What labor laws?
Postbox letter from Russell
Well, we find ourselves again at the end of the school year and for many the end of our contract. If like I and my three colleagues, you're wondering if your school will reward you financially for your services for the past year, think again.
It's that time of year again
Postbox letter from Bryan W
It's final exam time; And not just any old final exams, but end of year/graduation exams. Such a wonderful time for a teacher
My first year as a teacher in Thailand
The highs and the lows and what I've learned.
Now that this academic year is winding down, I reflect on my first year with a lot of mixed feelings. There have been a lot of awesome moments where I really felt like a teacher. I really felt like I was getting through to the students and I was the getting the job done.
Stick or twist?
Decisions, decisions, decisions
Like many other teachers I now find myself in the position where I need to make a decision about what I will do next academic year. Do I stay put? Or is it time to move on to pastures new?
Time management
Five tips for success
I have a few common-sense time management tips to offer for any of you newbies out there struggling to have a night on the town without stacks of work to be done nagging you in the back of your mind.
A word of warning!
Postbox letter from Anonymous
We had the bad luck of finding a great school in Trang, but our agent wasn't really up to scratch!
Why is English so poor in Thailand?
Students are simply just not 'taught' here
Recently I read an article that stated adults in Thailand are ranked 55th from a list of 60 countries on their English proficiency skills. From what I have seen as an English teacher working in government secondary schools over the last 10 years, I'm not surprised,
English program pitfalls
What are the disadvantages of being an English program teacher
Since I've been teaching in Thailand. I've by chance and not necessarily choice - always been placed in English Programs. English Programs are immersion-based ‘special' educative programs placed within government schools.
Another swipe at the system
I know I'm not the first to write about the education system in Thailand
Last week I was sat down by my managers (yes, this required all three of them) with minutes to go before the bell for first lesson and was told that my teaching style is not appropriate for the school. I had to clarify exactly what it was that they didn't like and was met with the response, "We don't want TEFL style teaching at our school."
Thailand's month of mourning
This is when Thai culture can really catch us unaware
Thailand has entered a month of mourning following the death of His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch. So what does that mean for us foreigners? How will this period of mourning affect us?
