The DoS by default
What can happen when your director of studies is a clueless foreigner
I've worked under four foreigners. The first one was fantastic. A fully qualified teacher with his own business who really wanted to be the best. The thing I liked the most about him was his honesty. The next three were just terrible people.
Back to reality
The thoughts of a returning expat
My biggest fear is that things may have changed so much that my skills will be inadequate and I will be overlooked in favor of people who have spent their time investing in themselves while I, in the eyes of a potential employer, have been messing around in Asia for the last seven years.
Talk your problems through
Postbox letter from Simon
I worked with an overweight guy before. The kids would often mention his weight. It got him down and I felt bad for him. He wasn't the most confident or assertive fellow in the world, so I told him that he ever needs to chat, come and chat.
Being fat and brown-skinned in Thailand
The truth about the ESL industry here for guys like me
My advice is to think long and hard before coming to Asia, especially Thailand, to work as an ESL teacher. Keep in mind that recruiters ask for your photo when you apply for the job.
Life's so unfair for the bad teachers
Postbox letter from
For every good teacher, I'd say there are three bad ones. The bad ones are usually allowed to coast along until the school finally get their revenge and don't renew their contract.
Ten reasons to quit teaching English in Thailand
How soon will you be heading home?
Are you a new teacher in Thailand? How's it working out for you? Have you found a nice apartment yet? Scoped out all the cool places to buy coffee and street food? Fantastic. Welcome on board...
Are Thai teachers actually helpful?
Or is the foreign teacher better off without them in the classroom?
Before beginning my experience as a TESOL teacher in Thailand, way back when I was a newbie farang taking my TESOL course on Phuket, I was repeatedly assured by indifferent agencies and instructors not to worry because you will always share classrooms with Thai teachers that are there to help you.
The ties that bind
The strain of living miles away from ailing parents and loved ones
Listening to family members tell you about their serious health worries never ever makes for a pleasant telephone conversation and I'll admit to putting down the phone on such occasions and becoming a little emotional. You can offer all the support you can over the phone or even via Sype webcam but nothing ever beats being there with them in person.
In defence of the edutainers
A young teacher's perspective on teaching in Thailand
Most of the English teachers in Thailand seem to be slightly older so it’s understandable that they would view energy, positive reinforcement and affability in the EFL classroom with disdain and denial.
Can you advise this teacher?
The problems with working for a great school but a poor agency
John loves the school that he works at but there are storm clouds brewing. He feels that the teacher placement agency might be in danger of losing the contract but he is 'legally bound' not to work directly for the school. John sees his long-term future in Thailand but doesn't want to continue with all this uncertainty. What would you do in his situation?
