Schools Providing Non-ed Visa?

[fozzy58uk]

Does anyone have any experience or advice on where I can study Thai and obtain a non-Ed visa?

[DocJD]

You can get a Non-Ed visa with Unity (which employs the Union method) (http://www.utl-school.com/english/).

I once studied a module with them in the afternoon class (3hrs/day). For me, it was incredibly boring. The majority of the students in my class were Japanese and Korean and they were there to study, not have fun. So the mood of my classroom wasn't exactly a playful one. Here I should say that you will learn Thai if you stick to the program. I've met a couple of people who have run through the 6 module program and speak decent Thai for foreigners. How much better you speak than the average joe finishing the 6-mondule course depends on you.

[DocJD]

You can get a visa at AUA (which uses a ALG method) http://www.auathai.com/visa_information.html

I suggest you read up on AUA and the ALG method before you decide on this school. Personally, when I first started learning Thai, I was very frustrated with AUA's classes. I didn't feel like I was learning a thing, so I dropped my classes and went elsewhere. Now that I've got a better understanding of Thai, however, I quite enjoy AUA's classes. I'm still go there a couple of hours each month.

Here's a video clip of a Thai Class at AUA. Imagine being in this class while not understanding a single word of Thai--that's the ALG method:

Edited August 1, 2008 by DocJD

[riga]

You can get a visa at AUA (which uses a ALG method) http://www.auathai.com/visa_information.html

I suggest you read up on AUA and the ALG method before you decide on this school. Personally, when I first started learning Thai, I was very frustrated with AUA's classes. I didn't feel like I was learning a thing, so I dropped my classes and went elsewhere. Now that I've got a better understanding of Thai, however, I quite enjoy AUA's classes. I'm still go there a couple of hours each month.

Here's a video clip of a Thai Class at AUA. Imagine being in this class while not understanding a single word of Thai--that's the ALG method:

I was reading the introduction of the ALG method and I was wondering how this method can be applied to a student that has already approached the study of the language in another way (self studying or other methods)?

[kriswillems]

I met a few students that studied at AUA in Bangkok and in more traditional schools. All of them thought their time at AUA was a waste of time. They described it as watching TV in a language you don't understand, although there was somebody that said the higher levels at AUA might be more interesting (if you can already understand some Thai).

AUA in Pattaya uses a different and more traditional method.

Almost all licensed schools provided services to get a student visa.

Edited August 1, 2008 by kriswillems

[DocJD]

I was reading the introduction of the ALG method and I was wondering how this method can be applied to a student that has already approached the study of the language in another way (self studying or other methods)?

AUA can still provide exposure--exposure which will help encourage better fluency. Just about everyone can benefit from that. That's why I go anyways.

[riga]

I met a few students that studied at AUA in Bangkok and in more traditional schools. All of them thought their time at AUA was a waste of time. They described it as watching TV in a language you don't understand, although there was somebody that said the higher levels at AUA might be more interesting (if you can already understand some Thai).

AUA in Pattaya uses a different and more traditional method.

Almost all licensed schools provided services to get a student visa.

In a certain way I like the idea that you learn the language the way childs do. Is a different appraoch and they claims great results (that should be verified though).

But as I've already started with a different (and "home made") way to learn the language, my ability to learn through this method should be already compromised....

And forget I could refrain myself to try to speak and apply what I actually (presume to) know

Other doubts are on their claim that an adult can learn even faster than a child folowing this way and the how long the process will take

[mataleo]

how much does it cost ? AUA ?

thank you