The good, the bad and the virtuous!

By just being here, you are making the education system better.

I've isolated the most compelling reasons why people teach long-term in Thailand and there are four of them as far as I can see... we like doing it, we can do it, we get paid for doing it, and 'purpose'.

A year in Ubon (part one)

I know. I'll go and teach English in Thailand.

Do a TEFL course, sell my bungalow, get a teaching job and move to Thailand. What could be difficult about that?

Teaching very young learners

Whatever your gender you should feel confident to teach students of any age.

I quickly learned that teaching very young learners requires a lot of energy but it also energizes you at the same time. I was pretty nervous about teaching five and six year old students but in the end I have found something which I really enjoy.

Solving the 'boring campus' issue

Ten low or no cost ideas to make your campus sticky

Most college administrators and professors here in Thailand are familiar with the student complaint: campus is boring! Some universities are trying to solve this problem using the idea of “stickiness” In fact 'the sticky campus' is now a designer phrase.

What you can learn working with colleagues from different countries

Everyone has something to offer you

Overall, I really enjoy having a true international environment at work. The chance to work and meet people from so many countries has improved me as a teacher and allowed me to learn a lot about other cultures.

How far does a 30K salary go in Bangkok?

Will you be living well - or simply surviving?

Is it possible to live in Bangkok on a 30,000 baht teacher salary? OK, let's really drill down those numbers.

25 teacher mistakes / rules to teach by

Postbox letter from James

25 teacher mistakes to learn and live by - especially if you are a teacher in Thailand.

Tips for the newbie teacher

Keep these points in mind and you'll cope far better

Don't get stressed by the job. Remember that you are merely the latest in a long line of farang teachers who have come and gone. There isn't enough time to make any real progress with students' English so just try and make it fun for them.

Useful classroom management techniques

These ideas have all worked for me!

If you have something the students want then you have a big asset in keeping your class under control. I have developed a few games and props that the kids love and I will use them when they start to tire or lose focus on a more testing part of the curriculum.