Class, may I go out?

Dealing with a delicate classroom issue

2nd November 2011

What do you do you if in the middle of your teaching you suddenly feel the urge to go to the toilet? Do you wait until your class is over? Do you ask your students to excuse you? What's the best way to deal with this most personal of issues?

How did they know?

When hospitals sharing information can prove costly

7th September 2011

Recently, someone sent me an e-mail asking me if health insurance companies and hospitals in Thailand share information among themselves without permission from the patient.

What about high blood pressure?

Always be 'up front' with your health insurer about high blood pressure

17th January 2011

Last year we had a couple of fairly recent applicants get hospitalized. Their hospitalization had something to do with their history of hypertension.

Life insurance for savings or family protection

A detailed look at what life insurance is all about

21st October 2010

I strongly believe that life insurance should primarily be purchased to guarantee financial security for loved ones, to cover payment of a debt (house purchase) or guarantee continuation of a business should an owner/partner die unexpectedly.

More on ‘ajarn healthy’ for healthy ajarns

Are the ajarn.com health insurance policies truly for you?

14th September 2010

The medical insurance plans being offered through the Ajarn.com Group were selected because they provide good adequate medical coverage for most medical needs in Thailand at an affordable cost for teachers (under age 60).

A dream lifestyle in Thailand

Does Chiang Mai offer the perfect place to live and work? Well, live anyway

1st September 2010

I'll put my hands up and admit I've been somewhat unkind to Chiang Mai in past blogs. On past visits, I've usually had the job of playing tour guide to my ageing parents and a couple of their friends. It's never easy to move a group of elderly folk around a sizeable Asian city without having every tout and unofficial tour operator descending on you from miles around

Getting claims paid

Three types of health insurance buyer

26th July 2010

As a rule, there really are no good or bad companies when it comes to paying claims, although some are a little better than others. It’s mainly a matter of timing and situation.

Michael’s Story

A remarkable story of overcoming some of life's obstacles

31st May 2010

I'm featuring Filipino teachers' stories and tackling some employment issues concerning foreign teachers from a Filipino's perspective which I hope might add to the tone at ajarn.com. So, wish me luck!

Please help me,. I have Crohn’s Disease!

Will group health insurance cover a pre-existing condition?

31st May 2010

I suggest that the letter writer check with his doctor to see if another more readily available form of medication would be just as acceptable for his needs. If not, then he should forget about coming to Thailand.

I am my mother’s keeper

Living my mother’s legacy in a world of good and evil.

2nd May 2010

I tried to look for a teaching position, but my heart just wasn't into it. I couldn't concentrate. I couldn't focus. I had lost my energy, my drive to succeed. I barely functioned at all. I stayed in my hotel and watched the news. I did go out to eat and drink. There were nights when I drank and drank and drank. I tried to forget, but the more I tried to forget the more I remembered.

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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.

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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.