Thailand General Facts for English Teachers
The ESL teachers in Thailand should know about the basic dos and don’ts in Thai schools. A basic orientation is provided at the school after you join as a foreign teacher.
Knowing some general facts about Thailand is important before you join as a teacher. Otherwise you should surely end up committing some cultural blunders. Thai people are pretty polite and so you are also expected to be quite civilized once you land in Thailand. Teachers are highly respected in Thai community. This is why the foreign teachers are expected to behave properly both at school and outside school. This does not mean that you have to compromise with your freedom or private life. This will only help you to get cordial with the Thai people. You might have to face certain contradictions from Thai teachers. Being a foreign teacher, you have to keep in mind that you will be noticed round the clock by the local teachers.
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Never touch the heads of the students and do not ever hurt them on their heads. Heads are regarded as sacred.
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Never use your foot for some tasks as they are considered to be unclean.
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Thai people are pretty serious about their monarchy and religion. So, please do not pass any criticism against these institutions. Portraits and images are expected to be treated with respect.
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Interestingly although you are asked to act seriously while teaching in school, you should also learn the word “sanook” meaning “to have fun”. Thai people love fun loving people.
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Suggestions are not well accepted in Thailand. They are considered to be criticisms even if you offer constructive suggestions.
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Try to learn up Thai language quickly to interact with the local people. Thai people are pretty helpful once you express your interest for their culture and language. But do not ever use Thai while teaching English to your students.
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Always offer and receive objects with your right hand even though you are left handed.
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Try to avoid hold hands of your beloved or kiss her in public. Signs of affection are not very well accepted in Thailand.
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You are expected to dip your head whenever you pass some one superior to you. This gesture is expected both from the children and the adults. In short, you should always show respect to the superiors.
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Do not sit on the floor or on the corridors. It is bad manner to climb over someone and so you should not sit stretching your legs especially when the decorum insists to dip head in front of the superiors.
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“Wai” is Thai greeting. You are expected to wai back when anyone wais at you. You can wai back with a smile or a nod to the students but for the elders you should raise your hand in prayer like gesture and bow your head down. All teachers are expected to wai at each other both in the morning and at the end of the day.
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Before you enter the classroom, you should have a proper dress code and neat and properly tied hair. Do not wear anything that is not accepted in Thai culture.
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Smoking is not allowed within the school premise.
