The soc.culture.thai-FAQ

Thai Language

Non-FAQ supplement from LonelyPlanet's Thailand guide-book:

LANGUAGE COURSES

Language Several language schools in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and other places where foreigners congregate, offer courses in Thai language. Tuition fees average around 250B per hour. Some places will let you trade English lessons for Thai lessons.

It's best to enrol in programmes that offer plenty of opportunity for linguistic interaction rather than rote learning or the passé 'natural method', which has been almost universally discredited for the over-attention paid to teacher input.

Good schools in Bangkok include:

AUA Language Center

(Tel. 02-252 8170) 179 Th Ratchadamri. American University Alumni (AUA) runs one of the largest English-language teaching institutes in the world, so this is a good place to meet Thai students. AUA-produced books are stodgy and outdated, but many teachers make their own - better - instructional materials. Some foreigners who study Thai here complain that there's not enough interaction in class because of an emphasis on the so-called 'natural approach', which focuses on teacher input rather than student practice and has been thoroughly discredited in most western countries. Others find the approach useful. Baw Hok courses are available.

Nisa Thai Language School

(Tel. 02-286 9323) YMCA Collins House, 27 Th Sathon Tai. This school has a fairly good reputation, though teachers may be less qualified than at Union or AUA language schools. In addition to all the usual levels, Nisa offers a course in preparing for the Baw Hok or Grade 6 examination, a must for anyone wishing to work in the public school system.

Siri Pattana Thai Language School

(Tel. 02-286 1936) YWCA, 13 Th Sathon Tat, Bangkok. This school offers Thai language lessons as well as preparation for the Baw Hok exam. Siri Pattana has a second branch at 806 Soi 38, Th Sukhumvit.

Union Language School

(Tel. 02-233 4482) CCT Bldg, 109 Th Surawong. Generally recognised as the best and most rigorous course (many missionaries study here). Employs a balance of structure-oriented and communication-oriented methodologies in 80 hour, four week modules. Private tuition is also available.

AUA also has branches in Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Lampang, Mahasarakham, Phitsanulok, Phuket, Songkhla, Ubon and Udon. Most of these branches are housed on Thai college or university campuses. Not all AUAs offer regularly scheduled Thai classes, but study can usually be arranged on an ad hoc basis. Teaching methodologies in upcountry AUAs tend to be more flexible than at the Bangkok unit.

Language & Culture

Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, the 1 most prestigious university in Thailand, offers an intensive Thai studies course called 'Perspectives on Thailand'. The eight week programme includes classes in Thai language, culture, history, politics and economics, plus a 10 day upcountry field trip. Classes meet six hours a day, six days a week (Saturday is usually a field trip) and are offered once a year from the first Monday in July to the last Friday in August. Students who have taken the course say they have found the quality of instruction excellent. Tuition costs around US$2500, including meals, transport and accommodation on the 10 day field trip. Room and board on campus are available, though it's much less expensive to live off campus. For further information call Ir 02-218 3393 (fax 214 4515) or write to: Perspectives on Tailand, Continuing Education Center, 5th floor, Vidhyabhathan Building, Soi Chulalongkorn 12, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330.