What makes a likeable teacher?

Postbox letter from LG

I would say that when evaluating a teacher, you need to know something about their knowledge base, and, if possible, ascertain their level of caring for the students.


Observations from a teacher recruiter's chair

Postbox letter from Brian

If you have any hand in employing teachers, and you're only interested in warm bodies in the classroom and paying the very least, you're going to attract the worst kind. But if you actually take the time to read cover letters, read CV's and try to get a feel for the person applying, your life will be so much easier.


Most teachers just don't care!

Postbox letter from Jim

In my opinion 80% of teachers don't care and never will. Paying them more than 35K per month is just money in the bin. 10% care somewhat and 10% take it on as a career and profession.


The TEFL job interview and what makes a good teacher?

Getting past the interview stage and deciding what roles to play in the classroom.

Think back to your favourite teacher at school. What was it that made him or her stand out? Chances are if you ask 10 people this, they’d come up with broadly similar qualities.


It's not about being liked

Postbox letter from Jim

What about comparing a teacher who has a good work ethic, a diploma possibly from a decent university, years in the game, a PGCE, a professional license. In short, someone that has something behind him and something to offer?


Different teachers, different styles

Sometimes showing the students tough love doesn't work.

My teaching colleague was just a bully who could only intimidate the younger students. ‘Find something unique that the kids are interested in, then you will be halfway there’ was some of the best advice I ever got.


Life's so unfair for the bad teachers

Postbox letter from

For every good teacher, I'd say there are three bad ones. The bad ones are usually allowed to coast along until the school finally get their revenge and don't renew their contract.


Be the worst teacher you can be

A guide to making life difficult for you and everyone else

There's simply not enough information on how to be a crap teacher and just coast by. There's almost nothing on how easily you can do things that can get you fired or at least lose you the respect of everyone around you.


Bad teacher!

Our experiences as students guide us as teachers.

It's painful to watch teachers model themselves on the teachers they specifically didn't like - a case of "Okay you lot, if you aren't going to listen, I'll do what Mr. D used to do to us in form 1. I hated that I was becoming Mr. D with my own students.


A good teacher

Who gets to decide what it means to be a 'good' teacher?

I have to admit that it is easy and tempting to think about teachers in shades of 'good'. But perhaps the reality is that there is no such thing as a good teacher. Or, if you are a glass-half-full sort, every teacher is good (in their own little way).


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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!