Teaching in the sticks

31 cool and awesome things about living and teaching in rural Thailand

Before we get into the list I just want to mention that everything is written in good fun. Expats and Thailand veterans will understand more than first timers. Certain sentences and parts reflect my own specific experience more so than the general one. Some of it might come across as sappy, but I've had a very positive experience in Thailand and the glass is half full for me.


Five things I've learned in SE Asia

From smiling to haggling and crossing the road

Of these five realizations, I understand that perhaps none of them will do me any good back home, but then again, I don't see myself going home any time soon.


Our story

Two teachers in love and planning their life together in Thailand

Suffering or no suffering, this time we are doing it. We are Thailand bound and excited, if somewhat distracted for the time being. Sun, smiles, a detachment from most of what and who we know. New friends, new haunts and new experiences. A different perspective on life. Success or failure, this foray into the relative unknown will shape the rest of our lives.


We've landed!

I was looking for a job and then I found a job

I was refused a place at the two major international school recruitment fairs and turned down by every international school I applied to. Then one fine morning last week, I received an email from a private Thai EP school that I had applied to way back at the start of my job search, offering me an interview.


It's not the 'Land of Smiles' for us

Facing challenges as a black teacher in Thailand

For the sensitive minded people who live in utter oblivion about skin color, this is probably not the article for you. But this is the cold hard truth.


Is the drought over?

My experiences with water shortages in Thailand

I have lived with drought restrictions in Australia, but nothing like this. The dam at the back of the town has been bone dry, with any rain simply falling down the cracks.


Cultivating novelty

Making sure the novelty of living in Asia doesn't wear off

Sometimes I think about why I'm here. Why I left Thailand. Why I left America in the first place. The answers to those questions probably aren't all that different from lots of other foreign teachers here in this part of the world.


Working in Asia after retirement

It's been one amazing experience

I have lived and worked in Bangkok, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City and had the opportunity to travel throughout South East Asia during holidays. You can read more about the types of experiences you will encounter abroad in my latest novel.


Taxi English

Surely this should also join the ranks of 'English for specific purposes'

When compared to a place like Bangkok, Myanmar's taxi drivers don't even get that many foreigners in the back seat, but on the whole, the drivers here speak much better English than back in Bangkok.


Real estate since the coup

Property developers are putting their trust in the new regime.

Surely if there was a sense of fear or worry that the current regime may have a negative impact on the Thai economy, then real estate projects would be halted or at least slowed down


Showing 10 tagged items out of 41 total Page 1 of 5



Featured Jobs

NES English, Science & Math Teachers

฿42,300+ / month

Thailand


Part-time NES Summer Camp Teachers

฿450+ / hour

Bangkok


Online English Teacher (based in South-East Asia)

฿361+ / hour

Online


Online English Teachers for Adult Learners

฿406+ / hour

Online


NES Math Teachers

฿71,000+ / month

Bangkok


High School Science Teacher (Chemistry and Biology)

฿100,000+ / month

Bangkok


Featured Teachers

  • Kristine


    Filipino, 30 years old. Currently living in Thailand

  • Sheel


    Indian, 28 years old. Currently living in USA

  • Dennis


    Filipino, 29 years old. Currently living in Philippines

  • Stanislav


    Ukrainian, 38 years old. Currently living in Thailand

  • Bradley


    British, 32 years old. Currently living in Taiwan

  • Nimesh


    British, 43 years old. Currently living in Thailand

The Hot Spot


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.


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.


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.


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.


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!


The dreaded demo

The dreaded demo

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


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.


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?