Somtamnication

First day of class, the kids have 9 rules to write in their book. Includes such things as profanity, arrive on time (failure), greet the teacher, ask to leave or walk into the classroom, have books, etc etc.

As they forget some rules, remind them by having it read by the entire classroom.

You failed to tell us what age level are you have the most difficulty with.

Day one, I set the rules, and they know I am the boss in the classroom. If you fail to do this, you lose them for the rest of the year.

M level students, separate the leader from his buddies.
P level students, have them sit with girls (if it is a boy).

Always use the Thai teacher for help. They are feared and use that to your advantage. Never hit them, as you will be the farang mai dee. Calling a Thai to help does not undermine your authority. On the contrary, the Thais want you to use them for discipline. Works wonders in my classes.

Give homework, do sit ups, stand with arms above their heads. Many things you can do.

Got 4 spares. Nice little things.

bump

chiang mai, on Yesterday, 07:25 , said:

It was a happy ending of the other kind.

I am not arrogant enough to expect perfect English from the locals. Nor do I expect them to be passable. They simply have no clue about the language nor foreign culture, period. They should visit Cambodia or Bali, to get an example of what "passable English"  should be to serve their visiting guests.