International Schools

[Scotian2012]

Sorry Wendy, I think Yamsaard only go to about 14 Grade 10 - although someone may correct me, I do recall this being an issue with the school

[whailstones]

Thanks for letting me know, I will continue the research, bit of a nightmare just now!!

Kindest regards, Wendy

[rustam62]

Can say little of Halio. I liked their self-imposed limitation on the size of the class - honest approach to the quality.

[rustam62]

There is also BECC (British Educational Center for Children), operating under the auspices of larger Thai school, but as most other schools - technically - is not a school, and it is even reflected in the title (Center). They have a web site, Google BECC Hua Hin.
The school is cute, the kids are sitting in the opened air (under the roof, of course), which in my mind is a plus - better than in an air-conned rooms. The classes are a little too big for the number of teachers. I think the school is about to fall victim of the initial success and high demand: the management is not always responsive to the parents requests, for example, for an individualized approach to advanced kids. Probably, opening of new schools will fix that soon.

Speaking of which: a new school is about to be opened, west of Hua Hin, just behind the by-pass road, based on the Black Sheep Farm, by a small group of enthusiasts from the UK, Canada and South Africa. I believe they are going to call it The Green School, as dedication to environmental aspirations of the initiators. They have a lot of work to do before opening (target date in May 2013), and as of now there is little to show, except for plans. They, however, I am afraid, have set a little high price-bar - around 120 to 150 thousand Baht a year. I think such a price can only be afforded by a school with a reputation, which they have yet to earn. Call Adrianne Cairns (+66 82 2440530) for details and familiarization tour. I would have given email, but the system does not allow...

Somtawin is an older school, but in my opinion is a little too Thai, in terms of rather weak standards. [Mod Edit at Author's request - sentence removed] They also have a reputation of school with very high turn-over of teachers - not sure, may be wrong.

Yam Saard - located close by to the center, but should pay attention to the access road - it's terrible! Before one gets there one may lose all the enthusiasm. The school itself seems to be good, staffed with native English teachers. The program seems good, but one can never judge till the kid gets there. They teach 50-50 in English and Thai, a plus of mixed Thai-foreign kids. Nice campus.

[nanyang]

Yam Saard seems to be good, staffed with native English teachers..

You should have said some native English teachers.

Their teachers from the Philippines are not native speakers.

With more and more schools opening up in Hua-Hin, delivering alleged international programmes, it can only end in tears.

The core problem is that whatever programme you have in place there is no English language reinforcement.

The children speak Thai at every opportunity because it's their first language and it's easy.

Unless the children have more exposure to English they will always speak 'Tinglish' or 'Chinglish' or whatever ..ish.

Rote learning and a no fail policy are other reasons why education in Thailand is dire.

[terry+carmen]

Hi Wendy,

There are only two schools in Hua Hin offering IGCSE for your son one is Somtawin the other is Halio. [Mod Edit]

Somtawin schools started the IGCSE syllabus this year. The school year for Somtawin ends on the 15 March. The next school year starts on the 14 May. Somtawin has 260+ students and offers 11 IGCSE subjects. The best person to contact is the headmaster, [Mod Edit] he would be very happy to meet you and your son. Take a look around the school during a school day it will give you a good feel for the school.

There has been problems with the school in the past teacher turnover was a problem but the school has implemented a "older" teacher policy and turnover has been reduced to one teacher leaving at the end of this academic year. Somtawin is an English Program school and teaches every lesson in English except Thai. There are dedicated teachers for every subject for example physics, chemistry and biology has three dedicated IGCSE teachers. The school has recently built a new library and will soon start building a new Science and Art building.

Both schools are not CIE, www.cie.org.uk, registered schools so when your son is ready to sit the IGCSE you will need to register with the British Council Bangkok or Harrow School, www.harrowschool.ac.th/exams-centre.

My daughter has already taken Mathematics at the British Council but will take English and English literature at Harrow because the process and facilities are much better.

If you need more information about IGCSE or Somtawin PM me.

[MOD Edit] Somtawin contact detail removed. If Wendy requires the additional information, you can give it to her when she PMs you. Regarding Headmaster's name/direct e-mail address, that is not permitted on this forum.

[whailstones]

Hi Terry & Carmen, could you please send me the Head Masters contact details for Somtawin? hopefully I can then make some headway to get my son enrolled ASAP.

Very much appreciated

Wendy

[terry+carmen]

Hi Wendy it was in the text of my letter but has been deleted by the moderator.

Go to the website [b]admin@somtawin.ac.th[/b] ask for the E Mail address for Mr. Steve White (headmaster) or contact me and I can give you his e mail and telephone number.

They are all at scout camp this week back by Wednesday.

PM me if you still have a problem.

[whailstones]

Hi there, I have sent a couple of emails to this address but still waiting for a reply, I cannot PM you as I am new to the forum, I also cannot seem to see your email address on your profile. Sorry to cause problems!!

[jingjoe]

Hi there, I have sent a couple of emails to this address but still waiting for a reply, I cannot PM you as I am new to the forum, I also cannot seem to see your email address on your profile. Sorry to cause problems!!

Whailstones,you only need one more post(10) and you can send and receive pms

[whailstones]

Thank you, I have just being in touch with Somtawin to arrange an appointment, the headmaster did say it will be no problem for my son to join them!! fingers crossed thats another problem solved...

[rustam62]

Yam Saard seems to be good, staffed with native English teachers..

You should have said some native English teachers.

Their teachers from the Philippines are not native speakers.

Actually, the teachers I saw in the Kindergarten and elementary are native English speakers, from the UK or New Zealand or something, I am not sure I remember exactly. I did see Philippines, but those I saw where from the admin staff.
My girls are 50% Thais, and they only started learning Thai since we moved to Hua Hin a year ago. Thai is not on the way of English for them, which is our leading language in the family, although none of us are native English speakers.

[rustam62]

What do people say about the Learning Tree?

[almirante82]

I'm a father to a 2 year old boy, I work internationally and I'm living in Hua Hin at the moment. Hua Hin would be a place where i'd like to settle down and raise my family but the lack of an International school has put real doubts in my head. The BECC seems to be a popular place to send children as there is a waiting list and places are limited. What other options for Pre-schools are there?

[dom77]

They have many Filipino teachers some of whom do not have a decent command of the English language. They are constantly having teachers walk out on them as they do not treat them with the respect that they deserve. In fact over the last year they have had most of their native teachers apart from 3 or 4 quit due to the conditions. I certainly would not recommend Yamsaard as a place to send children if you want them to learn English.

A friend of mine sent their children there (these were not Thai or mix Thai) they spoke very little English let alone Thai. However end of semester report stated that they got 100% in Thai exams and was excellent at Thai, the same went for English. Upon query(which was brushed under the carpet) my friend concluded that the school change the results to please parents rather than reflect the true academic status of the child.