Sunday, 26th January 2020 — "I kind of lead a Thai lifestyle"

The cost of living - James works three different teaching gigs in Bangkok to make 90-100K a month but says all of those jobs are quite chilled. And even though he has a wife and two kids, he can still save almost half of his salary some months.

The great escape - This is our section for teachers who left Thailand to teach elsewhere. Has the grass proved to be greener? This week we feature Sonny, who moved to China in 2018. How are things working out? 

Friday, 24th January 2020 — "I wasn't prepared for having to scan my fingerprints"

A teacher's story - part five of Kink Bundy's experiences of working for a for-profit college in the Thai capital. In this instalment, Kink discovers issues with his contract that weren't mentioned at his interview such as the amount of holiday leave and signing in procedures.  

Phil Hall's back! - More stories from Phil's experiences at a government school in NE Thailand. "The seat felt a bit damp and when I tried to stand up, I discovered some little scallywag had spread glue all over the seat. There was laughter and more laughter until the students were in tears" 

Wednesday, 22nd January 2020 — Teaching opportunities

Recently added - An international school in Pathum Thani is looking for an early childhood teacher and offering 90K a month. A language school in Khorat is looking for full and part-timers with at least 45K on offer for full-time (not bad for the north-east). Any qualified music teachers out there? A vacancy at a private school in Bangkok could be music to your ears. View the current teaching positions on the Ajarn jobs page. 

TEFL course / Training - in our first TEFL course blog of 2020, one course provider is offering Ajarn readers a price-match guarantee. You'll find info about this offer and other course start dates, etc in our monthly blog. 

Monday, 20th January 2020 — Looking for a teaching job and need some more help?

Have a chat with us - we talk to British teacher Dean. Dean is currently in Vietnam but has 10 years experience of teaching in Thailand. He has thought about China or Japan but the start-up costs have rather put him off the idea. 

Monday, 20th January 2020 — 'Students never forget a good caning'

Student discipline - Ajarn blogger, Richard McCully, chatted with his students about punishment in Thai schools, ranging from the cane to forced haircuts to being made to run around the sports field in the baking hot sun. What were the students experiences and opinions?

Teacher salaries - How far does a 40K salary go in Bangkok? Will you be living well - or simply surviving?

Friday, 17th January 2020 — Does rewarding students for their efforts always work?

Student motivation - Teacher trainer, Stephen Louw, tackles the topic of student rewards, behaviourism and extrinsic and intrinsic motivation.

Reverse culture shock - what happens when the party is over and you have to return to your home country? Is it all plain-sailing and ticker-tape-parades? Expats and teachers who have lived abroad for some time will tell you otherwise.

Wednesday, 15th January 2020 — "They said it couldn't be done"

Teacher salaries - Live, work and survive on 20,000 baht a month in Phuket (arguably one of Thailand's most expensive cities) You're kidding me! It can't be done! Well here's one foreign teacher who not only gets by on that amount but actually enjoys doing so.

The great escape - these are the stories from teachers who taught in Thailand for a length of time but moved on elsewhere, perhaps to Japan or China or maybe even just to return home and pick up where they left off. What about James? He moved to Taiwan after three years of working at a 'shopping mall language school' in Thailand and it's fair to say he loves everything about his new country. 

Failed repatriation - one teacher's harrowing account of giving up on teaching in Asia and hoping things might work out back in England. They didn't. Big time! 

Thailand health - 'The full detox experience goes far beyond visiting a regular spa'.  Five recommended detox retreats to start your new year in Thailand.