What makes a good school?
Postbox letter from Kyle
For a school or any business to truly work well, everyone has to feel respected and appreciated. From the head honcho to the cleaners, they all have to feel they have a part to play and are contributing.
It's better in Slovakia
Postbox letter from Tim
The TEFL industry here is pretty poor also, but they have proper laws protecting teachers from unscrupulous schools.
The natural order of things
Not all students are created equal or should be treated as equal
In the best interests of the students who are capable, interested and who want to learn, some kids have to be left behind. That's why our school has streams.
Marko's guide for newbies
Ten top tips for new teachers arriving in Thailand
New teachers teaching Thais in schools are often placed into an awkward and stressful situation, not really sure of their authority and sometimes not even placed with assistants who are much help
Handling students with learning difficulties
How can I ignore students just because they are different?
I remember in my first week at my government high school there was a student who was severely autistic. I just wasn't prepared for the task at hand.
Summer school is for the birds
Does it beat cocktails on the beach? Hell, no.
If you do end up wanting to go all-in with teaching, it's probably more important to not burn yourself out, and I'm certainly feeling the strain as most of my colleagues are sending me pictures from the beaches they're drinking on.
Our story
Two teachers in love and planning their life together in Thailand
Suffering or no suffering, this time we are doing it. We are Thailand bound and excited, if somewhat distracted for the time being. Sun, smiles, a detachment from most of what and who we know. New friends, new haunts and new experiences. A different perspective on life. Success or failure, this foray into the relative unknown will shape the rest of our lives.
We've landed!
I was looking for a job and then I found a job
I was refused a place at the two major international school recruitment fairs and turned down by every international school I applied to. Then one fine morning last week, I received an email from a private Thai EP school that I had applied to way back at the start of my job search, offering me an interview.
Frankly, Mr Shankly, I'm a sickening wreck
Thoughts on returning to England
We've been home 5 minutes (5 months) and are both working in schools. I'm firmly back in the hamster wheel as a year 6 teacher in a wonderful primary school and am working 60 hour weeks to cope with the demands of being an NQT. But wait....Thailand is beckoning once again!
Just plain abuse
Postbox letter from Connamera
School officials have never openly threatened me but they have made it clear to everyone that they don't like me and they're out to get me
