The school that once was
Sent in by Mr. Greenberg
A well regarded school, a school with a beautifully rich history, is now perceived as something else. Asked about the school’s services, a Thai faculty member, who asked not to be named said, “most of what is happening now is all for show.”
When your face just doesn’t fit
When a school wants to fire you, what can you do?
I had been working as a Maths teacher for just under four months at a Catholic school in Bangkok when the head teacher, who is always happy to deliver bad news in a very dramatic way, informed me that parents had complained about the homework books not being marked. This was just the beginning.
The real deal
Sent in by Juan de la Cruz
English cannot be learned in school alone. Even if you're the most effective English teacher in the whole world, a student will only learn English to full extent if he/she uses it outside of the classroom.
Teacher dress codes
Sent in by Sarah
Don't waste your money buying pants. Maybe the school you work at will not be as strict with this policy, but unless you have overwhelming feelings about this topic, buy skirts and dresses to be on the safe side.
Thais and speaking English
Sent in by Steve
In Thailand they have a genuine disinterest to talk and communicate with foreigners. They're generally not eager to learn about other cultures. They are closed. Why? who knows. Maybe its because its a big country that houses everything that you'll ever need in your lifetime.
Coming back home
Can second time around ever be as good as the first?
Returning to live in Thailand is quite different from coming to live here for the first time. Instead of everything one encounters seeming exotic, one mostly senses the familiar.
Teacher employer etiquette
All we're asking for is a reply
I feel it is just unprofessional that if someone well qualified for an advertised job takes the time to research the job and your school, then you as an employer should have the courtesy (manners) to acknowledge that application even if the applicant may not be right person for the job.
The Thai beauty myth
Why do so many Thai women fall for the whitening cream scam?
As a man, it never ceases to amaze me how easily women are fooled into believing the obvious scam that certain creams on the market will make their skin whiter. It's so obviously a scam yet there are so many women who fail to be deterred and go out and buy the products. Men are increasingly doing the same.
Happy hour at the ESL bar and grill
Amusing the students to death
Students are being scammed out of their money by an industry that is content to amuse the students to death by turning English language education into a perverted version of happy hour at Joe's Bar. Teachers and students deserve better than that.
Work ethic vs life ethic
Is it possible to find the perfect balance?
It's just interesting to note that it is the relaxed attitude that keeps the East "developing" while it's our go-go attitude that makes us "prosperous". The same attitude that hinders them in business allows them to be happily content with life, whereas it's our work ethic that erodes at our physical and emotional well being.
Featured Teachers
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Thidakorn
BSc (1)
Thai (female, 47 years old, native Thai 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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Darren
BA (1), Certificate (1)
Australian (male, 41 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Raisa
BA (1)
American (female, 24 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Anthony
Certificate (1)
British (male, 28 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.
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Paul
Diploma (1), BA (1)
Australian (male, 42 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Jose
MA (2), Diploma (2), BA (1), Phd (1)
Spaniard (male, 41 years old, native Spanish speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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John
Certificate (5), BA (1), MA (1)
Canadian (male, 46 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Jerome
MA (1), BA (1)
French (male, 41 years old, native French 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.
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.
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.
Fancy teaching freelance?
How easy is it to cut out the middlemen and rake in the cash teach students at their own homes?
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.
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"
Renting an apartment?
Before you go pounding the streets, check out our guide and know what to look out for.
The cost of living
How much money does a teacher need to earn in order to survive in Thailand? We analyze the facts.
