Are there any female teachers out there who would be willing to compile a fashion guide aimed at those teachers of the gentler sex? We’ve already got a fashion guide for men on the ajarn website but I know one or two ladies are feeling left out. Many of you write to me and ask about the availabilty of lingerie and shoes for the larger foot, etc and I tend to just blush and go all quiet. If you fancy giving it a go, then get in touch.
Bangkok Phil
BA (1)
Filippino (female, 30 years old, native Tagalog speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
BA (2)
Filippino (male, 30 years old, native Cebuano speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
BA (1)
American (female, 28 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
BSc (1)
Nigerian (female, 35 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
MA (1)
Filippino (female, 23 years old, native Cebuano speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
Diploma (3), BA (1)
British (male, 57 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
Certificate (1), Diploma (1)
American (male, 28 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
BA (1)
Philippino (female, 35 years old, native Tagalog speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
Certificate (1), BA (1)
Russian (female, 28 years old, native Russian speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
Certificate (1), BA (1)
South African (female, 24 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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
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.
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.
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.
Are you a teacher who once taught in Thailand but decided to seek out pastures new? Has the grass been greener on the other side? Maybe you swapped Thailand for the financial lure of Japan or Korea? Read about those who have left Thailand, and their reasons for moving...
The latest escapee was Patrick
(updated 23rd October 2011)
Inspired by our story about Julia, we’re also tracking the progress of Dave Montgomery as he prepared for life in Thailand as a teacher. Dave’s situation is slightly different to Julia’s. He’s married to a Thai lady already and he intends to teach in the city of Udon Thani - up in the North East of Thailand. And his father-in-law is also a teacher!
(updated 12th December 2010)
Ajarn.com is documenting the story of one female teacher as she prepared to give up life in her homeland and head out to Thailand to teach English. Hopefully her journal will give inspiration and information to those about to embark on a similar journey. Let’s begin at the beginning and let Julia introduce herself.
