Thread: Time to Fight Back -- Compiling Evidence that the TCT tests are a sham to exploit us

Ok, before you say "No shit, Sherlock" or merge this thread with the previous ones, I'd like to try make this clear: This is not to bash the TCT tests based on your whim, but rather, to compile evidence that the tests aren't designed to do what they were purported to do.

Also, as much as I'd like to debate on the topic and bash the TCT myself, I'd rather have more calm responses here.

Also, even though I value everyone's input, I would rather that ONLY PEOPLE WHO HAVE ACTUALLY TAKEN THE TESTS POST HERE. If you haven't taken the tests, and are just going about without actual evidence or experience, then don't post and claim it's so.

The information gathered in this thread will be used with my own case against the TCT. I know I can't get y'all to sign a petition and march out in the streets so; be safe in your homes and I'll see if I can get somebody somewhere up in the chain to blow the whistle on all this. All I need is input from people who have actually taken the tests.

OK, so to start, here's the dirt that I picked up, while taking Section 1: "Language and Technology":


1.) The first part, "Language" was written by a Thai - in "Thai" English, complete with horrible grammar and running sentences. For a test that claims to validate the professionalism of teachers, this is just not professional at all.

2.) The first part, "Language" is mostly reading and comprehension questions. NO QUESTIONS about grammar rules, tenses, parts of speech, topic sentences or those otherwise "advanced" English subjects that we teach our M2 students. To put it simply, an M1 student can finish the first part and easily pass. ON THE OTHER HAND, the version for Thai teachers includes all the grammar rules, tenses, parts of speech and other "advanced English lessons" that would make any Khaosan Road junkie tremble in his slippers.

3.) The second part, "Technology" had a question that goes: "What feature is NOT in WIDOWS 97?" for those of you who would care to Google it, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS WINDOWS 97. Microsoft's website confirms this. "Windows 97" is a modified version of Windows 95 with all the bug fixes and an edited Start Menu background that says "Windows 97". But it's simply Windows 95.

4.) In the first part, there was one question that didn't have any correct answer (not a,b,c,d nor e) because of a typo and in the second part there were TWO test questions that had repeated choices, the second question had the correct answer repeated in 2 choices (umm... which one shall we... ).

5.) Looking again at the previous point, it is important to note that this was NOT a typo, as there are several other questions based on "Windows 97". Even if Windows 97 did exist, why are there so many questions devoted to an obsolete OS that nobody really uses? You might argue that ONE question is alright for purposes of teaching computer history... but again -- Windows 97 is NOT an official release! It's a modified version of '95 (by Chinese or Thais)!

6.) The third part, "Educational Innovation and Information Technology" had NOTHING to do with educational innovation or practices IN THE CLASSROOM. Rather, the questions seem to be pulled from some Business and Network Administration books off a dusty shelf. The questions were geared more towards businessmen and network admin staff. The questions range from "What would you need to establish an IT infrastructure in your school?" to "What does the Thai ICT edict#56734525235 decree?" Let's take a pause here. We're here to TEACH, and not MANAGE. Even if we were to teach network administration and professional ethics in setting up a state-of-the-art IT infrastructure, complete with backhanded pork barreling of funds, that is beyond the scope of your typical Prathom or Mathayom student.

7.) The third part had a question about "choosing THE order of interests in purchasing a (PC) computer system:"
a.) BUDGET, WARRANTY, BRAND NAME, CAPABILITY
b.) BRAND NAME, CAPABILITY, WARRANTY, BUDGET
c.) WARRANTY, CAPABILITY, BUDGET, BRAND NAME
d.) CAPABILITY, BUDGET, BRAND NAME, WARRANTY

Folks, there is NO FUCKING RULE on what system you MUST purchase. Not everyone wants their eggs sunny side up. Or is this another misinterpreted facet of Thai culture? YOU MUST OBEY? If so, then the question should have been stated more clearly as: What is the order of interest when purchasing equipment for a group of greedy Thai school administrators? In that case the answer is simple: A.

8.) Not directly related to the tests was the "Testing Area" in Bangkok. It was your typical mathayom classroom: no aircon, small, dirty walls. Dirty, used seats just big enough for someone who is 5'6" (for those of you who are 6'-7' you're totally screwed... these guys think of EVERYTHING). ONE western toilet. ONE. For men and women - ONE.

Also... oh and I LOVE this one: When we all got into our seats, they distributed a third of the test booklets and told us: "Sorry, we didn't make enough test booklets". Fact #1: The list of test takers was released 2-3 weeks BEFORE the test. Fact #2: There were less than 40 people taking the tests. Fact #3: The whole thing stank of incompetence, not professionalism. Guess who lost face?

9.) In the 3 other sections (somebody clarify this) there have been questions regarding the Thai Government Acts (see #6) and other obscure laws. Why is this relevant to our teaching again? And how would we even know it was going to be in the tests?

10.) The nature of the answer sheets was just... "under budget". Here we are, paying from 1,000 to 4,000 baht to take these tests and they give us substandard facilities and worse -- a substandard system of checking the papers. The answer sheet was a photocopied piece of A4 paper with big blocks in a grid of numbered rows and columns marked "ABCDE". Everyone who's seen a Thai teacher check students' work knows how these are going to be checked -- a piece of matching A4 paper with cut-out holes go over the top of the test sheet, and if the person checking the paper sees an "X" appear through those holes, it's a correct answer. Oh but first they scan the sheet and immediately mark wrong the items with double answers, INCLUDING THAT PART WHICH REALLY DID HAVE DOUBLE ANSWERS (see #4). Professionalism, anyone?

11.) If you've checked the TCT website for the address of the test centres, you won't get a complete address. How professional is that? Instead they'll assume a farang like you can MAKE the taxi driver go to the right location, because afterall, how could the taxi possibly want to screw a farang who doesn't know the exact address, street number and all, of a place he's never been before?

And because of this, guess what happened? Yes! It did!


Alright, I'm done with my points. Time to add yours. I'm pretty sure more will come back to me later. I think I've left some out.

I feel for you man, what can I say?

theanimaster. A little learning is a dangerous thing in Thai hands as you have just discovered.

^Have you taken the test then?

So it turns out that trying to teach English in Thailand is a bit of a joke......who'd a thunk it?!

It sounds like the poorly prepared and checked tests I used to have to have to proctor. Exactly the same, right down to the marking template. They were sent down from on high by the Thai management and were pronounced to be 100% perfect and OK to go.

Reading this aint good for my health. I'm off to MBK to buy a new phone before my BP rises too high.

I find shopping in Bangers rather soothing compared to dealing with 36 listless M3 students.

Originally Posted by theanimaster

Also, even though I value everyone's input, I would rather that ONLY PEOPLE WHO HAVE ACTUALLY TAKEN THE TESTS POST HERE. If you haven't taken the tests, and are just going about without actual evidence or experience, then don't post and claim it's so.

Why would I have to take the test to know that it's a joke?

All I need to know is that they don't grant exceptions for people who can prove they've been here for a while. They could simply give the test to a foreigner who feels confident he can pass the test--perhaps they could even charge a small fee for doing so. Only those who fail such a test should be required to take the course. Instead, they force all foreigners to pay up regardless of circumstance.

I would also be very interested in how the ethics portion of the course is conducted. A Thai teacher has as much right to be testing for ethical behavior as does a Lehman Brothers CFO testing for fiscal responsibility. Perhaps the Thais can cook books as well???

Originally Posted by SageAndOnion

^Have you taken the test then?

YUP! Just section 1 (Language and Technology). And after this, it's the ONLY one I'll be taking. If these tests were truly to gauge our professionalism, then I'd go for the rest (the other 3 sections) but they are clearly not, and are just a ruse to get us to cough up 1,000 for each section (and if we fail any section, another 1,000 thereafter until we pass). So I'm not going to bow down and fork over the other 3,000.

I'm going to wait until The Ministry of Labour starts asking for proof of taking these tests -- and with at least one section done, I have that proof.

I met kempos at the test centre. Funny guy. He was actually the one who pointed out that there was indeed no OFFICIAL Windoze 97 (I admit it, I've seen the Thai version before and thought there was). We were all having a nice conversation about the ridiculously stupid questions like: oh.. here it is:

12.) One question was about deleting a mistake, and of all the given answers, none of the given choices included "UNDO" (which is what every competent computer user looks for when they make a mistake) but of all of them, one was written something like: "Delete after put the filing in the colour". We were all pondering on what cryptic speak that was when someone in our group exclaimed: "Maybe they meant HIGHLIGHT??" That was it. THAT was it. I cannot begin to explain how insulting this question was.

Originally Posted by theanimaster

a piece of matching A4 paper with cut-out holes go over the top of the test sheet, and if the person checking the paper sees an "X" appear through those holes, it's a correct answer

Just do what the Thai kids do and mark every box with an X

Originally Posted by latm

Crew, I think that you have confused the tests the OP is talking about about something that may, but usually isn't, required for the Thai Language and Culture course.

Whoops. My mistake. I'll get me coat.

This is a copy of a post I put on the "New TCT Regulations" thread, before I saw this one. Thought it was more relevant to this thread. I did NOT take the test, but 4 friends of mine did, so I got all the dirt, first hand, from them.
__________________________________________________ ___________________________________________
I think alot of us are giving The MOE more credit than they are due, as far as the "scam to bleed us of money" angle goes.

Don't get me wrong, I'm NOT defending them. From what I heard from a few of my friends who just took the 4 part exam a few days ago, it's a frickin joke! I just doubt that there are any MOE or TCT people conspiring into the night to suck 4,000 Baht out of us. (Yes, I know there are other expenses outside of the 4 part exam.)

In my experience, people at The MOE are overwhelmed with too much work. This is what I think (probably) happened with the 4 part exams:

1) Immigration got pressure from PM office to stop allowing child molesters to teach
2) Immigration doesn't care whether or not they "throw out the baby with the bathwater", so they ORDER the
MOE (i.e. TCT) to come up with SOME sort of professional certification process in the (mistaken)
understanding that this will eliminate all child molesters, because everyone knows that qualified teachers
would NEVER molest a child![IMG]file:///C:/Users/user/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image001.gif[/IMG]
3) The MOE screams a collective "Holy Shit!!" because they know they are nowhere NEAR to being ready to
do this whole thing right. They hire someone's 25 year old niece, who went to UCLA for two semesters (i.e.
She's fluent in English[IMG]file:///C:/Users/user/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image002.gif[/IMG]) to translate the test from Thai into English, for 150 Baht a page. (Ohhhh...pang!)
She does a "fantastic" job of translating!
4) The MOE/TCT asks the 100 or so Educational Service Area offices, at the Provincial level, to "send in 20
test questions each for the farang teacher licensing test." These are the people you have to thank for such
gems (on the 4 part exam) as "Which number is the most beautiful? 20, 22, 23, 24 or 33?" First, it's
culturally biased. ANY Thai would know the correct answer to this question, because it's based on Thai
numerology. Not many farangs know though. Second...who gives a crap? It has NOTHING to do with
teaching! (By the way, the correct answer is 33!)
5) The MOE/TCT actually administers this test, oblivious to the fact that even people with a Masters in Ed.
could not pass it, because many questions don't make ANY sense due to poor translation, many questions
would ONLY be known to a Thai person and many questions have NOTHING to do with teaching.

I think the whole new process is just another example of Thai administrative organization and efficiency at work. (i.e., as my Grampa used to say "It's a goat fuck!") However, I'd be VERY surprised if it's all a grand scheme to fleece us out of our money. I just don't think they're organized or industrious enough to pull something like that off.
__________________________________________________ ___________________________________________
Here are a few of the irrelevant questions that were on the 4 part test:
- Which Thai King revolutionized the Thai educational system? (Should be in The Culture Course instead!)
- Which number is the most beautiful? (Translated verbatim from Thai, irrelevant to teaching and unknown to a foreigner.)
- If a Thai parent gives incorrect personal information, about their child, to their child's school, how much can that parent be

fined? (Huh?)


and on and on and on......................TIT. Every time I actually start to think logically about education here, I have to give myself a big smack in the back of the head and say "Jai yen yen, ya kit mak!" Somebody get me a beer, PLEASE!