Page 11 - ELITE PLUS MAGAZINE VOL6

children and started teaching teachers. Changing a child’s behaviour begins with changing the teacher’s behaviour. At that time, our specialist teaching institutions were in the process of rebranding into the Rajabhat universi- ties. Pedagogy was in serious danger due to neglect. All of a sudden hotel management became an important subject. The situation got better but I think it’s getting worse again.Back in the day, the better students became teachers. A teacher’s job was as busy as a doctor’s. It’s very de- manding. We have seen an increasing awareness of the idea that whatever your specialization is, you have to learn teaching strategies if you want to impart that knowledge to someone else. The worst teachers are found in universities. They only talk to the blackboard. They don’t know how to teach, since they don’t even know how to talk and lack strategy. In the US,science professors have to undergo training because teaching without knowing how to teach is a waste of time.When I was being trained, the most important thing from day one was to spend time with children. The key idea is that teaching is learning. Teaching children teaches us a great deal. We spent time with children from morning until afternoon, and then discussed their behaviour. We applied the theory to practice instead of starting from theory. For us, the children themselves are a massive body of knowledge.What’s the biggest problem with teachers now?Teachers are educated by theories but theories can be found anywhere. Google has a lot of them. Practice is paid scarce attention. Even so-called experts can’t really understand howchildren learn if they haven’t spent enough time with children. It’s about rhythm – when to speak and listen. It’s art. There must be technique. I’ve always emphasized technique. Those who emphasize theories generally don’t have much experience with children. They’re armchair philoso- phers, without saying how those theories can be put into practice by teachers. Theorists are not always engaged in practice.It is a potential setback to improv- ing Thai education. If we don’t involve practice, it crumbles. Policymakers typically have very good credentials, doctorates and all. But a doctorate does not guarantee that you know what to do with children. You have to get a feel for that.Elite+ 9