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Academics need to chill

6th August 2011

Why do some/many university degree holders think that people without a degree are not qualified to teach the English language? I don`t have a degree but I`m a native English speaker and I am TESL/TEFL certified. I`ve been teaching the English language for 7 years at all levels and students love me and think I`m a great language teacher. I didn`t have to learn the English language and then learn how to teach it, I only needed to learn how to teach the English language. I can`t see how I would need 3 years of study to do that. However, if I did go to university for three years or more I think I would aspire for a higher calling. There are more than 1 billion people in the world studying how to speak English so I think there`s plenty of room for us all. Pretty soon a person will need a degree to flip burgers at McDonalds if some people have their way. I wish the academics would get off their high horse and chill out a bit I think the thin air at high altitudes affects their grasp of reality. Live and let live.

D. Robinson

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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.