Do Filipinos really do it better?
Postbox letter from Jim Hensby
I have worked with Filipino teachers, and it has been no easy task. The English material they produce for students is consistently riddled with grammar errors and inappropriate language.
Succeeding with Thai college students
Using Thai teaching assistants and adapting materials, etc
From 2016 to 2018, I worked at a small college in Thailand. Many of my intensive English students came from poor families in Isaan and this was their first experience away from home.
Stumbling blocks
What I didn’t learn in my 100-hour online ESL course
I can see my skin through my dress shirt because the thin layer of fine linen is totally soaked through. In short, it’s too hot to care about anything academic.
A great career but......
Postbox letter from Elisha
The element of autonomy in the teaching world was what appealed to me about teaching compared to other (employee style) careers.
Bye, bye Thailand
When poor evaluation strategy and lack of communication mean one thing - the exit door
I have taught at five schools in Thailand and only ONE has let me finish the semester and given me a recommendation letter. I've had enough of this place to be honest.
The good, the bad and the virtuous!
By just being here, you are making the education system better.
I've isolated the most compelling reasons why people teach long-term in Thailand and there are four of them as far as I can see... we like doing it, we can do it, we get paid for doing it, and 'purpose'.
A diverse day in paradise
Beggars, food courts, communication problems, cancelled classes and disagreeable customer service
Just another day - another morning, another commute, another birthday and I'm on my way to teach at Speech Perfect at the Mall, Bang Kae in Bangkok. Just as I do every day - with the exception of public holidays.
Are TEFL teachers unambitious?
What can you do about it if you feel you're stuck in a 'teaching rut'?
So many people complain about conditions, wages and opportunities but do nothing to address these things. Some TEFL teachers seem to think this isn’t an industry or a “real” job so other aspects such as annual reviews and training aren’t relevant.
We love you, Ms. Leanne
A single female teacher's adventures in Thailand
I'd been to the land of smiles for me hols a couple of times before and I loved it! It was such a refreshing contrast to Luton's daily drudge of work - the same old shops, pubs, bars and singles' clubs - to a thirty-something lady still in her prime.
I'm starting to enjoy edutainment
Edutainment is the idea that teachers should entertain and not just teach students. Teachers should be like game show hosts or performers in the classroom.
Chances are that your employer in Thailand will put some pressure on you to add some edutainment to help them keep students and get good reviews. If you can’t do this then you’ll probably be looking for a new job pretty soon.
