Getting fired was a lesson learned
Postbox letter from Ricky
I entered the job with big aspirations, but things unraveled quickly, and I soon found myself in over my head.
When the head teacher isn’t the head teacher
My experience and cautionary tale
This experience serves as a cautionary tale for educators considering similar roles. It’s essential to thoroughly investigate the actual responsibilities and authority of a position before accepting it. Don’t be swayed by impressive titles if the role doesn’t offer the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.
The Thai ESL agent hustle
Thai ESL agents are largely unhindered in their business practices by morality.
When personal and working relationships between school staff and agents come under pressure and scrutiny because of good old-fashioned kickback schemes.
My approach to parent complaints
Postbox letter from John
I only take parent complaints seriously if they're easy to understand or the school explains them properly.
Some more reasons why you'll quit teaching in Thailand
Six more reasons why you'll be heading home before too long
The frustration of having no real authority over your students, interference from Thai teachers, the thankless task of morning gate duty and more!
The dreaded teacher burnout
How is it caused and how can you avoid it?
"I'm a new teacher about to start work in Thailand and this will be my first full-time teaching gig. I often see more experienced teachers refer to 'teacher burnout'. Just out of interest, what are some of the things that contribute to such a condition?
Why I've had enough of teaching in Thailand
It may work out for others - just not for me
It's not so much that I've had enough of Thailand, it's just teaching really. I'd say a good 90% of teachers at my school are women over the age of 50. None of them are open to change.
Filipino teachers need to get tougher
Postbox letter from Joe, Bangkok
The Filipinos at my school are overly obedient and never question management. To the point that they end up working evenings and weekends for free. The Thai management see this and now expect the same from westerners.
Why can't Thais speak English?
Some of these students have had over 2,000 hours of English.
Considering that English has been the international language of tourism and commerce for I don't know how many decades now, and there are I don't know how many thousands of English teachers all over the country, why is the general level of English so poor?
Are Thai teachers actually helpful?
Or is the foreign teacher better off without them in the classroom?
Before beginning my experience as a TESOL teacher in Thailand, way back when I was a newbie farang taking my TESOL course on Phuket, I was repeatedly assured by indifferent agencies and instructors not to worry because you will always share classrooms with Thai teachers that are there to help you.
