An overview of teaching in Thailand
I thought this might be of benefit to new ajarn readers in particular
I was asked to fill in a questionnaire by my old university on the topic of teaching English in Thailand. Although it was intended to encourage applicants to take a Thai study program in Germany, the information might be useful for those teachers thinking of coming to work here in Thailand.
Thailand teaching stuff - November 2013
More links of interest to teachers in Thailand
I think all bloggers have a duty to make sure that their writing is as factually correct as possible. Before the very first keystroke, a blogger needs to ask themselves a serious question - am I knowledgeable enough about this topic and am I communicating the correct information?
News from up't north
Postbox letter from Geoff Richards
The good news is that because the Teacher's Council of Thailand is trying to rigorously enforce the need for all foreign English teachers to sit the tests for a TL, many schools are now finding it difficult to retain staff.
Can you teach science?
A simple question that led to a most unbelievable runaround
I got an interview for a science teacher position here in Thailand. The owner of the education employment agency started by asking me how long I plan to stay in Thailand. I said, "A long time because I like Thailand." He asked me what I like about Thailand. I said, "What's to not like about Thailand?"
New teacher scam alert
Be on your guard for anyone asking for an interview fee
We removed a bogus job ad from the ajarn.com job listings today for an international school in Bangkok. The job ad had unfortunately been on-line for several days and was offering attractive salaries of 50k plus. The scammer had gone to considerable trouble and even included the name of the actual person responsible for hiring teachers at the school.
In search of the average Thai
Are they earning 25% of what foreign teachers earn?
Often when I'm chatting with a relatively long-term foreign teacher, the conversation will turn to money and the topic of teacher salaries. And usually the person will remark that the average teacher salary in Thailand hasn't increased for the past ten years.
Don't turn your back on the kids
Postbox letter from Jon
Who are we there for? The school? Maybe. But I would hope that most teachers would say that they are there for the children, to offer the kids a chance to improve their English
Schools poaching teachers
Why does it always seem to happen to us?
This happens ever year. Things are going great, the students and teachers are all settled, parents are happy, mid-term tests out of the way and then out of nowhere a local international school swoops in and poaches one of our ESL teachers. So annoying!
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.
A job should be for life not just May to September and November to February
Postbox letter from Jonathan
Just a little comment really based around what the Ministry of Education are trying to achieve and the way teachers in the broad stream of education are treated salary wise.I appreciate what the MOE are trying to do but I think their sledgehammer to crack a hazelnut approach is way off the mark.
