prkuehn

I have never heard of this language school. It must be really small. Where is it located? Berlitz and Prolanguage in the Times Square Bldg on Sukhumvit near Asoke are good places to study.

Bold As Love

Walen must be the most advertised Thai language school on the web. They look like essentially an ED visa selling operation. It looks to me that there money goes to advertising, not student education. It is easy to get an ED visa (I'm on my second year now here in LOS) and costs essentially nothing (5000 baht) not the 30,000 baht that Walen wants.

Up to you, but I would take a long, hard look at this school before I committed that kind of money. By the way, I have attended three very good Thai language schools in BKK.

__________________
I'm not the only soul who's accused of hit and run
Tire tracks all across your back
I can, I can see you had your fun
But, darlin' can't you see my signals turn from green to red
And with you I can see a traffic jam straight up ahead

Cynic

^ Which are?

Bold As Love

Piammitr: Suk Soi 23, is a Union Language School type of operation. Six modules (each twenty three-hour classes) get you reading and writing. I have taken the first two and enjoyed them. There are several traditional schools that offer this approach. Good if you have a schedule that allows you about three hours morning or night during the weekdays. Not so good for most working people.

P&A: Silom, is a small (2-person) operation. I worked one-on-one with a tutor there for 100 hours and really enjoyed. We focused solely on reading and writing. Good people at a good price.

AUA: BTS Rachadamri. I have 650+ hours with them over the past year. Great program, but you have got to be patient. I go every Saturday. Best feature is that you can just drop in on classes at your convenience. I do about five hours a week now because I am working and also going to university.

You can google thai language bangkok and find more information on these and many others. Just got to find one that works for you and is focused on what you want to achieve. Walen might be great, but I would explore options before I dropped 30K into thier pockets.

__________________
I'm not the only soul who's accused of hit and run
Tire tracks all across your back
I can, I can see you had your fun
But, darlin' can't you see my signals turn from green to red
And with you I can see a traffic jam straight up ahead

baah gaofair

I have friends at Walen who have given me mixed reviews about the school. I'm with Bold as Love and would highly recommend AUA. In 1.5 years time I've gone from knowing absolutely 0 Thai to verbal fluency with a good accent and grasp for tones (at least for a native English speaker with no other tonal language experience), and am approaching basic fluency in reading and writing. It's in unusual system there (search for my other AUA related posts or read my blog at Dan's Adventures in Bangkok look at the Attempting to Learn Thai posts) but it really works and gives you a natural sense for the language.

Dances With Beagles

I've been considering Walen, and it's true they want 29500 Baht; however, that is one year's tuition (180 2-hour classes). Or put another way, 164 Baht per class.

I'd like to know how the schools you've mentioned compare.

aging one

I had Thanksgiving with you did I not? My wife was very impressed with your command of Thai, especially the tones.

Keep it up, we need better diplomats.

__________________
Too long in Exile, too long not singing my song.
Too long like a rolling stone, Too long in exile
Too long in Exile, baby you just arent my friend.
Too long in Exile my friend, Baby you can never go home again.

Bold As Love

You can easily find most of these (and other) schools with a Google search. Most have sliding scales depending on the frequency and quantity of classes. You can readily contact them for details. I think you will be seeing hourly rates ranging from about 100-400 baht. It looks to me like Walen has a very large upfront fee unlike other schools.

The challenge is "What if you don't like the school or if it becomes inconvenient to attend?" It is like the exercise gym situation where you pay a year in advance, then discover that you hate the place or move to another part of town. The gyms love it, because they already have your cash. It is up to you, but "let the buyer beware".

__________________
I'm not the only soul who's accused of hit and run
Tire tracks all across your back
I can, I can see you had your fun
But, darlin' can't you see my signals turn from green to red
And with you I can see a traffic jam straight up ahead

bangkok100

okay, I've studied with Walen for little bit. I thought I'd share my experience.

They teach Thai according to the Callen method. No white boards are allowed. From day one you're expected to learn the Thai word as a picture. Similar to learning Chinese. The teacher will say the new words in Thai two times and you write your own transliteration next to the word written in Thai so you remember the pronunciation. The book is only written in Thai and English. No transliteration is in their book. After a while they teach you the letters and how they form words.

Many questions are written in the lessons. The teacher will go around the room asking a students the questions in Thai. Each student will then answer in Thai.

After three months, book one is finished. The class will start over with book one. If you are able to do okay with book two in the advanced class, you can move on. I didn't, lol. The second time you learn with book one it's a lot easier. I would say this Walen is perfect for people who already speak some Thai. It's okay, I am learning Thai, but a lot of self-study seems to be required. The sentences could be a little more functional. They could teach us a lot more verbs. Overall, I'd say it's just okay.

Just my two cents

Bangkok100

Killing Me Softly 101

I have been to AUA.
I have hired 3 tutors. All 3 had degrees, one spoke 4 languages and had an MA in Linguistics. She was/is the best. Learned more from her in 50 hours than in four AUA courses.
I had already learned the thai alphabet.
But alas she is in Pattaya.
Mostly teaches ex-bar girls the languages of their new atm machines (I mean Husbands). PM me if you want her name.
She charges 4500 baht a month (one hour per day M through F).
Due to her usual clients that is all upfront. (Many of the girls are brought in by their significant others who pay the bill and fly out and she never sees either of them again.). Pretty good gig if you can get it.
She is however an outstanding teacher.
I have always found classes too slow for me. Also some foreigner rambling on for hours over something I already know.
Maybe I am just to impatient.

__________________
One day I woke up and my rose coloured glasses were opaque.

korkenzieher

I posted some comments about the school on another thread. rather than repeat them I will just x-reference. Because I don't have 15 posts (Duh!) then I have to do it the hard way - topic 24786 is-wallen-the-cheapest-thai-school-for-ed-visa page 3.

Cream

That statement alone is enough to make me avoid the place!

__________________
I do not consider Adolf Hitler to be as bad as depicted. He is showing an ability that is amazing, and he seems to be gaining his victories without much bloodshed - Gandhi


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

contender

how to do this one?
i've checked out AUA, but the site says you must be enrolled to 30hrs a week to qualify for a ED visa?
is this true in practice?

kenkannif

^ I think it's 3-4 hours a week mate....not 30 hours (legally speaking that is).

The 5K for a Non-imm ED depends on where you get it (for the Thai courses it costs more than that a year to extend it every 90 days).

__________________


Riddle me this brother can you handle it
Your style to my style you can't hold a candle to it
Equinox symmetry and the balance is right
Smokin' and drinkin' on a Tuesday night
It's not how you play the game it's how you win it
I cheat and steal and sin and I'm a cynic