Don't get ripped off by Thai schools

**bruceveld** · 10-08-2008, 09:20 PM

My first expereince in Thailand was visiting some friends who lived in Chang Wattana and sent thier kids to ISB--all at company expense. My friend argues that ISB was an excellent school and worth every penny. I argued that you can do a lot of educating with $15 per hour per kid for the time they spend in school (including study hall and lunch time).

I have three kids and, as it works out, I live too far away from the nearest over-priced international school. It gives me a convenient excuse to avoid paying their ridiculous fees. Tey just hire my TEFL grads anyway!!

So what do I do with my kids? I send them to Thai school every other year and I hire one of my TEFL grads to tutor them on alternate years (home schooling). I buy books (mainly when I go back home but there is a heck of a lot on the internet for free or a very low access fee) that have the curriculum they need to cover and the tutor spends 5 hours a day with them (for 30,000 baht per month).

I also have UBC and INSIST that they ONLY watch English programming and give them prizes and gifts for reading English books (my 13 year old has read all Harry Potter books and recently finished The Stand (all 1,400 pages) by Steven King. All for a new (and admittedly nice) guitar.They all seem to love Discovery Channel.

The results? All three of my kids are completely fluent in English and Thai. All of them do well in school (they even spent a few months back in the US and were top of their classes).

We've managed all this for 720,000 total in tutor bills over 7 years. Total for all three kids.

**kingwilly** · 10-08-2008, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by bruceveld

Tey just hire my TEFL grads anyway!!

I doubt that. ISB is a good school.

Originally Posted by bruceveld

So what do I do with my kids? I send them to Thai school every other year and I hire one of my TEFL grads to tutor them on alternate years (home schooling).

However, home schooling is also a good option, if done properly, kudos to you.

Not for everyone though.

**bruceveld** · 10-08-2008, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by kingwilly

Originally Posted by bruceveld

Tey just hire my TEFL grads anyway!!

I doubt that. ISB is a good school.

Originally Posted by bruceveld

So what do I do with my kids? I send them to Thai school every other year and I hire one of my TEFL grads to tutor them on alternate years (home schooling).

However, home schooling is also a good option, if done properly, kudos to you.

Not for everyone though.

ISB does NOT hire our grads, but some of the international schools around Rayong/Pattaya do. The closest one to me has several.

I do not have the time do Home School my kids myself but its an option if you hire a decent TEFLer with a head on their shoulder.

And to make it more exciting... its technically ILLEGAL!

**kingwilly** · 10-08-2008, 09:54 PM

Originally Posted by bruceveld

ISB does NOT hire our grads, but some of the international schools around Rayong/Pattaya do. The closest one to me has several.

IME the international schools around Rayong/Pattya are..... well, aint really up to the same standard as schools like ISB.

But thanks for the clarification, I was thinking you were saying the ISB hired TEFLrs..... (which they would hire one or two, to teach ESL classes, but in the mainstream classes, no.)

**kingwilly** · 10-08-2008, 09:56 PM

Originally Posted by bruceveld

I do not have the time do Home School my kids myself but its an option if you hire a decent TEFLer with a head on their shoulder.

A number of years ago I was offered to apply for a job in New York, homeschooling 2 kids.....

A cool $70K p/y plus accommodation etc ....

But i reckon you would have worked for that money.

**Wayne Kerr** · 10-08-2008, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by bruceveld

720,000 total in tutor bills over 7 years. Total for all three kids.

Wow that is very, very cheap. Is it really possible to get good tutors for this sort of money in Thailand? Thinking of taking a year out next year and home schooling Wayne Jnr on an around Australia surfing/endless summer. Just scared his mind is too hungry for his worn out old man

.

**mrsquirrel** · 11-08-2008, 07:33 AM

Shouldn't the title of this thread be

Don't get ripped off by cheap bastards who want you to school their children at home. Ask for more money.

**Nawty** · 11-08-2008, 08:33 AM

I had thought about this also as we will be moving to an area where there is only one good international school and it is expensive.

But the reality of hiring a 'good' english teacher that has an 'all round' ability to teach 'ALL' the required subjects well is probably not likely and also combine that with 30/50k a month mentioned. Most teachers at these schools that are any good and not pedo candidates are on 80/120k a year so I am told.

Also you say you send the kids to thai school every 'other' year, does this not confuse the kids and disrupt them somewhat, one year at school and get used the lifestyle, then at home, no friends or school life and interaction etc etc.

**bruceveld** · 11-08-2008, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by Nawty

I had thought about this also as we will be moving to an area where there is only one good international school and it is expensive.

But the reality of hiring a 'good' english teacher that has an 'all round' ability to teach 'ALL' the required subjects well is probably not likely and also combine that with 30/50k a month mentioned. Most teachers at these schools that are any good and not pedo candidates are on 80/120k a year so I am told.

Also you say you send the kids to thai school every 'other' year, does this not confuse the kids and disrupt them somewhat, one year at school and get used the lifestyle, then at home, no friends or school life and interaction etc etc.

We have hired two recent uni grads from the states and one very capable filipina. I mean REALLY, is it that difficult to teach 5th grade social studies? If it were getting into grades 11 and 12 I might get concerned.

Recruiting isn't difficult. 25 hours of 45 kids is a lot more work.

And they are dealing with 2 hours of 3 kids together and 3 hours of kids one on one. Its not that demanding. In fact all of the teachers has developed a very close relationship with our kids.

We make sure they always get to go to visit friends on weekends and participate in other activities whenever available.

Anyway it has worked for us!

**Butch** · 11-08-2008, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by bruceveld

recently finished The Stand (all 1,400 pages) by Steven King.

You let your 13 year old read The Stand?

**kingwilly** · 11-08-2008, 11:02 AM

You're TEFL watch guy, aint you in the middle of a court case or summtink?

**bruceveld** · 11-08-2008, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by Butch

Originally Posted by bruceveld

recently finished The Stand (all 1,400 pages) by Steven King.

You let your 13 year old read The Stand?

Yes. I read it at 13 or 14 as well. Problem?

**bruceveld** · 11-08-2008, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by kingwilly

You're TEFL watch guy, aint you in the middle of a court case or summtink?

Me? Can you clarify?

**Bexar County Stud** · 11-08-2008, 04:09 PM

Sounds like a good plan except I would be concerned about the kids math and writing skills. I can't imagine the Thai schools would offer much if anything in these departments and finding a good tutor for these areas is difficult, no?

**Nawty** · 11-08-2008, 06:10 PM

Like I said...1 good teacher that has very good skills in all areas, math, english, writing, science, social studies, sport, whatever else kids learn at school these days...oh yeah... puters

**Skettios** · 11-08-2008, 11:19 PM

the stand is about the best book ever, followed immediately by Gaiman's American Gods.

it's pretty simple, kids who read books are smart kids.

**theudonshawn** · 12-08-2008, 03:31 PM

My kids are primary students. They go to the local catholic primary school for a couple hundred dollars a term. My boy knows as much as I knew in third grade...

I teach at a local high school... the kids who put forth effort are as clever as the kids back in the states who pay attention to what their teachers are saying and do their homework. The dumb kids here are just as smart as the dumb jocks I went to high school with... except they do actually seem to read more fluently then your average non-scholar athlete.

Bottom line, the kids only get out of school what they put in. It's the parents' job to make sure their kids go to school with the right attitude.

**Topper** · 12-08-2008, 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by theudonshawn

Bottom line, the kids only get out of school what they put in. It's the parents' job to make sure their kids go to school with the right attitude.

Well said sir!

**AntRobertson** · 12-08-2008, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by bruceveld

...I send them to Thai school every other year and I hire one of my TEFL grads to tutor them on alternate years (home schooling)...

Taking them in-and-out of school like that, it's gotta be unsettling for them.

**Topper** · 12-08-2008, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by Butch

You let your 13 year old read The Stand?

I think the Stand is a great book. The tv series was excellent.

**Butch** · 12-08-2008, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by bruceveld

Problem?

Yes. Too young in my opinion.

**Topper** · 12-08-2008, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by Butch

Yes. Too young in my opinion.

Got to agree. At the age of three, its called a nursery...5-6 its called kindergarten. After all Bruce, how many years of kindergarten did you attend...3 like in Thailand or just one?

**kingwilly** · 12-08-2008, 06:59 PM

PM on the way Shayno

**Smeg** · 12-08-2008, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by Bruce

Anyway it has worked for us!

- Does that mean you or the kids?
- Do you think that when they grow up they will thank you for using their education as an experiment in economising?
- Do you think this experiment will affect their chances when applying for places in higher education, or will you expect them to economise by studying for a degree at home with one of your graduates?

**mrsquirrel** · 13-08-2008, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by Butch

You let your 13 year old read The Stand?

I read most of Stephen Kings books by the time I was 11.

Only ever got scared by a bit of IT and the one with the sparrows. Otherwise they were good for me.

Read the ones things like Clan of the Cavebear as well.

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