| Congratulations! You have just finished your TEFL | | | | - Never smoke on school grounds. Chewing gum is |
| course, probably at TEFL International, one of the | | | | very cheap in Thailand, about 10 baht. |
| oldest and most stable teacher training centers in | | | | - Learn to enjoy the native Thai dishes. A plate of |
| Thailand. Now you are ready to start that first English | | | | grilled chicken, with green papaya salad on the side |
| teaching job in a school down in Hat Yai or perhaps up | | | | with some sticky rice and a cold Chang Beer costs |
| in the mountains of Chiang Rai. You’ve got a | | | | about a fourth of what a burger and fries costs. The |
| good starting salary, around 30-thousand baht each | | | | Thais won’t be impressed with your foreign eating |
| month, and you probably have been provided with free | | | | habits, but they will fall in love with you if you eat their |
| accommodations by the school. Your backpack is | | | | food regularly. And don’t worry about the |
| ready; your bus ticket is bought; and you can’t wait | | | | infamous spiciness of their food; they never take |
| to start immersing yourself in the fascinating culture of | | | | offense if you ask them to reduce or delete the chili |
| Thailand while teaching the people how to speak | | | | peppers. Here’s the phrase in Thai that will get |
| better English. I envy you! I was in your position not | | | | them to tone it down for you: mai ow pet. |
| too many years ago. One of the best times of my | | | | - Smile more. Yes, it’s a cliché but it happens to |
| life. Now I’m going to pass on some tips on how | | | | be the easiest and cheapest thing you can do to |
| to make your English teaching experience 100% | | | | make friends in Thailand. Just smile. And learn how |
| positive and rewarding. Take notes, class – there | | | | to mean it. A sincere smile is the most cherished |
| might be a pop quiz tomorrow: | | | | currency in Thai culture. You can exchange it for |
| - Always have a lesson plan for each class you | | | | favors and help and maybe an extra Chang Beer. |
| teach. We can’t all be like Robin Williams, winging | | | | - Take an interest in Thai culture and language. |
| it from the top of our heads for hours at a time. | | | | You’ll find very quickly that the life of a full-time |
| Besides, many schools will ask you during the school | | | | English teacher in Thailand can be exhausting, as well |
| year for a copy of your lesson plans, just to be sure | | | | as exhilarating. But set a goal to learn one new Thai |
| you are living up to your teaching contract. | | | | word every day. After all, this is what you’re |
| - If your teaching contract is in Thai, politely but firmly | | | | asking your students to do with English. Do it yourself |
| insist on an English translation. The school is not trying | | | | and you’ll quickly develop a working empathy with |
| to put anything over on you, but they may neglect to | | | | your students that will make your lessons both more |
| tell you about all the extracurricular activities you are | | | | human and humane. |
| expected to participate in – which are spelled out in | | | | - You’ll never burn out at your new job if you give |
| your contract and which are always negotiable, once | | | | a little more than is expected of you. |
| you can read it. | | | | - If you can’t blog or Facebook regularly, make |
| - Spend some money on good clothes. Dress slacks. | | | | sure you journal your experiences as an English |
| Dress shirts. Long skirts. Modest blouses. A pair of | | | | teacher in Thailand. When you record your actions |
| leather shoes will show your students and your | | | | and impressions you are more likely to discover hidden |
| colleagues that you mean business; they will respect | | | | meanings and deeper understanding of your own |
| you more for it. | | | | motivations and the motivations of those around you. |