Pinoy Teacher in Thailand: Sharing the Filipino Spirit in Asia

Since the 90s, there has been a steady increase of Filipino teachers going to Thailand to look for a teaching job.

 This trend is not new, all over the world Filipinos are providing service to different parts of the world.

I was fortunate enough to have experienced this reality in 2013, when I applied for a teaching job in Thailand. 

I stayed there for 7 months and provided private tutorials inside the homes of Thai students, as well as public schools.

 I am a licensed teacher in the Philippines, but have decided to test the waters outside the country-- 

Before you become a certified English teacher in Thailand, you need to undergo a series of workshops and training and in one of the seminars. I met a one of a kind teacher named Garry Everette Capili. 

By instinct, I felt that he was something else, he was fully present in the seminar, and it was obvious from the way he moved and the way he dressed himself that he was prepared for the job.

Coming from a top university in the Philippines I thought what I knew was enough, but my books and test questions were not enough to equip me on how to teach in Thailand effectively.

I thought that in order to be a good teacher, you just need to be well versed in English. But being well versed does not mean anything if you cannot capture the attention of your students.

I chose Garry, because he was able to connect- he was able to immerse with the work he was doing and because of that the teachers and students inside the gymnasium where the workshop was going on-- felt energized and interested in learning.

If you want to be an effective teacher-- you need to be willing to experience more-- books are just books until they are applied in actual life. 

During the workshop, Garry was assigned to host the entire teaching seminar. 

I felt proud then that a Filipino teacher was the one developing the talk for the students and teachers in Thailand.

He was very creative,innovative in his techniques and ways of grabbing the attention of students.

A friend of mine George Salvador Laguing told me that Garry is one of the teachers he looks up to when it comes to teaching techniques.  

He was brilliant, open and energetic and is able to communicate to students.

If you want to be an effective teacher in Thailand, you have to be more than just a lecturer. 

You need to level up your game and provide surprises for your stduents. The attention span of students is so short, that you need to develop a creative method to get the participation of students.

In order to be successful in what you do--give your best, and reflect on a system that works.

Garry is able to use his enthusiasm and energy and is able to inspire the students to sing and dance as they learn the English language.

Filipinos are natural entertainers, singing and providing jokes come easy for us. 
We have a rich culture and imagination which makes it easy for us to connect with other nationalities.

I thought teaching English grammar in another country would be easy--I thought that being trained inside a University would equip me in scenarios such as this.

  I knew then that the formal schooling I had was nothing compared with the experiences and techniques of Pinoy teachers who have found their own way of improving the English program in order to make it more efficient for Thai students.

Hundreds of Filipino teachers are sharing their knowledge in neighboring Asian countries. 

Countries like Thailand respect and acknowledge the skills that Pinoys have.

We are innovative, patient and we exceed the expectations--- Filipinos are creative-- and we are bridging a big gap. 

Pinoy teachers in Thailand are bridging the gap of communication.

My write-ups seeks to highlight regular people-- normal people who provide their best and who change our community one step at a time--

Thank your Garry, for sharing your light.

Here is a set of Q&A that he has answered in order to help provide tips for teachers who want to know how to become effective as a teacher in Thailand.

* How long have you been working as a teacher in Thailand?

5 years and 6 months

*. What are your tips on how to get accepted as a teacher in Thailand?

Solid communication skills, Good English command, teaching experience is a plus

*. What can you say about Thailand education system? What can you say about the way they education children?

Thai education system is a little different from our style.

 Students here are very passive.  Thai teachers handle classes differently.   

* What are tips that you can tell new Filipino teachers in Thailand in order to become an effective teacher?

Learn how to motivate students.  Learn the newest teaching styles.  Be lively in class.  Be fashionable.  Be equipped with the latest methodologies.

* What are the challenges you have faced in Thailand and how did you overcome them?  The students’ attention is a great challenge and how to motivate them to love English. 

As a teacher you need to be friendly, you need to think of activities that will not bore them. You need to device exciting games that will get your attention.

It will also boil down to an effective presentation.

*. How do you cope with home sickness?

Social media has helped me cope, and I also meet my Pinoy friends here on weekends.

*. Do you believe that Filipino teachers are getting the respect that they deserve from the Thailand government?

It’s really up to the teachers. It is all about your perspective.

 Some teachers complain because of they believe that they are not getting enough.

But if you present yourself well, if you upgrade who you are. 

If you think smart, dress well and you learn proper diction.

If you take the time to improve who you are, and you believe in yourself.

If you know your purpose and if you focus on improving your English teaching skills then everything will fall into the right place.

*. Are you able to save enough money in Thailand as a teacher?

Some people can.  In my case, I can’t.  My pay is not as big as expected.  But you can buy what you want. 

* What are your positive experiences in Thailand?

Travelling here is great.  Thai dishes are exotic and yummy. 

Thailand is also a safe place.

  You can travel with ease due to the well constructed transportation system and convenience stores like 7-11 is everywhere.

 It makes life easier.

*Will you recommend that more Filipinos teach in Thailand?

I’m not really sure as of the moment.

I am now looking for better working opportunities; someone has advised that Vietnam is now offering better opportunities for teachers.