Submit your own 'Great Escape' »
Kanadian
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
Just arrived back in the land of tea. Yes that's Jiangxi Province China
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I worked in Thailand for a few years and after the lack of school support, I felt Thai schools were becoming a liability.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
Thai students are lazy, the educational system failed them, nobody wants to change the educational system, ask a simple question to a Thai college student eg "what's your name" he replies in Thai. But his comment in Thai was I've been learning English for 10 years.. NO NO that's impossible !
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
I can take my lowest student at my college in Jiangxi and he can teach Thai teachers English.. God I love it when I can have an intelligent conversation with a college student who can actually hold his own.. cool !
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Good beaches and friends.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Thailand will always attract uneducated "English teachers". However those who have a degree should never teach in Thailand. You will waste your energy.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Only if the plane flies over the country.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
What a waste of time and energy. I know many foreign teachers who are very good at their job, and all have gone with no intent of returning.
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Ajarn Guests
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.
Whatever happened to the shopping mall teacher?
They are the shopping mall English teachers - gliding like pale, undernourished phantoms amid the hordes of weekend Thai shoppers. The main reason I empathize with the shopping mall teacher is because I was once one myself. I know how desperate and soul-destroying it can be.
Most recently answered question:
Are there any teaching agencies in Bangkok that I can just walk into?
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.
