CASE STUDY: ENGLISH TEACHER P IN BANGKOK
Back and choose again
ENGLISH TEACHER P is the first person to write English Teacher X a fan letter, after the now-legendary happening on Dave’s ESLcafe. He is an old Thai hand and agreed to answer the following questions about his career.
How long have you been teaching, and where?
About 7-8 years, at Uni’s and schools mostly.
What kind of training do you have? Has it been of any use to you, besides being able to tell people you've got a certificate?
I have a “Certificate for Teaching English as a Foreign Language.” I did have to prepare materials and lessons, which were checked via correspondence.
You're teaching "task based education" now. What does that mean exactly? No Beatles songs in class?
No Beatles, the students have to make their own. The idea is for the students to do the work. Nice idea.
What's the job market like in Thailand now?
Many jobs available at rather pathetic salaries.
Who has been your most venal and incompetent employer?
They’ve all been fairly venal. Incompetent? ELC.
What's been the worst moment for you in a classroom?
Dealing with “attention deficits” of Thai children on a Saturday morning.
Teaching with a hangover -- any pointers?
You only get a hangover if you STOP drinking for some reason.
Where do you come down on the "shagging students" question?
I think it should be encouraged. Students (some) would benefit from the increased exposure to the target language. “Intensive English.”
What's your least favorite classroom activity?
Activities that involve “discussion.” The communication model/feedback loop does not exist as a concept for most students here.
What do you usually do when you have ten or fifteen minutes to kill in class?
Hmm, yes, “Kill in class.” Ask students embarrassing questions.
Have you ever taught children?
Oh God, yes, unfortunately.
Don't Thai people creep you out with that constant smiling?
It’s not so much the “Land of Smiles”, I think, but the “Land of Lies.”
Anything you'd like to say about prostitution in Thailand?
It’s no fun if you don’t participate.
What nationality is more disgusting when drunk in Thailand, to your mind, the British or the Germans?
British. Germans might seem loud, but at least they don’t seem to be snide or contemptuous.
Have you saved much money in your career?
Saved and spent.
Ever been arrested for not having a working visa?
No.
Do you imagine yourself doing this job forever?
No.
