Why wouldn’t you enjoy acquiring a new language? It allows you to communicate with individuals you wouldn’t have otherwise been able to. It brings you closer to comprehending the culture of another nation. Moreover, it provides an additional skill that can be advantageous in your future career. Learning a different language has no drawbacks, particularly in today’s highly interconnected world. However, it is often most beneficial to do so in the countries where the language is spoken. For example, Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is home to numerous reputable Thai-language schools!
AUA Language Center
When it comes to educational institutions, the longer their history, the more esteemed they tend to be. Their many years of instructing students contribute to their renown and ongoing improvements. And in Bangkok, one of the oldest Thai-language schools is AUA Language Center. Located on Phayathai Road, it has been instructing Thai for over fifty years. Its secret lies in its departure from the traditional classroom setup. Instead, the school teaches through conversational methods, aiding students in familiarizing themselves with grammar and pronunciation, rather than merely stringing together random words and sentences. Upon completion of each course, you would have significantly enhanced your fluency in Thai.
Baan Aksorn
Situated in Sukhumvit, one of Bangkok’s renowned neighborhoods, the Baan Aksorn School stands as an esteemed establishment in the city. While the school provides both individual and group courses, the majority of students opt for the former to fully immerse themselves in the language and comprehend its core concepts. Additionally, the school adopts Benjawan Poomsan Becker’s Phonics methodology, utilizing its textbooks and standardized approaches to enhance students’ language comprehension. The school’s successful track record is evident through its numerous proficient graduates.
Duke Language School
The Duke Language School, located in Sukhumvit, is another popular choice for those looking to learn Thai. Although it may be quite expensive, it is definitely worth the investment. Similar to Baan Aksorn, this institution also adopts the Phonics method developed by Benjawan Poomsan Becker. However, compared to the former, Duke Language School places a greater emphasis on reading Thai in addition to speaking it. Recognizing that the Thai alphabet is one of the most distinct in the world, this school acknowledges that fluency in the language requires proficiency in both written and spoken forms.
Jentana
Jentana offers an intensive approach to teaching the Thai language, making it the top choice for those looking to rapidly learn to speak and understand the language. Despite being one of the pricier institutions in its field, enrolling here guarantees fluency in a short amount of time, thanks to the native-speaking instructors who use a combination of traditional and modern methods. Moreover, they specialize in both conversational and formal Thai, providing versatility in any situation. However, be prepared to spend more than expected when enrolling at this institution.
Language Express
To effectively teach students how to speak a particular language, the Language Express follows a surefire method of extensively speaking the language to them. Situated in the Pathumwan district, you will hardly hear any language spoken here except Thai. The method employed here aims to familiarize students with the language through constant exposure, enabling them to put their knowledge into practice during both informal and formal conversations. This is the reason why the majority of their courses are conducted in groups, providing ample opportunities for students and instructors to communicate in Thai.
Sumaa Language and Culture Institute
Conversation is also the main focus at the Sumaa Language and Culture Institute in the Sathorn district. However, the school goes beyond simply conversing with students in Thai. They actively encourage students to gain a better understanding of Thai culture as a means to further familiarize themselves with the language. Through cultural events and traditional gatherings, students are immersed in various settings and situations where they can apply what they have learned. The institute has found this approach to be highly effective over the years, at the very least enabling students to develop a deeper knowledge of Thailand.
TLS
The website can be accessed at http://www.tls-bangkok.com/english/.
Branches in Bangkok:
Silom TLS
The phone number to contact is 0-2632-9440.
Please send an email to info@tls-bangkok.com.
Location: The address is on the 11th floor of Thaniya building, which is conveniently located near BTS Saladaeng station, specifically Exit 1.
Sriracha from TLS.
Please provide the alternative contact number: 0-3832-3707.
Email: tlssriracha@hotmail.com remains the same.
Location: Situated at Sriracha Nakon Soi 4, it is conveniently reachable by a short walk of approximately 3 minutes from Robinson Sriracha.
TLS Phromphong is not a secure protocol.
The phone number is 0-2662-2584.
Contact me via email at tlssoi33@gmail.com.
Location: Situated at 595/15 Sukhumvit soi 33/1, conveniently close to BTS Phromphong station’s Exit 5.
TLS is expanding rapidly in Bangkok and is among the most rapidly growing Thai language schools. Initially, the majority of its students were from other Asian nations who were eager to learn Thai, but now TLS is gradually attracting more Western students.
The verdict is that there is decent value, although the quality of teaching differs among schools.
Unity Thai
The website can be accessed at http://www.utl-school.com/.
The address is 18th Floor, Units 03-04, Times Square Building, located at 246 Sukhumvit Rd., Khlongtoey, Bangkok 10110.
Please provide your phone number as 02-653-1538.
Please provide your inquiries by sending an email to info@utl-school.com.
Located conveniently in downtown Bangkok near Asok BTS station, Unity Thai is a well-established school favored by numerous expatriates seeking to learn Thai. The school provides an intensive course, specially designed for dedicated students aiming to make rapid progress.
How Long Does it Take to Learn Thai?
Your commitment and your capacity to adjust to a tonal language are determining factors in this situation.
In just 3 months, certain individuals discover their ability to engage in diverse conversations in Thai.
Similar progress can take anywhere from 9 months to a year for some individuals.
Mastering Thai requires recognizing the pitch of words, as it is a tonal language. Although unfamiliar to Westerners, this is an essential aspect that must be grasped.
There are five tones in Thai.
Even though they may sound quite similar to untrained listeners, rest assured that they actually carry distinct meanings!
Prioritize learning the tones ahead of everything else.
Good Resources for Learning Thai Online
These resources are recommended by us.
- Thai Pimsleur: Learn to Speak Thai — A great 30-lesson course that will get you up to speed with the basics.
- Thai Pod 101 — Over 680 audio and video lessons with cross-device support so you can learn on the go.
- Learn Thai Over Skype, One-to-One — Choose your teacher and learn Thai through lessons over Skype. Offers a free 30-minute consultation to test the waters.
Can I Get an Education Visa By Learning Thai?
Affirmative.
If you attend a language school that is sanctioned by the Ministry of Education.
The Education Visa (ED) has long been regarded as a convenient method for obtaining a long-term stay in Thailand. Individuals would register for Thai language classes at schools notorious for being ‘visa factories’. Attendance in these classes was extremely uncommon, if it ever happened.
By making an initial payment for the Thai language course, students would obtain ED visas that permitted a one-year stay in the Kingdom. These visas could be continuously extended by enrolling in additional language classes.
As it turned out, they chose not to take them.
This type of visa abuse has been rigorously dealt with by the Thai government.
As a result of stricter regulations and the requirement for students to attend classes, the majority of education visa mills have shut down.
It’s truly surprising that they didn’t take this into account when planning their business models!
It is still possible for you to meet the requirements for an ED visa.
However, there are a few conditions that come with it…
ED Visa Requirements for Studying Thai
The ED Visa is mainly intended for international students desiring to pursue their studies in the Kingdom. Applicants must obtain the visa prior to entering the country. Once granted, the visa remains valid for 90 days and can be extended throughout the entire 6-month duration of the course.
During the 90-day visa period, ED visa students are required to dedicate a minimum of 15 hours per week to their studies, totaling to 180 hours.
The utilization of tuition hours is required within the 90-day visa duration and they cannot be transferred or refunded. Any remaining hours will become invalid at the conclusion of each 90-day visa period.
The ED visa necessitates specific requirements.
- You must have a passport (valid for at least 18 months from the date of arrival).
- You must fulfill all study & attendance requirements.
- You must apply for an ED visa outside Thailand.
- You must meet all Royal Thai Government requirements.
- To apply, a student will need a Letter of Acceptance from the language center and a letter from the Thai Government.
It typically takes approximately 4-8 weeks to complete the entire process of acquiring an ED visa, beginning to end.
Your language school has ample experience in applying for ED visas, although the process may appear confusing at first.
If your intentions are truly focused on studying the language and attending lessons, obtaining one should not be an issue.
If you are interested in learning Thai and staying in the Kingdom for an extended period, the ED visa is an excellent choice.
