Thread: Just for the Teachers/Professors

Originally Posted by Cangooner

Wow. I would find that a) baffling and b) frustrating!

Is this just due to your being a foreigner, or are grades not a 'thing' in Thai schools in general?

Failing is not a Thai thing. They think it might discorage the student from wanting to learn. It doesn't make any sense to me either.

Originally Posted by ndw76

Failing is not a Thai thing. They think it might discorage the student from wanting to learn. It doesn't make any sense to me either.

Ah the classic Losing Face Avoidance tactic. I'm familiar with the concept. But in all candor, I think schools in the states are increasingly headed in that direction. Back when I was in school a teacher wouldn't hesitate to fail you if you weren't doing the work. They made no apologies, took no flak from their bosses, let alone parents. In fact, back when the world was real, parents would actually "motivate" their kids be be a bit more diligent about their studies (happened to me more than once, worked like a champ.) I think anyone who doesn't know how to fail is destined have a very tough time ever succeeding on any kind of real level.

To all of you educators, I being one myself. I thank you for what you do. Day in and day out you are tried by the impatient and the entitled. For this you are my heros. I never thought I would become an educator myself, but the educators in my life really had a hand in who I have become. I have had many great role models in my life, and those individuals prepared me well for my career. I thank them, and thank you again for having the courage, and integrity to keep doing the right thing.

Originally Posted by 1OldGI

... I think anyone who doesn't know how to fail is destined have a very tough time ever succeeding on any kind of real level.

I couldn't agree more. Success is built on failure, often multiple failure. Failing is important - it teaches you important lessons about yourself, it teaches you to be persistent and patient. It also, IMO, teaches you how to believe in yourself and your abilities if looked at in the right light. Many of my students don't understand this when I say it to them, but I sincerely hope for their sakes that they learn it one day.

Of course, success does good things for your self esteem too. But what is failure but a data point on your way toward a goal? You've tried something, it didn't work the way you wanted it to. There's a data point. Try something else, get another data point:

Fail -> Learn -> Adapt -> Try again -> .... -> Success.

Achieving goals is a process. I think it's important to realise that failing is just an integral part of that process.

James.