John V
Age - the TEFL killer disease sweeping Thailand
I'm confused as to the type of teacher that schools want.
Perhaps it’s not a teacher that schools are looking for, but clowns masquerading as entertainers? Any school choosing a 22-year old party animal will produce disappointed.
Richard McCully
The dreaded Summer break
Six weeks means just far too much time on my hands
When I tell people back home how long I get off they think it’s some sort of perfect dream. However, there’s a certain length of time for a perfect holiday. Six weeks is way too long in my opinion.
Walter van der Wal
Mandatory health insurance for Thailand expats
Is it time for Thailand's golden oldies to get insured?
A recent government policy shift has meant that foreigners residing in the country will soon have to arrange compulsory health insurance. I’d like to share with you how this new policy is going to affect expats in Thailand.
Mickey Sheehan
New term conversations
Eavesdropping on the first day of term
Stephen Louw
Recruitment season
To find the 'right' teacher, you first need to know what the 'right teacher' means.
If you're a school looking for a teacher, or a teacher looking for a school, there is someone out there for you. But if you're looking for more than a one-night stand, find the one you feel you can comfortably talk to.
The Unofficial Samut Prakarn City FC Blog
Samut Prakarn City v Sukhothai
Our second home game of the season and The Firebats are in town
Tonight we host Sukhothai FC. Currently lying just below half-way in the Premier League table and with three draws from their opening three games, they could be tough opponents to break down.
Bangkok Phil
Renewing a UK passport in Bangkok
A fairly painless procedure
Like many bureaucratic processes in Thailand, advance preparation is key. In terms of paperwork, it's all about getting your ducks in a row so that the actual application day goes as smoothly as possible.
Adam Crittenden
Tips for first year teachers in Thailand
How to maximize your teaching enjoyment!
Successful good quality teaching is never a "walk in the park." As you prepare to teach in Thailand really try to focus on being there for the students.
Richard Constable
A year in Ubon (part two)
The continuing story of a first year teacher in Thailand
On the last day of the school semester, I came back from a classroom to the teacher's office, hot and flustered but on a high. I'd just said goodbye to my best class and told them among other things that I'd be looking forward to coming back to the school in the new semester.
Maya Dattani
What to expect when you move to Thailand
Life in the sticks and other oddities
I packed my bags and moved to Thailand to eventually become an English teacher. I was offered jobs in different parts of Thailand, but I quickly decided to move to a village in the North East region of Thailand, as opposed to a city. Moving from a city in Canada to a village in Thailand is a radical change but it's the type of challenge I was looking for.
TEFL Course News
March 2019
Discounts, special deals and latest news from Thailand's premier TEFL course providers
March, April, May and June are the peak teacher hiring months in Thailand. Improve your job prospects by taking a teacher training course.
Mark Newman
The good, the bad and the virtuous!
By just being here, you are making the education system better.
I've isolated the most compelling reasons why people teach long-term in Thailand and there are four of them as far as I can see... we like doing it, we can do it, we get paid for doing it, and 'purpose'.
Stephen Saad
How much Thai can you learn through Thai songs?
Every song can be a mini language lesson
Over and above the benefit of learning the language, listening to Thai songs will allow the learner to ‘get a feel’ for the country – how it thinks, how sentiments are communicated, the culture, the essence of being Thai, at least in the context of relationships.
Steve Schertzer
The poor traveler
The promised land or the den of lions?
One of the books I recently read is Bangkok to Ben Nevis Backwards, by Phil Hall. It could have been my story, minus the marriage to a Thai woman, a son, and an almost completed house in the countryside.
Phil Hall
Adventures in Laos
There's rarely such a thing as a straightforward visa run
Visa scammers, restaurant runners and queue-jumpers at the Thai Consulate. They're all part and parcel of a visa run to Laos.
Todd Persaud
Get it down on paper!
The secret to managing office politics
Conflict in a workplace can pop up unexpectedly. This is why it’s necessary for you to write things down. This way, when it comes time to defend yourself or to shed light on the matter you can look back to your notes and bring up exactly what happened
Blake Sibbitt
The best place to live in Bangkok for teachers
Onnud has got the lot!
In the past, all we had was a Tesco, Big C and the beer garden. It was pretty barren. But it's distance from the "city center" and subsequent lower rents, while still having access to the BTS, has made it a popular choice for expats.
FIRE in Thailand
What does your retirement from teaching look like?
There's no excuse not to invest and plan.
Planning for retirement doesn't have to be complicated. All you have to do is spend less than you make and invest the difference for the long-term. That's it. I know you are thinking that's easier said than done, but start small.
Sam Thompson
Moving on
The lives we teachers touch and the impact we have.
There are always those days that make you wonder what it is you’re doing with your life, but I would argue there are few professions that can allow a person to make so many direct contributions to the lives of others.
