Lost Stories
Experiences with one of Thailand’s most progressive educators
He single-handedly broke every stereotype of the Ministry of Education. He was outgoing, inquisitive, articulate, globally aware, and willing to debate ideas about education. I resolved to formally interview this man one day and tell his story.
Ken May's Tag Cloud
Previous Articles
- 1st December 2008: Terry of the Bangkok Post
- 1st November 2008: Carried away by modern waves
- 1st October 2008: Rising sun, helping hands
- 1st September 2008: Have a seat at the cafe
- 1st September 2006: The end (sort of)
- 1st August 2006: You will always be an outsider
- 1st July 2006: Where it all came from
- 1st June 2006: Cheats and copycats
- 1st May 2006: Skeletons splitting the sky
- 1st May 2006: Eating limes in Disneyland
- 1st April 2006: Unseen Thailand
- 1st February 2006: Rebirth of the old city
- 1st January 2006: The teaching river
- 1st December 2005: Go to Hell
- 1st November 2005: Ayutthaya island
- 1st September 2005: Teaching scams
- 1st August 2005: The madness to the methods
- 1st July 2005: Sweet spastic, silly swarms
- 1st June 2005: Are you certified?
- 1st May 2005: Thirty minutes of a thirty day visa
- 1st April 2005: Expatriate waves
- 1st March 2005: Anti-American protests in Korea
- 1st February 2005: Lost in transformation
- 1st January 2005: The staff room
- 1st December 2004: Anarchy in the S.K
- 1st November 2004: Dong chims and dried squid
- 1st October 2004: First impressions
Featured Teachers
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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.
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Willem
BEd (1)
South African (male, 25 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Jon
Certificate (1), BA (1)
American (male, 44 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Barry
MA (7), Diploma (1), BA (1)
American (male, 58 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.
Friends of Ajarn
Fun Quiz
Find out how employable you are in Thailand as an English teacher. Is it a case of 'welcome aboard' or "Mom, I need you to send some money again"
Hi, I’m Tony Dabbs
I was a licensed life and health agent in the USA for many years and now I'm ajarn.com's health insurance expert.
Fancy teaching freelance?
How easy is it to cut out the middlemen and rake in the cash teach students at their own homes?
The Region Guides
Fancy working in Thailand but not in Bangkok? Our region guides are written by teachers who actually live and work in the provinces.
E-mailing for jobs
E-mailing potential employers in Thailand can be a very frustrating experience. Teacher Chris is on hand to give you some top tips.
Renting an apartment?
Before you go pounding the streets, check out our guide and know what to look out for.
The cost of living
How much money does a teacher need to earn in order to survive in Thailand? We analyze the facts.
