Ajarn Forum - Living and Teaching In Thailand - View Single Post - Ethics, fundamentalist teachers, and just punishments

Bangkok Phil · 8th May 2008, 10:48

You're bang on Chan. Good post by the way.

Teachers have a responsibility to act like teachers.

In the brilliant 'Teaching English in Asia' by Galen Harris Vale (kill for a copy if you don't have one but it's very difficult to find) he tells the story of his academic director days and performing one or two unannounced observations. In one classroom he found the new teacher leading the class through a meditation routine with all the students sitting cross-legged on a dirty floor.

This is what he writes.

As i entered the room, all of the students looked at me with pleading looks on their faces. It was clear that a conference was in order. The teacher suggested that the class needed to relax by clearing their minds before the session began. I asked how the students could relax while sitting on a dirty floor, looking at a teacher in a very unattractive position while attempting to chant an incomprehensible mantra.

"They know about meditation" the teacher said
"They know not to do it in an English class" I replied.
"Thais like to sit on the floor" she said
"Thais like to sit on a clean floor" I replied.
"You just don't understand" she said
"What I do understand is that these people spend a lot more time shopping and watching TV than trying to be at one with the universe"
"That's the problem" she said.
"That's not the problem" I replied. "these people come here to study English so they can have a conversation with Ted the fabric buyer from XYZ company, not listen to the ravings of a Sears version of Mahatma Gandhi. I think you would be far more comfortable handing out leaflets from some cage in an airport than teaching here quite frankly"

And with that the teacher stormed out and was never seen again.

It's a great story. I love it. I've only ever had a problem with one teacher who wanted to stray outside the acceptable norm. Let's just say that her teaching in class involved an enthusistic over-use of the word Jesus.
I spoke to her about it. She refused to change. So she was fired. Teachers should just be teachers.

8th May 2008, 10:48	#3 (permalink)
Bangkok Phil Bangkok Phil is generally in bed by 10.30 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 4,440 vCash: 25 Blog Entries: 2 Rep Power: 202	Re: Ethics, fundamentalist teachers, and just punishments You're bang on Chan. Good post by the way. Teachers have a responsibility to act like teachers. In the brilliant 'Teaching English in Asia' by Galen Harris Vale (kill for a copy if you don't have one but it's very difficult to find) he tells the story of his academic director days and performing one or two unannounced observations. In one classroom he found the new teacher leading the class through a meditation routine with all the students sitting cross-legged on a dirty floor. This is what he writes. As i entered the room, all of the students looked at me with pleading looks on their faces. It was clear that a conference was in order. The teacher suggested that the class needed to relax by clearing their minds before the session began. I asked how the students could relax while sitting on a dirty floor, looking at a teacher in a very unattractive position while attempting to chant an incomprehensible mantra. "They know about meditation" the teacher said "They know not to do it in an English class" I replied. "Thais like to sit on the floor" she said "Thais like to sit on a clean floor" I replied. "You just don't understand" she said "What I do understand is that these people spend a lot more time shopping and watching TV than trying to be at one with the universe" "That's the problem" she said. "That's not the problem" I replied. "these people come here to study English so they can have a conversation with Ted the fabric buyer from XYZ company, not listen to the ravings of a Sears version of Mahatma Gandhi. I think you would be far more comfortable handing out leaflets from some cage in an airport than teaching here quite frankly" And with that the teacher stormed out and was never seen again. It's a great story. I love it. I've only ever had a problem with one teacher who wanted to stray outside the acceptable norm. Let's just say that her teaching in class involved an enthusistic over-use of the word Jesus. I spoke to her about it. She refused to change. So she was fired. Teachers should just be teachers. __________________ My hobbies are playing the internet, watching TV and reading a book.