A look back at 2014
From an education and news point of view
For foreign teachers working in Thailand, the coup had a number of knock-on effects which started with a couple of days off school as educational institutions were temporarily shut down to silence protests from educators and university students.
In praise of school activities
School activities and the real business of education
It can be pretty frustrating when classes are cancelled and students go missing for activities and pre-activity preparations.
What is a qualified teacher?
Postbox letter from Concerned in Chonburi
As things stand, I hear from a recruiter that the authorities are visiting schools - government schools at that - and rooting out teachers who do not hold both a PGCE and a Bachelor's degree.
Why is English so poor in Thailand?
Students are simply just not 'taught' here
Recently I read an article that stated adults in Thailand are ranked 55th from a list of 60 countries on their English proficiency skills. From what I have seen as an English teacher working in government secondary schools over the last 10 years, I'm not surprised,
Understanding SEN
An explanation of what SEN means and involves
Special Educational Needs or SEN - the acronym it goes by - is an interesting part of international education. The last couple of years, there has been an explosion of understanding around SEN and a race to employ SENCOs (Special Educational Needs Co-coordinators)
Thai students and the fine art of copying
I couldn't believe what was going on in the classroom
I come from a society and a culture where the copying of anything in or out of a classroom is simply looked on as cheating. Not only cheating the whole idea of education but cheating oneself out of any possibility of learning, not to mention a total disrespect of the student who goes to the trouble of learning the correct answers in the first place. So I was appalled beyond measure when I saw my first example of copying in my classroom at my first school in Phuket.
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.
Is the education up to scratch in Thailand?
Postbox letter from Dr John Smith
After teaching in many government schools as well as private schools and universities all over the world and here in Thailand it is abundantly clear to anyone with a shred of grey matter that Thailand is one of the worst countries for education standards
