Back to school again!

A very enjoyable morning at a school in the heart of old Samut Prakan

Sriwittayapaknam school in Samut Prakan caters for kindergarten up to primary age students. Much of the credit for its successful English program is down to the great Richard Barrow, who has been working at this family-run school for three decades and counting. Richard invited me along to see how the school is run and to chat with many of the students. Wow! I've never come across so many confident English speakers in one place.


Why education reform in Thailand is imminent

The Thai MOE surely has to begin the formal development of rules and regulations.

If the Thai education system was in fact reformed where certifications and teachers qualifications were vetted, then so-called teachers would indeed have to resort to “flipping burgers” in their native countries simply because they have no real qualifications to represent themselves as teachers.


Learning difficulties

Dealing with students that have special needs

If you get the chance to talk to the teacher you’re replacing, ask them if there is anyone to look out for with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in the class. Otherwise, you could be in for a shock.


The future of education in Thailand

Should the serious TEFLers be preparing themselves for change?

If the population of foreign EFL teachers doesn't want to be treated as a cheap commodity by Thailand's education system, the one sure-fire way to stand a chance is first and foremost don't be a cheap commodity.


Think about what students you want to teach!

Are you the serious, lecturer type or do you enjoy clowning around?

New teachers in Thailand often give plenty of thought to where they want to teach and how much money they want to make. But strangely, one question few teachers seem to ask themselves seriously is what kind of students they will be happy with.


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.


Clock, peanut and frog

The problematic pronunciation of many Thais

I try to have as much empathy for my students as I possibly can and I am becoming rather good at understanding the unintelligible. However, there are limits to everything and I am not a mind-reader. If a person says for example /sa-pye/, I know he or she means “Spy” (the wine-cooler or James Bond, doesn’t matter). But if someone says “kye”, I don’t automatically think of cry.


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?


Are Thai teachers actually helpful?

Or is the foreign teacher better off without them in the classroom?

Before beginning my experience as a TESOL teacher in Thailand, way back when I was a newbie farang taking my TESOL course on Phuket, I was repeatedly assured by indifferent agencies and instructors not to worry because you will always share classrooms with Thai teachers that are there to help you.


My wishes

Reflecting on what I could have done better for my students

What had I achieved as a teacher, as a class?" "What had I given them? What had my students taught me during the past year?" So many moments of ups and downs, sheer joy and triumphs, but there were things I wish I could have done better.


Showing 10 tagged items out of 152 total Page 1 of 16



Featured Jobs

NES English Teacher

฿60,000+ / month

Pathum Thani


NES Lead Teacher

฿15,000+ / month

Bangkok


NES Grade 4 Math and Science Teacher

฿40,000+ / month

Chiang Mai


English Conversation Teachers

฿35,000+ / month

Thailand


English Teacher

฿42,000+ / month

Bangkok


Female Kindergarten Teacher

฿45,000+ / month

Bangkok


Featured Teachers

  • Lloyd


    Filipino, 53 years old. Currently living in Philippines

  • Sean


    British, 65 years old. Currently living in United Kingdom

  • Thilivhali


    South African, 23 years old. Currently living in Thailand

  • Lungile


    South African, 36 years old. Currently living in South Africa

  • Jeany


    Filipino, 24 years old. Currently living in Philippines

  • Arlene


    Filipino, 36 years old. Currently living in Philippines

The Hot Spot


The Region Guides

The Region Guides

Fancy working in Thailand but not in Bangkok? Our region guides are written by teachers who actually live and work in the provinces.


Air your views

Air your views

Got something to say on the topic of teaching, working or living in Thailand? The Ajarn Postbox is the place. Send us your letters!


Will I find work in Thailand?

Will I find work in Thailand?

It's one of the most common questions we get e-mailed to us. So find out exactly where you stand.


Contributions welcome

Contributions welcome

If you like visiting ajarn.com and reading the content, why not get involved yourself and keep us up to date?


Need Thailand insurance?

Need Thailand insurance?

Have a question about health or travel insurance in Thailand? Ricky Batten from Pacific Prime is Ajarn's resident expert.


The dreaded demo

The dreaded demo

Many schools ask for demo lessons before they hire. What should you the teacher be aware of?


Teacher mistakes

Teacher mistakes

What are the most common mistakes that teachers make when they are about to embark on a teaching career in Thailand? We've got them all covered.


The cost of living

The cost of living

How much money does a teacher need to earn in order to survive in Thailand? We analyze the facts.