Who'd be an academic director?

Tired of being just a teacher? The grass isn't always greener in an AD's office

Whether becoming an Academic Director is worth it depends on your career goals and personality. If you enjoy leadership, problem-solving, and the challenge of managing people, it could be a rewarding move. But if you love the simplicity and direct impact of teaching, the transition to management might feel like more hassle than it’s worth.


Good to see schools getting more organised

Postbox letter from Ricky

I've just returned to Thailand for my second teaching stint after a five-year hiatus back in my homeland.


The dreaded teacher burnout

How is it caused and how can you avoid it?

"I'm a new teacher about to start work in Thailand and this will be my first full-time teaching gig. I often see more experienced teachers refer to 'teacher burnout'. Just out of interest, what are some of the things that contribute to such a condition?


Filipino teachers need to get tougher

Postbox letter from Joe, Bangkok

The Filipinos at my school are overly obedient and never question management. To the point that they end up working evenings and weekends for free. The Thai management see this and now expect the same from westerners.


Why can't Thais speak English?

Some of these students have had over 2,000 hours of English.

Considering that English has been the international language of tourism and commerce for I don't know how many decades now, and there are I don't know how many thousands of English teachers all over the country, why is the general level of English so poor?


Archaic ideas are holding the students back!

Postbox letter from Keith

I have been working in Thailand for two years now, and with regret I have decided to bid farewell to a country that I adore.


The management is a nightmare

Postbox letter from Qualified Teacher

I've been working at a Thai government school for three months and the foreign teachers feel like they are tolerated, not wanted.


18 red flags

18 points to consider carefully when choosing a school

From unpaid mid-term breaks to having to pay for white-board markers. What are the things that turn teachers off the idea of working for a particular Thai school - and are they justified?


The DoS by default

What can happen when your director of studies is a clueless foreigner

I've worked under four foreigners. The first one was fantastic. A fully qualified teacher with his own business who really wanted to be the best. The thing I liked the most about him was his honesty. The next three were just terrible people.


Go with the flow

Don't come to Thailand if this kind of stuff makes you mad

As westerners, we like to have schedules and we like to know things ahead of time. Stuff like that doesn't happen so much in Asian culture.


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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.


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?


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.


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 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?


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.


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.