After graduating, I would love to come back to Thailand and teach English in an elementary school. I feel I have a basic grasp of the English language and love children, but my handwriting is awful. It is definitely legible it just doesn't look very nice. I am wondering if this would be a problem for teaching in a Thai classroom. How much do TEFL courses/Thai schools that hire English teachers emphasize handwriting skills versus reading/listening/speaking? Thank you so much!
from that post you have much more than a basic grasp of English, but... if you yourself feel you have just a basic grasp of English then you really shouldn't be teaching it.
Regarding handwriting, it doesn't make much difference either way. My handwriting is not the best, but apart from a few notes on the board, and end of term report cards, there is not much for me to worry about.
I'm not sure why you have singled out handwriting as a skills, against reading, listening and speaking. Writing skills are very important, but only a very small part of writing skills has anything to do with the aesthetics of the written word.
I know this is most likely yet another of our recent socks, but never mind. Don't let the bastards grind you down, and all that
---Update---
you're welcome so much
^Yeah it was the "basic English" choice of words that put me off taking this 100% seriously as well. How anyone can write like that and think it's basic is bizarre, and your point about their apparent lack of insight into language ability really does hit the mark as far as their being a teacher is concerned.
To be fair, it may just have been an unfortunate choice of words by a genuine non-native speaker who is trying to express their humble nature or some other strange thought process human beings are capable of. If this is not just another wind-up, it'll be interesting what the OP will have to say now, if they ever bother to come back that is.
One of the great things about teaching the early primary years and towards adolescence: how easy it is to lie and tell them they have to be able write neatly so that others can actually read their writing
But you do gotta be able to understand the rules before you can truly break 'em.
Last edited by Fleabag; 7th October 2012 at 23:37.
I meant basic more in the sense that I don't know all the ins and outs of grammar.from that post you have much more than a basic grasp of English, but... if you yourself feel you have just a basic grasp of English then you really shouldn't be teaching it.
The reason I singled out handwriting was because I mainly want to teach young children. I do realize that writing skills involve a lot more than the appearance, but I don't think 4-6 year olds would quite get sentence structure, syntax etc. so I was more so worried about them picking up back handwriting habits from my example.I'm not sure why you have singled out handwriting as a skills, against reading, listening and speaking. Writing skills are very important, but only a very small part of writing skills has anything to do with the aesthetics of the written word.
Yes I am back, despite my "apparent lack of insight into language ability." I don't claim to know all the answers, just looking into the futureOriginally Posted by Fleabag
Try practicing; and take your time. Is it that hard to write a letter properly for you?
Well Vyk, just bear in mind I was sure to say "apparent lack" and added "To be fair, it may just have been an unfortunate choice of words by a genuine non-native speaker who is trying to express their humble nature or some other strange thought process human beings are capable of."
As it turned out, I was right: "I meant basic more in the sense that I don't know all the ins and outs of grammar."
Apologies if my choice of words came across as rather unforgiving, but as you_me_no_savvy_talk previously mentioned, we've had a lot of socks (fake accounts) posting here so if something seems odd about a post we're easily suspicious.
Perhaps it would be better to be more clear if you feel you don't know all the ins and outs, because on an English teaching forum "basic English" really does mean basic, not advanced yet decently humble
I am actually American and have been speaking English all my life, but thank you for explaining that basic would be interpreted differently here. I didn't know about the fake accounts, I honestly just wanted to find out as soon as possible if I needed to start rethinking my future plans. But thanks again for clarifying!
I have just been told all my life I have messy handwriting and don't write the letters properly (for example I start Bs from the bottom not the top). Again, it is definitely legible, I just don't know if certain schools/TEFL courses would have a problem with me not teaching the general rules of handwriting (or at least not placing a heavy emphasis on it).
I have horrendous handwriting so I would only print words on the whiteboard, but this was only if I really had to. Leave it to the Thai teachers to deal with the writing and just focus on the speaking.
---Update---
There are strict rules for writing the letters in Thai, but when they teach writing in English, they write the letters really strangely. You would probably go crazy if you tried to focus on that.
In that case I think you had a perfectly valid question. I can understand why you would want to ask it. So you're a native speaker? Even more reason not to say you have "basic English" to EFL teachers or we'll think you're from some east European, former Soviet state where their version of the name Victoria is spelt all funny...
Then that'll probably set you up to be an even better teacher, but that's another subject entirely.I have just been told all my life I have messy handwriting and don't write the letters properly (for example I start Bs from the bottom not the top).
This is what is important, and as mentioned before, mostly just for school reports and whiteboard work.Again, it is definitely legible,
Not sure what you mean by rules of handwriting. I've found different handwriting worksheets go about it in different ways. It needs to flow and make sense intuitively, ie. 1: draw the stick from top to bottom, 2: now draw the loop, etc. So I reckon if you are already aware of certain aspects of your own formation of letters are an issue you just have to do it differently for the kids if you are modelling how to write, but most times they'll be following from books or worksheets anyway.I just don't know if certain schools/TEFL courses would have a problem with me not teaching the general rules of handwriting (or at least not placing a heavy emphasis on it).
Not sure how useful any of that is, and other teachers here might have different views, but one thing is for sure: a teacher may not write for the kids (and indeed their parents) like they would write outside of school. Personally, I tend to write scribbly, doctor-prescription-scrawl when let off the lead (my own cursive style), but in school my writing is not joined up and is purposefully and mindfully clear, most definately on the whiteboard.
Teaching handwriting is something I am expected - and want - to do because I'm currently teaching P1s and P3s, two crucial grades for handwriting, as far as I'm concerned.
Excellent advice nat.
right on the money, imo.
I was amazed at how well my Thai elementary students wrote.
So...I do think the Thai teachers are already doing a good job of teaching that.
---Update---
I agree.
NBD.
Nothing to focus on.
---Update---
I used to plan the students notebooks in advance, usually about 130 pages.
I'd spend the first few days have them do the title page for each section.
I was absolutely amazed at how well illustrated some of those pages were.
I wish I had brought a few student books back to Canada just for memory sake.
...anyway OP....
I would advise that you drop all concern with regards to actual handwriting.
I can't hand write worth a damn.
My writing is fairly legible at best to most folks (sometimes myself, believe it or not).
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Smart humility. She's obviously read this forum quite a bit. What would have been the response from the forum dogs if she said the opposite?
Try to develop your handwriting and drawing skills. Besides auditory learners there are visual and kinesthetic learners.
Thank you all so much, all of your comments have been very helpful!
neither of which have anything to do with handwriting though
Except when you have to read it.
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