Hired and fired

Postbox letter from Rory

Being fired as a foreign teacher is par for the course at Thai government schools. Only if you are popular in the staff room will you last very long.

What will my school be like?

An overview of different types of institute in Thailand and the students who go to them

At the highest echelon are the international schools. Internationals are nearly always based on the British or American curricula, and employ career teachers.

I made far more as a postman!

Postbox letter from Stewart

Most government schools here are only paying about 30,000 baht a month - and they want you to have a degree!

Different teachers, different styles

Sometimes showing the students tough love doesn't work.

My teaching colleague was just a bully who could only intimidate the younger students. ‘Find something unique that the kids are interested in, then you will be halfway there’ was some of the best advice I ever got.

Memories - good and bad

Casting my mind back to a government school I taught at years ago

Part of our family holiday was to be spent in Kalasin so I decided to reach out to my ex-colleagues and see how they were. Truth be told, I was also curious to learn about the school and if my replacements had been successful or not.

Not all Thai government schools are created equal

It can be a difficult choice for parents

I'm not a parent, but having been a teacher for several years in both Thai and international schools, I've noticed huge differences in the atmospheres of various institutions - often regardless of the tuition fees.

Tips for first year teachers in Thailand

How to maximize your teaching enjoyment!

Successful good quality teaching is never a "walk in the park." As you prepare to teach in Thailand really try to focus on being there for the students.

A year in rural Thailand

Twelve months at a Thai government school

Today I am celebrating my first year of teaching at a government school in rural Thailand. I thought I'd share some of the interesting idiosyncrasies within the school where I currently work.

More adventures in rural Thailand

My first semester at a Thai government school

I've now worked at a rural government school for a whole semester. I thought I might share with you my account so far, with some practical advice that may help ease your transition to teaching in Thailand.