A view from the student’s side of the classroom

Perspectives on becoming a student again

19th December 2012

For the most part, I was teaching (in a variety of different capacities) during the years I was also pursuing my graduate studies. Now once again I am alternating between the front and rear of the classroom, and this can be an effective method to help one to keep the student's perspective in mind when the time of the day comes for one to assume the role of teacher.

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.

Keeping foreign teachers

Sent in by Paul

3rd July 2012

How will Thailand prevent their slide towards last place in the ASEAN economic community when they can't keep foreign teachers? The Government in Bangkok make the request, but many educators can't seem to accept the help that they are given.

Thailand vs Korea

Which country offers more for the English teacher?

10th June 2012

Living and teaching in both laid back Thailand and fast paced South Korea has made for an interesting perspective on life in Asia. The two extremes are hard to compare but I think I should at least try.

Even Playing Field

Sent in by Keith

30th November 2011

I bet you that during the floods the Thai teaching staff still got paid. Yes, that’s right, double standards! For the record any Thai citizen can pay into the social security fund, and not just the civil servants.

The chalkies need a real change

Sent in by Mr Grumpy

15th November 2011

Nothing can prepare the foreign teacher for the employee-to-management-to-admin staff life. Dealing with these matters can drive the most experienced teachers up the wall and can turn a normally friendly teacher into a paranoid wreck!

Thai English teachers from Hell

Sent in by Keith Evans

2nd July 2011

I started teaching at the school in the Chaiyaphum Province about two months ago. Everything seemed to be OK at first. The students were polite and the Thai teaching staff were friendly.

Student failings and blame

Sent in by Phetpeter

27th January 2011

My stuggle is always the time I have to spend with each class and find my English only lessons are undermined by other imported teachers who will use more Thai in class then English when the previous year I taught them using English only

Why?

Standing up for the teaching profession, and the complicity of silence.

10th January 2011

“Someone wrote on your blog that you are 'dangerous'. I say you are a neurotic loose canon and a liability for a school, working with children”

Concerning plagiarism and copying

Sent in by Ralph Sasser

2nd August 2010

Plagiarism has been a problem here as long as I have been here and long before that. I hate to be the barer of bad news, but every teacher I know of has tried to stop it, including myself, with no success.

 1 2 >

View all Jobs »
TEFL and TESOL Training Courses
View all Resumes »
Schools that need Teachers

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.