21st century education
A new and exciting approach to teaching
There has been much debate about exactly what a 21st century education should look like with academics producing long-winded articles packed full with migraine-inducing jargon... but not a lot of change has actually taken place in the classroom.
Enough is enough
Sent in by Annoyed
I have just left Thailand after 10 years of teaching, my wife and two children are in the process of getting their passports and visas to follow me here in the next couple of months. Why? Enough is enough,
Failures in sarcasm
When a lesson plan can all go horribly wrong
Even when I try to tone down my sarcasm, those rascally comments still slip from my lips! I know that my students are vaguely aware of sarcasm but they don't quite understand it and they certainly would never use it on their own.
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.
Researching the unknown
Sent in by James
In my opinion, many of the text books used in Asia in general are far in advance of the student's capabilities. They assume a level of competency that few attain, given the ‘happy happy’ method of teaching and the no-fail emphasis.
Help urgently required
Sent in by Jojo Tiger
I'm a teacher at the end of my tether with the situation I currently find myself in.
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.
Things I’d do differently
How am I going to get the best out of my students next term?
It's the last week of school, and I find myself thinking of ways to conduct my classes better than I have during this term. It's not that I think I've done a poor job, but I know there's always room for improvement. Besides, I'd hate to get bored; a bored teacher equals bored students. Bored students don't learn.
Don’t get lost in your role
Sent in by Brian
Those who are in Asia teaching English need to understand this simple reality: English teaching is a superficial industry. English language aptitude is simply social and economic capital in Asia. Is this not stating the obvious?
School open house
Not something you would expect to find in a Western school
For the past few weeks, all the students in our school have been preparing projects, posters, and games for the school's Open House Expo which is apparently held once every three years.
Featured Teachers
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Marc
Certificate (1)
British (male, 42 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Michael
BSc (1), Diploma (1)
British (male, 48 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Abigail
Certificate (1), Diploma (1), BA (1)
South African (female, 34 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Aleksandar
BA (1)
Serbian (male, 28 years old, native Serbian speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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David
Certificate (7), BA (1)
British (male, 48 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Mark
BSc (1)
Filipino (male, 24 years old, native Tagalog speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Paul James
Certificate (3), BA (1)
British (male, 34 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Steve
BA (1), Certificate (1)
American (male, 51 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Christiaan
BEd (1)
South African (male, 30 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.
Most recently answered question:
Would employers consider hiring someone with a vision impairment disability?
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.
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"
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.
Fancy teaching freelance?
How easy is it to cut out the middlemen and rake in the cash teach students at their own homes?
Renting an apartment?
Before you go pounding the streets, check out our guide and know what to look out for.
