Owning A Language School

[sir]

I was wondering if anyone could assist with this one. Basically my Thai partners and myself, after months of research want to go ahead with the idea of opening a language school/student placement center. Total investment: 1 million. A tad short of the 2 mil required to obtain wp's for the three foreign teachers we are recruiting. The red tape involved in especially obtaining wp's for the foreign teachers we're employing too much of a headache?

Suggestions much appreciated.

[kenkannif]

I thought WPs for schools were done on the number of classrooms?

[Bluffer]

That was my impression as well. (but that came up in a conversation about 18mths ago so it might have changed. )

[Ijustwannateach]

However, in many cases the number of classrooms is never enough- so they pay for, er, um, special consideration- maybe this is the headache OP is asking about?

"Steven"

[kenkannif]

We've got a couple more WPs than classrooms by luck I think more than anything else, but there's no real way around it as far as I can tell (well maybe chucking cash at them will help, I don't know). Basically the MoE come round and check as far as I know? So I'm not sure if it's tied to so many TLs being issued (and the MoE keeps an eye on them) or on WPs issued (and Labor keeps an eye on them) I'm guessing the former. I'll try and find out more though tomorrow (I'll ask the owners here!).

Bluffer I'm 99% it's still the same (we've opened one recently!).

[sir]

Thanks for the replies.

So the invested capital is of no importance to the Thai authorities then?

It's the number of classrooms that matters, is this correct? Will we still need the seven partners to set the whole operation up? Probably yes, methinks. Also, I hear the majority of the newly set up language schools go down within a year. Does anyone know why that is? I am getting a bit paranoid, replies appreciated...

[kenkannif]

I'm pretty sure (after speaking to the boss here) that the cash isn't a problem. Nor are the 7 partners/employees.

The main thing is the Thai principal.

I assume a lot of them fail 'cos there's so many established ones, and so much competition. Although probably the main reason is they're run as a business (with only really the short term profit in mind) rather than as an educational establishment (although maybe the ones that fold are run as they should be......?).

Don't take this as gospel, but I'm pretty sure it's correct (not the last bit about them going TiTs up, although I reckon that's the case).

Again I suggest you contact the MoE for 100% correct info. Most peopel that have set up schools are a bit loathe to part with the info IME! But I know a few people that have done it and I don't think it's THAT difficult!