Mark Brown

Mark Brown's blog on Ajarn.com


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California Accent provides over 300 TEFL lessons organized into 16 courses and 5 curriculums. These lessons are intended to be used by TEFL teachers in Thailand to supplement (not replace) the standard teaching materials issued by the provincial administrative organizations.


An undeserved promotion

Foreign teachers are powerless to stop problem students advancing

Last year in my P1 class I encountered a student named Oat (not his real name). Within minutes of meeting this child it was apparent that he had some sort of behavioral problem. He was extremely active, running from room to room, disrupting classes throughout the whole school. The other teachers tried to control him but it was close to impossible.


Discipline in the classroom

The 800-pound gorilla no one talks about

On more than one occasion last semester when I was teaching at the local high school I walked out of classes because I wasn't able to control an unruly crowd of 35 teenagers.


Problems with the Thai public education system

A list of almost twenty issues that certainly need looking at

I want to list some of the more egregious problems and describe reasonable solutions. Testing and implementing the solutions on a small scale will come later, if at all.


Expensive desk ornaments

Let's figure out how to fix the education system

I fully expect the majority of farang teachers to disagree with me and the approach I'm advocating. If you don't want to participate, fine, go drink a Chang and reflect upon your superior knowledge.


Why study English?

Or for that matter, why teach English as well?

For most Thai students the answer is obvious: it's a requirement. For many English teachers, especially foreign teachers, it's a job: a way to make money and keep their work visa current.


Cheating or helping?

Is it better to simply observe students and not try to fix things?

I learned a long time ago to not expect Thai people to think or behave the way we do in California. I've come to realize the futility of trying to impose Western values on this ancient culture.


Featured Jobs

NES Primary Homeroom Teacher

฿70,000+ / month

Chiang Mai


Full-time NES Teachers

฿47,500+ / month

Bangkok


Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary English Teachers

฿65,000+ / month

Myanmar


Preschool, Primary & Secondary Teachers

฿38,000+ / month

Myanmar


Native English Teachers for Primary & Secondary

฿45,000+ / month

Myanmar


NES English, Science & Math Teachers

฿42,300+ / month

Thailand


Featured Teachers

  • Lovelee


    Filipino, 29 years old. Currently living in Philippines

  • Rosemer


    Filipino, 24 years old. Currently living in Thailand

  • Jay-ann


    Filipino, 26 years old. Currently living in Philippines

  • Dina


    Filipino, 42 years old. Currently living in Philippines

  • Ninamexica


    Filipino, 26 years old. Currently living in Philippines

  • Merlyn


    Filipino, 28 years old. Currently living in Philippines

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.


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?


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!


Teacher mistakes

Teacher mistakes

What are the most common mistakes that teachers make when they are about to embark on a teaching career in Thailand? We've got them all covered.


Need Thailand insurance?

Need Thailand insurance?

Have a question about health or travel insurance in Thailand? Ricky Batten from Pacific Prime is Ajarn's resident expert.


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.


The cost of living

The cost of living

How much money does a teacher need to earn in order to survive in Thailand? We analyze the facts.


The dreaded demo

The dreaded demo

Many schools ask for demo lessons before they hire. What should you the teacher be aware of?