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Richard Kirtland
Now here’s a guy worth reading. He worked at the prestigious Harrow School in Bangkok, but still felt that there was a danger of stagnating and becoming just another part of the Bangkok TEFL crowd. So it was back to the UK for a PGCE.
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Olivier Vilayphiou
He’s a Frenchman, except he’s 75% Chinese and 25% Laotian. He teaches English. Oh and he once lived in Runcorn. We’ve truly gone international here on the ajarn.com hot-seat.
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Ajarn Denny
Could you organize 34 Asian university students to each write and contribute one chapter of a perfectly-written novel, and then see it published in paperback? This man has. He’s worked as something of an English literature boffin at Bangkok’s most expensive university for over ten years. He knows a ridiculous amount about English premier league football (for an American anyway) and he’s currently involved in one of the most difficult and intriguing student projects I’ve ever heard of. We welcome Ajarn Denny to the ajarn.com hot seat.
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Teacher Lindsay
A rare appearance by a teacher from ‘down under’. He had a stressful job in Australia. Came to teach in Thailand for five years. Went back to the stressful job in Australia. Er…...and now he’s in China.
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Jerry Rogers
Jerry came to Thailand with no teaching experience and no teaching certificate. I guess he just fancied giving it a go. So how’s it been going?
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Sir Gregory
In this dog eat dog world of teaching EFL in Thailand, isn’t it nice to know that are still some kind souls who believe in giving up a few hours a week to do voluntary work. Good on ya mate!
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Douglas Brown
Douglas is something of an expert on the Rajabhat institutes. If you’re anything like me you’re perhaps a bit confused as to exactly what they are. Well he works at one and loves every minute.
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Teacher Greg
He’s taught in South America. He taught in South Thailand during the terrorist attack on New York. And he’s been the victim of some appalling Thai management decisions. It’s been a hell of a journey.
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Jackie Yearwood
Still very much a novice to Thailand, but already perhaps regretting the decision to come here in many ways. It’s certainly been no bed of roses.
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John Caulfield
When it comes to teacher recruitment and interviewing, few people have more experience than John Caulfield, the cheery, cricket-loving Australian chappie who holds the position of academic director for Inlingua. Ajarn.com gets John C (as he’s affectionately known) to sit still for five minutes and answer a few questions.
Featured Teachers
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Jonah
Certificate (3), BA (1)
Filippino (male, 28 years old, native Tagalog speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Karina
BA (1), MA (1)
Filippino (female, 31 years old, native Tagalog speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Robin Jame
BA (1), Certificate (1)
Filippino (male, 23 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Jonary
BA (1)
Filippino (male, 25 years old, native Cebuano speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Charlotte
BA (1)
British (female, 22 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Patrick
BA (1)
American (male, 42 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Deborah
Certificate (3)
American (female, 58 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Kay Anne
BEd (1)
Filippino (female, 27 years old, native Tagalog speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Abner
Certificate (10), BSc (1)
Filippino (male, 44 years old, native Tagalog speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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James
Certificate (1), BA (1)
American (male, 50 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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.
