The three types of English teacher in Thailand

Postbox letter from Simon

Once you go into your 70k+ with benefit jobs, the young teachers take it very seriously as it's their career and they want to impress. The stagnant teachers aren't really stagnating. They've just got older and want the quiet life. And the 'last-resort teachers' don't exist.

Another happy online teacher

Postbox letter from Simon

Study the market and check out the options out there. There's no reason for good teachers here to still be making crappy 35-40,000 salaries.

You're in Thailand, not Europe

Postbox letter from Tom

I had a blast in Bangkok, made 40-45,000 as a non-native speaker, but packed my bags after almost two years. I miss Thailand everyday, but I think I made the right choice.

A moderate Western expat lifestyle

Isn't that what decent teachers in Bangkok should always be aiming for?

Where is the dividing line between achieving what you deserve or just surviving and seriously going without? And keep in mind we are only concerned with a ‘moderate expat lifestyle’ here. This is not glamorous living or a ‘champagne lifestyle’ by any stretch.

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'.

It’s time to start paying non-native teachers fairly

Nationality shouldn't determine pay rates!

If someone speaks English to a native level, has great teaching skills and experience, they shouldn't be discriminated against purely based on their nationality.

Is it worth moving out of Bangkok?

People often cite the lower cost of living, better quality of life and a more Thai-style existence as reasons to be based outside the capital.

I’ve done a little research and come up with some example salaries in different regions in Thailand. Whilst this isn’t an exact science it should give a good guide of potential earnings

Are TEFL teachers unambitious?

What can you do about it if you feel you're stuck in a 'teaching rut'?

So many people complain about conditions, wages and opportunities but do nothing to address these things. Some TEFL teachers seem to think this isn’t an industry or a “real” job so other aspects such as annual reviews and training aren’t relevant.

Teach in Thailand - the ultimate gap year

Why Thailand would make a fantastic choice for your year off.

A year spent teaching here in Thailand can be a valuable experience. The real-world skills you’ll learn will be useful. The friends you make will help you through the tough times and lifetime bonds can be forged