Many teachers will tell you that a TEFL certificate is no longer a legal requirement when it comes to obtaining a teacher’s licence and work permit, and while that may be true, you have to keep in mind that many employers still request one. If you are applying for a job and you are up against someone who has a TEFL certificate (and you don’t)...... guess who the job’s probably going to?
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.
Fancy working in Thailand but not in Bangkok? Our region guides are written by teachers who actually live and work in the provinces.
Before you go pounding the streets, check out our guide and know what to look out for.
How much money does a teacher need to earn in order to survive in Thailand? We analyze the facts.
I was a licensed life and health agent in the USA for many years and now I'm ajarn.com's health insurance expert.
E-mailing potential employers in Thailand can be a very frustrating experience. Teacher Chris is on hand to give you some top tips.
How easy is it to cut out the middlemen and rake in the cash teach students at their own homes?
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"
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.
