Confessions of a new teacher
What I've learned in the first five months
I'm Karisa and I couldn't be more of a cliché: a blonde, American, recent college grad who decided to go teach in a foreign country! Don't be too impressed with me; I'm hardly unique in this expedition to teach English abroad.
Talkin’ bout my situation 2012
More worried teachers and their complex situations
More situations from teachers who plan on coming to teach English in Thailand and are looking for hard answers and stone cold facts rather than hearsay and barstool opinion.
One year later
Thoughts from a first time teacher on living and working in Thailand
The end of the term has made me very contemplative. A year ago I was in a very different situation than I am now; I was jobless and overwhelmed with debt and I was very confused about how to lift myself up from that desperate situation and pursue my dream of living abroad.
Quite literally a lucky career break
Be bold and ask your boss for a career break
Like many of you I work a regular job. For the last 8 years I've been a psychiatric nurse working for the NHS. Life is pretty good, I've never had as much job satisfaction as I do now (I'm not lying, honest!). But the lure of adventure is just too much.
It’s life Jim, but not as we know it.
Sent in by Ian
Are we better off here in Thailand or back in our homeland?
Sweet grandchild of mine
The incredible journey and how it all unfolded
A semi biographical tale of the journey from supermarket shelf stacker to respected teacher
Featured Teachers
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Seamus
Certificate (1), BA (1)
Irish (male, 28 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Deborah
Certificate (4)
American (female, 59 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Ross
Certificate (3), Phd (1)
American (male, 60 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Omer Faruk
Certificate (2)
Turkish (male, 26 years old, native Turkish speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Eric
Certificate (2), Diploma (1)
Canadian (male, 47 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Jane
Filipino (female, 39 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Aloha May
Certificate (1), Diploma (1)
Filipino (female, 30 years old, native Tagalog speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Enrico
BA (1), Certificate (1)
German (male, 41 years old, native German speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Alberto
BA (1), Certificate (1)
American (male, 33 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Nigel
BSc (1), Certificate (1), BA (1)
British (male, 52 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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
Renting an apartment?
Before you go pounding the streets, check out our guide and know what to look out for.
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.
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.
The cost of living
How much money does a teacher need to earn in order to survive in Thailand? We analyze the facts.
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 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.
Fancy teaching freelance?
How easy is it to cut out the middlemen and rake in the cash teach students at their own homes?
