Topic: Yet another "unknown" VISA/M.o.Ed. requirement....

[SusanRichardson]

Background Check remains unclear but seems to apply only to Work Permits and New Non-Im.(letter) VISAs....

Which brings us to the Teachers License question...

Is a Teachers License actually now required to teach in Government Schools here in Thailand? and if so...

Do they actually intend to enforce the "council" requirements of the Cultural Awarness and "TEFL" certificates?

Both of these are a "joke" to a mature woman and insult any native speaker with an education. The day I allow some non-native speaker to quiz and lecture me about Thai culture, a culture which condones and permits corporal punishment and reckless driving and prostitution... and give or ask me to take a Thai written exam full of dictionary words I've never heard of or spoken in the context of the question(or any exam for that matter) is the day I change my status. The idea that after a few years in the classroom the Thai's are going to insist I pay some farang outfit 40,000baht and attend a "class" on how to "teach" for a month or so is again, an insult and of course, will not happen. Again mates, just wanting to know if I should start checking out China, Cambodia, Viet Nam, Korea, and Japan.

Thanks in advance for any experiences and/or opinions.

Susan           

[SusanRichardson]

I got some replies in my inbox, they seem to have been deleted.

If you guys and girls would be so kind as to reply to the message or post your own opinion of the culture awareness and/or TEFL certificates being/not being required much appreciated.

The personal attacks of me, saying I don't understand and am not happy etc. are of no value nor do they contribute to the topics.

I love Thai culture and  most Thai ways of doing things BTW, for whomever you were. I'm firmly aganist corporal punishment but find no harm in reckless driving and prostitution. The point was, since you missed it, and the reason these were mentioned is to IMHO outline how odd it would be to listen to a lecture from someone whose society is so tolorant of things such as those combined with being "bribed" or whatever has been done to bring the farang TEFL outfits into the license mix.

Thanks.

Susan

[SusanRichardson]

Perhaps I'm being a bit harsh for you guys.

I simply have no interest in a culture awareness class. I don't feel it will do me any good having been here for several years now. I've seen how Thai's act and treat other people enough to learn all about it. I can read about the history of it all if I was interested. I'm not.

I simply have no interest in a four week TEFL course with a farang or even Thai outfit. I've had enough one day seminars and classroom experiences to suffice IMHO and in that of my school and parents etc..

The question relates to the Teacher License requirement for Government schools or NOT required as was the case in the past.

Susan 

[Johnny Rotten]

Sporadic enforcement of the Culture Awareness training with only anecdotal evidence suggesting this will ever become concrete. Thaivisa.com teaching page is running a poll at the moment and it seems the majority of votes support it will never be enforced.

You have a very confrontational approach Susan. I would say Thai Culture Awareness is something essential for someone who wears blinkers (I don’t need this…) and is ready to write something contentious at the drop of a banana leaf! You should consider running a course for Thais to educate them in their own culture.

[Topper]

This is old, rehashed news Susan...

check out

http://www.teflwatch.org/forum/index.php/topic,1725.0.html

Most teachers agree its a scam and a joke. 

[SusanRichardson]

This is old, rehashed news Susan...

check out

http://www.teflwatch.org/forum/index.php/topic,1725.0.html

Most teachers agree its a scam and a joke. 

Hi Topper.

I read that before I started this discussion. What you seem to miss is my school is indeed paying attention to the letters and what they are told in seminars etc.. The fact that you and I think it is a scam and joke doesn't change the mind of the Thai's does it?

Happy Holidays. Susan

[SusanRichardson]

Sporadic enforcement of the Culture Awareness training with only anecdotal evidence suggesting this will ever become concrete. Thaivisa.com teaching page is running a poll at the moment and it seems the majority of votes support it will never be enforced.

You have a very confrontational approach Susan. I would say Thai Culture Awareness is something essential for someone who wears blinkers (I don’t need this…) and is ready to write something contentious at the drop of a banana leaf! You should consider running a course for Thais to educate them in their own culture.

If you think I'm "confrontational" now, wait until you get home tonight......

Part of any "education" involving "foreigners", especially those qualified and from western English speaking countries would be the "cultural" differences and Thai students learning how to interact with these "foreigners" in English. We are direct and more to the point than Thai people. This doesn't make us better or worse, just different. This is what the purpose of hiring only native speakers and again, from western countries, is all about. The idea you seem to condone that a talking robot can teach this aspect is beyond me and most. You don't need us to to that, there are plenty of Thai people with some English skills who can do that, or you can hire from countries like Cambodia or R.P or Russia. End of todays lecture. Happy Holidays. Susan

[Topper]

Susan,

Several things strike me :

1.  If you don't want to do the course, quit and get another job.  Or from my point of view, if your school is falling for the scam then perhaps you shouldn't be working for an organization that so stupid.  In fact, if the idea of having a Thai lecture you on aspects of teaching in Thailand is so outlandish to you, why don't you leave Thailand?

2.  As you've offered no details about what you are being asked to do (costs, location, course outline, etc) I guessing you're just trying to wind people up, ie a troll. 

I can't remember a thread discussing this type of issue that didn't start with "My school is making me take this course and its costing xxxxx B and I have to go to YYYYYY to take the course.  It will be over 3 days and talk about the following....."

3.  As this sub forum is about specific details about issues concerning red tape in Thailand I would suggest you do one of two things:  a.  take your opinions of the course to another thread (i.e Teaching in Thailand) or b.  offer some specific details/information about what you're being required to do.   Otherwise your continued statement of opinions with NO details will be moderated. 

Merry Christmas!
Topper

[SusanRichardson]

1.  If you don't want to do the course, quit and get another job.  Or from my point of view, if your school is falling for the scam then perhaps you shouldn't be working for an organization that so stupid.  In fact, if the idea of having a Thai lecture you on aspects of teaching in Thailand is so outlandish to you, why don't you leave Thailand?

The aspects of teaching is fine. I thought I was clear, I don't intend on listening to cultural aspects for the reasons stated.

2.  As you've offered no details about what you are being asked to do (costs, location, course outline, etc) I guessing you're just trying to wind people up, ie a troll. 

Not a wind up at all. My particular school pays attention to memos and what "higher ups" tell them.

but, can we agree to just discuss the question, a red tape question repeated below:

IS THERE A Teacher License requirement for Government schools being applied to same for foreigners teaching in same or IS IT NOT required as was the case in the past.

(Government schools were exempt I think?)

Thank you and happy holidays.
Susan

[Topper]

"IS THERE A Teacher License requirement for Government schools being applied to same for foreigners teaching in same or IS IT NOT required as was the case in the past."

Ok, one more time for just for you Susan.....just because I'm in a good mood and you seem like you really need help.

As of last Wednesday, there is NO REQUIREMENT for government school teachers to have a TL.  How do I know??  The government school I work at got WP's for two new teachers on Wednesday.  Neither of these teachers have a TL.  I also perused the paperwork checklist for WP's supplied by the MOL.  Its still the same as its always been.  Government school teachers do not need a TL.  Private school teachers do need a TL. 

Any more questions? 

[bomha]

Susan, let us say that you are not a troll.  Your opening post was a good rant.  Thai culture is not something that most of us think needs to be taught in a course that is required for teaching.  Apparently your school thinks they have to do it.  Most of us think you don't have to go along with it.  Try the Thai cultural approach: ignore them.  Smile, say "chai" and do whatever the fuka you please.  Do not pay for a stupid course, and the demands will probably disappear.  If not, the new term begins in May and you have time to find a better job.  Good luck.

[Johnny Rotten]

End of todays lecture. Happy Holidays. Susan

End of today's lecture. Happy Holidays Smeg. Johnny Rotten