Opening English Language School

[kiwijack]

I am contemplating opening a new english language school, owned by Thai wife, & before I go down the track of paying for professional advice on a range of issues, I am hoping someone can tell me what licences are required & an idea of cost, & the time to get them.. or where to seek the info (online?) would be great.

Any assistance anyone who has been there done that can offer would be most appreciated as it is just an idea at present.

The idea is to be a one man show so wont be much competition but would want it to be "legal".

Thanks very much.

[Neeranam]

Quickly.

I think you need 2 million in cash.

If you want to be legal, you need 4 Thais working there so you can get a work permit.

Lots to do to satisfy the MOE.

If you don't know any influential Thais, you will find it hard.

The best way, IMO, and experience is to do it on the sly and make sure you offer the local head of police some free lessons for his family.

[kenkannif]

^ Those rules don't apply to schools, it's easier than that I think (the school where I work was started with a few thousand Baht).

Check with the MoE, I know a couple of people that have done it successfully. It's not too difficult.

It needs to be in the name of a Thai (as the principal) , and they (as far as I know) have to have a degree in English or something relevant to teaching/English.

If you want the MoE website link let me know.

[kenkannif]

And it's (generally) one work permit to one classroom and not on the basis of Thai staff (we have 40+ odd teachers and 10 or so Thai staff!).

[kiwijack]

And it's (generally) one work permit to one classroom and not on the basis of Thai staff (we have 40+ odd teachers and 10 or so Thai staff!).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for prompt responses.

Will contact MOE as suggested as MUST be legal.... was just hoping someone had done it all & could tell me the details & save me sorting confusing & maybe contradictory requirements, (plus my wifes' limited translation skills.. the first student!!!). Is there any such person out there?

If the principal ... ie the owner, needs the qualification it rules out my wife; if it is the school principal, well that could be me ok.

Comments much appreciated.

[kenkannif]

^ You can't be the principal unless you're Thai mate.

I think you'll find a lot of people have the attitude "no one helped me, so why should I blah blah blah".

I'll try to find out though, but if your wife calles the MoE she'll hear it from the horses mouth as it were.

[Rumpole]

I'm pretty sure the principal has to be a "qualified" Thai teacher. I don't think just any old degree will cut it, but he or she doesn't necessarily have to be an English teacher either. The principal is a seperate entity from the legal owner, and doesn't need to be involved with the day-to-day running of the place - it is more of a figurehead thing. You will have to find a Thai teacher (retired is OK) and cross his or her palm with silver, so you can use his or her name on the licence application. Suggest you are VERY careful about who you select, as they could if they wanted make life difficult for you further down the line; particularly if your business is seen to be successful. Ken is right about the other stuff.

The premises have to be inspected by the MoE, and it can take forever for them to get off their collective rear-ends to actually pay you a visit. Technically, you are not supposed to open for business until you are physically clutching the licence in your hot little hand. However, This is Thailand, so just make sure the place is empty on the day of the actual inspection.

Chok dee, but remember the caveat; How does a farang make a small fortune in Thailand? He starts with a larger one.

[kenkannif]

I'm pretty sure the principal has to be a "qualified" Thai teacher.

No trust me they don't (our one here isn't ).

[Rumpole]

Hmmm. Interesting. I was involved with a start-up and the (Thai) owner was told by the MoE that the principal had to be a Thai national and an educator, though not necessarily in English. In the end she paid her old High School headmaster for the use of his name.

Yet another case of conflicting information being given by different government officials on different days! TIT.

Does your place have "clout"? This was one of the problems that we had. The owner mentioned above was well-educated and business-savvy, but she didn't have any real contacts in the administration. As a consequence, she got the run-around from every government office she had to deal with. She came back near to tears a couple of times, saying they had treated her "like a dog". Oh well.

[kenkannif]

^ We did set up ours a long time ago, so maybe it's changed now? My apologies I didn't think of this when I posted yesterday!

We've got a bit of clout (not a lot though) and have worked with the MoE quite a few times and have 'friends' at Immigration.

Also might it differ from MoE to MoE office?

[Rumpole]

Also might it differ from MoE to MoE office?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hehe. I think you can safely put money on it!!

[kiwijack]

Thanks for all the comments/ advice although not getting the detail I was hoping for.. such is life.

Getting some confusing info from MOE & wifes' translation skills not up to complex matters.

So kennanif, can u pls advise that MOE website.. I cant find it... even if in Thai I can copy & get someone else to translate it for me.

I am sure opening a school doable but want to do it legally & the best possible way.

Clout can be arranged if necessary thru an arrangement but first things first.

Appreciate any directions on this question of MOE requirements.

Thanks again.

[kenkannif]

Happy to help mate:

http://www.moe.go.th/English/

Good luck mate and please let us know how you get on!

[kiwijack]

Happy to help mate:

http://www.moe.go.th/English/

Good luck mate and please let us know how you get on!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks Kenkannif. I will certainly post whatever I can elicit but ... dont hold your breath for it as expect it to take a while.

Appreciate your assistance.

As you know its a HUGE market, growing too, & room for more operators.

Good scope for entrepreneurial action!!! I have no doubt that done correctly there is excellent money to be made.

More later.

[kenkannif]

Well huge-ish. Personally I think there's too many schools around.

Good luck. And remember don't be like the Thais...think of the LONG term, not just the short term.

All the best mate!

[Johnny Dee Rock]

The principle must be Thai and he must have a degree in education. You would set up your business as a special school (one not related to the Thai curriculum and having no diploma granting status). that's the way it was explained to me by the folks down at the amphoe. Then I screwed my head back on straight and decided to fly under the radar.

[No beleeeeve!]

I designed and implemented an English Language school from scratch for a Thai company in 2003. They handled the paperwork but there were no Thai teachers at the school unless they used someone on paper only. We had all foreign teachers who they paid cash to, no work permits involved either. I had a teaching license from my day job but not sure if that played into anything.

You have to have a Thai person who meets and/or communicates with parents or else you are doomed, not because of language issues but because they will not send their child to a non-Thai owned school (there are exceptions but you guys know what I mean).

Good luck! I do mean that seriously.

[kenkannif]

Err a school can't be non-Thai owned, you mean non-Thai run