Thailand - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Landing a Teaching Job in Thailand: A Wild Journey of Paperwork, Smiles, and Mild Identity Crises So, you want to teach English in Thailand? Fantastic! Pack your sunscreen, your patience, and a collection of slightly wrinkled collared shirts, because you’re about to enter a magical land where everything is possible, nothing makes sense, and job contracts are more like suggestions. Let’s start with qualifications. Do you have a degree? Great! Doesn’t matter what it’s in, Ancient Basket Weaving, Interpretive Dance, or just the classic “I Barely Passed Anything Studies” is fine, as long as it’s a degree. Don’t have one? Well, you might still find a job… if you’re charming, lucky, and okay with being paid in noodle soup and mild anxiety. A TEFL certificate? Yeah, technically you might need one. But in reality, half the teachers don’t have one, a quarter bought theirs from a website that also sells fake Rolexes, and the rest actually did the course but can’t remember what “present perfect c...

“Teaching English in Thailand: Chaos, Crickets, and the Morning Assembly You’ll Never Miss” When I accepted a job teaching English in Thailand, I pictured something out of a travel blog: temple visits after work, chatting with friendly students over mango smoothies, and maybe the occasional jungle hike on a weekend. Instead, I found myself in a Bangkok suburb which was not quite urban, not quite rural, but certainly hot, humid, and full of things no teacher training course ever mentioned. Armed with laminated lesson plans and a wildly misplaced sense of preparedness, I entered the world of Thai government schools. Things unraveled quickly. But at least I got a good story (or twenty) out of it. 1. Gate Duty: Every Morning Feels Like Campaign Season At 6:45 a.m., I’m already drenched in sweat, standing outside the school gates, pressing my palms together and nodding like I’m trying to secure votes from 1,200 very short constituents and their parents. Smiles are non-negotiable. Enthu...

Finding a Job as an English Teacher in Thailand: A Realistic Guide (with a Touch of Sarcasm) So, you're thinking about moving to Thailand to teach English? Brace yourself for a journey filled with cultural immersion, unforgettable experiences, and a healthy dose of reality checks. Here's a straightforward guide to help you navigate the world of teaching English in the Land of Smiles, with just a hint of sarcasm to keep things interesting. Qualifications and Requirements: The Non-Negotiables Before you even think about stepping into a Thai classroom, make sure you've got the following: 1. TEFL/TESOL Certification: This is your golden ticket to teaching abroad. Don't have one? Good luck explaining to a room full of eager students why you're not qualified to teach them. 2. Bachelor's Degree: Yes, you need one. No, it doesn't matter if it's in underwater basket weaving. As long as it's from a real university, you're good to go. 3. Native or Near-Nati...