Be Like Chris: Maximize Your BFITS Experience Beyond Teaching in Thailand

“The worst of all deception is self-deception.” – Plato

I have been teaching in Thailand and with BFITS for over 3 years now. I started teaching at Buriram Pitthayakhom (BP) School as a Math teacher in the English Program on August 9th, 2021, and, except for a brief and disastrous sojourn in Vietnam, I have been in the same position since.

And I do love it. I appreciate where I am working, I appreciate my colleagues, I appreciate the support from BFITS, and my general working conditions. I also appreciate my students, as without them, I’d be redundant. What, after all, is a teacher with no students?

I want to talk about some of the opportunities available to us here as bright employees of BFITS and as teachers in this beautiful land, while also encouraging those who teach in Thailand to make the most of every moment. But before I do, please indulge me as I rewind my own story a small bit.

From Civil Engineering to Teaching in Thailand: My Life-Changing Shift

I graduated from college in Ireland in 2011. My major was in Civil Engineering. After a few years travelling, I returned home and worked as a junior engineer with a prestigious and very professional firm. It was a good job which afforded me a company car, laptop, and phone, and gave me a decent quality of life in what was (and has increasingly become) a very expensive country.

After some time in the role, I was offered a job overseas with this company, as they had numerous construction projects in different parts of the UK. The truth is, as good as the company had been to me and as much respect as I had for my colleagues, the work did not inspire me, and I had no real passion for it.

Lacking a natural inclination or disposition for it led me to make one of the best life decisions I had made up to that point — to teach in Thailand.

Gaining TEFL Certification and Setting My Sights on Asia

In my mind, I had always flirted with the idea of teaching, and I knew that holding a degree and coming from a native English-speaking country gave me a distinct advantage when it came to teaching overseas, particularly in Asia. I did some research about becoming TEFL-qualified and discovered that a UK-based company, The TEFL Academy, offered courses in Ireland.

I booked my place online and opted for the 120-hour course, which had been recommended to me by a friend who had previously completed it. I travelled to our capital, Dublin, one weekend in the summer of 2016 to complete the 20-hour portion of the course. This took place over two days, with 10 hours each day, in a hotel conference room.

The classes being relatively small proved advantageous as I felt we got to know each other quite well, became comfortable around each other for those two days, and also could ask our tutor many of the burning questions we all had: What’s the food like there? Is such-and-such a place LGBTQIA+ friendly? What’s the cost of living like in that part of the world?

The 100-hour portion of the TEFL course was completed online, with a maximum time limit of 6 months. All in all, it was a positive step as it bulked up my resume and provided me with some genuinely good advice as I was about to enter the world of teaching for the first time.

Embracing New Opportunities: My BFITS Journey Begins

After living in China for over 3 years where I taught English, History and PE (that was a strange one for me. I like my sports but had no qualifications whatsoever to teach PE apart from my own interest in keeping fit and healthy), and after a year+ lost to COVID madness, I found myself flying to Bangkok in 2021 to experience the Thai education system for the first time but not to experience the country itself for the first time, after previously holidaying here in 2018.

Thankfully, teaching in Thailand has provided many incredible memories so far — not just through work, but through vibrant student activities and school celebrations. As I mentioned earlier, I want to talk about some of the opportunities we, as teachers here, can avail ourselves of, because I feel there are amazing experiences open to us in our schools, facilitated by both BFITS and the good people at our individual schools.

Students, Cosplay, and Cultural Celebrations: A Joyful Surprise

Competitions and school events have played a significant role during my time here, both intraschool and interschool. One of the most vibrant parts of school life that I truly enjoy is seeing students take part in cosplay events. Seemingly given any excuse to do so, students here will don the most intricate and realistic costumes, mostly celebrating anime characters.

Whether it’s the King’s Birthday, Queen’s Birthday, Chinese New Year, or other special events — you can bet cosplay will be part of it! Honestly, I love it. To thine own self be true. You just don’t get this at home, not where I’m from. I find the effort seriously impressive and like to jump in some of the photos if the chance arises.

Competitions, Coaching, and Cherished Wins

Competitions like ‘Open House’ are another major highlight of the school year. This event brings together many schools across the region to compete in categories ranging from Science to Storytelling and from Math to Multi-skills. Although it is usually held in August, it took place in November the previous year (2024).

It has been a particular highlight for me, as I get to collaborate closely with a team of students selected by the school (usually 3 or 4 for the Math project). Coaching them, inspiring them, and watching them gain confidence has been one of the most fulfilling parts of teaching in Thailand.

We have a strong record at BP in this competition, with over 60 schools often participating. Moments like these truly make teaching here unique and unforgettable.

Even smaller competitions like Spelling Bees and Storytelling contests allow teachers in Thailand to bond with students beyond the regular classroom setting — and you get to witness some incredible hidden talents!

Showcasing Teaching Skills on Open Days and Special Events

Another meaningful part of my BFITS journey has been the chance to showcase my teaching in front of peers and visitors from the education world. I love helping students grow intellectually, and welcoming observers always pushes me to do my best. I genuinely look forward to feedback, both positive and constructive, because we should never stop improving.

On one memorable occasion, a delegation of Cambodian educators visited my Math class. Events like these allow teachers in Thailand to showcase their methods, learn from feedback, and celebrate international connections through education.

Our annual Open Day is another highlight, giving students, parents, and prospective families a glimpse into school life. It’s a fun-filled day designed to showcase the best aspects of what our school has to offer. Many booths are set up around the school grounds, showcasing the different programs available.

Primary school students from all around are invited to visit, ask questions, and participate in games with me and my colleagues. Some of our students also cook food and sell it throughout the day, creating a lively and festive atmosphere. It’s always a nice way to end the year before the final exams begin shortly after.

Final Thoughts: Dive into Every Opportunity

What I hope this blog makes clear is this: get involved in as many activities as possible throughout the year. Be a judge. Be an organiser. Be an inspiration. Whether you’re here to teach English in Thailand or grow personally and professionally, every opportunity adds to your journey.

Teaching in Thailand has given me moments of incredible pride, laughter, and learning. These experiences extend far beyond the classroom and are open to all teachers in Thailand who choose to embrace them. And I haven’t even stepped outside the school gates yet. There’s more to share in the future, but for now, I bid you good rest. Thanks for reading—and keep on keeping on!