating the obvious?

Those who can speak English often flaunt it like any other status symbol: a new car, Iphone, etc. English is simply a commodity that is bought and sold. Therefore, English teachers are commodities in Asia paid to attract and retain customers- just as any service worker or performer. English teachers are not there to do groundbreaking research or to change the social and moral norms and civil rights of the country that they are in. English teachers are not revolutionaries or diplomats, even though many would like to believe they are. If anything, the English teacher's presence reinforces social and economic structures - oppresive or not. The people with money are the consumers, not the have nots. So for those of you that cannot seem to accept that ESL in Asia is a service/entertainment industry that caters to the rich and fashionable, my advice is move on. I did, and I am at peace with my decision.

I knew, had I stayed in Asia, my "stock" would go down every year as I got older, even if I became a better more qualified teacher. Like entertainment and fashion workers, English teachers are the most marketable when young, affluent, attractive and novel. Unfortunately for qualified and competent Philipino teachers, old teachers, fat teachers, ugly teachers and teachers of colour, the ESL industry does not value these people as much. And why would it? The whole premise of ESl in Asia - the fake grades, the rote memory tests, the automatic passes, and the short term employment of the workers are, by and large, a big show. English teachers, escpecially in language schools, are entertainers that are there to display the social norms and capital of their "prosperous" culture. But what's wrong with that? Many people make their money entertaining others. Windowdressing is not prostitution.

English is taught, bought and sold the same way a major motion picture is at Siam Paragon. You have the actors, the directors, the stage and the audience. By the end of my teaching stint in Thailand, I likened my classes to one of those medieval restaurants where the patrons dress up in medieval garb, eat giant drum sticks and throw them on the floor when they're done. And the more I accepted it as a game, the more the students and administration liked me.

So for those of you in Thailand scraping by, please remember you are there as an entertainer. Your marketablity is determined before you get there and you'll easily be replaced when you go. Enjoy your stay and try not to believe too much in your role. Who knows, with enough patience, you can even make director one day.

Brian

Hi Lyndsay. I read your letter ("The darker the skin, the smaller the wage" Ajarn Postbox, 5th February 2013) and can completely understand the shoes you're in. I am an American (but of Hispanic descent). When I first moved here, I too faced some of the same likely scenarios you seem to have faced. Bottom line, the Thais always seem to place 'image' above everything and anything else important and frequently favor those with light skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes. * (That's why 95% of ads always insist on attaching a photo to your resume).

The way I finally started to see it, one may have all the qualifications they believe to get the job, but there's one 'qualification' truly desired that they don't always mention. As a result, I highly suspect I was dropped from a potential list of candidates from a handful of jobs just because of an appearance conflict. Yeah it's prejudice at it's best though and you're also right: it's definitely sending the wrong message to everyone - foreigners and Thais alike. I think that with a thinking like this, it could possibly inhibit others to think the same way and/or that this sort of profiling/generalizing is "an okay practice".

You're right though. A person's image should NOT play a part in whether or not they can do the job. Unfortunately, as a frequent saying goes, "This is Thailand" and I strongly agree that things here can be far from perfect, but with some patience and determination, I think everyone can eventually land a good job and where acceptance can be made by all. You must be patient though. It took me a bit of time before reaching the step I've reached on the corporate ladder. However, finally rising to the place I felt I should be in, I'm very pleased and satisfied where I am now. That and I honestly carry my head a little higher because of all I've been through. Best of luck to you Lyndsay!

Jeff

I know for a fact that since the native English speakers have spoken English since the time they were born, they think they will do better as an English teacher. Given the fact that it can be true, it is not fair to be stereotyped that Filipinos could not speak good or better English than a native English speaker. I do have to argue that even ‘Farang’ from non-English speaking countries such as Spain, Italy, Germany, etc. is somehow considered as native English speakers even though they are not. Is this all about the skin color? The race? Therefore descrimination is there. I believe that when discrimination is present, then good education is not.

Another argument is how do you categorize a “Native English Speaker”? I can be a Filipino, born and raised in the Philippines, but grew up with English as a first language or I can be an American with both pure American parents that lived in Peru which makes my first language Spanish.

What about a Filipino without a Filipino accent? Well-educated, well-traveled, and with credentials more than qualified to have the “Native English Speaker” salary against a German dude who just finished his high school and decided to teach in Thailand? What they should understand is what they really want to be good at? Let’s say English. Okay, my skin color doesn’t speak English but my tongue is. As a matter of fact, proving it with my authenticated university credentials and TEFL certifications or even challenge it with personal, phone interview, or much better a teaching demonstration.

How can you degrade a service price because of the skin color? Of someone’s race? By continuously going with this un-ideal policy, it will gain bad reputation, progress will not be that fast because of the absurd reason behind all of it. It’s unfair. If they keep living this way, then they will encourage more unqualified and wrong people in those positions, and those qualified people will just have to find a better place for themselves. Where better working conditions and attitude lies. In return, those unqualified teachers will of course, produce unqualified students.

I hope Thai people will understand that they have to look more closely and deeper to it.

Lyndsay Anne Cabildo

In response to Darrens letter ("Look before you leap, Ajarn Postbox, 9th January 2013) Your experience is not unique by any standard. Though I do not understand why you suffered the whole term. If no contract exists ( that is worth the paper it's written on ) which is doubtful - then I would move on to better things. A surprising number of schools will hire direct if you approach them (it saves them commission)

I myself have just taken legal action against an international school for a breach of contract. I signed a contract for 20 months and I left a secure position. Then this school changed its mind and just before Christmas called me in and said they were terminating my contract. Fortunately with a signed contract you are protected under Thai Labor Law when it comes to how a contract can be terminated.

Well I moved on and am quite glad not to be at that school anymore. The English standard was far below what I would expect from an International school and I am certainly glad I am not a parent spending hard earned baht for each term there.

I have found a very nice government school where the teachers have a genuine interest in helping the students and where the students have a genuine interest in improving. It is not the richest of schools but what it lacks in funding it makes up for in many other ways.

But I say to all teachers out there - don't be disheartened. There are many good agencies out there and many schools that will hire direct. Visit them in person and drop off a nice little resume pack with all your photocopies, certificates etc. It will work wonders.

'Stiff upper lip' as we Brits say.

Jonathan

I saw an advert on ajarn.com and sent in my CV. I was swiftly selected for an interview, which I attended and passed, and was offered the job immediately. WOW!! I had landed a dream job at a great school in Thailand. I was ecstatic about the school placement, but one thing has left a terrible taste in my mouth - and that is the agency that placed me there.

I am sure that this is not standard treatment for teachers here in Thailand but I can summarize my recent experiences as follows. The agency gave me no support or help in any way. There was no communication from them. My salary has been withheld and not paid to me. The bonus money that I was promised was never received. I have received nothing except wild accusations and threats, verbal abuse and threats of legal proceedings against me. I have been given no contract and no work permit. Even though all the above was promised to me at the outset the agent has delivered nothing. Well, nothing but pain and disrespect towards me.

In short, I am coming to the end of the school term and have had a horrific time at the hands of my employers. I am now struggling to make ends meet with no money and at the mercy of this grotesque and unprofessional agency that advertise everywhere, on every job board on every education website in Thailand.

Knowing that I cannot name names and or fight any legal issues here, I am lost before I have even started. I can only offer words of advice to other teachers.

Before you accept any contract, no matter how good it looks from the outset, Google and research the agency first. Look at the complaints against them - and only then will you be aware of who you are dealing with.''

Needless to say I have learned this lesson the hard way and walk out scarred, bitter and slightly twisted. Please take heed - even before you send your CV or resume, check your employer out. You might find this a revelation.

Some agencies operate under several different company names due to the fact that for legal reasons they have had to change their name at some stage. You can figure it out, stay well away, be careful as it is no fun to find yourself on the receiving end and you are 100% powerless as a farang here. Once you have signed up, be sure you have made the best choice for your future.

From my current position at the bottom of the heap, good luck and I wish you better luck here than I have had.

Darren

In response to Steven at the end of his tether (Ajarn Postbox 26th December 2012) First and foremost have fun! Laugh and be happy, if possible, all of the time (before, during and after school). The kids will notice when you adapt to the culture, which will make them more comfortable with you and that takes months and years to accomplish. But, until then, try to apply the advice offered to you by experienced staff. Try to empathize with the different groups of students rather than to each individual student. Get your students involved in the lessons and be sure to keep them brief. Learn from your students and Thai staff. Be a good listener. Never be rigid and always be flexible. Don't give an opinion unless you are asked for it by another teacher.

As you've lived here a few years you will definitely have a better handle on what it is you got yourself into, and by then none of this will even matter. If I knew all the crap I was to go through five years ago I may not have stayed. So, relax. Don't ever be serious. Laugh. Try not to reflect too much. Have a soft voice and softer heart. Be patient. Don't take the job personal by seeking approval from western perspectives, or try to justify being a teacher defined by a western vocabulary - ewwwwwwwwww.

Keep these tips in mind and no matter what happens, there are lots more teaching jobs available in Thailand.

DJ

In response to Michael ('Take heart, the schools are out there' Ajarn Postbox 26th December 2012) MIchael, I have learned one thing in getting the respect of my students. I've been teaching them for nearly three years and I was surprised that I got their respect only the day after I reviewed them in O-Net. How? I taught subject verb agreement the easiest way. You might be surprised that one student made no mistake and many scored 80-95%.

To cut the story short, teach something that will give them the idea on how to get the correct answer. Provide rules, clues, word signals, or anything that will give the idea that such word or any word is the answer. Give 10 examples. One to five examples follow the same rule. Six to 10 examples follow the same rule. Give them exercises. Most of them will pass. So, I kept on doing this everytime we met (once a week). The students were behaved, interested, and liked to learn from me because they could understand the lesson, they could score high in the evaluation, and they were starting to have liking for the subject.

Go down to their real level. Many level four or five and six students of my school are at home with lessons I teach for levels 3 and 4. Set an attainable goal for your class. Not what we want because no matter how we lower our standard, it is still high for our students. We are not teaching ESL, therefore, teach easy lessons and students will respect you as a good teacher because they learn from you and you are the better teacher of English because you can make them understand. Give it a try.

Benito Vacio

Steven ('At the end of my tether' Ajarn Postbox 26th December 2012) I believe that is a common situation in some schools in Thailand. Unfortunately, the schools with the most vacancies are the schools that have some problems with student (and sometimes teacher) motivation and discipline) Bad treatment from the students and/or lack of support from the school administration result in a high teacher attrition rate and vacancies for new job seekers. The school administration and fellow teachers may mean wonders, but be unable to provide much support because they have their share of problems already. The situation may be compounded by teacher agencies that promise all kinds of things (to the teacher and the school), but sometimes don't even pay in time or the full amount promised (or don't pay at all).

Take heart. There ARE schools where student behavior is tolerable - sometimes downright good. It may take a few trials, though, because the odds are definitely against the new teacher.

Michael

Presently, I'm employed at a government-run school, teaching young students from Prathom 4 through to 6 and the problem I encounter with almost every class, is a lack of respect, plus attention, demonstrated by the students. I've approached the H.O.D and related my concerns about said issue, who, to my surprise, confirmed that Thai teachers alike, also face the same problem.

So its seems that the situation is not an isolated one and on reflection, I'm not at fault or even alone and that the problem of disruptive students is a widespread thing. What I'm seeking, is help with feed-back on how best to approach and deal with the problem?

Steven

Hey ladies! I have been living and teaching at a private school near Bangkok for about two months and here are my observations on the female teacher dress code.

When I first arrived, I was very surprised to find out that, not unlike 1950s Americana, dresses and skirts are the expected, encouraged, and unofficially required of all female staff and faculty at the school. So, before your first teaching gig, don't waste your money buying pants. Maybe the school you work at will not be as strict with this policy, but unless you have overwhelming feelings about this topic, buy skirts and dresses to be on the safe side.

On that note, it seems that unlike in the U.S., where this is sometimes stigmatized, wearing short skirts with hairy legs is acceptable. I have seen many high school and university students sporting this look, and the occasional teacher too. I have never seen anyone wear pantyhose here; I am very thankful for this, it's far too hot out there for such things.

Necklines on shirts should remain high. Try to avoid showing any clavicle, and cleavage is out of the question. Iron your shirts, or pay someone to iron them.

Like with men, personal body odor is highly offensive here. This may pose some problems for farangs from cold environments, because you'll sweat a lot when you arrive here -- I know I did! This means you'll have to wash your clothes more frequently. The good news is that the clothing here is less expensive than it is in the U.S., so when it wears out from washing, it's somewhat easier to replace (if you can find Thai clothing that fits). Most women here don't wear socks with dress shoes, but you might want to think twice about this fashion move if you're prone to foot stink. At my school, if a teacher smells of cigarettes, etc., it is a BIG deal. This is an understatement.

It's not a bad idea to look polished as far as hair and make-up are concerned. I have noticed that many of the female teachers here are experts in that department, Still, my hair is usually free-form, and my make-up varies depending on how much time I have to get ready for work. So far, nobody has complained.

Important note: Yellow and red are colors for two rival political groups. Be mindful of your environment when wearing these colors.

I hope this was helpful. I hope some of you female farangs reply with some of your observations and reflections too.

Sarah