Why are teenagers so tough to teach?
Postbox letter from Michael
Teaching English to teenagers in Thailand is hands down one of the toughest gigs out there. I’ve been in classrooms where I’ve felt like a stand-up comedian dying on stage.
The Bitterness of Thai Schools
Postbox letter from Foxy Stoat
I've come to notice that a lot of Thai schools have some rather bitter and twisted rules in the small print of their employment contracts. Now, nobody is forced to sign such contracts, but for those with families and assets here, it might be case of 'having to'.
Light-fingered teachers can't be trusted
Postbox letter from Phil
A few months ago, several books, including resource packs, began disappearing from the language school where I work. This hadn't been much of an issue before, but in just six weeks, no fewer than eight photocopiable resource packs vanished.
Teaching in Thailand with Aspergers
Postbox letter from Obie
Ever thought about trading in your daily grind for exotic adventures and teaching English in the Land of Smiles? Well, I did just that – all the while doing the cha-cha with Asperger's!
You can't fail students in Thailand
Postbox letter from Bobby
In the end, we're all stuck in the same circus anyway, and we're all exactly the same clowns.
Tales of Thai school discipline
When foreign teachers face the classroom troublemakers
I thought I'd tell you about a few of my memories of disciplining students from my (so far) 20-year teaching career.
A qualifications conundrum
Can you help out and offer some advice to this teacher?
I have been in Thailand for many years and I used to teach without a degree. Over the years I worked in a variety of schools and universities. I now find myself about to finish a postgraduate degree in education but the path ahead is far from clear.
Qualifications won't turn your fortunes around
Postbox letter from Steve
Teaching in Thailand is a joke. Most of the things pulling you here can be found in other South East Asian countries.
The 'unwanted' senior teacher role
Postbox letter from Liam
This agency I worked for thought that not only could they employ anyone without doing their due diligence, but that the good teachers already at the school would do their job for them also.
Regaining control of your classroom
Some discipline tips for when things start to go pear-shaped
The famous yellow and red card system is often a winner. Get some coloured cards and every time a student is bad, present them with a yellow card, football-style. Two yellows equal a red and a punishment. Works especially well in all-boy schools.
