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?
Who does teaching in Thailand suit most?
Postbox letter from Jack
Teaching English in Thailand is a good match for some people at some stages of life and maybe not a good match for the same or different people at different stages in life.
Not a career path
Postbox letter from Chris
The biggest problem with Thai government schools is the teachers having to produce their own lesson material and curriculum.
Baby steps and spontaneity
An ode to a semester in the books
One thing I will say for any aspiring teachers who are even mildly contemplating the idea of hopping over the pond to teach is this: Give it a shot! I for one am 25 years old and despite being here for seven months, am still wildly unsure of what I want to do for a career.
Amazing Thailand
Postbox letter from Russell
Those of us that have been here some years all know how this country has changed in the past 5 years. And most of us with balls would say it’s not for the best.
Summertime blues
Major changes that will affect many teachers
Next year it's going to be a very long summer. Schools will be finishing in early March as usual but the new school year won't begin until mid-June. That's a 3-month holiday we're looking at. Great news for our students but it may be a little worrying for teachers that don't get holiday pay
Word of warning on a dodgy agency
Postbox letter from Mol
Unfortunately, the agency curse in Thailand has struck again. We have had the pain of dealing with a certain agency in Trang.
Does Thailand want to keep its teachers?
Postbox letter from Jonathan
I think it is plain to see that Thailand has to change the way it operates. The fat cat agency owners are making a killing ripping off teachers. The school directors are pocketing money to buy their Mercedes instead of buying what the school needs.
When your face just doesn't fit
When a school wants to fire you, what can you do?
I had been working as a Maths teacher for just under four months at a Catholic school in Bangkok when the head teacher, who is always happy to deliver bad news in a very dramatic way, informed me that parents had complained about the homework books not being marked. This was just the beginning.
