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.
The 100% Unofficial Samut Prakarn City FC Blog
Fixture list for the 2019 season
Who do we play and when?
How will the team from Samut Prakarn fare in their very first season as a Thai Premier League club? It's going to be interesting!
Stephen Louw
Continuing professional development (CPD) for English language teachers
There are plenty of ways to help you improve as a teacher
In reality, there is only so much that a training course can squeeze into the time available, and there is only so much a beginner can learn about teaching before actually starting to do it.
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.
Walter van der Wal
Dental insurance for expats in Thailand
Why private dental insurance can come in handy
While you may think that the dental coverage provided by your employer as part of a group health insurance policy is enough, chances are that the level of benefits is often too low to meet your needs.
Richard Constable
What's a foreign teacher's contract worth?
What happens when your teacher agency won't pay up!
We were contracted to be paid for the full month of September but we were being told that our last day at the school was September 16, 2016. Something was rotten in the Kingdom of Thailand - it was like we were having our arses kicked out of a job too early.
TEFL Course News
January 2019
Our first TEFL course blog of the new year!
The peak teacher recruitment season is almost upon us, so if you are thinking of taking a TEFL course in Thailand and improving your employment chances, our monthly blog has plenty of deals and promotions.
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.
Richard McCully
Lesson planning
Can I make it a really enjoyable part of my teaching?
I was taught how to lesson plan during my CELTA course, but with many of my colleagues holding higher level teaching qualifications, I think I can improve by learning from them.
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
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.
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.
Mark Newman
Change your mind.....set!
Know what to expect if you decide to visit Thailand
I have some relatives coming over next March. With that in mind, I have put together a few ideas so the thing called 'culture shock' doesn't hit them (or you) too directly between the eyes and ruin their trip
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.
Mickey Sheehan
