Benchamatheputhit School in Thailand

Anonymous on Fri, 18th Jan 2008 11:10 am 



Having worked at this school, I am amazed that it has taken so long for someone to comment. All the statements are true and as long as you have a degree, it doesn’t matter is you can teach. Experience, who cares in that place. I always felt that we were not appreciated by the Thai staff, just tolerated as a necessary evil. Everyone must pass, and pass well because they have a reputation to uphold. Fortunately, since I left I have experienced good schools where the staff, both Thai and farang are in teaching to help the students, not just looking to set up a group of influential ex students for their retiremant.

RM on Fri, 18th Jan 2008 2:14 pm 



Umm, I only worked for one school in Thailand (Benchama) but I have worked in Korea and Japan, so I am a little surprised at the comments. Admittedly, it’s not exactly the best funded or best organised place I have ever been to but I thought it was ok. I did the IT teaching and having been an IT trainer for too many years I was picked because I knew my subject, so somebody cares. I didn’t ever get ripped off and the staff I worked with cared about their work and the kids were great. The only real downside to the work was 30,000 Baht a month, but that seems a pretty standard salary in Thailand and the biggest downside to me was the town itself…I’m a big city person and it’s just not that interesting. Saying that I did in the final month of my contract figure out how to do it properly, go live in Hua Hin and get the bus or train in, it’s much better on the soul/mental health.
Compared to some of the bizarre managment practices and tight-wallets I have worked for in Japan, they are pretty much ok.

holdin on Sun, 20th Jan 2008 7:30 pm 



I, also, was a subject teacher at Benchama. And it was a bit like working in two different places. Thai faculty in my subject area were friendly and professional. Always trading teaching tips, discussing ideas for curricula and equipment improvements, etc. A courteous and accepting group. I learned quite a bit with them.

The EP side was a completely different story. The only thing I can add on the OP’s comments is that the atmosphere there was tainted and noxious. Probably the nepotism that keeps that operation from collapsing on itself. I had to quietly struggle to avoid most of the worst abuses above.

Sadly, I give it a 2, and that’s points for the Thai teachers who care and can’t do anything. You can do better in Thailand than this program.

A concerned and dedicated Teacher. on Wed, 23rd Jan 2008 5:30 am 



I’ve had the misfortune of working at Benchama for a years time. I vested a year of my life to the area and to the students. I get a sick feeling inside, when I think about my experiences there. This is due to a lack of appreciation and professionalism from the administration of the English program. Phetchaburri is the real Thailand, but what is happening in this school is not. The EP administration is untrustworthy, and they treat the foreign teachers like children. What is worse, the administration plays favorites with some of the foreign teachers, which pits teacher against teacher. The net effect creates a very poor and unhealthy working AND learning environment.

In my opinion, the upper management in the school focuses on themselves and their own reputations, instead of the hungry students who could use their support. Earlier, I mentioned favoritism in regards to teachers, but it is also displayed to the students who come from wealthy families. This is another impediment towards a healthy learning environment.

I would advise you not to make the mistake I did. Good Luck!!

Contributor on Sun, 3rd Feb 2008 5:27 am 



I would like to clarify a few points made about Benchama school in Phetchaburi at the risk of being named a ‘backstabbing falang helper’.
The EP was never staffed or run by Siam Computer. Previous to the EP, Siam provided English Conversation instructors. During the first year of the EP they provided one teacher.
I would like to sugest that there are foreign teachers who have pitted themselves against the administration in a power struggle. There are teachers who have asked for promotion and a raise, presumably because they liked the job and felt they were doing well and then, when they were refused, went into battle against the school and the administration. There is another teacher who asked to have their contract extended for another year but was declined based on a review.
If this awful experience for a teacher is considered the “Utimate experience in Thai culture” then surely this is not a good choice of country to live in.
the exchange program to Canada is a student program. The two teachers that come over with the students work harder than any Foreign teachers I have experienced both in Canada and Thailand. In fact it is not easy to find a teacher willing to chaperone the kids as the the exchange trip falls during vacation time.
I know many teachers who have had a good and great experience at this school, including myself. I also know some who have not.
I think the difference lies in expectations and understanding how to build good relationships. There are certain ways of behaving disrespectfully that bring you to a brick wall and downward spiral of experience. The opposite can also happen; great relationships can be built.
I think it is unrealistic to expect a raise after one semester of work. A raise would be asked for on renegotiating a contract.
as for the success of the program in the eyes of parents and prospective students. Thai people are neither ignorant or dupes. Prospective students and parents of the EP look at the results of past students in outside school exams and competitions. Past students have done extremely well, with 5 students from the EP being accepted at a top Bangkok high school (the only ones accepted in Phetchaburi province). They are winning English speech competitions and earning scholarships to study abroad. There are certainly no past students going to keep Thai teachers in their retirement! They will be looking after their own families.
the Exchange program with the sister school in Canada has been very helpful for the Thai students, and those that have visited Canada have really improved their Englsih and also learned a lot about their own and Canadian Culture. The Canadian students that have visitied Benchama school have also benefited greatly from their experience. They have stayed with Thai students and experienced wonderful Thai hospitality.

Thailand is a country that has never been Colonized but that does not mean the Colonizing mind doesn’t expect it.
There is certainly ‘favoritism’ toward teachers that are kind and respectful and put a lot into the school and the students, but I would not really call it ‘favoritism’ but wanting to do more for teachers who are doing more themselves.
I would love to see the standard of teachers improve and also the paperwork made easier for Foregn teachers. At the same time, each Foregn teacher has an air conditioned office and mostly air conditioned classrooms. They earn considerably more than Thai teachers, who share non air conditioned offices without the access to computers. I have not experienced Thai teachers barely tolerating Foreign teachrs but I do believe they have hard time seeing Foreign Teachers recieving so much and not always returning in kind. I know that I have great friends among the Thai staff and many other teachers have too.
I do find some of the comments very insulting to the Thai teachers, the school and Thailand whilst the accusations of theft and false signatures are vague.
I do appreciate that improvements can be made in communication and management practice and also that Phetchaburi is an Immersion in Thai culture and I guess some like it and some need the Foreign styled resorts (I admit I do sometimes). the Administration has a particular personality and I guess it works for some and not for others but I would like to hear the specifics of theft before I believed them as I have found the administration to be honest, getting work visas and paying wages and honouring contracts.

With Respect,

Contributors on Sun, 3rd Feb 2008 7:29 am 



rate school 4 out of 5
there is always room for improvement. communication is key

Mr Angry on Sun, 3rd Feb 2008 9:58 am 



I agree with the original poster.

Put very simply, this school is great if you take out EP boss, and the farang that does not like and does not get on with anybody (unless you treat him like god).

If you watch your paycheck, do not care about a very negative and grumpy office, do your short-time and get out (if you are a newbie) then it is ok. But if you value teaching and want an all-round positive life (without having to use most of your energy to recover happiness) then I suggest another school.

Tips to survive in this school:

Make friends outside school, go away every weekend, after 4pm stop thinking about the angry faces you saw during the day, stop thinking about when they will terminate you (it is cheaper for them this way) - they will so plan for it, give great marks to the 3/4 students in each class that are the boss’s boss (yes!!! you will find students are yours and the boss’s boss), always have a backup plan, learn to grovel, and expect to lose money if anything alters from the “norm” (can change on a daily basis)!

Good luck!

Current Teacher on Mon, 4th Feb 2008 10:02 am 



I have been shocked by some of the comments expressed on this school. There are negatives and positives in each school and the students in Benchar are the great positive. They are generally happy, cooperative and willing to learn English. I have enjoyed my two years teaching them, unfortunately, even though I indicated to the acting director that I would like to teach there a third and perhaps other years, no one has seen fit to negotiate an extension of my contract or even say anything to me about my teaching, good or bad.
I have to agree with some of the criticisms, especially where Thai culture is concerned. All cultures have positives and negatives, but the attitude which comes over to me is that only Thai culture is of value. To give a small example, I explained to the English Programme co-ordinator that Christmas day was a very important day in the West, both as a religious day and as a family day and tried to negotiate the day off in my renewed contract - response, “Oh no, you get all the Buddhist holidays”. End of negotiation!
I am completely unaware of any teacher “pitting themselves against the administration” as suggested by the correspondent who lives in Canada but calls himself something like English Programme Coordinator in his employment advertistments(?). He hasn’t taught at the school for the two years that I have been there, so how does he know what is going on? His comment on an event which only took place last Friday, the teacher not having his contract renewed suggests a symbiotic relationship with the head of the department.

As I said at the beginning, all schools, like all countries have good and bad in them. I love Thailand and would love to live here the rest of my life, but any prospective employee would need to have their eyes wide open just like any other school.

I have always hoped that teaching at this school would alow for cross fertilization of cultures, judging both in a critical way for the benefit of all concerned. I have benefited from the Thai culture, but I doubt that my Thai students have benefited from my Australian culture. (yes, we do have a culture).

past teacher on Tue, 19th Feb 2008 11:20 am 



Great students at this school!! As far as relationships and communication in the EP program outside the classroom, hmm a different story. I had never been around such a negative bunch of foreigners in my life, cheer up you are living in Thailand!! The employee turnover at this school is rediculous, i believe due to this negativity. Finally, I don’t believe that administration understands the importance of continuity. Show people they are appreciated in some way and they will take care of you as well in return. In the end it is the worst for the students who see the revolving door of who is coming and going. This place needs all of the luck that it can get.

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