Radical Energy

I couldn't agree more! I feel that many forms of "positive reinforcement" are used as bribes for students and by teachers who haven't learnt how to use good classroom management strategies. Children need to learn that some things in this life are to be expected from them and they should do them because it is expected, not because they get a reward. That's how I was taught in my schools when I was growing up. It's all about responsibility. In school, students are responsible for learning to better themselves so they can become productive members of society.

fencesitter

Good point. It would be nice if students learned for the sake of it. Fact is, a lot don't. I suppose that's why we are commenting on this thread.

kiwiling

In Thailand...you must be joking

Plenty of structured work (useless at teaching much though!!!) reins in the noisy classes...but there is no simple answer.

zehner

nope. doesn't matter if they're asian kids or western.....they've gotta be trained to listen when the teacher talks. otherwise you're not able to do your job

__________________
Now, to pry into roots, to finger slime,
To stare, big-eyed Narcissus, into some spring
Is beneath all adult dignity. I rhyme
To see myself, to set the darkness echoing.

kiwiling

Desirable...but so is a decent pay packet...the Thai teachers at my school used loudspeakers...ever been fishing Z?

zehner

was fishing on ko lanta a few weeks back. did a bit of trolling

__________________
Now, to pry into roots, to finger slime,
To stare, big-eyed Narcissus, into some spring
Is beneath all adult dignity. I rhyme
To see myself, to set the darkness echoing.

Radical Energy

If you want "a decent pay packet," you aren't going to find it in Thailand unless you look into the top international schools that pay between 100,000 and 200,000 baht per month plus a 25,000 baht housing stipend. A tiny handful of Teachers in Thailand are making those figures. I wonder if they have the same types of discipline problems ... I somehow doubt it.

bewildered wanderer

well, it seems we live in different worlds as I get nice raises, bonuses, and other benefits every year from the boss. Parents continually shower me with praise and gifts (Thai style). Oh yeah, and a few of my students have score in the top 10 in the country for different standardized tests. I am the head of an IP and the tests are all in Thai, except of course for the English exam. I can even boast a #1 in a subject or two.

So if I should be teaching, then what should you be doing?

__________________
momma

martyboy

100-200K How do you get a job there? For what it's worth, remembering my school days the teachers who commanded most respect and managed the class properly were those with a military bearing. They had a serious and stern expression and never used the cane, they didn't have to because everyone was well behaved. I wonder whether the happy happy laughing bouncing EFL teacher (that's what's emphasised on TEFL cert. courses) is asking for trouble. The kids know this one is going to be a pushover. Just a thought.

Radical Energy

Most of the time, you need to be a certified teacher in your home country along with a Master's degree in the area that you teach and many years of teaching experience.

Good point! There's no question that TEFL these days certainly emphasizes FUN and that the teacher must play lots of games to 'engage' the students. But there is no proof that this style of teaching is better than any other more traditional styles. I would go so far as to say that games can be counterproductive in the sense that weaker students will tend to not participate and give in easily, copy, cheat etc. Unless the games have some sort of communicative element, they will not help students to speak English at a conversational level. A lot of times, these Thai students think that learning English is just for fun and games but not important or serious. They are taught this attitude in their society and as long as they come to class with this attitude, the teacher will always have dicipline problems regardless of how many games, fun, rewards and consequences are introduced in the classroom. It's about culture and the country's attitude towards learning the language that important. And when a teacher comes into class acting like the fun clown he/she will certainly be treated as such.

sleepwalker999

Excellent point right there. The lack of basic discipline in a lot of English programs is directly down to the training that a lot of the teachers receive which promotes everyone to go into class from day one and be the happy happy smiling friendly lets do a warmer and play games every class teacher. There has to be a greater emphasis on discipline training for new teachers fresh off the plane. I think I learned this the hard way when I first started teaching English and have now adapted my style to try and find a better balance.

Reward systems are good for lower grades but can be spoiled by snotty over privileged children from Grade 5 and up depending on the school. My previous school any candies were greeted with delight where as this one some chocolate or whatever barely raises a thank you.

Best thing is just to lay down the law from day one and only break from it for particular occassions. I think another thing TEFL does to their teachers is to make them want the kids to like them too much instead of just being a teacher that the kids respect.

peelieorion

You are the master of your own classroom. Thai kids need to be trained to listen, to think, to work at a sensible noise. We are trying to teach kids in a country where 95% of them fail miserably to attain basic English. For me positive rewards are the way to go. You don't have to bribe them, just deliver to them the feeling of success and achievement.

Lizara

I think those are problems with the way a lot of teachers run games rather than inherent problems with games. You have to set up the game in such a way that everyone gets a chance to participate and can't hide, and you have to make sure that your game is making them communicate and use the skills they are learning. Otherwise it's worthless, as anything you do in your classroom that isn't ultimately geared towards helping your students be able to communicate in English is worthless. Done properly, games can be a great way to motivate students and get them to use what they're learning repeatedly without getting bored.

Radical Energy

Unfortunately, most school administrators don't agree with you as they like to micro manage their EFL Teachers. I seriously doubt that most of them see their teacher's as 'master' of anything. Unfortunately, all too often we are not treated as professionals, but rather as little more than house servants to be ordered around. Students pick up on this very easily; they know who they must respect and who they don't.

That's true, but how do you do that when these same students are taught that the subject they are learning is not important and its perfectly okay within the culture to be lazy (i.e. sleep in class, play around, not pay attention etc.). When students understand that the subject is important to them and why they must learn, only then do they learn to show respect, buckle down and actively take part in learning. All too often Thais (and Asians in general) are not proactive; they are reactive.[/quote]

Positive rewards can and should come in the form of verbal, nonverbal and written praise. This is (at least where I come from) the traditional style of teaching.