I Need To Learn Thai, For Real! Where?

[awarrumbungle]

To all experienced ex-pats or fellow Thai people in the know, please can you help or at least give me some direction.

Quite simply I need to learn to speak Thai! Not just from the bloke down the road or from the local language school, but from a legitimate institution.

In short I will begin to study a Bachelor degree in International studies in a couple of months time via long distance learning from Australia. As part of my studies I must major or minor in a language other than English. As I live and work here in Thailand, I see it only fitting that I study the Thai language, especially as I already have a reasonable command of the language and enjoy it.

After many dead end phone calls to several major universities, questions to fellow teaching staff here at my school etc etc, I am struggling to find a suitable institution that fill the requirements I need.

My university in Australia have allowed me to choose to study Thai in Thailand, but they require me to send them detailed documentation of the course so they can have it approved and ensure it follows the curriculum they require.

What I require is:

1 - A course that will cover all elements of the language, Speaking, reading, writing and listening.

2 – The course must start from the basics and move up gradually over a period of 2-3 years. 2 years for a minor study, 3 years for a major study.

3 – Approximately 165 hours per semester with examinations and assessments on completion of each semester.

The local dime a dozen language school isn’t nearly good enough, and according to the universities, if I want to study Thai at a Thai Uni, I must first sit a Thai examination that requires me to already have a fairly high level of speaking, reading and writing, which I don't.

So my question to all that may be able to help is: Where can I find an institution that I can learn serious Thai over a period of 2-3 years, that is sound enough that it may be accredited by my uni in OZ? My situation is also complicated by the fact that I live in Trang, down in the far south of Thailand, so I will need to do the course via distance learning. But that’s ok, my girlfriend is Thai and a great teacher!

Any suggestions?

[meadish_sweetball]

I think you will have to consider relocation to do this properly.

Would it not be possible for you to start with a basic course at a language school like AUA, and once you have mastered the basics of reading and writing, take the exam to get accepted into Uni and finish your studies there?

Since you are in Trang and probably dont want to go too far, have a look at Songkhla and Hat Yai for Thai courses, I seem to remember there being an AUA in either of the two. Otherwise I think Bangkok (cannot give specific suggestions, but others here can) and Chiang Mai (AUA or Phayap) are ideal.

[Thai_dye]

All expats in my company learnt their Thai from a language school called " Jentana&Associates Languages consultant. They provided the courses as below.

The J&A syllabus is comprised of 6 distinct sections, that ensure students who apply themselves to their study, progress quickly and easily through the basics to a more advanced level of ability and understanding.

Step 1 Survival Thai (An introductory course of 10 lessons)

Step 2 Advanced Basic (Speak Thai with confidence)

Step 3 Intermediate (Introduction to reading & writing)

Step 4 Advanced Intermediate

Step 5 Advanced

Step 6 Expert

The study guides authored by Jentana provide a structured approach to each and every lesson so that students can pace out their learning with their own ability and time commitments.

Or go to http://thai-lessons.com/thailanguage.htm for more detaisl.

Hope that helps.

Good luck!

[withnail]

I knew a guy from Australia who was doing the exact same thing as you and studying at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok I think distance learning is seriously out of the question though.

[drummer]

I've some friends studying Thai at ABAC university. Even though they never actually show up to class, I think distance learning is out of the question, too.