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
In search of the average Thai
Are they earning 25% of what foreign teachers earn?
Often when I'm chatting with a relatively long-term foreign teacher, the conversation will turn to money and the topic of teacher salaries. And usually the person will remark that the average teacher salary in Thailand hasn't increased for the past ten years.
A job should be for life not just May to September and November to February
Postbox letter from Jonathan
Just a little comment really based around what the Ministry of Education are trying to achieve and the way teachers in the broad stream of education are treated salary wise.I appreciate what the MOE are trying to do but I think their sledgehammer to crack a hazelnut approach is way off the mark.
Copywriting
Part 3 of 10 ways to supplement your teaching income
First of all let me say that good copywriters are hard to find and thus extremely valuable. It is a niche job that has become more and more popular in the web sphere and has always had strong roots in print and media. As English teachers, you will already possess the strong skills you need in spelling and grammar but can you tell a story?
Looking for private students
Part 1 of 10 ways to supplement your main teaching income
I started teaching in Thailand six years ago and now I am lucky enough to be the founder of one of Thailand's leading web and graphic design schools. Getting where I am now has taken a lot of hard work - but I now realize that there are many opportunities for teachers to supplement their main income like I did.
Teaching corporate classes
Mixing it with the suits
A few weeks ago, an opportunity finally presented itself through my part-time language school to teach two evenings per week at an engineering firm in the Ekkamai area. I jumped on the chance, and I must say: I'm so glad I did!
The darker the skin, the smaller the wage?
Postbox letter from Lyndsay Anne Cabildo
I know for a fact that since the native English speakers have spoken English since the time they were born, they think they will do better as an English teacher.
Teaching one-on-one and agency issues
Preparing a student for an important exam and the joys of being paid late
Aside from keeping busy with school and extra lessons, it's been an interesting week. There's no point in going into details, but I will say this: do be careful what agency you sign up with. Things can easily go wrong. Our salaries were paid to us several days late, and this is after the agency changed the pay date stated on our contracts after we had already signed them
Government or private school?
Which one comes out on top for a teacher?
I have to remember that I can't just do things for anyone who asks, else I'll bleed dry in a hurry. I'm bad about always agreeing to do things, even if they cost me time and money to do so. There's a point where you must say no, like it or not.
Maximum respect
Postbox letter from Derek
I really respect the people that come to Thailand and get jobs working in schools to help students learn English. I've worked these types of job in the past and know that I've made a difference in the lives of many of the students that I've worked with.
