Yamsaard school
Yamsaard school
Just wondering whether someone can proof that all their teachers have university degree and TEFL certificate. Went to apply for job and have been told that the above are required to apply as teachers, while I know for a fact that some of their teachers dont even have univ degree..hem..curious...maybe because I am not farang looking???
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JimmyGreaves
- Legend
- Posts: 2913
- Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2005 5:06 am
- Location: HuaEireHin
Re: Yamsaard school
In answer to your post, and being as polite as possible, if you are considering being employed as a teacher of English please try elsewhere.nadina wrote:Just wondering whether someone can proof that all their teachers have university degree and TEFL certificate. Went to apply for job and have been told that the above are required to apply as teachers, while I know for a fact that some of their teachers dont even have univ degree..hem..curious...maybe because I am not farang looking???
The parents of 'kids' in Hua-Hin have enough on their plates at present.
I think you'll find that a degree is no longer an absolute pre-requisite anymore, all you need is a letter from the school to the MoL saying they need you. However, many places do still wish to see one, certainly the better places, but if you want me to be cynical, as I don't know the people that work at the place in question, then Koh San Rd "degrees" are always available and still work as checking them is very hard because of the data protection laws in the west.
The truth is that there are simply not enough properly qualified teachers here in Thailand and the salaries are only average unless you are working at an real international school or in Bangkok. There are only so many teachers with real degrees and a CELTA/DELTA or TEFL and if you are talking about teaching kids or kindergarden then they should have a CELTYL. Not so many have them. Many, but not all, of the properly qualified teachers that make it out to Asia often end up in Vietnam, China, Korea or Japan where the salaries and contitions are much better than here, often you get paid in US$ in these places too. When I did my CELTA in Bangkok I was the only person, out of 14 on the course, that was going to stay in Thailand afterwards and teach.
As said by Nanyang, parental power is strong in most places and they want to see "their" idea of a teacher to teach "Little Billy" as they are paying so much money. The educational establishment often take the view that "so long as it looks like an apple then it is an apple."
Unfortunately you are correct Nadina and I'm sorry to say that that which you have said is all too often true.
It doesn't make it right but it's only the Thais that can change it and the education system or ministry here is a leviathan that is generally unwilling to change.
The truth is that there are simply not enough properly qualified teachers here in Thailand and the salaries are only average unless you are working at an real international school or in Bangkok. There are only so many teachers with real degrees and a CELTA/DELTA or TEFL and if you are talking about teaching kids or kindergarden then they should have a CELTYL. Not so many have them. Many, but not all, of the properly qualified teachers that make it out to Asia often end up in Vietnam, China, Korea or Japan where the salaries and contitions are much better than here, often you get paid in US$ in these places too. When I did my CELTA in Bangkok I was the only person, out of 14 on the course, that was going to stay in Thailand afterwards and teach.
As said by Nanyang, parental power is strong in most places and they want to see "their" idea of a teacher to teach "Little Billy" as they are paying so much money. The educational establishment often take the view that "so long as it looks like an apple then it is an apple."
Unfortunately you are correct Nadina and I'm sorry to say that that which you have said is all too often true.
It doesn't make it right but it's only the Thais that can change it and the education system or ministry here is a leviathan that is generally unwilling to change.
Resolve dissolves in alcohol
My daughter is at Yamsaard in K1. Her teacher is born and bred in the US and is ethnically Korean. She looks Korean, but she is American. I think she may have been nervous when she started and she wrote a welcome letter introducing herself to the parents and none of them seem at all worried about her ethnicity. She seems very caring and easy to talk to. If I ever heard of parental pressure against her, I would certainly show the rest of the parents their stupidity.
The Kindergarten co-ordinator is Philipino, she too seems capable enough. Though I would hazzard a guess that the school would not want too many of their teachers to look un-caucasion, I don't think they have a strong pro-caucasion policy. I have noticed many other teachers there who are non-Thai Asains.
The Kindergarten co-ordinator is Philipino, she too seems capable enough. Though I would hazzard a guess that the school would not want too many of their teachers to look un-caucasion, I don't think they have a strong pro-caucasion policy. I have noticed many other teachers there who are non-Thai Asains.
Spitfire, unfortunately, what you state about the Thai 'system' is correct.
I have experience of both the schools in Hua-Hin - referred to here.
That is as far as I'm prepared to comment.
Regarding the exodus of teachers from Thailand I can concur.
Long hours, short holidays, endless meetings, constant managerial interference can only be endured for so long.
I returned to China in February where I enjoy a working week of 12.5 hours - teach and go home!.
Three months holiday each year.
A modern, 70sq. metre, furnished apartment with all utilities provided free of charge.
Together with a salary somewhat in excess of that which I received in Thailand.
I have what is called a Foreign Expert's Certificate (work permit) which allows me, and my family, to come and go as we please without having to report every 90 days or get a re-entry permit when we return from Thailand.
Yes, we miss living in our house in Cha-Am but I found teaching in Thailand to be one long hassle which I didn't need.
Nadina, more reasons for you to stay well away.
I have experience of both the schools in Hua-Hin - referred to here.
That is as far as I'm prepared to comment.
Regarding the exodus of teachers from Thailand I can concur.
Long hours, short holidays, endless meetings, constant managerial interference can only be endured for so long.
I returned to China in February where I enjoy a working week of 12.5 hours - teach and go home!.
Three months holiday each year.
A modern, 70sq. metre, furnished apartment with all utilities provided free of charge.
Together with a salary somewhat in excess of that which I received in Thailand.
I have what is called a Foreign Expert's Certificate (work permit) which allows me, and my family, to come and go as we please without having to report every 90 days or get a re-entry permit when we return from Thailand.
Yes, we miss living in our house in Cha-Am but I found teaching in Thailand to be one long hassle which I didn't need.
Nadina, more reasons for you to stay well away.
Nadina,
Whilst I am mildly sympathetic to your cause, I don't think teaching English anywhere should be a free for all. Whilst it is true that it is easier for inadequate white-skinned people to slip under the radar in Thailand, many of the German, Skandinavian and East European, candidates would not have made the same grammatical errors that you have made on your posts here.
For a parent, a good English teacher is a toss-up between those that have charisma, those that are organised and those that are dedicated. Alot of candidates have one of these, fewer have two but hardly any have all three. It should be taken for granted that the candidate speaks natural English to at least the level between Oxford's First Certificate and Proficiency. In your post, you make basic prepostional errors. However, I am confident that your natural social English is good - which is what most parents require.
Whilst I am mildly sympathetic to your cause, I don't think teaching English anywhere should be a free for all. Whilst it is true that it is easier for inadequate white-skinned people to slip under the radar in Thailand, many of the German, Skandinavian and East European, candidates would not have made the same grammatical errors that you have made on your posts here.
For a parent, a good English teacher is a toss-up between those that have charisma, those that are organised and those that are dedicated. Alot of candidates have one of these, fewer have two but hardly any have all three. It should be taken for granted that the candidate speaks natural English to at least the level between Oxford's First Certificate and Proficiency. In your post, you make basic prepostional errors. However, I am confident that your natural social English is good - which is what most parents require.
You may well be confident (sic) with someone who has a smattering of English to 'communicate' in English with your child - I'm not.bigideas wrote:Nadina,
However, I am confident that your natural social English is good - which is what most parents require.
I prefer a Thai to speak Thai to my children and not subject them to a barrage of mispronounced words in English.
Equally, I do not want someone who has been in Thailand for 'five minutes', and considers themself to be fluent in Thai, to speak Thai to my children either.
In an ideal world, we'd probably all like our children to be taught by someone with received pronunciation (ie. BBC English), however, the reality is that we are in a far less than ideal situation when it comes to English teaching here. Most good teachers move on quickly or else are very expensive. The point I was making was that most people here, have to make do with what is available.
We want to enrol our 2 year old shortly for next years Kintergarden. It'll be Yamsaard or Somtawin.
We want to select the school where he's more likely to be taught by native English speakers (no offence to others), there's some useful info on this and particularly the other recent thread, but there appears to be some bias posted too, just an impression like
Is there any accurate way of finding out ? Is attending the schools, as we're planning to do anyway, going to give us a reliable answer or do they tend to tell you what you want to hear ?
Anyone got any helpful advice please ? Differences in curiculum, whose pool is longer etc we'll work out ourselves.
Much appreciated,
SJ
We want to select the school where he's more likely to be taught by native English speakers (no offence to others), there's some useful info on this and particularly the other recent thread, but there appears to be some bias posted too, just an impression like
Is there any accurate way of finding out ? Is attending the schools, as we're planning to do anyway, going to give us a reliable answer or do they tend to tell you what you want to hear ?
Anyone got any helpful advice please ? Differences in curiculum, whose pool is longer etc we'll work out ourselves.
Much appreciated,
SJ
Not sure whether the OP has experienced racism, which is what is intimated, since there are Filipino teachers at the school. Perhaps there was simply no requirement for more teachers at this time? Or they didn't like 'the cut of your jib'. It happens. Employers aren't required to explain their reasons.
I would rather a teacher that has adequate English, the ability to teach and has a good rappour with the children, than someone with advanced English, is authoritarian, lazy, lacking in personality and can't engage the child.
One teacher at Yamsaard had parents agitated, not because of his English ability but because he was simply a poor teacher. My partner was very distressed after spending many hours drilling her daughter ready for a maths exam only to be given a poor grade. She wasn't alone. It turned out the teacher had not read the written questions to the children and unsurprisingly, given their age and reading level, they couldn't answer them. This was counter to school guidelines. Show the child the equation and it's a breeze. Type the question in English and expect them to comprehend and they were stumped.
SJ
My experience of Yamsaard was generally good. It's a new building, the pool is better than Somtawin (on Petkasem), the teachers and staff are very friendly and few signs of bullying. I liked the shows the children put together and huge praise goes to the staff who organize these events.
Security is good (swipe card). They strike a good balance between academic subjects, dance and sports. They have computers and a reasonable library.
I did feel that Yamsaard was lacking in other areas. There is little effort to teach children to read (that I could see) and the school was using parents as part-time teachers. I certainly felt like one! There is also IMHO too much testing. The American bias I didn't care for and some of the educational materials looked like they had been sponsored by McDonalds and the Meat and Dairy industries. But then you know I'm biased. They have a snack table to give the children their unhealthy sugar rush but the main meals were okay. I'd estimate annual cost to be 100,000. Toilets were clean and not a sign of any vandalism. (If only we could have this in the UK!).
We took our child out this term due to cost and stress. Although an engaging personality, she's not academic and was bed-wetting due to pressures being put on her by her mother to excel. Not easy for a child when you've only been exposed to English for just over a year.
I decided that there was too much tension in the home, the mother was in danger of throttling the child and I didn't come to Thailand to be an unpaid homework teacher. The dip in the pound was the clincher.
Now she's at Somtawin on the Thai-only program and there is harmony in the home. This gives me time to teach her to actually 'THINK' which due to the burden yamsaard place on the children, they don't have time to do. There is also a high turnover of teachers. My g/f says that there is a little too much use of the whiteboard. Children copy and don't actually learn. When it comes to exam time she had to put in a lot of extra work to prepare her. Then there is the problem of the child's Thai falling behind due to the focus on English. A balance has to be struck.
When I was in business in Hong Kong I found the Chinese English level to be higher than the Thais but they also had their problems. They are excellent at copying but unable to show vision or initiative. Their thinking tends to be very black and white and no grey. For all their English ability they needed constant supervision.
Once I feel her reading and writing have improved I may throw her back into a full English program at Yamsaard.
I still like Yamsaard despite it's faults but I do question the wisdom of simply ramming information into a child's mind.
She clearly has more than a 'smattering' of English. As long as she meets the standard appropriate for the age and ability of the child, I don't see the problem.nanyang wrote:You may well be confident (sic) with someone who has a smattering of English to 'communicate' in English with your child - I'm not.bigideas wrote:Nadina,
However, I am confident that your natural social English is good - which is what most parents require.
I would rather a teacher that has adequate English, the ability to teach and has a good rappour with the children, than someone with advanced English, is authoritarian, lazy, lacking in personality and can't engage the child.
One teacher at Yamsaard had parents agitated, not because of his English ability but because he was simply a poor teacher. My partner was very distressed after spending many hours drilling her daughter ready for a maths exam only to be given a poor grade. She wasn't alone. It turned out the teacher had not read the written questions to the children and unsurprisingly, given their age and reading level, they couldn't answer them. This was counter to school guidelines. Show the child the equation and it's a breeze. Type the question in English and expect them to comprehend and they were stumped.
SJ
My experience of Yamsaard was generally good. It's a new building, the pool is better than Somtawin (on Petkasem), the teachers and staff are very friendly and few signs of bullying. I liked the shows the children put together and huge praise goes to the staff who organize these events.
Security is good (swipe card). They strike a good balance between academic subjects, dance and sports. They have computers and a reasonable library. I did feel that Yamsaard was lacking in other areas. There is little effort to teach children to read (that I could see) and the school was using parents as part-time teachers. I certainly felt like one! There is also IMHO too much testing. The American bias I didn't care for and some of the educational materials looked like they had been sponsored by McDonalds and the Meat and Dairy industries. But then you know I'm biased. They have a snack table to give the children their unhealthy sugar rush but the main meals were okay. I'd estimate annual cost to be 100,000. Toilets were clean and not a sign of any vandalism. (If only we could have this in the UK!).
We took our child out this term due to cost and stress. Although an engaging personality, she's not academic and was bed-wetting due to pressures being put on her by her mother to excel. Not easy for a child when you've only been exposed to English for just over a year.
I decided that there was too much tension in the home, the mother was in danger of throttling the child and I didn't come to Thailand to be an unpaid homework teacher. The dip in the pound was the clincher.
Now she's at Somtawin on the Thai-only program and there is harmony in the home. This gives me time to teach her to actually 'THINK' which due to the burden yamsaard place on the children, they don't have time to do. There is also a high turnover of teachers. My g/f says that there is a little too much use of the whiteboard. Children copy and don't actually learn. When it comes to exam time she had to put in a lot of extra work to prepare her. Then there is the problem of the child's Thai falling behind due to the focus on English. A balance has to be struck.
When I was in business in Hong Kong I found the Chinese English level to be higher than the Thais but they also had their problems. They are excellent at copying but unable to show vision or initiative. Their thinking tends to be very black and white and no grey. For all their English ability they needed constant supervision.
Once I feel her reading and writing have improved I may throw her back into a full English program at Yamsaard.
I still like Yamsaard despite it's faults but I do question the wisdom of simply ramming information into a child's mind.
"Let no one who has the slightest desire to live in peace and quietness be tempted, under any circumstances, to enter upon the chivalrous task of trying to correct a popular error."---William Thoms