Great Expectations

When parents of students are simply too demanding

2nd October 2009

The demands and expectations that some parents burden their children with are alas often too great. At the moment I’m teaching a kid who hasn’t even turned six, yet his life revolves solely around learning.

Phonics for teenagers and adults

Why should students feel intimidated?

6th August 2009

Phonics for absolute and false beginners? Yup, and even up to intermediate level too. And beyond if your students benefit from it.

EFL Teaching in Thailand (and elsewhere) part two

What’s the best and the worst class you’ve ever taught?

1st August 2009

As promised, here are some of the lighter moments that I have been privy to in my time as an ajarn in Thailand; a time that, give or take one or two visits elsewhere, has lasted about twelve years. To be honest, I don’t have to think that hard to come up with memories of my good classes as they spring to mind with relative ease.

A basic model for teaching kids

Try something that really works

25th March 2009

This a very logical and easy-to-use starting point for teachers that are new to working with kids or want to improve their skills in this area.

Quotes from the discussion board

These are the hilights

31st October 2008

Here are some of the top quotes from members of various teacher discussion boards taken from over the past twelve months or so. Let's call it the best of the teacher's room

The A to Z of teaching TEFL in Thailand

A playful look at this sometimes crazy industry

30th October 2008

Thanks to the combined efforts of the ajarn.com discussion board members, we've come up with the ultimate A to Z of teaching TEFL in Thailand.

Thai teaching assistants

Angels from the planet Xerox or Satan's snitch?

4th August 2008

They are as much a part of a teaching package as subsidized health insurance, the occasional sports day and possible unpaid test-marking. We want to hear about yours. When asked to make photocopies does she say "coming right up oh great white-skinned one" or does she beat a path to the dean's door to remind him that slavery has been abolished?

Notes on a semester

What can you do when teaching starts to get you down?

3rd March 2008

How can I or any teacher that feels he's underachieving turn things around? I doubt there is any magic formula, but I've come up with a few ideas. Many of them are blindingly obvious but it's often the easy points we miss during difficult classes.

My tears and your legacy

A letter to President-Elect Lee Myung-bak.

1st February 2008

Recently the laws of South Korea were modified to improve the vetting process in the hiring of foreign English teachers. Analyzing my blood and urine for specific diseases and pre-existing conditions is one thing.

A very bad day indeed

Today was one of the most unpleasant in my four years plus of teaching

1st December 2007

My problem was discipline. You see, I've been teaching for over four years and until today I had only received two complaints.

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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.