Oh no, look out. It's the real Thailand ESL teachers!

Oh no, look out. It's the real Thailand ESL teachers!

After having various newcomers to the Thai ESL scene email me and tell me about forums full of teacher burnouts / rude flammers, I've decided to clarify the situation for new teachers who aren't yet aware of this growing phenomenon here in Thailand.

We used to use the term above in jest amongst ourselves when referring to certain ESL teachers here in Thailand. Any Thailand teacher will be familiar with the real teachers here.

So who are the real Thailand teachers then?

In a nutshell these individuals can work anywhere in the ESL business in Thailand. And when you meet them they always like to moan and put down other teachers, claiming that they are not real teachers, they can't teach, they hurt the kids education and should be chucked out. They themselves are of course the real teachers and the utmost authority on teaching in Thailand.

What are the real teachers afraid of then?

Basically in their eyes any tefler who comes to Thailand and lands a teaching job.

Why would they be afraid of that?

There number 1 excuse and they chant it like a mantra is... these under qualified individuals are lowering wages for us real teachers here.

So who incures their wrath then?

Go to certain Thailand teaching forums and create a thread along the lines of... I've just passed my tefl certificate and I'm looking for a teaching job without a degree, where should I go! That should just be enough to get yourself flammed to death by them!

Are the real teachers real teachers themselves?

Funnily enough I worked with a few over the years and one claimed he had a degree, that turned out to be a fake which got him jailed, and the others didn't have anything more than nvq's and city & guilds certificates in unrelated fields!

So why are the real teachers making a lot of fuss over nothing, lets all get on right?

The Real teachers have low self esteem. They try to boost it by putting down others, and pretending to be something they're not. This gives their fragile egos a temporary lift and makes them in their own minds feal important amongst their mainly internet peers. However, with low self esteem / poor self image, this is only a temporary fix, because the ego comes crashing back down to zero within no time at all. They're literally left at square one again.

How can I avoid the real teachers?

If you detect one on your internal loony radar at school, do not engage them. Get rid of them avoid at all costs. Don't get involved in ESL teachers forums, these places are breeding grounds for these particular individuals.

If they are persistent just inform them quietly in the staff room, that you'll rip them a new one if they continue to annoy, sorted!