Ministry Of Education Yearly Testing.... Help

[BenStarkBJJ]

I'm a few months off from finishing my 1st year here when my Visa will expire. I'm told The Ministry of Education will be testing me.

My question is what will they be testing me on.... At the school they just said "The Ministry will talk to you in Thai so you better know the basics." Thats all they said.

So whats the test? Them talking to me? Is there an actual test?

Anyone that has experienced this please help me out!

[Rumblecat]

Yeah, they sit you down (or they did last time I did it- two years ago) and speak to you in Thai- ask you questions like how long have you studied for, how long have you lived in Thailand, where else have you been in Thailand. Maybe a few questions about school and family.

Your school should be able to prep you for the sorts of things they will ask. It's also useful to have some polite phrases prepared for stuff you don't understand- "Could you please repeat that?" "I'm sorry, I don't understand" - making sure you stick 'krap' on the end to show you're polite...

They might ask you to write your name in Thai.

It's scary but I think it's mainly just to weed out those folk who never bother to go to school- even if you've got a terrible but basic grasp of the language that should be enough. It's not like a massive written exam or anything. (At least it wasn't... I can't vouch for what it's like now but I'm pretty sure it hasn't changed... it's an informal chat...)

But honestly I'd ask your school to help you on what you might be asked and so on. It's in their interests that you show some knowledge of Thai.

[EmmaJane29]

I also have to take this test very soon, is it as scary as it sounds?! How did you find it?

If anyone else has any experience of this they could share I would really appreciate it. My school have told me that it's very basic but it would be nice to hear from someone who has actually been through it!

[GotR1GHT]

I never even heard of MOE testing and i have been going to school for total of about 2 years. When they do the testing,in immigration or?

[Murf]

I think it's an informal thing, if you get the wrong person on the wrong day they will grill you, if they are sleepy they will let you pass straight through...

This is Thailand.

[Haverkamp1]

If you have been studying for 1 year the language i can not imagine what you are afraid of, after 1 year you must be (almost) able to fulfill everything what they can ask you.

[rak sa_ngop]

I remember somebody in Pattaya once being asked to explain the phrase 'Big fish eats little fish" in Thai. As far as I remember I think this was a random test in the Immigration office.

Best learn this phrase!