One reason that Thais should study English is to make their family proud. Your parents and grandparents will be proud of you if you can speak English. Your younger brothers and sisters will look up to you. Everyone you meet for the rest of your life will have more respect for you if you can speak English. Your teachers, your friends, the monks, people at the market, people at the bank, taxi drivers, farmers, everyone in your village will respect you. And you will be proud of yourself for learning a difficult language. If you can speak English everyone will think you are an educated person.

David

In the "Teachers in Thailand" groups I'm part of, there's a consensus not to settle for anything below 40K when it comes to salary. While I agree with this sentiment, putting it into practice is no walk in the park. Back in my college days in America, a friend made a compelling argument about landing your first job after graduation. His advice was simple yet profound: "Take whatever comes first, then be selective." This philosophy resonates deeply, especially in the realm of TEFL jobs, and particularly if you're applying from abroad.

But what if the job turns out to be a dud? Well, so what? Why fuss too much? Most jobs come with a 60-day probationary period, not so much for you to prove yourself to the school, but for the school to showcase its merits to you. If things don't pan out during this time, you're free to move on swiftly. Just ensure you're wise about it and secure another job before bidding adieu to your current one.

Cliff

I've just returned to Thailand for my second teaching stint after a five-year hiatus back in my homeland. I am back working at the same school in Chonburi Province (the school always told me that the door was open for my return) and I'm pleased to see how much more organised the school is compared to when I last worked here. Teaching schedules have been handed out in a timely manner, the admin department have done a sterling job with arranging work permits and sorting out the health insurance. It's all gone towards creating a much less stressful environment. A few other teachers I socialize with are all saying the same things about the respective schools they work at. Is the Thailand education system finally getting its act together?

Ricky

The best educator in the world is unable to compete against Facebook and the other social media platforms that students love. Don't even think about it and therefore start by removing the cause to eliminate the competition, which remains standard practice elsewhere. Banning mobile phones in the classroom initially produces effects similar to being taken off life support, yet generates immediate positive results. The usual suggested ground rules of clapping your hands for silence and expecting positive results based on the belief that 16 year old testosterone fuelled teens hooked on Facebook will suddenly behave as responsible mature adults is about as naively optimistic as it gets.

Similarly, asking the school to intervene in discipline issues is a wasted endeavour as they haven't a clue either and it's why they hired a foreigner, in the forlorn hope that if all else fails you'll substitute the missing entertainment link.

Trevor

In ESL classes, there’s often this mix of teaching and fun, where teachers can end up being more like entertainers. I tried to find a balance between keeping things light and making sure that the students actually learned something. I’d joke around but also correct grammar and pronunciation gently, and throw in some of their native language here and there to show it’s okay to mess up.

But when I got a new job and moved to another school, things were different. I got fed up with students chatting while I was talking and treating class like hangout time. So, I decided to get serious. I made it crystal clear what the rules were: no talking when someone else is speaking, no phones, do your work when you’re supposed to, and don’t be late. I laid down consequences too – lose class points for breaking a rule. I put the rules up on the board and had everyone read them out loud together. Then one of the better English speakers translated them into Thai.

Once that was done, we got into the lesson. And you know what? It worked. Most of the behavior problems disappeared. Some classes needed more reminders, but overall, things got way better.

Kelvin

I moved from Bangkok to teach up-country but I wasn't ready for how chill village life would be. Moving to a village means everything slows down, which isn't all bad. Coming from the city, it was nice not always feeling like I had to rush somewhere or do something. But, slowing down can sometimes get a bit dull.

Living in a village doesn't offer as many hobby options as living back in Canada did. There, I could go rock climbing, hit up the library, catch a movie, shop at the mall, play paintball outdoors, watch volleyball, hang out at the city square, or take guitar lessons – endless possibilities! Now, even a walk after 8 pm is a no-go thanks to the dark and the mean stray dogs. In the village, it's either stay home and read or hit the local watering holes for a drink. That's where you'll find the town's quirky characters, like the part-time police officer and mechanic who's also the town drunk.

Living in a village means embracing the slow life, for better or for worse.

Katrina

I'm not judging or criticizing those who choose not to learn Thai or listen. I totally get where they're coming from. Thai is a tough language and don't buy into the nonsense about its simple grammar making it easy. Especially for older folks, learning a new and tricky language can feel like a nightmare. And for many, it's just not necessary if they can get by in English and plan to move elsewhere in Asia soon. But what really bothers me are the folks who pretend they've tried to learn Thai but can't make progress. They act like I'm some kind of miracle worker when I speak Thai fluently, but I always tell them I'm not a linguist and I don't have some special talent – I just put in the effort... and I listened. It's so frustrating when I hear English speakers repeat a Thai word I've said to them, but they say it with a monotone English accent!

Abi

While the notion of a teachers union in Thailand might seem like a no-brainer, let's consider why it might not be the best move:

Firstly there's the possibility of a cultural clash. Thailand's got its own vibe, and adding a foreign teachers union into the mix could stir up some serious cultural turbulence. Setting up and running a union means wading through a swamp of paperwork and bureaucracy. In a foreign land like Thailand, where rules might seem like they're written in invisible ink, it could turn into a real headache.

A union could create rifts between foreign teachers and locals or school administrators. Nobody wants to see a friendly game of tug-of-war turn into an all-out war. Trying to fix things might just break them further. Demands and disputes could end up doing more harm than good, leaving teachers in a sticky situation.

Foreign teachers come from all corners of the globe with different needs and wants. Trying to cram everyone into the same group might leave some feeling left out in the cold. Thai laws might not play nice with the idea of a foreign-led union. Trying to dance around legal hurdles could lead to a game of legal limbo that nobody wants to play.

Maybe there's a better way. Instead of going down the traditional union route, maybe it's time to think outside the box and explore other options like advocacy groups or informal networks. Bottom line? Before jumping on the union bandwagon, it's worth taking a step back and considering whether it's the right move for everyone involved. Sometimes the best intentions can lead down a bumpy road, and it's better to tread carefully than to rush in blindly.

Winston

For teachers from abroad who want to put their heart into a job here, Thailand can be a real letdown. Salaries are dropping (or certainly not keeping pace with inflation), perks like healthcare and housing help are getting more and more scarce, and the cost of living keeps climbing. That's why veteran teachers are packing up and leaving. If they keep getting offered contracts like the ones I've seen lately, who could blame them for splitting? Thailand's got a lot going for it but schools and the government need to get with the times. Look at how modern businesses and forward-thinking governments hire people. Understand that when foreigners come here, they're looking for the good stuff, not the hassle. Putting more rules in place is just going to make people feel trapped and push them away. Treating experienced pros like they're up to no good right off the bat only drives away the best and opens the door to the chancers. Teaching's a skilled job that deserves respect and decent pay. It's about time we recognize that.

Stephen

For years, I'd been stuck in a rut, going through the motions of work, family, and responsibilities, but deep down, I knew there was something missing. I craved excitement, challenge, and a sense of purpose that seemed to elude me. Then, one day, it hit me like a ton of bricks: why not teach abroad? It was an idea that both terrified and excited me. But as I mulled it over, the thought of leaving behind the mundane for the unknown began to feel more and more appealing.

Thailand had always held a special place in my heart based on a few holidays there. So with a mixture of trepidation and determination, I took the plunge. The process of finding a teaching job in Thailand was anything but smooth sailing. There were countless hours scouring job boards, endless emails to potential employers, and moments of doubt that threatened to derail me. But through it all, there was a desire to find a job that was suitable. And slowly but surely, things began to fall into place.

I'll never forget the day I received the email offering me a teaching position in a small town in northern Thailand. It was like a validation of my decision to take a chance and follow my heart. And as I settled into my new life, I felt a great sense of freedom and possibility.

Teaching in Thailand has been an experience unlike any other. From the moment I stepped into the classroom, I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be. The connection I've formed with my students, the friendships I've forged with fellow expats, the simple day-to-day adventures I've had. It's all been fantastic. Sure, there have been challenges along the way - moments of homesickness, cultural misunderstandings, and the occasional bout of self-doubt. But each obstacle has only made me stronger, more resilient, more grateful for the journey I'm on.

So here I am, a man in his 50s, living out a dream he never knew he had. Teaching in Thailand has changed me in ways I never could have imagined, reminding me that life is meant to be lived to the fullest and embraced. I'm hoping the best is yet to come.

Ricky