The ideal student to teach

What characteristics make the perfect Thai student?

It's only fair for teachers to entertain thoughts about the benchmarks for role model language learners. Let's explore the traits that many teachers would cherish in their students.


Longer classroom activities

Here is a selection of tried and trusted longer activities that are much than just lesson-fillers and warmers.

Activities for all ages and levels including role-plays, debates, grammar focus and some simply to get students using their imaginations.


How to make lessons interesting (warmers)

A good selection of warmers and lesson-fillers for a teacher to keep up their sleeve

Warmers are an important part of a lesson. They aren’t just there to fill time while you figure out what page they’re on today. A simple warmer should be either used to review the previous lesson or set the scene for the day’s class. If done well, students become interested and are then easily led into the main task.


More on lesson planning

looking at three lesson components; warmer, lesson stages and plenary.

With a little bit of practice, lesson planning will become second-nature and, once you have everything in place, the actual teaching side of things will also become a whole lot easier - and more rewarding.


A reluctance to question the teacher

Postbox letter from Sophie

I've found one of the most challenging aspects of being a new teacher in Thailand is the students' reluctance to ask questions in class.


Motivating Thai students to use English

Postbox letter from Warisa

The main issue occurring in all places is the inability to utilize the language efficiently in all skills (reading, listening, writing, speaking)


On entering the classroom

On your first day as a teacher, winging it is not an option.

The best way to be confident is to be prepared. Have a broad idea of how your first few lessons are going to go. If you can get hold of a lesson plan or course book beforehand, then wonderful. If not, at least have a ‘getting to know you’ type of lesson up your sleeve.


Ways of teaching

Do you know your TBL from your ESA and CLT?

Great debates rage as to whether PPP is outdated, if TPR works for everyone and if ESA is really PPP in disguise. The good news is that the basics remain simple – keep students entertained and give them a chance to use what they are learning.


Stars and candy

When rewarding our students for their efforts works ..... and when it doesn't.

Children aren’t pigeons. Learning isn’t simply habit formation reinforced by a teacher with an unending supply of stickers and stars. The fact is, we can’t induce children to do our bidding for long by offering a reward or issuing a threat.


Movies in the classroom

Showing movie clips to students can be a fantastic teaching tool

Instead of showing the whole movie, we can focus on a clip from the movie – for the purposes of the classroom, you can get a lot of mileage from just a few minutes lifted from a movie.


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The Hot Spot


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.


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.


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.


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!


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 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.