The perfect storm
One needs to check the weather before one heads out on an adventure
There was one final story I wanted to relate here, because it was my greatest adventure in Thailand. Or was at least my most memorable experience, at any rate, because it was the closest I have ever come to kicking the bucket.
Matt Smith's Tag Cloud
Previous Articles
- 1st March 2009: The root of all evil
- 1st February 2009: The word farang
- 3rd January 2009: Teaching at my university
- 1st December 2008: Long-tailed Boating
- 1st November 2008: On Reading
- 1st October 2008: CLT again
- 1st September 2008: Culture revisited
- 1st August 2008: Culture in the English speaking world
- 1st July 2008: Yes, but is it education?
- 1st June 2008: First day on the job
- 1st May 2008: White or wrong?
- 1st May 2008: A philosophical dilemma
- 1st April 2008: Trees or the lack thereof
- 1st March 2008: Further unfurling of the Chinese situation
- 1st February 2008: Sick of eating white bread?
- 1st January 2008: Teaching the Chinese in Thailand
- 1st December 2007: Flea in your ear
- 1st November 2007: Mastering the art of description
- 1st October 2007: The burden of being fun
- 1st September 2007: If miniskirts were shorter
- 1st August 2007: Did you plan it?
- 1st July 2007: Agreeing with Alison Empey
- 1st June 2007: Phrasebook learning
- 1st May 2007: Amateur archaeology in isaarn
- 1st April 2007: The dog and pony show
- 1st March 2007: Levisiting the plobrems
- 1st February 2007: Ruminations on curriculum development
- 1st January 2007: Fishing in Isaarn
- 3rd December 2006: who speaks English well?
Featured Teachers
-
Sherwin
BA (2)
Filippino (male, 30 years old, native Cebuano speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
-
Rowena
BEd (1)
Filippino (female, 30 years old, native Tagalog speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
-
Diana Grac
BA (1)
Philippino (female, 28 years old, native Tagalog speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
-
Jason
BSc (1), Certificate (1)
American (male, 35 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
-
Jonny
Certificate (3), BA (1), Diploma (1)
British (male, 49 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
-
Rob
Certificate (1), BA (1)
British (male, 36 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
-
Rak
Certificate (2), BSc (1), Diploma (1)
American (male, 30 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
-
Apple Grac
BA (1)
Filippino (female, 27 years old, native Tagalog speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
-
b.jpg)
Asger
Certificate (3)
Dane (male, 40 years old, native Danish speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
-
Franky
Certificate (4), Diploma (3)
Belgian (male, 41 years old, native Dutch 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.
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
The cost of living
How much money does a teacher need to earn in order to survive in Thailand? We analyze the facts.
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.
Fancy teaching freelance?
How easy is it to cut out the middlemen and rake in the cash teach students at their own homes?
Renting an apartment?
Before you go pounding the streets, check out our guide and know what to look out for.
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.
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"
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.
