Problems with the system
Postbox letter from Mike
After 12 years and four different schools, I have come to the conclusion that the "quality of Thai students' English skills" did not improve within the last 12 years. But how is that even possible when more and more NES teachers with experience and degrees in education teach Thai students, even at smaller schools?
It does matter if you're black or white
The blatant discrimination in TEFL job ads
Although it is rarely mentioned in job ads, most if not all Asian recruiters on the lookout for teachers are after whities. And let’s make no mistake about it: the prize specimens are Caucasian white, not some locals having overindulged in skin-whitening products.
The joy and pain of teaching in Thailand
A teacher looks back over her ten years in Thailand
I'm celebrating my 10th year in Thailand as an ESL Teacher. Working in a foreign land hasn't been easy. It took me years and a lot of patience and hard work to get settled, not to mention the ocean of tears and heartbreaking homesickness.
TOEIC and other tests
Postbox letter from Dr John Smith
There is a lot of debate regarding the TOEIC testing for non-native English speakers and in my opinion it is a double edged sword and cuts both ways.
Who should take the TOEIC test?
Postbox letter from Jason Carmichael
There has been a lot of talk about the newly introduced TOEIC-requirement lately. Many teachers are angry because the MOE demands that Irish and South African nationals, who are considered NES teachers, are required to sit that test too.
We've found paradise at last
Ignore the sob stories and the doom merchants - Thailand rocks!
We've both been here about six months, have only done two visa runs, had both our employers apply for our work permits for us, have started saving money as we actually make a little more collectively than we did in South Korea - and are both loving life again. Life really couldn't be much better.
NES or Non-NES?
Postbox letter from Keith
I've heard that the Ministry of Lack of Education in Thailand is now demanding that South Africans and wait for it, Irish nationals have to sit a TOEIC examination.
When is an NES not an NES?
Postbox letter from Jason
I have heard that South Africans are not NES now, and they have to take an English proficiency test if they wish to teach. How does the Ministry of Education define an NES?
There are always terrible teachers out there
Postbox letter from Lucie
I have to say that there are loads of native speakers out there who have no idea how to grade their language to an appropriate level for their students. There are even plenty of qualified teachers who may have been great at teaching, say, biology, in their home country, but cannot accept that to teach it to non native speakers, they have to change their methods and the way they introduce both concepts and vocabulary.
Asian features seal my fate (part two)
Postbox letter from Multi racial American
The example of being discriminated at Hooters for not being a sexy young female is not equitable with my discrimination here. That is the restaurant industry in America and this is education
