Thread: Thailand and it's Summer School program.

Is it worth it?

We've been told it's 50 Bht per day.
Peanuts I agree, but do the kids actually learn anything or is it just a child minding service.
Allegedly the 50 Bht goes to the teacher not the school.

It all kicks off next week in our part of the world ( Chiang Rai) and I'm struggling to have a civilized conversation with my wife (Grandmother) and the 2 parents.

Suggestions

1. Is that the kid comes and lives with us for the duration and attends our local school because it might be a bit better than the one in their own village.
No evidence on that yet.

2. She does week and week about. That means curriculum issues, assuming they actually teach them anything at all.

3. She attends the local school but still comes to us as normal for the weekends.

I've been in education at all levels for 40 years and thought it reasonable to suggest that we, the family, make appointments with the heads of the 2 schools to inquire what exactly the kids would be doing. Went down like a lead balloon. We're talking real rustic country folk here, rice paddies, corn growers and the like. Fear of uniforms etc.

I'm happy to pay whatever it takes for the kid. She's bright, very bright. Certainly top 10%. We could teach her from home but social interaction id vital at that age. She needs peers, play and fun.

I raised the suggestion of a private school but that would mean boarding and she's far too young for that.

So, that's the predicament, quagmire or challenge.

If any of you kind folk are facing similar challenges or have opinions or thoughts I'd welcome the input.

Cheers all.

Originally Posted by crackerjack101

I'm happy to pay whatever it takes for the kid. She's bright, very bright. Certainly top 10%. We could teach her from home but social interaction id vital at that age. She needs peers, play and fun.

Perhaps put her in the camp for the peers, play and fun. Then set out a 90 minute curriculum that you will do with her between the time she gets home to the time she gets to bed each day.

Best of both Worlds.

^ I was thinking the same day. In Bkk, many students take after school classes, however remember that all the asessments she takes are going to be in Thai, so maybe getting a strong Thai tutor you oversee might be something you consider.

Kids can learn everything on the youtubes these days crackers.



I like how this lady wears her long hair over her shoulder like a scarf so you can see it.

^ Looks like she has been on the wacky baccy.

Originally Posted by crackerjack101

I raised the suggestion of a private school but that would mean boarding and she's far too young for that.

It depends on the boarding school, both my wife and I were at boarding school ( she from age eight, me from age 12) and it was quite a positive experience.

No idea about Thailand, though

If anyone knows a teacher - primary - who would like to come and stay with us here in Wiang Kaen, teaching a 5 year old, 3 days a week, 5-6 hours a day, specifically English but including other areas of whatever curriculum they're familiar with, for the duration of the holiday, we'd be most interested in discussing the subject.

WiangKaen in 30 minutes from Chiang Kong. It's an agricultural village, we have good internet, free use of a scooter, and a Tesco's nearby.

I'd be happy to discuss terms and conditions.

Cheers

We need an English speaking teacher - primary - for 3 months starting asap for a 5 year old little girl. She's quick, top 10 percentile.
Free board and accommodation and possible help with flights.
We are in Wiang Kaen, near Chiang Kong, Thailand.
A relaxed schedule, to be discussed. Maybe 4-5 hours per day, 3-4 days a week.
Own room and free access to the house.
PM me if interested.
email = geoff-warren@hotmail.com

good luck, don't think you will find anyone, tough conditions

maybe a desperate TEFLER, but they would need to access to their drugs or Kanja to make it through the day

5 hours a day 1-2-1 with a 5 year old, living with her Grandparents who believe her to be a child genius.

Pass.

Better yet, why not allow the child to be child to expand/grow naturally before pushing unnecessary extracurricular "education".

There's time for that, for sure.....but not at 4-5 years old.

I disagree. Tiger moms do this all the time. Fathers as well. For example Tessla's dad made him memorize bible passages starting at a very young age and look where that got him.

I was reading the history behind the young adults that performed in the acrobatic / dance act we went to last month and all of them started learning dance and or gymnastics at a very young age as well.

Come to think of it when do they start putting the rings around throats' of the long neck folks?

Anybody want to take a guess? And did I put the apostrophe in the right place in that last sentence?

Thanks Looper, I needed a refresher course. I cheated in spelling class. I sat in the back so I'd just put the book on the floor during the tests. I would purposefully get a word or two wrong just so it wasn't too obvious.

Looking back I was the one who cheated myself in the long run but hell, I never said I was an English major. Haha.

The fish.

Originally Posted by armstrong

5 hours a day 1-2-1 with a 5 year old, living with her Grandparents who believe her to be a child genius.

Pass.

Thank you.
It's always good to hear a qualified opinion.

Originally Posted by HuangLao

Better yet, why not allow the child to be child to expand/grow naturally before pushing unnecessary extracurricular "education".

There's time for that, for sure.....but not at 4-5 years old.

An interesting point, which is noted. However I think that 4-8 hours additional 1 on 1 presented in a playful and stimulating way would not, in my opinion be in any thing but a positive.

Originally Posted by armstrong

5 hours a day 1-2-1 with a 5 year old, living with her Grandparents who believe her to be a child genius.

Pass.

Good. we've no reason to waste time on your application.

Originally Posted by armstrong

5 hours a day 1-2-1 with a 5 year old, living with her Grandparents who believe her to be a child genius.

Pass.

Excellent. Good to hear from a professional.

Bye the way the Grandparent (s) have spent 40 odd years assessing percentile ability, potential and opportunities.

Many thanks for your input though, good to hear from a well experienced professional.

Originally Posted by fishlocker

Thanks Looper, I needed a refresher course.

Hope you spotted her training-wheels tefler mistake on the whiteboard. She spells Bosses plural as Bossess.

Originally Posted by fishlocker

Looking back I was the one who cheated myself in the long run

Sounds like something the teacher would say.