Good Thai Language School Around Sukhumvit Area In Bangkok?

[sarah22334]

Hello I am looking for a good language school around the Sukhumvit area in Bangkok. I have Googled and sent lots of emails to language schools directly but half the time they don’t respond and the rest of the time a get a reply in broken English and information and pricing which is difficult to understand.

I would like a one month beginner’s course on a full time basis, let’s say 4 to 6 hours a day 5 to 6 days a week.

I would prefer in a class setting with 4 to 10 other students.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!!

And PLEASE only respond if you are a WESTERNER or native English speaker with and UNBIASSED comment to make.

Thanks you in advance.

Sarah

[rgs2001uk]

IMO, either UTL, Times Square Building, opposite Robinsons Suk 19, or Piammitr, which I believe is now located in The Trend building Suk soi 13.

Both these schools are basically the same, a lot of the students start at one and go to the other.

The teaching methods, materials and curriculum is basically the same.

From a westerns viewpoint, if you start in level one, you will find many of the students have put in some study before attending maybe at other schools and others are repeating the module.

There are some in class excercises where the teacher will ask the students if they have made any mistakes, dont be alarmed if you are the only one who says yes.

I was the only westerner in the class, the rest were either japanese or Korean, its a face thing with them, they dont want to admit to being wrong, I though I must be thick being the only one to get some wrong.

If you have no vocabulary its a lot to take in, with as many as 20 or 30 new words to learn each day, hence the reason some repeat the modules.

Some students lose face in front of their classmates and at the end of the module move to another school to start the same module again.

This teaching method worked for me, I did the afternoon classes that run from 1-4 pm, by the time you get home, do some homework and revision you may well find you are putting in at least an extra hour in the evening followed by another hour in the morning.

There is a pinned topic titled best Thai language schools, start at the end page and work backwards, pay particular attention to any post by a poster by the name of Tod Daniels, ignore the petty squabbles.

TD voiced a favourable view of a school called Pro Language School also located in Times Square, I can offer no opinion as I never studied there, but if TD said its worth a visit I would heed what he said.

I have attended other schools, I cant name them but school couldnt be further from the truth, they were crap.

As mentioned earlier these two schools I mentioned are the only ones I found worked for me.

[cameozo]

Second UTL, can't speak for Piammitr never attended there. UTL is great and if you're serious about Thai it will get you to a quite high level.

I will avoid putting down other schools I have attended that were simply no good.

[AyG]

UTL thirded.

However, it's not really suited for a total beginner. You need to know a little of the language before you start.

Also, one month's study is only going to give you enough language to hold the very simplest of conversations - buying fruit at a roadside stall and the like. Don't expect too much.

Class size for level one is probably larger than you'd like, but for higher levels the classes rapidly get smaller. I think there's an upper limit of 20, but I'm not certain.

Oh, and UTL is terrible at responding to emails - but then most Thai businesses are. It doesn't mean it's not a good school.

[vincentinparis]

I can recommend Piammitr. Classes are smaller than what you're looking for, often just three or four students, but that means you participate much more. I am there now and have worked my way up to reading and writing (just started, and feel like some toddler holding his book upsidedown, clutching a crayon in his fist, but I'll get there). The first three months of their curriculum concentrates on vocabulary building and basic grammar structures. I am definitely still struggling to hone my tones and fluency, but it's a world of difference from the random phonetic guessing games I'd play when I first arrived.

It's great watching the current level 1 class when they come out every day with new words for things, asking questions. It's exciting for them, and I can practically see a veil being lifted from their eyes. Thai is tough and after a month you won't be reciting great poetry (or even watching soap operas). But you'll have a better than basic grasp on every day vocabulary and structure.

As was said earlier, you can take morning or afternoon classes. If you have the time, you could even do both, say a class in the morning and private tuition in the afternoon. They are in Trendy in Sukhumvit 13, 2nd floor, up the escalators. Have a look at their website, and if it is something you want to check out, I'd stop by. E-mail can be quite slow. The next session starts the first week of February, but they will let you sit in a trial class beforehand if you want.

[sarah22334]

Thankyou everyone for taking the time to respond!! Very very helpful and much appreciated!!

I have no idea why Tod Daniels would be banned from this forum, he seemed to have some great input and knew what he was talking about.

[aussiebebe]

Thankyou everyone for taking the time to respond!! Very very helpful and much appreciated!!

I have no idea why Tod Daniels would be banned from this forum, he seemed to have some great input and knew what he was talking about.

You're so lucky you can study full-time, I would if I could. UTL runs 4-hour morning courses Mon-Fri but I had to study in the evening after work so only got 2 hours for a little less money. My brain doesn't work that well in the evening! I studied at the Bang Na branch but that's out of the way for you.

The thing you referred to about the staff not responding actually helps when you go in person; they force you to speak Thai during breaks and on the phone so you make quicker progress. The first 2 UTL modules are conversational Thai with transliteration and you actually leave the classes feeling that have enough confidence to strike up conversation with random Thais; quite empowering!

[kriswillems]

Piammitr, UTL or AAA thai language school are all good and reasonably priced (price per hour). Avoid the "student visa courses and schools" (3 hours per week courses).