Students,
I would never endorse the action known as ‘selling out.’ If I wanted to do a job just for the money I can think of some much nobler pursuits to put my body and mind to work on than teaching. But lately the lure of more money has joined the lure of moving on, traveling somewhere new, and/or living in a more metropolitan locale as debating points of Id / Ego / Superego. Of course in most ways and for most of the time I am perfectly happy and settled where I am. I intend to change my job for next semester as the university has proven rather demanding of my time and reserves of patience, especially after what I would conservatively call a ‘challenging’ trip to Loei the other week (even though I did get to do some theatre directing amid my duller duties.) I could remain here in Lopburi and build on what I’ve got. Or I could take a chance and explore somewhere new. These are the types of questions that vex Teacher daily when without more intimate ways to pass the time, and in a bid to avoid the heat stroke. Life is tough y’all...
ANYWAY I applied for several jobs last week before ruling out most of them as impractical. But one job based in Bangkok made me begin to wonder. The salary was good, it sounded central so the sky train could be a travel possibility, it was a language school so I could teach the same students regularly, and the weekday hours began from mid-afternoon so the famed Bangkok nightlife could be appreciated (only on occasion of course.) And living in the city might be a break from the limitations found living in the (almost) countryside. Could this all be too good to be true? The short answer is yes. Before knowing this however I accepted the invitation to visit for interview…
At this point I must tell you that though in this blog I occasionally seem… narked (English: as irritating as celibacy) in polite company I am usually a joy and a delight. Never do I moan or complain; always I choose perfect politeness, diction, and chivalry to camouflage any fleeting annoyances. Well. Almost always. But the two things that threaten to send this picture of calm into meltdown are impoliteness and others being disrespectful. It is not because I consider myself better or more worthy of respect than others, but I seriously think it is a basic human right of all to enjoy being spoken to with thought and a following of proper social codes. When this (infrequently) does not happen for me (particularly when I am obeying the rules myself) is when I have to make sure that person is ‘told.’
I’m sad to say that this whole problem arose with the interviewer I had the displeasure of meeting in Bangkok – sorry Bangna – an area of the city that could at best be described as an industrial park miles from anywhere and at worst as a littered concrete jungle. That I had been required to wake up and travel at some ungodly time (with a hangover) possibly played into my perception of events, but really there was no excuse for the rudeness I encountered during questioning for a job I quickly discovered I had no interest in. Students you might see the following e-mail that I sent post-interview as a little ‘sharp’ and believe me that is the intention. Take this either as a warning or as a call to arms on the war against w*nkers who think they know better. They never do.
Comments? Questions? Class you may be excused.
Homework: Pick up your poison pen and get scribbling.
x Teacher
Garry,
Following my interview today I would like to withdraw from your consideration for a teaching post with English For All. I got the impression that I am not the type of teacher you are looking for anyway, but I must say I found your approach both presumptuous and rude. I would expect the type of pointed closed questioning you used in an interview for a job in recruitment or some other high-powered role, but for what I could see as a modest language school I just found it totally unnecessary.
Maybe being in the 'land of smiles' has made me forget that employers can be so unreasonable. I don't mean to be insulting but you no doubt saw how I very quickly lost all interest in putting myself across favourably or asking any questions. Believe me, I am a committed teacher - I consider teaching as my career and am keen to develop my skills. But I was a bit affronted when you insinuated that I had little experience - I would not call training in two English comprehensives, being the first foreigner to teach staff and students in a rural Thai middle school, or lecturing to EFL students in majors covering reading and writing structures, communicative English, and psychology as little experience. That is not to mention my commitment to evening classes in the local language school, leading workshops for tourist police, and managing extra-curricular drama classes.
I very much enjoy teaching work and am comfortable in what I do. I like to work hard and am rigorous in my planning and preparation. Unfortunately it seemed to me you were more concerned about picking holes in my experience than asking me questions about my teaching philosophy or classroom manner. I had a file of resources, lesson plans, and student work I would have been happy to show you if you had. I hope that you find the right candidate for the role, but I would seriously suggest you reconsider your managerial style.
P.
I would never endorse the action known as ‘selling out.’ If I wanted to do a job just for the money I can think of some much nobler pursuits to put my body and mind to work on than teaching. But lately the lure of more money has joined the lure of moving on, traveling somewhere new, and/or living in a more metropolitan locale as debating points of Id / Ego / Superego. Of course in most ways and for most of the time I am perfectly happy and settled where I am. I intend to change my job for next semester as the university has proven rather demanding of my time and reserves of patience, especially after what I would conservatively call a ‘challenging’ trip to Loei the other week (even though I did get to do some theatre directing amid my duller duties.) I could remain here in Lopburi and build on what I’ve got. Or I could take a chance and explore somewhere new. These are the types of questions that vex Teacher daily when without more intimate ways to pass the time, and in a bid to avoid the heat stroke. Life is tough y’all...
ANYWAY I applied for several jobs last week before ruling out most of them as impractical. But one job based in Bangkok made me begin to wonder. The salary was good, it sounded central so the sky train could be a travel possibility, it was a language school so I could teach the same students regularly, and the weekday hours began from mid-afternoon so the famed Bangkok nightlife could be appreciated (only on occasion of course.) And living in the city might be a break from the limitations found living in the (almost) countryside. Could this all be too good to be true? The short answer is yes. Before knowing this however I accepted the invitation to visit for interview…
At this point I must tell you that though in this blog I occasionally seem… narked (English: as irritating as celibacy) in polite company I am usually a joy and a delight. Never do I moan or complain; always I choose perfect politeness, diction, and chivalry to camouflage any fleeting annoyances. Well. Almost always. But the two things that threaten to send this picture of calm into meltdown are impoliteness and others being disrespectful. It is not because I consider myself better or more worthy of respect than others, but I seriously think it is a basic human right of all to enjoy being spoken to with thought and a following of proper social codes. When this (infrequently) does not happen for me (particularly when I am obeying the rules myself) is when I have to make sure that person is ‘told.’
I’m sad to say that this whole problem arose with the interviewer I had the displeasure of meeting in Bangkok – sorry Bangna – an area of the city that could at best be described as an industrial park miles from anywhere and at worst as a littered concrete jungle. That I had been required to wake up and travel at some ungodly time (with a hangover) possibly played into my perception of events, but really there was no excuse for the rudeness I encountered during questioning for a job I quickly discovered I had no interest in. Students you might see the following e-mail that I sent post-interview as a little ‘sharp’ and believe me that is the intention. Take this either as a warning or as a call to arms on the war against w*nkers who think they know better. They never do.
Comments? Questions? Class you may be excused.
Homework: Pick up your poison pen and get scribbling.
x Teacher
Garry,
Following my interview today I would like to withdraw from your consideration for a teaching post with English For All. I got the impression that I am not the type of teacher you are looking for anyway, but I must say I found your approach both presumptuous and rude. I would expect the type of pointed closed questioning you used in an interview for a job in recruitment or some other high-powered role, but for what I could see as a modest language school I just found it totally unnecessary.
Maybe being in the 'land of smiles' has made me forget that employers can be so unreasonable. I don't mean to be insulting but you no doubt saw how I very quickly lost all interest in putting myself across favourably or asking any questions. Believe me, I am a committed teacher - I consider teaching as my career and am keen to develop my skills. But I was a bit affronted when you insinuated that I had little experience - I would not call training in two English comprehensives, being the first foreigner to teach staff and students in a rural Thai middle school, or lecturing to EFL students in majors covering reading and writing structures, communicative English, and psychology as little experience. That is not to mention my commitment to evening classes in the local language school, leading workshops for tourist police, and managing extra-curricular drama classes.
I very much enjoy teaching work and am comfortable in what I do. I like to work hard and am rigorous in my planning and preparation. Unfortunately it seemed to me you were more concerned about picking holes in my experience than asking me questions about my teaching philosophy or classroom manner. I had a file of resources, lesson plans, and student work I would have been happy to show you if you had. I hope that you find the right candidate for the role, but I would seriously suggest you reconsider your managerial style.
P.
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