Greg Hill

Greg Hill's blog on Ajarn.com


Thai culture course experiences

How to scam, exploit and demoralise foreign teachers

Here's a complete breakdown of my time spent on the Thai cultural course. Actually I've decided that it was nothing but a teacher's council money spinner. It had little to do with improving a teacher's performance in the classroom and just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, the foreign participants were given an impromtu dance class.


Copland - becoming a tourist police volunteer

Tazza joins the Thai Tourist Police as a volunteer

What happened during the two-day training seminar organised by the Thai Tourist police. What exactly do we foreign civilians have to go through before we're given our uniform and badge and we're ready to patrol those mean streets.


Notes on a semester

What lessons can a teacher learn from a difficult semester?

When a number of students fail their course, what can a teacher do to make the next semester a better and more successful one? It's all about preparing well, observing other teachers and talking less in the classroom.


Sad tales of customer service

What happens in Thailand when the customer service department lets you down

All I wanted to do was treat myself to a brand new games system. Little did I know exactly what lay in store. If you like stories of lies, cheating and cover-ups, then this one's for you.


An extremely unpleasant teaching day

Today was one of the most unpleasant in my four years plus of teaching.

How does a foreign teacher discipline unruly teenagers and stop them spoiling the class? What are some of the golden rules you should always keep in mind to make sure you stay on the right side of the school owner....and the law?


The Youtube battle is over

The Youtube battle has reached closure but with no winners

A user with a Thai sounding name from America posted a bad, offensive and crudely edited video that was highly insulting to Thailand's king. Thailand's MICT (Ministry for Information and Communication Technology) immediately blocked the site and demanded youtube remove the clip.


Meds! meds! meds!

Medical and health issues in Thailand

Bear in mind that illness can strike at any time and when it's time to visit the quack, it can be a little different to back home. So how good is Thailand's healthcare system and exactly what are your options. More importantly, what can sometimes go wrong?


Why not just go home?

Do the Thais really want foreigners here?

When I hear farangs crying into their beer that the country won't lay down a red carpet to welcome the unqualified, ignorant, often lazy and uncaring section of the foreign teachers community, I ask myself a simple question........why don't they just go home?


Fun with language

Next time you want to make a Thai smile, just mutter a few words.

Thais consider their language very difficult to learn but Thais from all walks of life will often give a genuine compliment or note of approval to any foreigner who can muster up a simple sentence. However some slightly more dubious characters - notably some taxi or tuk tuk drivers - have become more weary of the 'Thai speaking farang' phenomenon


Featured Jobs

Part-time NES Online Teachers

฿500+ / hour

Online


Part-time NES Teachers

฿600+ / hour

Pathum Thani


Local International Teacher

฿35,000+ / month

Bangkok


Secondary Science Teacher (AP)

฿80,000+ / month

Thailand


Music Teacher

฿50,000+ / month

Nonthaburi


English Conversation Teachers

฿35,000+ / month

Bangkok


Featured Teachers

  • Grasila


    Filipino, 31 years old. Currently living in Philippines

  • Collins


    Kenyan, 31 years old. Currently living in Kenya

  • Anamaria


    Romanian, 45 years old. Currently living in Thailand

  • Ayberk


    Turkish, 27 years old. Currently living in Turkey

  • Jefferson


    Filipino, 48 years old. Currently living in Indonesia

  • Artem


    Russian, 34 years old. Currently living in Thailand

The Hot Spot


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.


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.


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?


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.


The dreaded demo

The dreaded demo

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


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.