English progam vs bilingual

[chopin2]

What is the difference between schools referring to themselves as EP vs bilingual?

[mogandave]

Do you mean EP vs MLP?

[Scott]

There are various formats used in the different programs and you will have to ask each school for a precise explanation of what their program offers.

 

In a bilingual program, generally almost every subject is offered in both Thai and English (or whatever the 2nd language is).   In most cases, the subject matter will be the same, but taught first in Thai and then in English.   It affords the development of the 2nd language without a loss in the first language.  

 

Many people believe that somehow English alone is sufficient, but it is also important for students to learn to function in an academic manner in both languages.   This doesn't occur unless they are learning all the terms, vernacular and to some extent concepts in both languages.  

 

A bilingual education is particularly good if you are unsure if your child will pursue a local or an overseas education.   They will have versatility in both languages. 

 

For people who are sure their child will be going to school in a western country or international setting, then an English program is a good option.  

 

It is important for a child to be firmly grounded in one language.   Bilingual families can have them grounded in more than one, but this is the exception rather than the rule.  

[asiamaster]

ELP stands for English Language Programme. It is offered on top of the Thai curriculum in so-called bilingual schools. If the schools do not comply with the Thai curriculum the diploma will mean nothing in Thailand and will not grant graduates access to a Thai university.  The diploma most certainly does not grant access to international universities, however it is possible to be accepted at the International departments of Thai universities. They still may have to do a English proficiency test but with their ELP education it is easy for them to pass. Some bilingual / ELP schools do offer the possibility of doing A-level exams at the British council but you would still have to pay for it and go to Bangkok. A-levels can only be done in Malaysia or Singapore.  Alternatively they could do another 2 years at an (expensive) international school.

My daughters went direct from BEST Burapa school to Stamford University in Bangkok. In the meantime they both have their BA and if they would desire they could go to a university of applied science abroad where they possibly could get a bachelors degree as well but that would take them another 1-2 years. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Confuscious]

FWIW, here my explanation of the "difference" between EP and BP.

 

1. MOST schools don't use an English speaking member of their school to translate any document.
They are too proud for that and they believe that a Thai teacher can do the job as good as any English teacher.
Most, if not all, of the translation is done with Google translate.
The results are below every result to any REAL English speaking reader.
Most schools use Google translate for the translation of "English Program" and "Bilingual" program for their advertising, but at the end there is no difference between their programs.
Go to the website of the different schools, and find out by yourself how hilarious most schools are when it comes to the translation of their documents (whilst they have REAL English speaking teachers on their payroll).
In short, take the terms "English Program" and "Bilingual" program very loosely.

2. An "English Program" is supposed to offer English tutoring by teachers whose primary/native language is English.
Filipino teachers primary language is not English.
The English tutoring is also supposed to be in line with International tutoring.
Due to the fact that the whole English Program is done by teachers whose primary/native language is English, it is normal that this program has a high price tag.

"Bilingual programs" schools offers mostly the same program as the "English Program" except that a large part (sometimes all of the program) is tutored by teachers whose primary/native language is not English, but offered by teachers who have TOEFL certificate.
Mostly, they will employ Filipino teachers because of the low salary.
If the "English" subjects teachers are really decent, the English tutoring can be as good as an "English Program" at a fraction of the cost.

HTH

[Falcon]

Very good explanation @Confuscious and almost an identical way of handling document translations/notifications that my sons school is operating under!!

[mogandave]

The Filipinas at my son's school seem to speak very good English, and some of them speak decent Thai.

 

None of the westerners at his school seem to speak any significant Thai, and their English is often not great.

 

So if the reqirement is to be native English only, would everyone from Germany, Spain, France, Italy, India and any number of other countries be disallowed from teaching?

 

  

[chopin2]

8 hours ago, Confuscious said:

FWIW, here my explanation of the "difference" between EP and BP.

 

1. MOST schools don't use an English speaking member of their school to translate any document.
They are too proud for that and they believe that a Thai teacher can do the job as good as any English teacher.
Most, if not all, of the translation is done with Google translate.
The results are below every result to any REAL English speaking reader.
Most schools use Google translate for the translation of "English Program" and "Bilingual" program for their advertising, but at the end there is no difference between their programs.
Go to the website of the different schools, and find out by yourself how hilarious most schools are when it comes to the translation of their documents (whilst they have REAL English speaking teachers on their payroll).
In short, take the terms "English Program" and "Bilingual" program very loosely.

2. An "English Program" is supposed to offer English tutoring by teachers whose primary/native language is English.
Filipino teachers primary language is not English.
The English tutoring is also supposed to be in line with International tutoring.
Due to the fact that the whole English Program is done by teachers whose primary/native language is English, it is normal that this program has a high price tag.

"Bilingual programs" schools offers mostly the same program as the "English Program" except that a large part (sometimes all of the program) is tutored by teachers whose primary/native language is not English, but offered by teachers who have TOEFL certificate.
Mostly, they will employ Filipino teachers because of the low salary.
If the "English" subjects teachers are really decent, the English tutoring can be as good as an "English Program" at a fraction of the cost.

HTH

I do belive that many of the Filipino teachers are able to teach decent English, their accent is often significant though.  But most kids learning English in Thailand will probably develop a funny accent anyway, unless they have nativ speaking parents of couse.

BP obviously use both English and Thai, but what about the proportion of each language, is it generally  50/50?  And for EP it should be 100% English?

[DavisH]

3 hours ago, chopin2 said:

I do belive that many of the Filipino teachers are able to teach decent English, their accent is often significant though.  But most kids learning English in Thailand will probably develop a funny accent anyway, unless they have nativ speaking parents of couse.

BP obviously use both English and Thai, but what about the proportion of each language, is it generally  50/50?  And for EP it should be 100% English?

EP's still have to cover the curriculum - so subjects such as Thai language, Thai history and Social studies, is taught by Thai teachers. English / maths /science / health (and often other subjects) is taught by foreigners. The ratio would vary from school to school. There really are very few qualified, licenced (Thai teaching licence) and experienced western teachers in Thailand would are prepared to work for 40-45K a month (I certainly wouldn't). So most schools are using non-native speakers to make up the shortfall. 

[MikeyIdea]

The most important thing for westerners looking at more international education or better thinking for their children but perhaps cannot afford international schools is:

 

Both Thai schools and Bilingual Schools (Thai schools with any kind of English programme) MUST follow the Thai curriculum, of course, otherwise they wouldn't qualify for high school diplomas. This basically means that they first teach things in Thai and then they teach selected parts again in English, it doesn't mean that they teach much more non-Thai things at all. The phase "ELP is offered on top of the Thai Curriculum" is not quite correct. Not much time left to add additional stuff, is there?

 

Philippines vs. native English speakers: Depends on level of school = term fees. The Philippines teachers at better = more expensive bilingual schools all have degrees, nearly all have Ed degrees even and I find their English excellent, perhaps they still have a little bit of accent to their American accent but so what? I'd rather have excellent English and an Ed degree than a native speaker with no Ed degree in nearly all subjects. I say nearly not because of language as such but because I think that both really are needed: They teach a different background / personality / thinking at the same time as the subject they teach. Cheap Thai schools and the Asian English teachers English can be appalling

 

Both bilingual schools and English Programme schools often end up around 50/50. As Davis said, 100% English is impossible in a school that must follow the Thai curriculum because it's not just social studies, religion, health etc. that should be taught, it's what the MoE state those subjects should include that should be taught => it's the Thai version of what the subject social studies mean, it's Thai social studies, that is absolutely not International Social Studies

 

Someone wrote "An "English Program" is supposed to offer English tutoring by teachers whose primary/native language is English". Why on earth do the teachers have to be native? What's that got to do with teaching? Except with a few exceptions like teaching pronunciation of course. Most native Americans and quite a few Brits too don't even know what the conditional were is, they haven't been taught the rules, they haven't felt what was difficult and what was easy to learn, they have never even thought about how to best learn this and that when it comes to their native language. They just lived until they spoke the language like a native.

 

Native and non-native teachers compliment each other well if the school hire non-native teachers with Ed degrees. I also think that bilingual or EP whatever schools are a good middle way if parents can't afford international school rates. Parents must be interested and involved for results to be good, that's absolutely necessary. And it is fun :)

 

Michael