Home Schooling in Thailand ?

[Cake Monster]

Hello forum members,

Has anybody enrolled in a home / online schooling course for their children here in Thailand ?

As a parent that is totally dissapointed by the poor standard of education here in Thailand, I am thinking of educating my child here, at home, myself.

has anybody had experience of this, and could you offer me some advise on this matter, as I am not even sure how to start going about this.

thanks

[Jasun]

Something we're considering. Search the forums, there's a fair few people doing it.

Here's a couple of links that may help get you started:

Facebook group for homeschool in Thailand:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/homeschoolnetwork/?fref=ts

Thai website on home schooling:

http://www.kroopohmae.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=qca8fait8shdilih1gt8a8h7i6;wwwRedirect

[sesdaman]

Hi, I am also thinking about this option, so two questions. Where do we find good qualified tutors and anyone know the cost? Sory, a third question, best school in pattaya, anyone have any experience of it? Thanks.

[Cake Monster]

From the small amount of info I have been able to gleen, there is a system here whereby the parents of the children do the education / teaching of the children. I have been led to believe that in order to do this, you must first register the child at a school, and sign a declaration that you will do the education at home. You then purchase the relevant curriculum material from the school ( books Etc ) The child is then educated by the parents following the curriculum as laid down.
At the end of course (term ) the child then sits the exam for which they have been studying at the school of registration along with all the other children. Of course, the info that available is very scarce - as you would expect here, and the schools are very reluctant to assist in any way because they loose the student fees. Maybe there are other forum members that can clarify this information ?
I have been prompted to look into this option because I can see my childs performance slowly eroding due to bad teachers and schooling. Did you know, Thailand was ranked at number 50 out of 65 developing nations in a O.E.C.D. PISA report in mid December 2013 The ranking was about 20 % below the average of all the nations surveyed - Vietnam was appprox 20 % above the average As for a good school in Pattaya ? When you find it let us all know

[sesdaman]

Thanks for that. Bit of a minefield to be honest, just cant afford some of the fees being asked.am sure there must be english teachers out there who would love to do private tuition, just need to find them

[cooked]

If you google ' Home Schooling Thailand' you will fin some interesting results, including the fact that there is a legal basis for home schooling in Thailand. There have been a few threads here on Thai Visa also.

http://a2zhomeschooling.com/regional/asia_homeschooling/thailand_homeschooling/

This is important as you will be told that it is illegal by everybody. I went into all this stuff a year ago when we sort of adopted a 7 year old that is very bright.We ultimately decided to send it to one of the 'better' schools here and I give her English lessons on weekends. I had already noticed that although she has learnt the English alphabet, she cannot read a word like 'DOG' so I have to agree about the quality of Thai schools. You should be able to teach English yourself, you need a decent textbook and you need to keep it fun

Tutors: I will be very surprised if you can find a good one, maybe a student that has studied abroad?

Most Home Schoolers agree that it is very helpful to have a group of parents in your area to exchange resources and experience.

[bikerlou47]

I have gone through the process and would be happy to tell you the process

I will prepare a document and post it here in the next 24 hours.

Sent from my iPod touch using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Cake Monster]

My sincere thanks to both Cooked and Bikerlou47 for their input on this subject.

After all, the children are our future

English is the language of the world, but here in Thailand, the world doesnt exist outside the Thai border.

The reason the children here cannot even speak English, is because they are not taught the " Phonics System " of speaking.

A sounds like Ahh , B sounds like Buhh Etc, and there is very little access to any childrens books that are in English.

Pattaya Beach Bookshop in the mall on the second floor of "TOPS Supermarket " has some, but the gentleman that owns the store told me the Thai schools take them all out and never return them - What a surprise

My child is fluent in both Thai and English thankfully, but I dont want here talent to be ruined here.

[cooked]

Well you do find books occasionally, I found this in Tescos in Lamplaimatt Buriram where there are very few Farangs. Just a fun book based around English, about 4 lessons in there I think.

Edited January 22, 2014 by cooked

[Showbags]

I have gone through the process and would be happy to tell you the process I will prepare a document and post it here in the next 24 hours. Sent from my iPod touch using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Look forward to it.

[bundoi]

I have been prompted to look into this option because I can see my childs performance slowly eroding due to bad teachers and schooling. Did you know, Thailand was ranked at number 50 out of 65 developing nations in a O.E.C.D. PISA report in mid December 2013 The ranking was about 20 % below the average of all the nations surveyed - Vietnam was appprox 20 % above the average As for a good school in Pattaya ? When you find it let us all know

I have uploaded the OECD's 2013 PISA report (on the 2102 figures) as I have often seen the PISA findings abused and misunderstood here. A couple of points:

- It's not developing nations, it's the core OECD developed nations plus some developing nations (including Thailand)

- Some well know NES countries - for example the USA - are also well below the PISA average in some areas

- Thailand's trend is improving, while many of our home countries are trending downwards

- In the UK the PISA methodology has been fundamentally challenged (see The Guardian for example)

- Most ASEAN countries do not participate in PISA

- Vietnam's performance in the figures is truly remarkable, from memory it scores higher that the US on occasion

- Singapore as a city-state with a strong colonial legacy is not comparable with the rest of ASEAN, but does of course lead the few ASEAN countries that participated, it also beats many of our home countries.

Re home schooling: as an adjunct to school schooling I think it's an excellent idea; as a replacement for school schooling I believe it will be disastrous for your child's future.

PS I hope the file actually uploads properly - it's a bit big - if not, anyone who's interested in the real figures and methodology as provided by OECD can easily find them online.

PISA 2012.PDF

Edited January 22, 2014 by bundoi

[Showbags]

I have been prompted to look into this option because I can see my childs performance slowly eroding due to bad teachers and schooling. Did you know, Thailand was ranked at number 50 out of 65 developing nations in a O.E.C.D. PISA report in mid December 2013 The ranking was about 20 % below the average of all the nations surveyed - Vietnam was appprox 20 % above the average As for a good school in Pattaya ? When you find it let us all know

I have uploaded the OECD's 2013 PISA report (on the 2102 figures) as I have often seen the PISA findings abused and misunderstood here. A couple of points:

- It's not developing nations, it's the core OECD developed nations plus some developing nations (including Thailand)

- Some well know NES countries - for example the USA - are also well below the PISA average in some areas

- Thailand's trend is improving, while many of our home countries are trending downwards

- In the UK the PISA methodology has been fundamentally challenged (see The Guardian for example)

- Most ASEAN countries do not participate in PISA

- Vietnam's performance in the figures is truly remarkable, from memory it scores higher that the US on occasion

- Singapore as a city-state with a strong colonial legacy is not comparable with the rest of ASEAN, but does of course lead the few ASEAN countries that participated, it also beats many of our home countries.

Re home schooling: as an adjunct to school schooling I think it's an excellent idea; as a replacement for school schooling I believe it will be disastrous for your child's future.

PS I hope the file actually uploads properly - it's a bit big - if not, anyone who's interested in the real figures and methodology as provided by OECD can easily find them online.

Why is that ?

Plenty of reports out there of kids going through years of HS including secondary levels and when returning to normal school for whatever reason, many university, they excelc.

[bundoi]

I have been prompted to look into this option because I can see my childs performance slowly eroding due to bad teachers and schooling. Did you know, Thailand was ranked at number 50 out of 65 developing nations in a O.E.C.D. PISA report in mid December 2013 The ranking was about 20 % below the average of all the nations surveyed - Vietnam was appprox 20 % above the average As for a good school in Pattaya ? When you find it let us all know

I have uploaded the OECD's 2013 PISA report (on the 2102 figures) as I have often seen the PISA findings abused and misunderstood here. A couple of points:

- It's not developing nations, it's the core OECD developed nations plus some developing nations (including Thailand)

- Some well know NES countries - for example the USA - are also well below the PISA average in some areas

- Thailand's trend is improving, while many of our home countries are trending downwards

- In the UK the PISA methodology has been fundamentally challenged (see The Guardian for example)

- Most ASEAN countries do not participate in PISA

- Vietnam's performance in the figures is truly remarkable, from memory it scores higher that the US on occasion

- Singapore as a city-state with a strong colonial legacy is not comparable with the rest of ASEAN, but does of course lead the few ASEAN countries that participated, it also beats many of our home countries.

Re home schooling: as an adjunct to school schooling I think it's an excellent idea; as a replacement for school schooling I believe it will be disastrous for your child's future.

PS I hope the file actually uploads properly - it's a bit big - if not, anyone who's interested in the real figures and methodology as provided by OECD can easily find them online.

Why is that ?

Plenty of reports out there of kids going through years of HS including secondary levels and when returning to normal school for whatever reason, many university, they excelc.

Well from the point of view of learning: it would be hard for a parent or small group of parents to find the time and expertise to teach a full range of subjects through the various levels, even if they knew how to develop a curriculum, which they wouldn't unless they were professional educators.

From the point of view of socialisation and personal development: the child would have a much smaller and less representative exposure to peers and seniors - could be in for a big shock when they eventually get back into the mainstream of life and study.

Please feel free to share the reports and links you refer to.

[Tracie]

Hi, not sure how old your children are but we are Australian and my daughter is beginning to complete Year 12 online through an Australian school of distance. All classes are done over the internet and work is emailed or sent by regular post as necessary. Maybe this helps?

[iancnx]

I have been prompted to look into this option because I can see my childs performance slowly eroding due to bad teachers and schooling. Did you know, Thailand was ranked at number 50 out of 65 developing nations in a O.E.C.D. PISA report in mid December 2013 The ranking was about 20 % below the average of all the nations surveyed - Vietnam was appprox 20 % above the average As for a good school in Pattaya ? When you find it let us all know

I have uploaded the OECD's 2013 PISA report (on the 2102 figures) as I have often seen the PISA findings abused and misunderstood here. A couple of points:

- It's not developing nations, it's the core OECD developed nations plus some developing nations (including Thailand)

- Some well know NES countries - for example the USA - are also well below the PISA average in some areas

- Thailand's trend is improving, while many of our home countries are trending downwards

- In the UK the PISA methodology has been fundamentally challenged (see The Guardian for example)

- Most ASEAN countries do not participate in PISA

- Vietnam's performance in the figures is truly remarkable, from memory it scores higher that the US on occasion

- Singapore as a city-state with a strong colonial legacy is not comparable with the rest of ASEAN, but does of course lead the few ASEAN countries that participated, it also beats many of our home countries.

Re home schooling: as an adjunct to school schooling I think it's an excellent idea; as a replacement for school schooling I believe it will be disastrous for your child's future.

PS I hope the file actually uploads properly - it's a bit big - if not, anyone who's interested in the real figures and methodology as provided by OECD can easily find them online.

Why is that ?

Plenty of reports out there of kids going through years of HS including secondary levels and when returning to normal school for whatever reason, many university, they excelc.

Well from the point of view of learning: it would be hard for a parent or small group of parents to find the time and expertise to teach a full range of subjects through the various levels, even if they knew how to develop a curriculum, which they wouldn't unless they were professional educators.

From the point of view of socialisation and personal development: the child would have a much smaller and less representative exposure to peers and seniors - could be in for a big shock when they eventually get back into the mainstream of life and study.

Please feel free to share the reports and links you refer to.

Just out of interest are you a parent?

[Cake Monster]

OECD report abused ????

Its the same report that all other nations recieve, and they dont say the report is " misunderstood "

You talk like you have a vested interest in schools, and not as a parent that considers their childs education to be utmost and formost priority.

As for my childs future - I will guide that - thankyou

[Cake Monster]

Tracie,

Would you be kind enough to post some details.

Are Thai national children elegable?

Thanks

[Showbags]

Hi, not sure how old your children are but we are Australian and my daughter is beginning to complete Year 12 online through an Australian school of distance. All classes are done over the internet and work is emailed or sent by regular post as necessary. Maybe this helps?

Ditto CM's request....

What does this system cost and how many years did she complete this way ?

How do you find the entire process ?

[Tracie]

The school we are using is The Brisbane School of Distance, not sure if it's available to Thai children though, this is the first year we have done this so it's very new to us. Might want to look at this post on the same topic

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/637503-home-schooling/

[Tracie]

Will start the classes next week so will see how the whole process works then. If anyone knows a registered teacher that would be prepared to supervise some exams/tests, I would be very grateful as I still need to organise this.

[bundoi]

OECD report abused ????

Its the same report that all other nations recieve, and they dont say the report is " misunderstood "

You talk like you have a vested interest in schools, and not as a parent that considers their childs education to be utmost and formost priority.

As for my childs future - I will guide that - thankyou

Cake, I wasn't referring specifically to you; though it is clear from your comments about the PISA report that you haven't read it, or if you have read it you haven't understood it - see my earlier comment; that's why I uploaded the report.

Actually it's an interesting point isn't it about parental responsibility and children's rights, including the right to education.

Parents who think they can do better than schools remind me of Jehovah's Witnesses who believe they know better than doctors.

[Showbags]

Traditional schools are not the be all and end all these days.

[Scott]

An off-topic post and reply have been deleted.

[Cake Monster]

Tracie,

Thanks for the info and best wishes to you and your daughter for the on-line education, and I will follow up on your link.

[bikerlou47]

Jehovah's Witnesses DO believe and go to doctors. In fact, some JWs ARE doctors. It is only the taking of blood we do not allow because the Bible straightforwardly orders as "necessary things" in being a true Christian is to "abstain from blood" as Acts 15:19-20, 28-29 shows:

…Read more

Sent from my iPod touch using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Cake Monster]

Bundoi,

Yes children have rights to an education, and with that fact I cannot disagree.

That is why I have asked the question in my original post.

Since living in Thailand we have tried 2 " well respected " schools for educating our now 10 year old girl over a period of nearly 5 years, both of them here in Pattaya.

Both schools have proved to be at best of poor standard, and still carry and fully support the Thai " beat it into the children " policies that are totally illegal - so dont talk to me about childrens rights.

Ask your own kids what happens in their school, I think your eyes will be opened as to what actually goes on here in the schools, or maybe your kids will be to scared to say anything.

My daughter certainly would have the right to be not phyically nor verbally nor mentally abused,if she was educated under my roof.

Maybe I am expecting too much from the Thai education system, but surely to send a child to a school, and have the child learn in a safe and contructive environment, is surely the right of not only the child, but also for the parents.

[boxboxbox]

- You should Get outside. Take a walk or a bike ride. Play badminton, hop scotch, and jump rope. Look at insects, plant flowers, pull weeds. Breathe deeply. It doesn’t matter what you are doing: your child just get fresh air every day.

- Read aloud every single day. Start when they are babies, and do it as long as you possibly can. There is research galore about why reading aloud to your kids is good for them.

-Most children reflect their parents’ moods. If you are distracted, grumpy, and/or irritable, they will be, too. That doesn’t mean you have to plaster a fake smile on your face all day, but monitor your own moods.

If you think your kids are unreasonably crabby or anxious, take an honest look at yourself.

-Take trips. Don’t wait until all the kids are just the right age or you have money for nice hotels and plane fare. Go now and do what you can. Be creative and adventurous

- Don’t try to control your environment by controlling your kids.

Stand back. Provide a safe place, but don’t hover. Let them make mistakes. Let them wear clothes that don’t match and dip their asparagus in applesauce if they really want to. Loosen the reins a little bit each year, but don’t be afraid to pull in when you need to.

If our ultimate goal is encourage our kids to be independent, unique adults, you must let them breathe and gets scrapes and even dent the car.

[FrankOff]

From the point of view of socialisation and personal development: the child would have a much smaller and less representative exposure to peers and seniors - could be in for a big shock when they eventually get back into the mainstream of life and study.

...Myth. No one lives in a vacuum and homeschooling is anything but a 'bubbled' exsistence.

Edited December 29, 2014 by FrankOff

[bikerlou47]

I have been doing home schooling for two years. This is not an easy issue for me to address in this venue . If you message me, we can make contact and I can answer some of your questions.

[Showbags]

Weren't you going to put up something a little over 24hrs ago ?

School is nothing but baby sitting....the 'need' for a curriculum is typically a teachers comment, scared of their jobs being made irrelevant.