Submit your own 'Great Escape' »
John
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved back to Ireland last year.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
A total of about five years I guess.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
My wife and I had a new baby so the main reasons for going back home were basically to make more money and to provide our child with a decent education.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
I can make far more money here.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
I miss the warm weather, the relative ease in making new friends and if I'm totally honest.....the massage parlours.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
By all means give it a go for a year or two and have a great time but go back home if you really want to achieve something in your life. If getting ahead in life is not for you, then you can always stay in Thailand.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
I would like to come back to Thailand if I get the chance but it's not part of my immediate plans.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Teaching in Thailand for a long period can wear you down. It certainly helps if you have an easygoing attitude and can put up with the many hurdles that are sure to come your way.
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Ajarn Guests
Teacher nightmares part two
More stories from teachers in Thailand who have found themselves in difficult situations often through no fault of their own. Can you offer them some good advice?
Fear of change?
In Thailand the government has set 2012 as English Speaking Year with a goal of encouraging students to converse in English every Monday. Such policies are useful but the major leap of enacting legislation to make English an official language for Thailand is also needed
Software for student tests
The integration of internet and computers with education and English learning is something students find normal, and classrooms without some access to educational software may seem quaint. Some students may even feel they can get more ‘professional' teaching from the numerous online ELT sites if a school is behind in IT.
About Ajarn.com
Ajarn.com was started as a small hobby website in 1999 by Ian McNamara. It was a simple way for one Bangkok teacher to share his Thailand experiences and pass on advice. The website developed a loyal and enthusiastic following. In 2004, Ian handed over the reins to Phil Williams and 'Bangkok Phil' has run the ajarn website ever since.
Ajarn.com has grown enormously and is now the most popular TEFL site in Thailand - possibly even South East Asia. Although best-known for its vibrant jobs page, Ajarn has a wealth of articles, blogs, features and help and advice. But one principle has always remained at Ajarn's core - to tell things like they are and to do it with a sense of humor. Thailand can be Heaven or Hell for an English teacher. It's always been Ajarn.com's duty to present both sides of the equation. Thanks for stopping by.
