How’s the ‘decorate’ and the ‘supervise’?

The joys of filling in customer feedback forms

4th March 2010

Should that be ‘supervision’ or ‘supervisor’? Was I supposed to rate the actual restaurant supervisor? Was I evaluating those that do the supervising as opposed to those who are supervised? Forget it. It doesn’t matter. It makes no sense whatsoever

A famous Thai dish

The best fried pork with holy basil

1st March 2009

The question is: what makes ‘the best pad gra pow moo?’ It turns out that the answer, especially in Thailand, it is totally subjective.

Epicurean guide to Thailand

Here are 3 reasons for lovers of Asian cuisine to take a culinary tour

1st February 2009

Without a doubt, Bangkok is the epicenter of Thai cuisine. Dishes from all over Thailand find their way to Bangkok. Intense competition leads to incredibly high standards. Inventive chefs specializing in Euro/Asian fusion find ready audiences. Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Malaysian, and Indian foods are all readily available; occasionally they’re fused with Thai ingredients to create some of the most interesting gastronomic mixes of in the world.

The isaan spirit

Isaan images

1st August 2007

And what about the Isaan people themselves? When was the last time you went out in a western economy, err sorry, country, and had a table of strangers ‘cheers’ you, and ask your name?

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Fear of change?

In Thailand the government has set 2012 as English Speaking Year with a goal of encouraging students to converse in English every Monday. Such policies are useful but the major leap of enacting legislation to make English an official language for Thailand is also needed

Software for student tests

The integration of internet and computers with education and English learning is something students find normal, and classrooms without some access to educational software may seem quaint. Some students may even feel they can get more ‘professional' teaching from the numerous online ELT sites if a school is behind in IT.

Whatever happened to the shopping mall teacher?

They are the shopping mall English teachers - gliding like pale, undernourished phantoms amid the hordes of weekend Thai shoppers. The main reason I empathize with the shopping mall teacher is because I was once one myself. I know how desperate and soul-destroying it can be.

Ajarn Competitions

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.