Best School Types

[SidJames]

What is the best type of school in Thailand & where in the country is the best schooling to be had outside of Bangkok?

Temple, state, private or international.

[Phatcharanan]

Errrrrrrrr best type of school for who? Teachers? Students? Thai or foreigners?

[SidJames]

Errrrrrrrr best type of school for who? Teachers? Students? Thai or foreigners?

Sorry me old Iron, it would be for a thai student.

Edited August 21, 2010 by SidJames

[Scott]

It would depend in part what your long range plans are for the student. If you plan on having them study overseas or in an international program, then an international school (English Program) would be best. If they are most likely going to continue their post secondary education in a Thai program, then you can chose either a bilingual program or a regular program. Private schools are generally better than gov't schools, but that is not always the case.

It might help to know the age of the student.

[SidJames]

It would depend in part what your long range plans are for the student. If you plan on having them study overseas or in an international program, then an international school (English Program) would be best. If they are most likely going to continue their post secondary education in a Thai program, then you can chose either a bilingual program or a regular program. Private schools are generally better than gov't schools, but that is not always the case.

It might help to know the age of the student.

The child is not yet born so I can't really predict what their later education needs will be but any advice is most welcome.

[Phatcharanan]

The child is not yet born so I can't really predict what their later education needs will be but any advice is most welcome.

Not exactly making it easy to advise are you Sid? You're obviously a Brit........probably from London or thereabouts?

Only you and the mum will know what you want for your child. School fees will play a big part in this too. If you want your child to have a rounded western education then obviously the Internationals. The decent Internationals that is....Harrow, Patana, NIST, Bromsgrove, Shrewsbury etc. Costs will be from around 200 - 350k baht per academic year....depending on age group.

Some very good private bilingual schools around. Costs vary of course. 'Temple' schools will be the cheapest I would imagine. Get what you pay for is the motto here.

You really should be thinking about which Early Years / Kindy school first. The advice you may receive will depend to a large part on your budget.

Edited August 21, 2010 by Phatcharanan

[Scott]

Since the child isn't born, then it's best to take a look at what your long range plans are--if you and the Mrs. plan to eventually (in the next 10 years) return to the West, then I might consider an International School--this also depends on your financial situation.

If your just not sure, then I would go with a bilingual school. Bilingual schools will give your child a good grounding in English and their knowledge of Thai will not be diminished. The English level will not be st the level of a child attending school in an English speaking country, but it will be competitive.

A lot of people--especially with mixed race children think that the child can learn English at home. That is true but, they will not be able to learn/study effectively in English. There is a whole different set of parameters between speaking a language and being able to read science, for example, and comprehend and learn in the language. And yes, there are exceptions, but this is a general rule.

I work with a Thai lady who attended an international school. She lives in Thailand, spoke primarily Thai at home, but never attended a local school. She speaks fluently, but she has trouble reading and explaining a Thai text. She is sometimes asked to informally translate an upper prathom text and she often misses the point. She is 100% competent in English. Her spelling and writing in Thai is also low and if she tries to write a 'note' for a Thai admin--they often don't understand. 100% speaking fluency, but she really can't read/write at a very high level.

[SidJames]

I hope that money will not be an issue as I've been quite good with the shekels [ bad day at the office for your lot Phatcharanan ] & I'm not planning on moving the family to the UK.

Outside of Bangkok where are the best schools & is there a database in English that I can access?

Are there any performance tables a la the UK?

Apologises for the sweeping questions but the answers that are being given here are just the kind of info that I require.

Proper food for thought.

[Scott]

Sorry there is no database and I have no idea where to get one. What province are you in and/or what reasonably sized reasonably large town/city is within driving distance for taking a child to school each day.

We may have posters who can then point you in the right direction? Also will you be staying in the area where you now live?

[otherstuff1957]

I don't know if this would fall into the category of "forbidden links", but if it doesn't, here is a list of International Schools in SE Asia, with links to most of their websites:

http://www.shambles.net/allschools/

I might add that most experts say that the best way to raise a bi-lingual child is for each parent to speak to the child in their native tongue. Don't do what so many expats do - speak to your children in bad Thai or pigeon English!

Edited August 22, 2010 by otherstuff1957

[Scott]

Your list is fine because it is not a commercial link.

Raising a bilingual child is one thing, but bilingual education is a whole different thing.

[SidJames]

The schooling will either be around Pattaya or Udon. That's a good point about speaking to a child in either bad Thai or pigeon English

[Phatcharanan]

[ bad day at the office for your lot Phatcharanan

Yeah, tell me about it. Suspect it will be more than just 'bad days'

Edited August 22, 2010 by Phatcharanan

[paulfr]

You should be careful that some schools calling themselves "International" are not.

That is they teach in English, the teachers are native English speakers, but the kids

talk to each other in Thai. As a result the S's English is quite poor. Good enough to

get by but they are hard to understand and very limited in what they can do.

A true international school requires all S's to speak English to each other and

enforces this rule. In fact a way to be sure is if the S's come from all countries;

Korea, China , Oz, NZ, UK, US, India etc. then there is no need to speak Thai.

But if the S's are predominately Thai, I know of no school that enforces the English

only rule. JFYI

[elshaheen]

It would depend in part what your long range plans are for the student. If you plan on having them study overseas or in an international program, then an international school (English Program) would be best. If they are most likely going to continue their post secondary education in a Thai program, then you can chose either a bilingual program or a regular program. Private schools are generally better than gov't schools, but that is not always the case.

If you are looking for a listing of Schools / Bilingual and International schools in Thailand. There is a new ESL - Community website in Thailand. They have a whole list of them. International schools have been compiled and put in a click able directory. The site is called Professional Endeavors and it's at www.pro-endeavors.com

[skybluestu]

quote name='Scott' timestamp='1282404668' post='3829326']

It would depend in part what your long range plans are for the student. If you plan on having them study overseas or in an international program, then an international school (English Program) would be best. If they are most likely going to continue their post secondary education in a Thai program, then you can chose either a bilingual program or a regular program. Private schools are generally better than gov't schools, but that is not always the case.

If you are looking for a listing of Schools / Bilingual and International schools in Thailand. There is a new ESL - Community website in Thailand. They have a whole list of them. International schools have been compiled and put in a click able directory. The site is called Professional Endeavors and it's at www.pro-endeavors.com

I know we can't criticise spelling, grammar etc mistakes that people make while posting on thaivisa but I'm pretty surprised to see a website dedicated to the ESL profession with so many errors. I just visited this site for the first time and this is what greeted me

'Professional Endeavors (PTDI) is one new Educational Language Organizations in Thailand dedicated to offering language and exchange programs for foreign and local students and professionals. We have devoted to maintaining the quality of our teachers and the satisfaction of our students. We aim to provide essential components and assistance to help all students reach their goal.'

I don't think I'll visit for a second time!