Srivikorn School, Sukhumvit, Bangkok

[TommyTucker]

Are there any Thai Visa Members who have children at Srivikorn, or who have had children at Srivikorn? We visited the school this week, are quite impressed and considering sending our 3 year old daughter there for K1 in May. Any constructive comments, either positive or negative would be appreciated. Thanks

[expatman]

I assume you are referring to the English Programme at Srivikorn ?

My son has been going to Srivikorn for 4 years now. At first we were very happy with the school, however lately I'm becoming concerned about the level of instruction in English. The school promotes itself as bilingual with one Thai teacher and one native English speaker for each class, with small classes. Class size seems to be growing, and now they have hired several Philipina teachers for the "native English speaker" positions (math, science, "English").

For kindergarten classes you should be OK, but for higher level grades I might consider another school.

[Kananga]

I assume you are referring to the English Programme at Srivikorn ?

My son has been going to Srivikorn for 4 years now. At first we were very happy with the school, however lately I'm becoming concerned about the level of instruction in English. The school promotes itself as bilingual with one Thai teacher and one native English speaker for each class, with small classes. Class size seems to be growing, and now they have hired several Philipina teachers for the "native English speaker" positions (math, science, "English").

For kindergarten classes you should be OK, but for higher level grades I might consider another school.

But then it is only 82k a year. We pay for a niece to study there, and she seems to be doing well. Its a lot cheaper than the international schools our children are in, and the standard is much higher than the government school our niece was in before. In my opinion you get what you pay for and that is true of this school also. Good for the money.

Edited February 9, 2012 by Kananga

[mightyharriss]

Hi there, My daughter went to Srivikorn G1-G2, and we could not wait to get her out. The children in her class were never controlled by the teacher and at a young age was subjected to bullying. This was brought up with the year head and teachers, but nothing was ever done. One child in particular was proving to be very very difficult... We finally changed school to the Thai Christion school soi 42 Sukhumvit 71... and have NOT looked back... the kids and teachers are lovely a very good standard of education, good sized grounds with a large pool. My daughter loves it. Wonderful school, I highly advise against Srivikorn

[TommyTucker]

Thanks for your replies, we are looking for a school that teaches Thai and has an English programme. I will contact the Thai Christian School and make an appointment to have a tour etc.

[nocturn]

how much is the thai christian school?

I must also say the proverb quoted on the front page of the website is a huge con in my estimation.

[expatman]

I assume you are referring to the English Programme at Srivikorn ?

My son has been going to Srivikorn for 4 years now. At first we were very happy with the school, however lately I'm becoming concerned about the level of instruction in English. The school promotes itself as bilingual with one Thai teacher and one native English speaker for each class, with small classes. Class size seems to be growing, and now they have hired several Philipina teachers for the "native English speaker" positions (math, science, "English").

For kindergarten classes you should be OK, but for higher level grades I might consider another school.

But then it is only 82k a year. We pay for a niece to study there, and she seems to be doing well. Its a lot cheaper than the international schools our children are in, and the standard is much higher than the government school our niece was in before. In my opinion you get what you pay for and that is true of this school also. Good for the money.

Current fees for Srivikorn English Programme is 58,000 baht per semester, that's 116,000 per year.

Other comments are interesting, some like, some hate the school. I think it depends a lot on the particular teacher(s) the student has, which seems to be the problem for my son this year.

I've also considered the Thai Christian School, but also wary of the religious angle.

Edited February 13, 2012 by expatman

[Kananga]

I assume you are referring to the English Programme at Srivikorn ?

My son has been going to Srivikorn for 4 years now. At first we were very happy with the school, however lately I'm becoming concerned about the level of instruction in English. The school promotes itself as bilingual with one Thai teacher and one native English speaker for each class, with small classes. Class size seems to be growing, and now they have hired several Philipina teachers for the "native English speaker" positions (math, science, "English").

For kindergarten classes you should be OK, but for higher level grades I might consider another school.

But then it is only 82k a year. We pay for a niece to study there, and she seems to be doing well. Its a lot cheaper than the international schools our children are in, and the standard is much higher than the government school our niece was in before. In my opinion you get what you pay for and that is true of this school also. Good for the money.

Current fees for Srivikorn English Programme is 58,000 baht per semester, that's 116,000 per year.

Other comments are interesting, some like, some hate the school. I think it depends a lot on the particular teacher(s) the student has, which seems to be the problem for my son this year.

I've also considered the Thai Christian School, but also wary of the religious angle.

I've just handed over 41k for next term's fees. You may want to speak to Dr Pin as it would seem you are paying considerably more than I am...

[expatman]

I assume you are referring to the English Programme at Srivikorn ?

My son has been going to Srivikorn for 4 years now. At first we were very happy with the school, however lately I'm becoming concerned about the level of instruction in English. The school promotes itself as bilingual with one Thai teacher and one native English speaker for each class, with small classes. Class size seems to be growing, and now they have hired several Philipina teachers for the "native English speaker" positions (math, science, "English").

For kindergarten classes you should be OK, but for higher level grades I might consider another school.

But then it is only 82k a year. We pay for a niece to study there, and she seems to be doing well. Its a lot cheaper than the international schools our children are in, and the standard is much higher than the government school our niece was in before. In my opinion you get what you pay for and that is true of this school also. Good for the money.

Current fees for Srivikorn English Programme is 58,000 baht per semester, that's 116,000 per year.

Other comments are interesting, some like, some hate the school. I think it depends a lot on the particular teacher(s) the student has, which seems to be the problem for my son this year.

I've also considered the Thai Christian School, but also wary of the religious angle.

I've just handed over 41k for next term's fees. You may want to speak to Dr Pin as it would seem you are paying considerably more than I am...

Are you sure your niece is in the English Programme ?

Srivikorn has another program called the "Child-Centered Program", I suspect that is what she attends. Or perhaps the ordinary Thai curriculum.

BTW, II don't know this "Dr Pin", he must be in the CC program. the EP is run by two women - Tess (Philipina) and Anachalee (Thai)

[Kananga]

But then it is only 82k a year. We pay for a niece to study there, and she seems to be doing well. Its a lot cheaper than the international schools our children are in, and the standard is much higher than the government school our niece was in before. In my opinion you get what you pay for and that is true of this school also. Good for the money.

Current fees for Srivikorn English Programme is 58,000 baht per semester, that's 116,000 per year.

Other comments are interesting, some like, some hate the school. I think it depends a lot on the particular teacher(s) the student has, which seems to be the problem for my son this year.

I've also considered the Thai Christian School, but also wary of the religious angle.

I've just handed over 41k for next term's fees. You may want to speak to Dr Pin as it would seem you are paying considerably more than I am...

Are you sure your niece is in the English Programme ?

Srivikorn has another program called the "Child-Centered Program", I suspect that is what she attends. Or perhaps the ordinary Thai curriculum.

BTW, II don't know this "Dr Pin", he must be in the CC program. the EP is run by two women - Tess (Philipina) and Anachalee (Thai)

Just checked with the wife, she is definitely in the English program and Dr Pin is the head of admissions. She must be Tess and Anachalee's boss. What age/grade is your child?

[expatman]

I've just handed over 41k for next term's fees. You may want to speak to Dr Pin as it would seem you are paying considerably more than I am...

Just checked with the wife, she is definitely in the English program and Dr Pin is the head of admissions. She must be Tess and Anachalee's boss. What age/grade is your child?

Well, this is getting more interesting.......

My son is in Grade 4, and we have been paying 58,000 baht per semester since G1.

The total 58K is tuition plus all other incidental fees (textbooks, etc - there is only 1 bill for the total)

I still suspect your niece is in Kindergarten or the CC program.

Coincidentally I just had a haircut this morning and my barber's son is in G7, not in EP, and she paid 41K, same as you.

But it appears fee is going up 5 % for next year.

[Kananga]

I've just handed over 41k for next term's fees. You may want to speak to Dr Pin as it would seem you are paying considerably more than I am...

Just checked with the wife, she is definitely in the English program and Dr Pin is the head of admissions. She must be Tess and Anachalee's boss. What age/grade is your child?

Well, this is getting more interesting.......

My son is in Grade 4, and we have been paying 58,000 baht per semester since G1.

The total 58K is tuition plus all other incidental fees (textbooks, etc - there is only 1 bill for the total)

I still suspect your niece is in Kindergarten or the CC program.

Coincidentally I just had a haircut this morning and my barber's son is in G7, not in EP, and she paid 41K, same as you.

But it appears fee is going up 5 % for next year.

I checked again with my wife and asked her to call the school to confirm as the email I saved with regard to the fees says 'international program'. I think it is the CC program as you mentioned as I checked and the fees for that are 41k which would make sense.

[TommyTucker]

We have met Dr Pinn a couple of times, she is a charming Thai lady and is the Head of Admissions. The fee's for the forthcoming "International" term are as follows:

K1 - K3 = 37,600 baht, G1 - G6 = 41,000 baht, G7 - G9 = 46,000 baht & G10 - G12 = 49,000 baht.

[TommyTucker]

After registering and paying in full in February for the Summer Camp (which starts next Monday 2nd April 2012), a two week trial period (April/May) and the first term starting 16th May, we were told yesterday at a meeting that the school will NOT accept our daughter. Yesterday's meeting was attended by the school General Manager/Owner, Anachalee, Tess, Dr Pinn and a Thai man (Deputy Head), myself, my wife, my daughter, and my Mother (who is an ex English nursery teacher). After hearing lie after lie, stories changing by the minute/hour and the "loss of face" nonsense they would not guarantee the safety of our daughter at their school, therefore they would not accept her. I asked several questions to the Owner, Deputy Head and Anachalee, they would not or could not answer me, the deputy Head could only look around the table for help (like a rabbit in the headlights), it was pathetic! This school is only worried about their REPUTATION, not the education of their students. The school stated that "they are unable to control bullying from the older children" to the Kindergarten due to lack of staff!!!!!! (one of the reasons they would not take our daughter). We now have to find another school for our daughter quickly before the new term starts. If anyone is thinking of sending their child or know of a child starting this school, think very very carefully about whether this school is suitable and if this student will be educated in the correct manner! If the head of the School and the head of the English programme are only worried about "loss of face" and REPUTATION then there is no hope for their students.

[nocturn]

Shame to hear. Between yourself and mighty Harriss, Srivikorn just lost my kid.

[Caliguy]

Tommy, my 3 year old is part of the summer camp and its been a delightful experience so far. Can you PM me as to what happened to where it escalated into a meeting? I'm new to this place as well, so I want to know if I should look out for anything. Thanks.

[expatman]

Tommy, my 3 year old is part of the summer camp and its been a delightful experience so far. Can you PM me as to what happened to where it escalated into a meeting? I'm new to this place as well, so I want to know if I should look out for anything. Thanks.

Yes, Tommy, please elaborate !

After several meetings and referring to Dr Pin as a "charming Thai lady" suddenly your attitude changes, claiming "lies after lies", "stories changing by the minute", and "they would not or could not answer me", without providing any specifics.

Something smells fishy !

[TommyTucker]

As previously explained after several visits to the school we decided to enroll our daughter for both the Summer Camps, a trial week and the 1st term. At this point we had only dealt with the Head of Admissions Dr Pinn, who is a delightful Thai lady. With only a week to go before the Summer Camp started we were summoned to the school and had a meeting with a Thai lady called Anachalee who is in charge of the English programme and a Filipino lady called Tess. Concerns were raised about the safety of our daughter within the school, they now felt that the school would not be suitable. The meeting finished and I then wrote a letter to the Head of the School as requested, confirming what had been discussed in the meeting. We were then summoned back to the meeting as described above. This meeting was a total waste of time as the School's decision had already been made before the meeting had started. The Head had in her possession an envelope containing our money which was returned to us in the meeting. The lies were by the Head of the School and Anachalee, two Thai ladies changing their stories by the second, so as not to lose face! There was not point in the meeting taken place, our money could have been returned by post and we did not need to take a day off work to attend the meeting! I must say that throughout this scandal Dr Pinn was wonderful and the school's decision was nothing to do with Dr Pinn, This story does have a silver lining though, we have now managed to enroll our daughter into Plengprasiddhi school (Silom) which is an unbelievable establishment and is a fantastic advertisment for how Children should be taught in a happy and caring environment, I cannot praise this school highly enough.

[expatman]

...

Concerns were raised about the safety of our daughter within the school, they now felt that the school would not be suitable.

...

I can't help but feel that something is still missing.

Were any reasons given for concerns about safety ?

I can't understand why they would turn down your money.

Does your daughter have any special needs or behavior problems ?

As for the Thai ladies verbal "waffling", this I can understand and although not unusual it's still unacceptable (to a farang).