A Bigg Intimidation - Ajarn Forum

Matthew · 1st July 2006, 09:40

So I have this Sundays gig at the Andrew Biggs Academy which I think is a fine little school down on Rama the Fourth. The materials are fun and the students are motivated and bright. The atmosphere is casual and as laid back as a new language school scrambling to get everything together prolly can be.

So I set up in my class and met my students and got started. They've got one area with a huge room that can be divided into three with sliding folding room divider thingies. They do funny aerobics stuff with the kids when they open it up.

So I'm teaching in one of these half-rooms. Not five minutes into my lesson it becomes clear that I'm being overshadowed, somehow. I become intensely self-aware...what a boring class!...move it along!....if I could only translate this word into perfect thai!...why aren't they lovingly laughing at everything I'm saying...they're quiet!....etc.

I quickly realize that the class next door is being taught by none other than our famous bald-headed ajarn dynamo Mr. Biggs himself, and you can pretty much hear everything that's going on over there. And it's a rollicking success, as I'm sure all his classes are. The Thais love him, and jump at the chance to speak to, with, or near him. This means his class had that electric buzz of completely engaged, enthused, aroused students volleying the English language around on their tongues like some kind of jamaican bobsled team. Lovely.

Yes, it's all lovely and good. Except for the fact that I, along with my own precious would be English olympians, could hear it all. And I'm not the competitive type per se, but this situation tested me. I began feeling like a real loser, trudging along a in CELTA-Pass type fashion. So class was alright, but how can I compare with the fete next door? Teaching next to Andrew Biggs was a bit of a brow sweat for this newbie teacher.

I suppose everything turned out fine in the end. Perhaps the test is to see how many show up this week? Could they have compared me with Andrew Himself and decided I don't fill the bill?

Anyhoo, just though I'd share my little story. If there is any moral to it, it would probably be "don't think teaching is about you" anyway. There *should* be no ego in it at all. However...

Ever worked at a school with a superstar teacher who showed you up and made you get your shit together (or not)? Or were you that teacher.

:chug:

tomcat · 1st July 2006, 10:33

Yes, I've worked with superstars....and I've closely observed (and, as a trainer, evaluated) their lessons.

That is why I fully believe the best teachers are born and not made.

Pay attention. Learn from the master...no need to measure your own performance against his.

mrsquirrel · 1st July 2006, 10:44

Don't worry Mathew

He couldn't get his bloody staff the right visas or WP when he opened.

Not much of a superstar really.

diaw · 1st July 2006, 11:06

hehe...

the antithesis · 1st July 2006, 11:47

You'd think Biggs would have enough baht to stay out of the classroom. Surely Biggs ain't teaching week in, week out?

Quote:

Perhaps the test is to see how many show up this week? Could they have compared me with Andrew Himself and decided I don't fill the bill?

It's not Matthew the teacher vs. Biggs the teacher. It's a scale of status and I don't envy your position one gram.

diaw · 1st July 2006, 12:18

Biggs is a bald-headed showman who has become a Thai idol... hooray, yippity, popcorn... What value would this have outside Thailand, I wonder?

Matthew · 1st July 2006, 12:29

Let's not go bashing Andrew, now.

He's a good guy and I'm happy to be working with him.

My OP isn't meant to be entirely serious.

Anyway, Tomcat, could you say a little bit more about

how "good teachers are born, not made"?

likewise · 1st July 2006, 12:47

Sounds to me like lots of you envy ol' chap Biggs.

b · 1st July 2006, 12:54

shave all your hair. this will help you. i promise.

Matthew · 1st July 2006, 12:59

Why not? The guy made it. He's got "big boss" on his office door.

He's got a pretty young Thai assisntant he can yell "ma nee!" and

she scurries in.

He doesn't teach that many classes, I think. I don't know his schedule,

but there's no reason why he shouldn't teach quite a few. That's the whole

attraction, a chance to take a class with a master. And I think he is one.

Sure, I envy the guy. It's motivating.

LoveBucket · 1st July 2006, 13:00

already done it. i did it before david beckham did it. we were asked to judge an english speaking comp. in the city, and yes, they all wondered if i was really him. (bigg...not beckham) i'm not going to have my ears enlarged and thrust out at funny angles, though.

Matthew · 1st July 2006, 13:01

likewise · 1st July 2006, 13:02

That's being envyous in a positive way. :smile: . Which is good.

Some others are just slagging him off coz he made it !

wangsuda · 1st July 2006, 13:53

OP, don't worry about a thing. Outside of speaking near perfect Thai, there is nothing that makes Biggs a superstar teacher. I have observed his lessons and found them to be rather run of the mill.

Remember, he has years of TV exposure, he has command of the native language, and he is one of the few foreigners who has become a household name. Those are his ony claims to faim, not his teaching strategies or methodologies.

jonny danger · 1st July 2006, 14:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomcat

Yes, I've worked with superstars....and I've closely observed (and, as a trainer, evaluated) their lessons.

That is why I fully believe the best teachers are born and not made.

Damn if that's not the truth. When the bell rings it's showtime. And if you think Ss can't learn while having fun it's because you're (third person) boring and are unable to accept the fact, IMHO.

Do any of you think one of those scalping degree courses would refuse your money knowing you'll be a less-than-mediocre teacher who is wasting their time in this profession?

There are plenty of countries you can work in where classroom boredom is the norm. Thailand is not one of them.

Since tomcat is out for coffee at the mo may I say:
All of us have abilities in many different areas, I couldn't do algebra to save myself from the canibals. Although I'm an undereducated knob by the standards of many of our members here on ajarn, I was born to teach. That's one thing I can do. Having had a mother and a father who were teachers helps a lot. Being an entertainer-type helps a lot. Never being too old to have fun helps a lot.