For years, I’ve dedicated myself to teaching English well. I studied, trained, and honed my skills to ensure my students get the best education possible. Yet, as I search for a teaching position in Thailand, I find myself competing with an influx of so-called 'teachers - unqualified digital nomads who view teaching as nothing more than a convenient way to finance their travels. It’s frustrating to see schools prioritize a foreign face over actual teaching ability. Some institutions are more than happy to hire backpackers with no qualifications, no experience, and no commitment to the profession, just because they’re native speakers who can string a few sentences together. Meanwhile, teachers like me - those who have spent years gaining the right qualifications - are often overlooked or expected to accept the same wages as those who treat teaching like a temporary gig.

The impact on students is undeniable. These digital nomads often lack classroom management skills, lesson planning abilities, and even basic knowledge of English grammar. They breeze through contracts, staying just long enough to fund their next beach holiday before disappearing, leaving students without continuity or real progress. Meanwhile, professional teachers, who genuinely want to help their students develop, are left feeling undervalued. Of course, I understand that some schools are operating on tight budgets, but when education becomes secondary to cost-cutting, everyone suffers, especially the students. Language learning is not just about exposure to a native speaker; it requires structured lessons, clear methodology, and a teacher who understands how to engage and inspire learners.

It’s time for Thailand’s schools to take teaching seriously. Qualifications should matter more than an accent. Experience should outweigh convenience. If the country wants to improve its English proficiency rankings, it needs to start valuing real educators over transient travelers. Until that happens, the frustration of qualified teachers like myself will only continue to grow. To fellow educators who are committed to this profession: stay strong. We teach because we care, and despite the challenges, our students deserve the best we can give them.

Pascal