Skin color does matter in Thailand

Sent in by Sano

28th February 2013

I do agree that a language should be taught by a native speaker but it is also important to look at the person's qualifications.

NES or Non-NES?

Sent in by Keith

26th November 2012

I've heard that the Ministry of Lack of Education in Thailand is now demanding that South Africans and wait for it, Irish nationals have to sit a TOEIC examination.

When is an NES not an NES?

Sent in by Jason

21st November 2012

I have heard that South Africans are not NES now, and they have to take an English proficiency test if they wish to teach. How does the Ministry of Education define an NES?

There are always terrible teachers out there

Sent in by Lucie

6th November 2012

I have to say that there are loads of native speakers out there who have no idea how to grade their language to an appropriate level for their students. There are even plenty of qualified teachers who may have been great at teaching, say, biology, in their home country, but cannot accept that to teach it to non native speakers, they have to change their methods and the way they introduce both concepts and vocabulary.

The death of General English

And if it isn't dead, it damn well should be

25th July 2012

Students study English with local teachers or native English speakers (NES), or both, but what they're ultimately looking at is a textbook, many of which were never published with Asian markets in mind.

Max Weber 101

Sent in by Chris

19th September 2011

In times where the majority of Western teachers were monocultural and monolingual – able to speak but English, and unfamiliar with other cultures in all but the most shallow of senses – native languages were thought to have no place in the second language classroom.

Asian features seal my fate (part two)

Sent in by Multi racial American

18th March 2011

The example of being discriminated at Hooters for not being a sexy young female is not equitable with my discrimination here. That is the restaurant industry in America and this is education

You give customers what they want - it’s a business

Sent in by Joe Hoeson

17th March 2011

I would like to say that my original letter was regarding whether or not it's okay to put 'native speakers only' need apply. Now, whether or not native speaker is used to mean we do not want black or Asian teachers is another story.

Asian features seal my fate

Sent in by Multi racial American

16th March 2011

Schools can technically hire whoever they want. If they want white faces, there is nothing that can be done about it.

Let’s not kid ourselves

Sent in by Anonymous

16th March 2011

The bottom line is that Thailand does not adhere to non-discriminatory hiring practices: height, age, attractiveness, overall appearance, and especially skin tone are typically and explicitly considered for any job that requires working with the public

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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.