Yes, agreed, but Aleks is ignorant of local conditions, no disrespect for him. I've sent him a message to try and rectify that, I think he could be earning way more and working at a better school. For his qualifications and experience, $1000/month is crap.scobienz wrote:By the same token, when you have what seem like qualified teachers like Aleks coming here and seeming to celebrate that he's found a $1000 a month job, then the teaching community itself - either individually or collectively- must accept some responsibility also.
I also think that both you and gavinmac might be slightly more open if either of you had kids at local schools or had ever done any teaching here, or if it affected you in any way.
I agree that there are lots few decent Khmer teachers, and they should get paid appropriately. I do want to point out, however, that there are very few Khmer teachers who can write/edit writing properly.
That's the area they do worst in, and obviously there are pronunciation issues for some people. As grammar teachers, very few barangs can teach them anything.
As far as benefits of low pay manifesting themselves in cheap beer, it's kind of like saying a guy who stepped on a landmine is lucky because he won't have to buy shoes in future.
One point that interests me is that possibly Khmers treat employees like dirt because they are so used to seeing crap performance from their relatives they employ, who cannot be fired.
I want to stay in teaching, but move into corporate/hotel and tourism/private tuition. Students are motivated and the pay is decent, even very good. It can be very rewarding.