Best Thai Language School

[mangkorn]

I want to branch out on this topic.

I plan on moving to either Khon Kaen or Maha Sarakham province in about August. I'm looking for an intensive Thai course and was figuring I'd probably have to go to Bangkok or Chiang Mai to get it. Is anyone aware of something decent in Isaan?

Thanks.

Tony

If you are going to live in Isaan, you might do better studying Lao.

Seriously.

[tcris52]

I want to branch out on this topic.

I plan on moving to either Khon Kaen or Maha Sarakham province in about August. I'm looking for an intensive Thai course and was figuring I'd probably have to go to Bangkok or Chiang Mai to get it. Is anyone aware of something decent in Isaan?

Thanks.

Tony

If you are going to live in Isaan, you might do better studying Lao.

Seriously.

That's a very good point. However, I plan on doing work within the school system working with kids learning English. As you know, the official language in the schools is Thai so I'll have to pick up Lao on the side. I think most of my contacts will be in Thai.

Tony

[mijim]

I'd recommend Pro Language in Times Square. Good teachers, good explainations and no troubles communicating in English with them. I was already able to go around and use what they taught me after the first few lessons. They helped me get a one year visa too - very professional.

Jim

What's the best school for learning Thai, in terms of the teachers ability, materials and price? Candidates please.

Nisa in Sathorn so far has been the best all round for me out of the five I've been too.

[kriswillems]

I went to pro-language in Pattaya a few weeks a ago. They had books (which is better than most schools in Pattaya). I need to go back to speak to the teacher and then I'll decide if I'll start studying there. I became father 1 week ago, so I didn't really find the time now. What was very strange (for a Thai language school) is that the lady at the reception couldn't speak Thai.

[kriswillems]

<spam removed - Maestro>

I found their website but what about prices ?

How much Dave for your 120 hours ?

<spam removed - Maestro>

I had a talk with the teacher. I decided to give it a try. I'll study at pro-language in Pattaya for 20 hours (and longer if I like it). The price was 7300 Baht (private teaching, book included), which makes it as far as I know the most expensive school in Pattaya. But as far as I know this is also the only school that has written several books and actually uses these books to teach. They also had 6 books to prepare P.6 exam (which I'll be studying).

I like the schools in Bangkok and I like studying in a classroom more than private teaching but Bangkok is just too far from my home.

I've visited several other schools in Pattaya (and also studied in one of them). Besides Pro-Language and AUA, none of them had more than one book or could say anything interesting about their method of teaching. The only thing every school could clearly say was the price per 20 hours.

AUA didn't offer any courses at my level. I expect a lot from Pro-language, because in my opinion it's rather expensive.

I'll let you know about my experience.

[wasabi]

In bangkok...Thonglor language school on Sukumwit Road

In Chiang Mai ...with teacher lah..0861938768

Any website for Thonglor. Anyone have any opinion which is better Piammitr or Thonglor? I've read a few who went to Piammitr who passed the Pratom 6 exam. Can the same be said for Thonglor?

[trader1]

Lanaguage schools I have used

1. Pro language

2. Unity

3 http://www.thaisolutions1502.com/

4. www.Sanithaiteach.com

All have been good. I now mainly use sanithai as it is cheap and they do private lessons at nights and weekend.

Unity was good for group classes and thaisolutions good for getting tones right.

Edited February 18, 2008 by trader1

[kriswillems]

I had a talk with the teacher...

Here's my feedback.

Last week was my first day at Pro Language in Pattaya and it was not too bad. The teacher was energetic, actively corrected my pronunciation and she used a book from the school which was ok.

The pro-language teacher is much better than the teacher of my last school in Pattaya. The teacher from my old school had relational problems, looked depressed, overworked (and even looked a bit suicidal).

The only disappointment at pro-language was that after 1h40min the teacher said the course was finished, because every hour should have 10 minutes break. I was told nothing about the break at the moment I paid for my 20 hours. My 20 hours are now reduced to 16h40 minutes, making the school even more expensive than before.

If I would live at the same distance from BKK as from Pattaya, I would go back to one of the union based schools in BKK because I think they have a more structured teaching method (and they are cheaper than private courses).

But for anyone that stays near Pattaya I can advice this school: it's not too bad, better than many other schools in Pattaya. Too bad it's rather expensive.

[yeows]

How is the course so far, kriswillems?

[capdagde]

Here's my feedback.

Last week was my first day at Pro Language in Pattaya and it was not too bad. The teacher was energetic, actively corrected my pronunciation and she used a book from the school which was ok.

The pro-language teacher is much better than the teacher of my last school in Pattaya. The teacher from my old school had relational problems, looked depressed, overworked (and even looked a bit suicidal).

The only disappointment at pro-language was that after 1h40min the teacher said the course was finished, because every hour should have 10 minutes break. I was told nothing about the break at the moment I paid for my 20 hours. My 20 hours are now reduced to 16h40 minutes, making the school even more expensive than before.

If I would live at the same distance from BKK as from Pattaya, I would go back to one of the union based schools in BKK because I think they have a more structured teaching method (and they are cheaper than private courses).

But for anyone that stays near Pattaya I can advice this school: it's not too bad, better than many other schools in Pattaya. Too bad it's rather expensive.

Hi Kris

I'm sitting here in France thinking of doing a one year sabbatical with Mrs Cap to learn Thai and Pro Language is on the list.

I teach English here and I think your teacher is right to enforce your break (it would be better in the middle of the period of course - teacher wants to get home early? But then maybe he/she was "on a roll" - don't forget he/she is probably being paid for 50 minutes). Maybe you should use your last twenty minutes to re-read what you have learned before leaving the building, then it wouldn't be "wasted" money. You're not buying a sack of potatoes after all!!!

Just in my HO of course.

Andy Cap

Edited April 6, 2008 by capdagde

[dsfbrit]

How is the course so far, kriswillems?

Yes Kriswillems, how is it going??? Would love an update.

I think you are studying at the PRO language school near Carrefour in Central Pattaya.

I have been studying Thai at the 'other' PRO (gress) language school near the Bus Depot in North Pattaya.

I went there by 'mistake' 3 years ago as they were advertised as PRO language school in the leaflet I received at the time!

They have been OK until now, but I want to take the P.6 exam and I have had to go and buy my own books etc... as they dont have this course. In fact they dont have any set course nor exams.

I did not mind buying the books, but I had to go to that Thai school bookshop near Carrefour and even decide the books I needed - no help at all from the language school. In the end bought the books the Thai kids use.

So an update on the 'real PRO language school and this course would be appreciated.

[MrPaddy]

If anybody knows a good teacher on the subway or Sukhumvit bts area that does private lessons for reasonable fees, please let me know.

Cheers.

[apalink_thailand]

Anyone can reccomand me (PM) any former teacher for 1.1 lessons?

I think that few hours a week privatly it would be more helpful then a full time class.

Anyone can also suggest me a school not to expensive where to take good private lesson?

My thai is quiet basic and I'm looking for someone who can improve my conversational thai as well as teach me reading and writing.

Thanks

I could use a PM from a knowlegeable source as well. My needs are somewhat specific though. I have been here many years and although my Thai is fairly decent for everyday getting around, I now find myself in need of more advanced business Thai as well as reading and writing capabilities. Ideally, to be able to do a business meeting or presentation entirely in Thai would be a great advantage.

However, I cannot attend classes due to my work schedule and to my specific needs. I have taken classes before (years ago) with Jentana and it was quite good. They were able to skip past all the stuff I already knew (basic stuff) and into the more advanced bits. However, Jentana is getting a bit pricy. If anyone knows a good freelance teacher with a flexible schedule (evenings & weekends), I am all ears.

[tygerstar]

Can one study beyond Book 5 at Piammitr? Someone here said they studied Books 7 and 8 but these are not advertised on their website. Are Books 7 and 8 run as one-to-one classes?

What about the advanced modules in Thai culture, history and newspaper reading that are offered at Piammitr, UTL and AAA? Are these group or one-to-one classes?

When does the Prathom 6 intensive prep class usually start? Early or mid September?

Thanks.

[JC4U]

Hi All

Have been trying to follow the thread, but thought it would be easier to just ask the question.

I have recently moved to Thailand and am living in BKK. Where is the best place to learn Thai from scratch (obviously am focusing on verbal communication at least for now)

Also would you recomed intensive or should I do a P/T year long type course.

What kind of costs should I expect.

Do you think its worth while to get a week long intensive (maybe one on one or small group) class first and then look around (does such a thing exist) or just enrol straight into a begginer level school.

Thanks for your help

[00wi00]

Hello!!! my name is Wiyada Pimpaporn . I am a Thai teacher specializing in teaching Thai to foreigners living in Thailand. If you would like to learn to speak , read and write Thai in a fast and easy way, please contact me to setup schedule that is convenient for you.

Thank you

Wiyada

Teaching Thai to foreigners

Learn to speak , read and write Thai.

For beginning to advanced levels.

In the comfort of your home/office.

Free!! Trial 1 hr.

For individuals and gGroup

Personal advertising detail removed. Sorry Wiyada, but them's the rules.

[matt888]

hi

does anyone have a number for piammitr?,, i have been calling the number on their website for the last couple of days, with no answer (026617767). i have also emailed them with no reply !

any contact details would be most appreciated.

i have read alot of these threads and have decided that piammitr seems like a good choice, does anyone else have anything else they'd like to add (positive or negative !!)

any comments/advise would be most appreciated.

kind regards,

Matt

Can one study beyond Book 5 at Piammitr? Someone here said they studied Books 7 and 8 but these are not advertised on their website. Are Books 7 and 8 run as one-to-one classes?

What about the advanced modules in Thai culture, history and newspaper reading that are offered at Piammitr, UTL and AAA? Are these group or one-to-one classes?

When does the Prathom 6 intensive prep class usually start? Early or mid September?

Thanks.

[luisparis]

Sumaa language school

Miss Luisparis went there this morning, it's in YWCA building on Sathorn,quite convenient to us as a few steps from our apartment but the asking price is 18000 per course (2 to 3 hours daily) It seems more than double what they charge in Piamitr. It comes to 250TBH an hour for 3 hours daily and a possibly a little more for 2 hours daily. It might end up as 1 to 1 class though as they say they can start the class when Missus wishes.

Has anyone heard from this school ? Does it sound like a rip off ? ( I'm far from schocked about the price, it's mostly the fact it's more than double what i paid for our nephew that bugs me - and he was also alone in his class in Piamitr ).

Besides Boston school on Silom 9 is within walking doistance from our office and seems very chinese friendly but she wasn't very impressed by the textboook they produced. Any feedback from there?

Thanks

Luis

[tygerstar]

hi

does anyone have a number for piammitr?,, i have been calling the number on their website for the last couple of days, with no answer (026617767). i have also emailed them with no reply !

Hi Matt

Piammitr have moved or are in the process of moving to Sukhumvit Soi 13 near Nana Station. The latest no. I have for them is 02 168 7060. If you call or head down there, could you do me the favour of asking them whether they run courses beyond Book 5? I'm not in Thailand right now. Thanks.

[tygerstar]

Sumaa language school

Miss Luisparis went there this morning, it's in YWCA building on Sathorn,quite convenient to us as a few steps from our apartment but the asking price is 18000 per course (2 to 3 hours daily) It seems more than double what they charge in Piamitr. It comes to 250TBH an hour for 3 hours daily and a possibly a little more for 2 hours daily. It might end up as 1 to 1 class though as they say they can start the class when Missus wishes.

This is probably the rate for one-to-one classes; 250Bt an hour is very reasonable for a qualified teacher in BKK. Two hours per day is the maximum I would suggest for one-to-one classes; you can't take in anymore than that in a day.

[luisparis]

.

This is probably the rate for one-to-one classes; 250Bt an hour is very reasonable for a qualified teacher in BKK. Two hours per day is the maximum I would suggest for one-to-one classes; you can't take in anymore than that in a day.

Actually they ask 450TBH for 1 on 1 classes, and near our office in Silom it's even slighly more. I just suspect that as they start the class when the student needs it, it will end up as a 1 on 1, but that's not guaranteed and the schedule won't be as flexible.

Besides anyone heard of this school, Suma? or Boston ?

[superalmond]

Thai language lesson for foreigners : PRIVATE CLASS.

reading, writing, conversation, business presentation,many new words

and how they are used in everyday language.Focus will be on

pronunciation and tones.

30 hrs.per course

086-662-3072 elle

school area : Ramkamhaeng Road Soi60, Bangkapi, BKK.

or your office.

[kriswillems]

Sorry, I haven't been on this website for a while.

There was a question about the books at piammitr. The are 7 numbered books. In fact book 7 consists of 2 physical book . Besides these 7 books (each book takes 60 hours) there is book about social problems and a book about Thai culture. There might be a book about Thai language for business (not sure). The newspaper course just uses normal newspapers (no books). The P.6 course uses the official Thai P.6 schoolbook (together with a lot of separate papers). All courses I did at Piammitr are group courses (but you can ask for individual teaching). You would need to call them to know when the P.6 course start (I think in September).

Now to the question about pro language in Pattaya. The books they provide to prepare P.6 are rather thin. Each book is 20 hours studying. There are 6 P.6 preparation books. They let me start with the first book which is rather easy, so I went fast. The time that was left was used for free talking (the teacher became more lazy while the course went on and for free talking you don't need to prepare anything). In my opinion free talking is not very useful. I like to talk about a written text. That way I can extend more skills than talking only. I had the feeling I was not using the rather expensive time in an efficient way. So, I have to adjust my opinion about Pro Language from very positive to rather positive.

Because Pro Language is expensive and there was too much free talking I decided to try my old school again (PLC, pattaya language and computer school, also near carrefour, central pattaya), with a different teacher. I feel sorry about that decision. Pro language was better.

There are no books at PLC, and the teaching method of my new teacher seems to be to let me try to remember individual words (without sentences). Most schools in Pattaya think that any Thai person that can speak a bit English can be a Thai teacher and books or a teaching method are not necessary. PLC is one of those schools.

Pro Language is a bit better, but for a good school you need to go to BKK.

If you study to prepare P.6 it is best to use the official P.6 schoolbook, not any P.6 schoolbook. They don't sell the official schoolbook in the bookschop at carrefour.

Are there other people that like to prepare P.6 in Pattaya? If so, please send me a message if you're interested in studying together. It might be cheaper than individual studying. I am looking for people that can read P.4 or higher level schoolbooks at calm talking speed (not fast talking), while understanding most (>80%) of it.

Edited May 25, 2008 by kriswillems

[clausewitz]

http://www.thaisolutions1502.com/ about 9200 baht for 30 hours of private lessons. Very good for tones and reading. Near sukumvit soi 5

kassie - comes to my house private lessons. About the same price as thaisolutions - good for conversation Thai and vocab ph 087-0478403

[girlx]

TLA school has moved.

There are now in the Phayathai Plaza office building, next to BTS Phayathai.

Have they moved again since then? I went to go have a look at them and the lady at the front desk of Phayathai Plaza said they are no longer there.

Also I tried calling the phone # and there is no answer.

[Gaccha]

Post 90 asked about studying at Thamassat or Chula. Well, I happen to know about Thamassat.

They have 36 hours for 5,500 bahts.

Courses are 2pm- 5pm. And there are two: "Listening & Speaking" and "Reading & Writing". There are three levels of each.

As an example, Reading Level 3 is described as "Study of the more complex vocabulary, idioms, and structutres". I have no idea what is their teaching method but they will not do a class without 7 people.

They only operate subject to demand. Next course is 5 Aug- 12 Sept.

So if you are keen on an uncompetitive price, of an infrequent course, for a course that might not run through all the levels, then head to the classes in the Department of Thai in the Faculty of Liberal Arts (first on the left when you walk into the campus from the main South side entrance).

You can e-mail them at basicthai#yahoo.com

Edited June 26, 2008 by Gaccha

[tygerstar]

Any updates on Piammitr? I'm planning to start their Book 4 soon. Will I be missing a lot if I am to join the class one-day late?

[jolos]

Any updates on Piammitr? I'm planning to start their Book 4 soon. Will I be missing a lot if I am to join the class one-day late?

what kind of update do u expect on piammitr??

they are located now in trendy condominium 2nd floor on sukhumvit soi 13.

classes are running regularly in the morning ad/or afternoon.

book 4 is about start writing thai.

if u miss the first day that means u will miss the introduction into the thai writing system plus the introduction of about 10 lowclass pair consonants plus some reading.

[5tash]

What is the deal at Piammitr ? Do they have classes for different books running simultaneously ?

Or do the books and classes run consecutively ? Therefore you have to wait for your particular level.

Thanks.

[kriswillems]

Normally all classes run simultaneously. But if you've never studied in their school and you're the only student that wants to study on a certain higher level, they might not organize a class for you only. In this case I would call them to ask.