This thread is a guide to the selection of threads chosen to represent the best of the staffroom over the past three years. Such threads may include subjects that frequently come up but represent the best of that subject, moments in time, or simply significant threads for Ajarn Forum. Oh it's all so subjective, but if you have any suggestions feel free to make them on this thread.
I kicked Thaksin's sister out of my classroom... - Unwell's account of how he took Thaksin's sister down a peg or two after she tried interfering with his class.
Nonthaburi Project - There has been no teacher recruitment project quite so huge and controversial than the Nontaburi Project. This combines two huge threads on the subject.
My student made me proud today. Kind of a personal one for me, but if I come away from Thailand feeling I've acheived anything here, it's the story contained in this thread.
TEFL Course Comparison - Threads like these are ten a penny on Ajarn Forum, but this one managed a better than average lifespan, and so noteworthy enough for inclusion here.
Do you answer the phone while in class? - I guess you can imagine what most people thought, but an interesting debate nontheless for both camps.
A Native Speakers EFL Teachers' Association - A perrenial chestnut. Why don't foreign teachers in Thailand form a union. One of the more definitive discussions of the topic.
More Raids on Schools? - Jan '07 - Remember that period of time when stories emerged that immigration was raiding schools and that teachers with no work permits were being ushered up onto the roof to hide by panicking schools? Here it is!
Lots of jobs!!!.......for crappy pay!!!! - One of many critical posts about Thai school salaries that goes on to debate what role Ajarn.com should play. Interesting stuff.
Over the hill at 45? - Are Thai school ageist? This thread looks at whether over-45 year old teachers in Thailand still stand a chance of getting hired.
Phuket Schools Fighting Teacher Regulations - In the wake of the John Carr arrest and deportation in Aug 2006 came the 'introduction' of a number of new tightened regulations. A number of schools in Phuket and Bangkok reportedly resisted those regulations.
Farang EFL teachers' salaries totally unrelated to Thais - The age old debate over whether poor local teacher salaries mean that foreign teachers should not expect to be on more than a certain amount.
A Bigg Intimidation - Matthew tells us what it's like sharing a partitioned classroom with Thailand's most famous English teacher Andrew Bigg.
Thai School Watch - The whole Thai School Watch saga condensed into one thread. Watch it's birth and death, rebirth and permanent death, and everything else in between.
Note LDMA (Watchman) having a totally schizo conversation with himself in the early parts.
Yeah, I hit a student - A teacher confesses to punching a student in the stomach.
Gate duty, flag salute, office hours? Go fruit yourself! (Gate duty, flag solute, office hours? Go fruit yourself!) - Johnny Danger objects to a sudden enforecement of lapsed contractual non-teaching duties, bringing in the age old debate of how to say not to Thai admin, and whether you should feel obliged to participate in Thai ceremonial school duties.
Are TEFL/CELTA teachers "real" teachers? - Another topic that get's people bent out of shape on Ajarn. Yes it had been done to death already, but as this thread proved there was more flogging to be done on this dead horse.
Clocking in - Should teachers be make to clock in and out? Sensible HRM or demeaning control freakery?
Look out for next Tuesday's Bangkok Post - The thread which heralded the BKK Post's Learning post feature on Ajarn.com and Ajarn Forum in 2005.
The Grey List - An understated thread, but is in fact the seed that would eventually become TEFL Watch.
