Humble pie

I have been in dispute with a good friend of mine for a long time about the ability of english teachers. My side is that if you know your grammar and have experience that you are more capable of teaching than someone with a B.A who has no experience. I told him in Thailand that it is just a question of legality. Even though I have a B.A in Civil Engineering I feel this does not give me an advantage unless I am teaching it or it is the favored subject of the student. My friend disagrees and told me that knowing grammar is neither here nor there when it comes to teaching English.

I left him to his own devices and let him learn the hard way. When the job he had been waiting for finally arrived, the one with the big pay and prestige that would allow him to walk the corridors of the elite, he fell flat on his face because when the Director of Studies questioned his abilities, he was tongue-tied and his background let him down (and stubbornness). This was a prime example of degree holders being snobbish and insecure about there abilities. A lot of teachers here aren't insecure about their abilities but only the legality of not having a real degree. If you have a degree in English language then I think you have a great advantage over the ones who don't and could quite easily fill a position of an English teacher even without experience. I think in time the Thai MOE will become the laughing stock of South East Asia for being both ignorant and incompetent.

In the next ten years Thailand will pay the price with India emerging as a superpower and Vietnam who will inevitably take over as the Economic superpower in this region. Gun, bullet foot syndrome. I begin to hear more horror stories than good ones as time goes by, reports that the islands down south are empty are another indication that people are now saying no to Thailand and the teachers are looking elsewhere for a better way of life, more money, more security and a simple bit of hospitality with a genuine smile.

Willem Ward


Read more letters

Send your letter to Ajarn.com



Featured Jobs

English Conversation Teachers

฿35,000+ / month

Thailand


Online Tutors / Teachers

฿800+ / hour

Online


Native English Teachers

฿46,000+ / month

Thailand


Early Year Homeroom Teacher

฿50,000+ / month

Prachin Buri


Online English Teacher (Remote)

฿342+ / hour

Online


Filipino HR and Training Officer

฿28,000+ / month

Bangkok


Featured Teachers

  • Sophia


    Nigerian, 30 years old. Currently living in United Arab Emirates

  • Benjamin


    Filipino, 32 years old. Currently living in Philippines

  • Kristine


    Filipino, 36 years old. Currently living in Thailand

  • Hermie


    Filipino, 24 years old. Currently living in Philippines

  • Mayoshi


    Filipino, 40 years old. Currently living in Philippines

  • Roben


    South African, 45 years old. Currently living in USA

The Hot Spot


The region guides

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.


Will I find work in Thailand?

Will I find work in Thailand?

It's one of the most common questions we get e-mailed to us. So find out exactly where you stand.


Contributions welcome

Contributions welcome

If you like visiting ajarn.com and reading the content, why not get involved yourself and keep us up to date?


The cost of living

The cost of living

How much money does a teacher need to earn in order to live in Thailand? We survey various teachers earning different salaries and with different lifestyles.


Air your views

Air your views

Got something to say on the topic of teaching, working or living in Thailand? The Ajarn Postbox is the place. Send us your letters!