I’m better equipped
Sent in by Alexander
With my experience I am most certainly in a better position to be teaching business English to my customers as I not only teach them English but also many other things ie sales, marketing, presentations and how to do them effectively.
Are degrees required to teach?
Opinion continues to be divided
Three things which seem unavoidable are death, taxes and debates on ajarn.com about the requirement for teachers of having a degree. Those without degrees generally argue a degree is not necessary, while those with degrees will normally make the case a degree should be required.
Degree or non-degree holders
Sent in by James
This dumbing down of professional and academic achievements is, in my opinion, an emerging trend in western societies, where equality now triumphs over professionalism. A society where anyone can be everything with information gleaned from ten minutes spent on a website.
Past, present and future
Sent in by Jonathan
Please stop all this business singing the praises of a degree-possessing teacher. Yes, in most cases they are the preferred option but they are not the only option and never will be
Teachers Teachers Teachers
Sent in by Jonathan
There are, without any doubt, a large number of qualified teachers ( they have managed to get a degree ) who are of such low quality that they have by sheer default ended up here because no self respecting school in the UK, USA or Canada would let them near impressionable children.
The degree or no degree debate
Sent in by Dave
Why would someone who doesn't value education enough to actually get a degree think they are qualified to be an educator?
A degree is a necessity in education
Sent in by James
I agree that education ought to be about quality; a degree alone doesn’t guarantee that, but what it does do is guarantee that the holder is in possession of some knowledge gained over a substantial period of intense study, against that of no formal education.
Who is really qualified to teach?
Sent in by Jonathan French
A friend of mine works at a school and is head of English, he doesn't have a degree and neither have a lot of the teachers there. The school is quite happy even though a tad illegal but at the end of the day, the students are getting a good education from teachers who know their subject.
Will I find work in Thailand?
Is there a definitive answer to this incredibly common question?
I wish I could look at the main scenarios, the reasons teachers ask if they will find work in Thailand, and give everyone a straight "yes, you will" or "no, you won't" answer. But unfortunately it's nowhere near that straightforward.
My own experiences
Sent in by Wendy Williams
In reply to previous posts about unqualified teachers and the great and plentiful jobs that are supposedly available - I have to disagree
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.
Fancy teaching freelance?
How easy is it to cut out the middlemen and rake in the cash teach students at their own homes?
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 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.
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.
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.
Renting an apartment?
Before you go pounding the streets, check out our guide and know what to look out for.





