I'm looking forward to the next semester, it will be my second, the first semester was fun - lots of highs and a few lows.
Well I was looking forward to it, but yesterday the Head of our department told us we will all be getting fresh graduates as teaching assistants.
To be honest I would rather continue to work alone as I have managed to do pretty well with my 1000 M3 and M4 students thus far.
I have misgivings about another 'teacher' in my lessons, ok it may be a positive and certainly will help with the control issues and probably with the
difficult communication problems we all face from time to time.
But I am concerned it will be more of a hindrance than a help.
I will probably have to go through the lesson plans several times, there will be a language barrier no matter how good their English happens to be.
And I'm expecting the assistant to be some kind of distraction , not that I need one with the M3 attention span being fairly short.
So does anyone have experience of teaching solo one semester and then having a new assistant, whether we like it or not?
Thanks in advance.
Ive had em in a class or two, they usually just sit in the back and observe/help the students understand (they should be able to understand your lesson assuming its not complicated).
She'll probably be a hot, fresh out of uni girl...so there's that...
Get her to make worksheets that fit your lessons for you. Young Thais are good with cumputers and multimedia and stuff. Also, have her correct the students homework. I have other ideas/fantasies of what you could do with her bit I'll spare you.
*my misspelling of computer was a typo...but I quite like it so I'm leaving it in...
Ask the HOD for the teaching assistant's job description. Start from there.Originally Posted by Phil Hall
Personally I wouldn't do that.
What you have to do is remember that you are the teacher and she the assistant.
I've found assistants to be of mixed benefit. I've berated more than a few after I sent someone out into the hall only to have the assistant go out and coddle them
You will only know after you get started how best to employ the assistant.
Ensure you are the authority in the classroom. A classroom can't have two authorities.
Oh, and keep an eye out on how she relates to the admin. Ensure she acts professionally. She or He should never be discussing things that happen in the classroom to other staff members before speaking to you first.
Just like the student, the assistant will have to be given firm boundaries....(right from day)
Could be a blessing, could be a curse.
Good luck.
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OK, Cartman.
Imodium can't stop me.
Thanks for the advice guys - hoping for a hottie who doesn't interfere...probably get the opposite ( an aggressive opinionated ladyboy lol )
Same here. I've tried involving a couple in the class activities, but no use. They're handy for helping to hand stuff out though.
---Update---
Never! That's like a chef getting the dishwasher to make the sauce!
Last edited by keekwai; 7th October 2012 at 07:44.
I'm still working on why, in general, Thai teachers don't respect foreign teachers.
Foreign teachers will often quote salary, I think it goes deeper than that.
Is there any other kind!an aggressive opinionated ladyboy
More than likely.
There are numerous factors as to why a Thai teacher would resent a farang teacher.I think it goes deeper than that...
Why are you having trouble coming up with any reasons?
I can think of several in an instant and if I really tried, could come up with a handful more.
Your post actually shows that you are insensitive to them and their situation so I'm not surprised that you are resented.
Maybe Thai teachers don't like Mr. Mister for the same reason nobody else does: he's humorless.
Remember, you are the teacher and she is the assistant. She does what you want her, and tell her to do.
I've observed too many people complaining about poor teaching assistants doing stuff they didn't want them to do, and not doing stuff they did want them to do.
I'd ask, so did you sit down with them before hand and tell them exactly what you expect of them? No.
Do you think they can read your mind? No.
Okay then, spend 10 minutes thinking of what you want and expect from them and make 5 or so good, strong points. Then sit down with them for 5 minutes and tell them them.
ie.
(It's important for the students to see you as the teacher.) so.... The assistant carries your material into and out of the class and wais you in front of the students before each lesson.
The assistant is to clean the board, if the students don't do it as punishment/reward (depending on their age) as part of your lesson.
The Assistant is not to answer any of the teacher's questions under any circumstances, or prompt any of the students in Thai.
She is to be available to the students if they need her, but not intrusive (ie, sitting along the side or rear of the classroom and not walking around between the Ss.)
She's not to play with her phone.
etc. etc.
She's yours to command. You tell what she's to do and she does it. Simple as that.
Guy Manpoof sux nuts for $$.
Tomcat trained. Satisfaction guaranteed.
I'd scrap the book carrying and daily waiing. Afford her a little dignity. I'd go with the rest of it though.
You want respect and to be seen as a teacher, or to be seen as weak and someone who doesn't deserve repect?
She's been waiing teachers (as she rightly should in Thailand) for two decades, why should she suddenly stop?
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