schools in and around Hua Hin

[dtaai-maai]

I find it irritating that my daughter, who is Thai/English speaks(some) english as a Thai would.
I want her to speak english as an (average) English person would.
I cannot recall anyone in England saying Hondah.

Better take her to England then. Not being funny, but that's the only way she'll ever speak English like an average English person.

[barrys]

Quote from dtaai-maai: "Better take her to England then. Not being funny, but that's the only way she'll ever speak English like an average English person."

Is that a particularly desirable objective given the average linguistic ability of the "average English person"?
I remember being sent to London some years ago on an interpreting assignment and being handed a publication outside an undergound station with job advertisements.
One of the ads stated that they were looking for university graduates and the final requirement was "must be literate and numerate" - I kid you not!!

[dtaai-maai]

Quote from dtaai-maai: "Better take her to England then. Not being funny, but that's the only way she'll ever speak English like an average English person."

Is that a particularly desirable objective given the average linguistic ability of the "average English person"?
I remember being sent to London some years ago on an interpreting assignment and being handed a publication outside an undergound station with job advertisements.
One of the ads stated that they were looking for university graduates and the final requirement was "must be literate and numerate" - I kid you not!!

I believe it completely, Barry, and bigideas made a similar point earlier, but it's no use having your child taught English in a Thai junior school and then wondering why he/she doesn't speak 'proper' English, whatever the accent. Bringing up a child as completely bilingual in any two languages is a huge challenge that rests with the parents as much as the school.

[Super Joe]

Just had another read through and more or less found the answer, so question deleted.

SJ

[PeteC]

Just a comment reading all the above. My 3.5 year old is ending up her second year in a British IS. Even with my strong American accent, she is speaking English with a bit of a British accent now, as exposed to British teachers everyday. I would imagine this will continue as it's also happening to other EU and India kids in her class and higher classes as well.

She's also able to keep up a child's conversation in Thai with her Mom and our maid. A few English words thrown in from time to time, but she puts together a better Thai sentence than I do.

Thai reading/writing/speaking formal classes start at her IS in Grade 1 when she'll be 5. About age 7 is when a kid's natural ability to learn languages shuts down and then need to be taught/learned as 'second languages'. I think by then her foundation in Thai will be strong enough that she'll be able to carry on to higher levels of Thai with little problem.

We try to reinforce both, with emphasis on Thai when she's out and about in a Thai environment away from school. Pete

[bigideas]

I might have misunderstood your point but you report that," Yamsaard School has 50 minutes of Thai language and culture teaching every day. ...........and the remainder of the lessons are taught in English".

Are you suggesting that lessons taught in Thai only occupy 50 minutes of the daily teaching timetable?

[/quote][/quote]

Just to clean this one up a bit. After enquiries at Yamsaard. I can confirm that at kindergarten level, PE, outdoor activities, swimming and computer lessons are taught in English by a native English speaking teacher. Music (a period a week) is the only other subject taught in Thai aside from Thai language and culture (50 minute period a day). However, the librarian is Thai, admin staff are Thai though two speak good confident English, and staff who look after children in the playground at hometime are Thai and don't like speaking English. The Thai Principle and vice principle speak English confidently. The co-ordinators all speak confident English, mostly being Phillipino or Malaysian natives.

Today was "give food to 3 monks day". I think this happens no more than twice a year according to the school calender. I haven't seen any other monk presence at the school.

[RobRoy]

I'm really surprised that there has not been many postings recently about schooling in HH. I'm not sure if it 's resignation about there are only two school options (I'm not including the International school thread as I sent a reply to their email address and never got a reply). I am looking to move full time to HH this year, Ive owned a house we come for weekends for 4.5 years. What is the latest about the schools I would really apprecaite to hear your feedback. Has it improved?

[hhfarang]

To my knowledge the school situation has not changed in Hua Hin, however, I heard a couple of days ago (rumor, or rumour depending on where you are from, not verified) that a new international English school that is a branch of a Bangkok school has recently opened in Cha-Am.

Anyone know if this is true?

[terry+carmen]

Haven't hear this and the Cha Am children are still coming to Somtawin on the school bus.

Will ask around school today.

[RobRoy]

Thanks I'd be really interested to hear. I'm on vacation in HH next week (going to enjoy the Golf Festival) and wanted to also take the time to look at the two schools recommended on the thread here & would certainly consider the startup International school if it's real - I did check out there website found on other thread and sent enquiry for info but got no response.

[nanyang]

The above is true, I now remember.

Very, very sorry T****.



We all have skeletons in the closet eh!!!!

As soon as I can get to the bank it will go in, sorry again.

Boy, I feel stupid now!! Please PM me in future rather than put this on a post about schools.

Well [edited by Mod], June and July have come and gone and, surprise surprise, your memory has not improved.
You are, clearly, a very shallow, superficial individual.

[Big Boy]

I have edited the above post. Please do not use names. Such communication should be by PM.

[Spitfire]

To my knowledge the school situation has not changed in Hua Hin

Absolutely HHF, we always seem to come round in a full circle with these school threads. The conclusion is, and has been for a long time, that Hua Hin is in desperate need of some decent educational facilities............along with an airport that works properly etc.

.....however, I heard a couple of days ago (rumor, or rumour depending on where you are from, not verified) that a new international English school that is a branch of a Bangkok school has recently opened in Cha-Am.

Anyone know if this is true?

That would surely be plastered all over the place and everywhere if it was what everyone was, and is, waiting for. If they were actually, really, seriously going to do it then where would be better than this forum to get the word out.

The rubbish that you hear about this (schools/colleges/new "international schools" etc) is easily "shot down" by those that know what they are talking about. Any talk of an "International School" in HH would come under some very close professional scrutiny, as do the "establishments" that often get mentioned here at the moment, and not always with a positive result.

Don't hold your breath everyone or get too hopeful, even if you hear some rumour or hearsay. The problem is that you need someone to open an educational establishment that "wants" to educate rather than just be a business that 'racks and stacks' the students. Long way off everyone, I'm afraid, even though I agree that it should be on the 'top of the wish list' for all sensible residents whether Thai or Farang.

[PeteC]

Perhaps some thought needed:

1) Hi-so and upper middle class Thai's are not going to move to Hua Hin and put their kids into an international school there. They're already in the best in Bangkok.

2) There is no soft or hard industry to attract the working parents of potential foreign students.

3. Perhaps most important, being a Royal town they want a lid put on the expansion of foreign settlement. Pete

[stgrhe]

I found this thread, posted 3rd August, on ThaiVisa's Hua Hin section:

"As of today, a new English Language school has opened in Cha Am, on Soi Rajpre 1, Petchkaseme Road. It is just after the fire station and the water-board buildings (the first Soi), as you come from Huah Hin. About 100 meters into the Soi. Large signs will show you the way.

The British owner runs the school as a franchise as part of a popular Bangkok based English Language school. I believe they do some special introductory offers."

(Edited by mod. No links to competing forums please).

G.