Is this what's called burnout?
Postbox letter from Martin
What happened? It wasn’t one big thing. Just a thousand little ones. Unpaid overtime. Vague contracts. Schools that ask you to smile more when a parent screams at you for giving their child a B+. Being told to teach a lesson on Shakespeare to a class of M2s who can barely spell their own name in English.
Lost in the storm: trying to keep going as an English teacher
Postbox letter from Robert
There are days when I wake up feeling completely exhausted not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. I carry a weight that doesn’t seem to go away, no matter how hard I try to stay positive.
What has surprised you most about teaching in Thailand?
Postbox letter from Vicky
I’ve been in Thailand for a few months now teaching English at a government high school, and while I did some research beforehand, I’ve still been hit with a lot of surprises.
Too old to teach? says who?
46 and still able to stand at the whiteboard
I’m Kenneth. I’m 46. I teach English in Thailand. Apparently, that’s now too old.
From Bangkok to the boonies
Teaching in big cities v teaching in rural Thailand
It wasn’t until I found myself in a quiet provincial town where the local 7-Eleven was the only air-conditioned hangout, that I realised teaching in Thailand could be an entirely different experience.
You should come and do my Friday class
Postbox letter from Trevor
I recently overheard someone describe teaching English in Thailand as a “paid holiday.” They said it with a smirk, like we spend our days sipping coconuts under palm trees while casually correcting the odd verb tense.
10 classroom phrases every Thai student knows
Learn them. Embrace them. And yes - always have a game ready.
Often said with absolute honesty and zero shame, Thai students can be refreshingly direct when it comes to shortcuts.
I'll find a place that values my experience
Postbox letter from Cliff
Thailand, a country I've dreamed of teaching in, has shut its doors because apparently, I don't fit their preferred age bracket. "Under 55," they say. As if my years of experience mean nothing.
Basic advice for beginners (and not only beginners)
Postbox letter from Gregor
Beware of agencies that offer a visa and work permit after a 3-month probationary period. A 3-month "probation" is nothing more than illegal work and forcing teachers into visa runs.
Experience trumps qualifications every time!
Postbox letter from Mike
Experienced teachers who actually try are worth their weight in gold. You can only learn so much from a book and then you really need to just get your hands dirty.
