Teaching unions
Why isn’t there protection for foreign teachers in the form of teaching?
When things go wrong, and they invariably do in any organisation where employees and employers reside without any form of arbitration, whom do you turn to for help? Who can negotiate for you and help you to ‘walk the walk’ and tread the fine line between demanding your rights and avoiding insulting your hosts?
EFL Teaching in Thailand (and elsewhere) part two
What’s the best and the worst class you’ve ever taught?
As promised, here are some of the lighter moments that I have been privy to in my time as an ajarn in Thailand; a time that, give or take one or two visits elsewhere, has lasted about twelve years. To be honest, I don’t have to think that hard to come up with memories of my good classes as they spring to mind with relative ease.
EFL teaching in Thailand
What’s the best and the worst class you’ve ever taught?
Having been teaching for more than twelve years in places like Japan, the UK, West Africa, Thailand and the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia, I guess you could say that I would have inevitably had a few moments when I was far from in control.
Featured Teachers
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Branko
Phd (1), BA (1), Diploma (1), MA (1), Certificate (1)
Australian (male, 62 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Moiwo
BA (1)
Cameroonian (female, 31 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Charles
Certificate (3), BA (2)
British (male, 34 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Paul
Certificate (2), BSc (1)
American (male, 44 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Steve
Certificate (1), BA (1)
British (male, 40 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Alex
BSc (1), Certificate (1)
South African (male, 24 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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George
Diploma (1), Certificate (1), BA (1)
Canadian (male, 49 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Sarah
Diploma (1), Certificate (1), BA (1)
Canadian (female, 30 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Matt
Certificate (1), BA (1)
American (male, 33 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Daniel
Diploma (1)
British (male, 27 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
Ajarn Guests
Going Home
I possess ten years of classroom EFL teaching experience, plus a solid education, and this was the type of work available to me. There were many moments, such as when I was cleaning a toilet bowl, or when a housekeeper ordered me to do something, that frustration welled up inside me.
Teacher nightmares part two
More stories from teachers in Thailand who have found themselves in difficult situations often through no fault of their own. Can you offer them some good advice?
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
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
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.
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.
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?
