Q1. Where did you move to and when?

I moved back to the UK in March 2015; initially to Staffordshire and then later to Manchester.

Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?

For 1 year and 8 months. I started with the company who I did my TEFL course with and was placed at a sports school in Surat Thani. I then moved onto another agency, again in Surat, working at a much larger secondary school. I then moved to a bilingual school in Phuket to be closer to my girlfriend and also be able to teach the UK curriculum.

Q3. What was your main reason for moving?

I was certain that teaching was something I wanted to make a career out of, so I moved back to complete a PGCE and gain QTS to give myself the best training available and the best opportunities in the future. I was more than content with my life in Phuket. I had been given the pick of the best classes at my school, I was earning a very respectable wage, and my personal life was great. However, the lure of being offered a PGCE programme at the number one university for education and the long term benefits were too great - even if it meant almost a year and a half away from my girlfriend!

Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?

I am currently on my second placement school so I think I'm well placed to answer this. Advantages include being mentored, managed and generally being led by people who are actually competent at what they do and have the qualifications and experience to match. In Thailand, it was becoming increasingly frustrating being told what to do, or taking advice (patronisingly so) from some people who had no better qualifications (degree & TEFL) or experience than I had - in some cases even less! Looking back on some of that now, it's clear how incompetent some of them really were!!

Generally, students in the UK are able to access high order thinking skills more than their Thai counterparts (sorry for the sweeping statement). They can be more critical in analysing and evaluating which I noticed Thai students can struggle with. On the other hand, Thai students are far more diligent in what they do and their respect and behaviour levels are, on the whole, significantly better than UK students.

Lastly, not having a daily fear of death commuting to and from school is something which has, naturally, been an advantage of moving back!

Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?

First thing that comes to mind is the kindness and welcoming spirit of the Thais. People in the UK are so depressed, angry and doggedly competitive; it's as if someone is always out to get you. The weather and food is another thing I miss a hell of a lot; it definitely has an impact of people's moods and general happiness, although, living in Manchester has allowed me to keep myself topped up with half decent Thai food! Unquestionably, the biggest thing I miss is my girlfriend. We have stayed together throughout this period and we are both counting the days until I'm back in Thailand to stay.

Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?

I would say that Thailand is a great starting place for new TEFLers. There are plenty of others in the same position and most areas have a good community of expats and locals to socialise with. A lot of teachers in Thailand have an axe to grind against the teachers who are clearly not there for teaching/career purposes, rather, to just have an extended holiday. For me, as long as they were doing their job properly then I didn't care what their primary motive was for being there.

So I wouldn't discourage these types from going to Thailand and teaching, as some Thais don't exactly take education too seriously themselves, particularly in some of the less established schools(I'm thinking of teaching techniques such as copy copy copy, and playing on smartphones at the front of the class). Just be respectful, be prepared to work hard when needs be and for things to rarely go according to plan.

If you haven't committed yourself to Thailand fully after 3-4 years - i.e. getting into a relationship, buying property etc., then I would suggest moving elsewhere as a TEFL teacher or becoming a qualified teacher, as the benefits (wage, working conditions) in Thailand are not very competitive with other countries.

Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?

Yes, absolutely. One of the main reasons for becoming a qualified teacher was to be able to go back to Thailand and work in an international school. I was very close to securing a position at a very good British school last month but lost out to a guy simply because he had a partner who could fill another position at the school - annoying but I'll keep plugging away!

I'm also returning in a few weeks for the Easter holidays.

Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?

Do as much research as you can into schools/agencies that may offer you a position before you arrive in Thailand. There are a lot of cowboys out there. The company I came out with ripped me and the others off quite a bit. Also, don't worry if you haven't got any friends to join you. I came by myself and you soon find lots of others in the same position as you. It's a great adventure!