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.
What keeps us in Thailand?
Sent in by Keith Evans
I've been teaching in Thailand for seven years. Like most of my fellow foreign teachers here I've been through the visa and work permit mangle and all the other bureaucratic crap that the Thai Government can throw at a human being, but here I remain.
The land of good samaritans
Sometimes you can find help when you least expect it
What happened to me last November has given me the impression that there are indeed a lot of good samaritans in Thailand.
No work, all play!
vacation time as an English teacher
There are many perks to teaching English abroad and my absolute favorite is the amount of paid vacation alloted to foreign teachers.
Food, glorious food
One of Thailand's many conveniences
There are a lot of perks to living and teaching English in Thailand and as someone who likes to eat good food, one of the perks I enjoy the most is delicious home-cooked food being available at your fingertips.
Myths and misconceptions regarding real estate in Bangkok and Thailand.
Some of the untruths that get banded about concerning Thai real estate
Many of the myths and urban legends addressed in this blog will be ones that we have actually heard from our clients or from other sources within the industry
How low can we go?
Sent in by Martin Chilvers
There seemed to be a time when 30-40,000 baht a month salaries were the norm, and I suppose like many teachers I felt that things were only going to get better. But what's going on in Thailand?
Ask Joyce Armitage
When only a wise old head will do.
I am here to answer all those nagging ‘teacher etiquette’ questions that sometimes even your best friends and colleagues can’t or won’t answer. Please don’t be afraid to ask. With years of experience behind me, I’m hopeful that I can always come up with a solution that keeps a smile on everybody’s face and keeps the work-place harmonious. Best regards, Joyce Armitage
A room with a view
From airless studio apartments to dingy guest houses
I was thinking the other day about how many different styles of accommodation or housing I have lived in during my years in Bangkok - rented houses, tiny studio apartments, dodgy neighborhoods - I didn't realize there were so many. So in chronological order, here are the places that have provided a roof over my head at some stage.
The ajarn.com guide to renting an apartment
Everything you need to know about renting an apartment in Thailand
If you're searching for an apartment in Bangkok - or anywhere else in Thailand for that matter - then read the ajarn.com guide to apartment-hunting and learn the tricks of the trade.
Featured Teachers
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Janet
Certificate (2), Diploma (1)
British (female, 57 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Xavier
Certificate (3)
French (male, 35 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Jason
Certificate (2), BA (1)
American (male, 32 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Graham
BA (1)
British (male, 49 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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David
Certificate (2), BA (1)
American (male, 61 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Barry
MA (7), BA (1), Diploma (1)
American (male, 60 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Guillaume
BA (1), Certificate (1), Diploma (1)
Ivorian (male, 41 years old, native French speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Stephane
Certificate (2), BA (1), MA (1)
French (male, 33 years old, native French speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Colin
Diploma (1)
British (male, 43 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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James Ian
Certificate (2), BA (1)
British (male, 60 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
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?
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.
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.
Renting an apartment?
Before you go pounding the streets, check out our guide and know what to look out for.
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.
