Small talk with big results
The art of teaching English forwards
"Hi, how are you?" "I'm fine thank you, and you?" "I'm fine thank you." Now, where have we all seen and heard this longwinded, nigh on nonsensical way of communicating before?
Magazines with class part two
What I've learned from a school magazine project
What has topped it all off for me is the surprising ease that this potentially challenging project (getting students to produce a school magazine) has been thus far.
A fulfilling moment
The story of teacher Salrich
One Filipino teacher I knew and admired so much did something great for his school. His name was Salrich. When his director told him to beautify a 90-metre long concrete school-wall, Salrich hesitated for a moment. It was a huge undertaking.
Stay positive
Postbox letter from Steve B
I had tremendous trouble finding a decent job when I first arrived, in fact it was two months from the time of arriving in Thailand to my actual first day as a teacher.
Farang ajarn cover letter
Postbox letter from Mel
I wasted my time and my life of quiet TEFL desperation at an all-girl’s government school off the Hua Lamphong BTS station sweating direly in dreary and dilapidated non-air-conditioned classrooms beneath depressing rows of old, broken-down fans babysitting on average 40 bored, clueless, and mediocre mathayom students
Magazines with class
The task of producing a school magazine
Since being in Thailand, I’ve often thought about producing a basic magazine for students but, up until this new school year, had disregarded the idea because I was teaching P1 to 4 and it would have meant me doing most of the leg work.
Thailand so far behind
Postbox letter from Mr. Russell
I have very recently moved to Vietnam after four years spent teaching in Thailand. The level of English here in Vietnam as their second language is way ahead of Thailand. Thailand hasn't left first base yet.
Short and sweet
How to get large classes talking
Over the last 7 years of working in Thailand, I’ve seen numerous teaching forum threads about how to get large classes talking.
Thailand vs Korea
Which country offers more for the English teacher?
Living and teaching in both laid back Thailand and fast paced South Korea has made for an interesting perspective on life in Asia. The two extremes are hard to compare but I think I should at least try.
A canteen lunch the only benefit
Postbox letter from Lisa
I notice a lot of schools have gone from paying monthly salaries to only offering hourly wages with no benefits other than a canteen lunch.