Cheating or helping?
Is it better to simply observe students and not try to fix things?
I learned a long time ago to not expect Thai people to think or behave the way we do in California. I've come to realize the futility of trying to impose Western values on this ancient culture.
Why can't Thais speak English?
Some of these students have had over 2,000 hours of English.
Considering that English has been the international language of tourism and commerce for I don't know how many decades now, and there are I don't know how many thousands of English teachers all over the country, why is the general level of English so poor?
What if you were the Minister of Education?
A fun challenge to see if you, as a teacher, could do better.
Could you create the 'perfect' educational environment? In these positions, you'd have the power over some of the issues facing us every day as teachers, but not all. Some problems can only be addressed higher up the chain, at the ministry level.
Archaic ideas are holding the students back!
Postbox letter from Keith
I have been working in Thailand for two years now, and with regret I have decided to bid farewell to a country that I adore.
Times are changing.
Postbox letter from Steve Bangkok
There's a whole new world of opportunity out there for the jaded TEFLer
Some teachers and schools DO care!
Postbox letter from James
While there is always time for fun and games, teaching anywhere, including Thailand, should certainly not be a "non-stop party" and by suggesting otherwise it trivialises the whole role of education
The social graduate
There is much to appreciate about what goes on at a Thai school
In Taiwan and Japan, they are just fanatical about studying and in the West, we're almost at the point where we've given up caring. Thailand seems to have a nice balance... the parents, teachers and the government care and are involved but they aren't crazy-ape-shit bonkers about it!
Not all Thai government schools are created equal
It can be a difficult choice for parents
I'm not a parent, but having been a teacher for several years in both Thai and international schools, I've noticed huge differences in the atmospheres of various institutions - often regardless of the tuition fees.
The Teacher’s Middle Way
Blending Thai and foreign curricula
The Thai Basic Curriculum (TBC) for Foreign Languages of 2008 (BE 2551): If you are a foreign teacher at a government school or an English Program school in Thailand you will have to deal with it at some point.
Problems with the system
Postbox letter from Mike
After 12 years and four different schools, I have come to the conclusion that the "quality of Thai students' English skills" did not improve within the last 12 years. But how is that even possible when more and more NES teachers with experience and degrees in education teach Thai students, even at smaller schools?
