Well as far as teaching goes, very little. I had been in retail management for the majority of my working life prior to coming here after serving in the RAF for several years and studying History at Manchester University. My last few years before moving out here were spent managing shops, and any experience at passing on any knowledge I had was mostly in staff training (one of the reasons I take with a fistful of salt any remark akin to “I used to train crane drivers back home.”, in answer to “What experience do you have in teaching?”).

My step-parents were living here at the time. I hadn’t seen them for many years and in fact hadn’t had a holiday for 10 years myself. Circumstances found me in a position whereby I was alone, so I decided to take a break and visit them. Being a naïve type, I did the usual tourist things and had such a great time (yes, I met someone), that I decided I’d come back and give living here a go. Of course my step-father was appalled and was utterly against the idea, but stupidity overcame common sense and I returned a short time after returning to UK.

Well, upon my return, I began scouring the local press for suitable job opportunities. Of course there were none (or none in which I might be able to apply my experience), but what did become immediately apparent was the prevalence of opportunities to teach English. Native speakers, no experience necessary, full training given etc, etc… Thus, choosing an ad (at random), a phone call found me talking with a straight-talking Yorkshireman, who invited me along for an “interview”. I turned up in the expensive suit I’d purchased immediately prior to leaving UK, with which the DOS was suitably impressed, and the “interview” went very well. Well enough in fact, that I was offered a part-time position and an adult class for the following Monday.

“Damn, I’m good.”, I thought to myself as I left, some 3 minutes after arriving. (Little did I know at the time of course that nothing short of turning up in a pink tutu and whistling Dixie would have gotten me the job.) The following Monday, and turning up in plenty of time to receive my full training, I was promptly handed a marker and pointed towards the classroom with the DOS’s words ringing in my ears… “Go get ‘em tiger.”

Striding through the door with a confident air, I found myself confronted by about 10 adults sitting in lecture chairs, who, although being thoroughly impressed with my appearance, looked at me quite expectantly; and so, drawing upon all my training, I began my lesson with the words “Now what do I do?”

Luckily, there was an experienced student in the class (you know, one of those students who’s been studying for years and really knows how she should be taught level 1 conversation), who chipped in with a quick “Why not start with the alphabet?”, “Yes of course!” was my answer and things kind of degraded from there. Quite possibly the longest 2 hours of my entire life. I could go on, but to cut this long story short, things continued in much the same vein for around 6 months before I finally figured out exactly what was required of me and how I should be going about it.

Difficult one. If I was brutally frank, I’d say something along the lines of “If you want to study English, you might as well do it with us. It’s not that we’re better than anyone else, but we might be nearer. ”Ok maybe that’s a little unfair, perhaps something akin to “We try our best.” Might be more appropriate.

I’m not sure if you could print what I’d say. However, I’d probably tell them that this company (though not the teaching part of it), is the worst company I’ve ever had the misfortune to work for. To which they’d undoubtedly reply, “Tell us something we don’t already know.”

I could go into much further detail here, but I’m having a beer with my mates.

I’ve had a maximum of around 25 teachers in one branch, including 3 Thai Grammar teachers. Managing people from many varied backgrounds can be challenging to say the least, but it needn’t be a chore, in fact, I enjoy it immensely. That was a few years ago now.

Student numbers the last couple of years have been down (due in the main to the economy - or at least I like to think so) and consequently the number of teachers. There are currently 16 or so at my branch including Thais.

Yes, but perhaps more a few years ago than now. Thanks to sites such as this one, information regarding the things you mention is more readily available. In fact ajarn.com is widely regarded as one of the best places to get the latest info.

Of course I am (rightly or wrongly) expected to and have provided information about places to live, additional work, visas and such and an to be ear when it’s needed, but I consider it part of my job. It’s not a problem for me. The dealing with people part of the job is where my experience comes in. Everyone is an individual and needs to be treated differently and respectfully, that’s what I try to do and I think I do it well.

All my teachers know that they can contact me anytime for any reason if necessary. I might well moan if they do in the middle of the night, but I’d rather they did than didn’t. If something is within my power to do, I’ll try to do it, not only with regards to work related issues.

In all honesty though, if you take the DOS job on, you also accept all the extras that it entails. In many instances, you are not merely the head teacher or manager or boss (a word I don’t use), but you are the main focus for everything for all the teachers. You find yourself the link through which they all communicate information, ask for guidance and in fact pretty much anything. Much of this can be allayed of course by employing people who are capable of doing things for themselves. That way having been shown a couple of times they shouldn’t be constantly nagging you for stuff (theoretically).

I know John Smith very well. It’s amazing just how many John Smiths you come across here. The main reason one meets so many John Smiths, is that John Smith happens to be a native speaker who wants to stay here so what else can he do? (Yes, I’m aware of the irony.)

I should explain that I started managing this branch after my ex-assistant DOS had passed on and there had been a period of some months before I arrived. The teaching staff (the bulk of whom were and still are part-time), were to say the least leaving a bit to be desired. Always the diplomat however, I didn’t go in with all guns blazing, but gently and supportively, offering all the opportunity to show me they were deserving of more work and allowing all to come to me for guidance if it was needed. Rumours of me going into classes and observing lessons abounded and I certainly rattled a few with my “ I’m actually here to do something” approach.

Oh yes, John. He was employed at the branch I moved to (before I arrived there), his lesson plans consisted of full length movies for all levels (write down any words you catch but don’t know – I’ll explain them afterwards), and concealing cans of Leo under the desk during morning classes.

That’s a difficult question to answer, mostly because pride is not something I would usually associate myself with. Satisfaction however, I would, and what perhaps satisfies me the most is that I helped a lot of people achieve something; teachers and students alike. Oh yes, and lasting as long as I have.

That’s right. The story is a long one, and some details I can’t mention, but he took on the job of DOS at another branch when he really didn’t need to. He had high blood pressure to start with, some other issues at the time too, and he wasn’t the sort to keep his head in a crises. The oft said jibe “You’ll give yourself a heart attack if you carry on like this!”, unfortunately came true.

It can easily become a very stressful job if you allow it to.

However, I’ve had a lot of experience on the man management side, and I’ve learned over the years to employ people who have a degree of common sense and can do as much for themselves as I can for them. It’s easy for people in a management situation to consider themselves the only person capable of doing something, when in fact it isn’t. The trick is to employ people who are as capable as you are. The dealing with teachers and their issues does not cause me any pressure. Luckily you didn’t ask me about my boss.

The most important quality is patience. If you aren’t patient then forget it. Understanding, genuine interest empathy and experience are all in there too. Life tools more than anything particularly academic.

I think that most people who teach here, at some point, think to themselves “I could open a school of my own.”, and probably do it better. I’ve thought that too and I know a few who have also tried, and failed. I think the most important points are to maintain quality over quantity (unfortunately not that easy when you’re being pressured to open classes using teachers who I wouldn’t, given the choice), and to promote an environment conducive to learning and teaching.

I wouldn’t be pressured into opening classes using teachers not of the standard I expect, as I have been forced to, but then, money is not my motivation.

…be, at one and the same time, the most difficult, frustrating, challenging, pleasing, satisfying and rewarding things one can do.