Understanding the Thai school system
A guide for foreign teachers
If you’re planning to teach in Thailand, it helps to have a basic grasp of how the education system is structured. While life inside a Thai classroom can sometimes feel unpredictable, the framework that holds everything together is actually quite well organised - at least on paper.
School lunches in Thailand: surprisingly awesome or shockingly spicy?
Postbox letter from Annette
At my school, lunch is a proper cooked meal - rice with a rotating line-up of soups, stir-fries, and curries that range from "mmm, not bad" to "someone get me a fire extinguisher."
Some more reasons why you'll quit teaching in Thailand
Six more reasons why you'll be heading home before too long
The frustration of having no real authority over your students, interference from Thai teachers, the thankless task of morning gate duty and more!
A great career but......
Postbox letter from Elisha
The element of autonomy in the teaching world was what appealed to me about teaching compared to other (employee style) careers.
What you can learn working with colleagues from different countries
Everyone has something to offer you
Overall, I really enjoy having a true international environment at work. The chance to work and meet people from so many countries has improved me as a teacher and allowed me to learn a lot about other cultures.
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.
Getting the kids hooked young!
My goal is to not frighten the lives out of my students
I'm stepping back from the serious, academic approach and working on making my classes something that kids look forward to - even if they aren't learning as much.
Who is worth working for?
In search of the holy grail.
Is there a Holy Grail of ELT jobs? Why are some teachers happy, while others suffer under a yoke of abuse? Who are these employers that are spoiling our fun?
Low test scores are no surprise
Postbox letter from Sheri
It is not a surprise that Thai students score so low on English tests because they don't sense any urgency in learning English.
The 'Hour of Code' is here
Computer coding is going to become an essential skill for all students
Simply learning how to use popular software applications is no longer enough for today's students. Other countries are waking up to this reality and education departments have reformed their computer studies curriculum to introduce students to the basic principles of computer science from an early age.
