The Growing Pains of the TEFL Industry

My take on another ajarn.com writer's column

I can understand Steve's disillusion with someone he probably trusted and looked up to. I also think part of his criticism is justified; teachers, administrators, recruiters and policy-makers alike should question themselves and the industry they are in more regularly. I do not, however, agree with the overall image that Steve paints of the EFL industry.


The TEFL Industry

A rotting, putrid, stinking corpse

EFL teachers are put into positions of authority and responsibility, most at a time in their lives when they have yet to learn what it means to be responsible. EFL teachers must learn to teach properly. They must learn to love their work. They must learn to see it as a mission and an honor. They must learn to be accountable for their actions, or their inactions. In essence, they must learn to become fuller human beings.


From Boulder to Bangkok

Thailand at a crossroad

When I heard that a teacher, an EFL teacher at that, had been picked up in Bangkok on suspicion of the JonBenet Ramsey murder, I knew that things would change. Or, at least, I hope that things will change. For the better. I, like everyone else, heard the name John Mark Karr for the first time


Let's expose dodgy teachers

Postbox letter from Chris Pennington

While it is admirable for a website like ajarn to champion the rights of foreign teachers in Thailand, I also feel there is a hand in hand obligation to acknowledge and understand the high proportion of ‘dodgy’ native English speaking EFL teachers out there at the moment.


Showing 4 tagged items out of 4 total Page 1 of 1



Featured Jobs

NES or European Teachers

฿34,000+ / month

Songkhla


Fun Native English Teachers

฿44,000+ / month

Thailand


NES English, Science and Math Teachers

฿42,300+ / month

Thailand


Kindergarten and Primary Teachers

฿42,000+ / month

Bangkok


Principal and Curriculum Developer

฿60,000+ / month

Bangkok


Short-term English Teachers

฿40,000+ / month

Thailand


Featured Teachers

  • Ederlyn


    Filipino, 27 years old. Currently living in Philippines

  • Richard


    Filipino, 26 years old. Currently living in Thailand

  • Rachel


    Irish, 33 years old. Currently living in Ireland

  • Sheila


    Filipino, 38 years old. Currently living in Philippines

  • Simon


    Nigerian, 43 years old. Currently living in Thailand

  • Maria


    Filipino, 26 years old. Currently living in Philippines

The Hot Spot


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 dreaded demo

The dreaded demo

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


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 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.


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!


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.


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.


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.