In My OPINION
When university lecturers hit the headlines due to sex-for-grades claims, it is worth noting that some of our more senior members of society are showing the youth of today how to behave
STEVE GRAHAM
Will you still need me, will you still feed me?
It was the Beatles who released a love song in 1967 about a young man's plans to grow old together with his lover. The lyrics by Paul McCartney read: "Will you still need me, will you still feed me when I'm 6?"
So what happens when people reach their seventies? Is it time to call it a day and relax, or is it time to do the things you've always wanted to do?
The Bangkok Post [July 6, Section 1, page 1] recently published a story about Saeng Sa-ngawong, who at the age of 73 has gone back to primary school because she wants to learn to read and write. She attends her Prathom 2 class and takes part in the class activities like everyone else, although she concentrates on solely reading and writing when it comes to the lessons.
This example of determination has to be admired, especially in a country like Thailand where the appearance of "face" is so important for the majority of people in their daily lives. After the initial shock, her classmates are impressed with what she is doing and it can only act as an example for others that it is possible to do the most difficult of tasks if you really want to.
The younger generation need encouragement to achieve the targets that they have set, or have been set by their parents. Recently the "Education" section of the Bangkok Post reported that students were "Learning to love work" ("Education", July 8, page E1) by taking part-time jobs during the summer break and throughout the year.
Initially targeting lower income groups, now this project is open to everyone, although I find it difficult to accept that a seven-hour shift for six days a week is part-time work. The pay of 26 baht an hour, however, certainly looks part-time to me.
Many fine tunes are played on old fiddles
In the UK, there are constant management discussions on ageism in the workplace and the government has had to pass laws to protect people's right to work.
This is not the case in Thailand and Rajabhat universities have identified that there are some people in their seventies who have the qualities they are looking for, especially in the northeast of Thailand.
I think the students at my university are sorely missing "life skills", and who better to give them an insight to the outside world than someone who has the experience and has "been there and done that."
John Nielson has been teaching English in Thailand since 1994 and is currently living in Kalasin with his family. He teaches at Kalasin Rajabhat University and is happily settled in both his job and lifestyle.
Dave Williams works at Udon Thani Rajabhat University in the Language Centre and is one of my colleagues. He has been a member of our team for about three years now and even at his tender age, he is always prepared to put his point across during teacher discussions.
Both are in their seventies and both are active teachers. They are involved with extra mural activities like sports days, so age does not present a problem.
In Thai society, children are taught to respect their elders. As a consequence, we have here the perfect situation whereby the correct example is being set and teachers are earning respect.
Helping out where you can
I have to mention one more person in their seventies, who does his best to help the local children in his villag. This is Fred Herman. He lives in Khao Lak. He makes the point of how he always speaks English to the children and lets them use his computers in the hope that they will eventually become more proficient at English.
One day, while reading the "Kid Scoop" series [at page E6] in the "Education" section of the Bangkok Post, he went inside and left the paper unattended for a few minutes. On his return he found that someone had completed the puzzle for him, proving that when English is used for a purpose, it is more fun to do than learning grammar rules. He never did find out who completed it.
I believe that the examples set by the senior citizens in this article are good ones for us all. Age is only a barrier if you want it to be. Anything is possible, whether you are a teacher, student, or a member of the general public, if you really want it enough.
Steve Graham is an English language teacher at the Language Center, Udon Thani Rajabhat University in northeast Thailand. You can contact Steve at: steve@steves-english-zone.com if you have any comments or areas for debate that you would like to discuss.
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