Just a quick question to all the folks raising kids in Thailand. Do you worry about the work/career options that will be available for your kids when they get older.
Do you plan on returning to your native country when it comes time for them to go to university? Do you have dual citizenship for them? Do you expect that they will look for work in your home country or do you think they will remain in thailand? What prospects will they have in thailand if they decide to stay?
Just curious because this would be a thing I would worry about if I was raising kids in thailand.
That's one of the reasons I didn't raise my kid in Thailand :smile:
Do the kids in her English school torment the child in any way? Kids can be cruel.
My kids are both dual citizens and I will 100%, absolutely...be taking them for schooling in Canada when my youngest is Kindergarten age.
Outside of International School perhaps, schooling your kids in Thailand is arguably a form of child abuse/neglect...
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IA
as teachers, are we then child abusers? [image: http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/images/smilies/arrowup.gif]
If you select the right school and monitor what is going on I believe Thai schools are fine. Mine are in Por 3 and are now completely bilingual. Reading, writing, and speaking. But I would not let them study in a Thai school for Maytayom. So I do believe I am moving back in 3 years or so.
It would cost me a million baht a year for them to go to a top international school, so I will use that money to cover the cost of a new house in America.
Not looking forward to it. But its something I have to do.
No plan a bout kids :smile: I don't want to get married and I don't want any kids at the moment.
So... tung yang tung yang [image: http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/images/smilies/grin.gif] hehehehehehe...
theent01 wrote:
as teachers, are we then child abusers?
We farangs are a small part of the Thai school system and are hardly an engine of any sort. I think the blame for the corrupt and inefficient educational non-system lay primarily with the Thais.
It's their country; they are the bosses. And they are even the majority of the employees...
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IA
PS. I think possibly only farang teachers can know how bad it really is. It's probably worse than many people looking in from the outside think it is...
With me as a Dad.....what's he got to worry about [image: http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/images/smilies/wink.gif]
Kay sarah sarah and all that.
The best laid plans.....!
Very good question, I know alot of people who have kids here are asking themselves the same thing.
The prospect of finding a highly paid job would depend on alot of different factors but I would prefer my son to work either back in the UK or more likely another Asian country which could offer both a good standard of living meaning they could afford to travel abroad without restrictions etc.
If you select the right school and monitor what is going on I believe Thai schools are fine. Mine are in Por 3 and are now completely bilingual. Reading, writing, and speaking. But I would not let them study in a Thai school for Maytayom. So I do believe I am moving back in 3 years or so.
It would cost me a million baht a year for them to go to a top international school, so I will use that money to cover the cost of a new house in America.
Not looking forward to it. But its something I have to do.
Total agree with the above from Aging one and this will be likely my plan of action.
Do the kids in her English school torment the child in any way? Kids can be cruel.
Interested in an answer to this quote???
I don't have any children yet... but my wife and I will in a few years most likely. Early years should be fine in the 'right' school, but after that I don't know. Going back to the US for high school has its pluses, but how will my kids be received in such an environment? And what work can a (roughly) 50 year old man do after being in Thailand for 20 years? Alas such questions cannot be answered now; we'll have to wait and see.
But I would not let them study in a Thai school for Maytayom.
Aging One, why?
Why worry there will always be bars, brothels, massage parlors in Thailand.
For a half/half the price will be more so you can look forward to a steady income of around 60-90K a month. More if they go into the movie end of the business!
Oops, sorry guys I didn't mean to post that...............thought I was on ThaiVisa for a moment [image: http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/images/smilies/blush1.gif]
I suppose if you have a girl you can command a rather large sinsot from the family. If you are lucky it might be a nice Hi-so type that will take care of you into your old age.
I don't have any children which I recognise... but if I do one day I think I'd send them to live with my mum for the Prathom years and go to a state school in England and then bring them back all ready to sit their university entrance exams.
putting aside those who pupped a hooker, the Thai school system seems to have produced plenty of nice girls/ boys, otherwise what are we doing with them?
as KK says with the right home background I dont see any problems up to University age. lets face it american and english schools are not all that with drugs, massacares, metal detectors etc.
i've met enough aussies to know their education system needs a bit of work too
no disrespect to individual choice
but unless you are a lush a foreigners offspring will come from a reasonable socio-economic background by Thai standards so a decent school, maybe not bangkok pattana standard id doable
if ive not offended anyone i will try harder next time
You would have them go to uni here mad dog?
and then bring them back all ready to sit their university entrance exams.
Dong I will probably teach. But there are other options. Trust me I am not going to make a move one until I am sure of their and my future.
In the last few weeks an option has arisen to go back to the mid east that I am considering. But it seems much too good to be true.
[quote="aging one"]You would have them go to uni here mad dog?
and then bring them back all ready to sit their university entrance exams.
Just being silly, bit bored today... Finished work at 12 but it's still too early to start drinking
For me I want my kids to study world history, geography, and have a good english program. This can not be had in a Thai school where math and science are pushed way to far to the front. I also think by Maytayom school they should be able to question the teacher, and develop more critical learning skills than just rote learning. Also I want them to be exposed to sport a heck of a lot more.
any success stories of kids schooled from prathom to uni in LOS?
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I figure I'll be teaching them stuff at home as well--I'm sure my parents did the same for me as a student. A child always needs more academic reinforcement (especially after exiting the typical Thai classroom where they spent 6 hours cutting out bits of paper).
As for questioning the teacher, when did anyone of us do that without a rap on the knuckles (or equivalent)? I think the best teachers were the ones that could present differing perspectives on a subject with the invitation to create one's own and debate it, not argue with the teacher.
Forgive me if I'm wrong but I think we have very romanticized ideas of "what really happened" and "how things really were" when we were in high school. I think I recall a few of my teachers who taught by rote! [image: http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/parenting-in-thailand/images/smilies/grin.gif]
Agreed in a sense Dong with regards to rote. But I would have never learned math with it. [image: http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/parenting-in-thailand/images/smilies/grin.gif] But when I studied foreign languages it was rote with headsets and a microphone, thank god we have got beyond that.
I only want them to be able to question. In English the other day in my kids school which I like very much the teacher told the class to pronounce Ferry, as furry, my daughters asked why, and were told off. Monday Jerry and the Pacemakers will go to school in old casette form and play Ferry Cross the Mersey.
As for teaching at home. Now in third grade and its about an hour a day monday to friday, and then a total of about 4 on the weekend. Spelling is the key as they have grammar down. Once they can spell. Then the other subjects will come easily, geography, history, and literature as they love books. I think all in all they are equal or above 3rd graders in America.
They are reading Wizard of Oz, and Heidi, in both languages in order to see if the translations are done well. Both books are long 150 pages, the Thai one is finished and the English versions about 40%.
They both work in the library as well.
Cheers mate and have a nice weekend
From my experiences studying Engineering at post-graduate level, at Thailand's leading University, I observe the following:
1. The syllabus is excellent;
2. The lecturer quality is variable (as per any country);
3. The good lecturers could make it in any country;
4. Thailand has a few lecturers who are really world-class;
5. The University system makes it difficult to fail lazy learners (they pass at 50%);
6. The learner's take-away value depends on his/her desire to learn.
It is possible to obtain excellent education in Thailand, but it depends on the learner's desire to learn.
diaw... :smile:
As a lecturer at a private uni here I concur 100%.
. The learner's take-away value depends on his/her desire to learn.
It is possible to obtain excellent education in Thailand, but it depends on the learner's desire to learn.
That is the key to any education. :chug:
Interesting replies on this one.
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I would think that with a little parental involvement kids can learn in almost any school system. My big concern would be how easy it would be to get accreditation in other countries with a university degree from Thailand. For instance you raise your brilliant Amero/Euro/Auzi/Canuk/Thai child and they become a surgeon in Thailand, can they practice abroad without redoing all the Uni stuff.
I also know there are some excellent homeschool programs that are fully accredited for schools in Canada. In many cases the parents only spend 3-4 hrs a day teaching in these programs as the one on one contact is more effective than the group class setting. There is additional reading and self study for the child as well. The only concern I would have with this type of education would be a possible lack of socialization. Many families that go long distance cruising (sailing) employ this option.
Homestudy would likely appeal to Kerux too so he could teach his own form of "religeosity".
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Quote Originally Posted by Sanuk Canuk
Do you worry about the work/career options that will be available for your kids when they get older.
Not really, once my one has a Thai degree then she'll no doubt want to return to the land of her father, where she'll make a better living & have a better standard of life. Don't want her getting mixed up with an old ex-pat teacher in the loS. [image: http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/parenting-in-thailand/images/smilies/grin.gif]
Get a job at an international school, then tuition is free for your children.
Taiwantroll
We don't have any children yet, but the wife has it all planned already, she wants them to follow in her footsteps.
Go to a normal Primary school.
Move to Bkk and send the kids to Trium Udom Suksa.
Go to Chulalongkorn University.
I have no doubts that these institutions are the best in Thailand and will give our kids everything that they need as bilingual students.
I have seen the other way around, with half Thai kids born in the UK or brought over at a young age to the UK. They do fine. I even know some Thai girls now in their 20s who came over a few years ago when their mum married a farang and even they are doing fine, quickly picking up the language and finding ok jobs in shops and Thai restaurants., or going to a UK uni.
I'm happy my 15 year old daughter has a much better future having been educated here than in Thailand.
Quote Originally Posted by Harry
Quote Originally Posted by Sanuk Canuk
Do you worry about the work/career options that will be available for your kids when they get older.
Not really, once my one has a Thai degree then she'll no doubt want to return to the land of her father, where she'll make a better living & have a better standard of life. Don't want her getting mixed up with an old ex-pat teacher in the loS. [image: http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/parenting-in-thailand/images/smilies/grin.gif]
Right that Harry's sprog crossed off my list of potential brides!
love this topic PINNED?
http://www.iht.com/articles/1994/02/16/useduc.php
I've met some really smart kids this year who would knock spots off some Western kids in terms of behaviour and attitude. But there's also the slackers and loafers waiting to take over Daddy's business.
For me the important thing would be fluency in English. If my kids were to get to a good level of English then the world would be their oyster. They can always retake exams/subjects if need be. If they grow up only speaking Thai then their options are limited to Thai educational institutitons which is a shame.
I also don't trust the secondary schools in LOS. I'm working at the 'best school in the province', recently got an award from HM, often sends students abroad on AFS, and to be honest the lack of effort on the part of 'some' Thai staff is dreadful. PE involves 4 kids kicking a takraw ball around while the others sit under a tree and listen to music. Teachers coming late, not turning up, setting homework for 5 minutes and leaving, sport weeks, shortening classes because of re-tests, dancing competitions etc. etc. They just don't get enough quality time out here.
I'd prefer my kids to have a Western education, once they are independent, educated and fluent in English they can come back to LOS as teachers, study a degree or do whatever they want.
This is my point exactly!! [image: http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/parenting-in-thailand/images/smilies/arrowup.gif]
also don't tust the secondary schools in LOS. I'm working at the 'best school in the province', recently got an award from HM, often sends students abroad on AFS, and to be honest the lack of effort on the part of 'some' Thai staff is dreadful. PE involves 4 kids kicking a takraw ball around while the others sit under a tree and listen to music. Teachers coming late, not turning up, setting homework for 5 minutes, sports week, shortening classes because of re-tests, dancing competitions etc. etc. They just don't get enough quality time out here.
But I see no point in getting a degree from a Thai University.
By then it wouldn't matter, they can do the degree for fun. It's easier to come back to Thailand than it is to return to the West.
Quote Originally Posted by Jon
I have seen the other way around, with half Thai kids born in the UK or brought over at a young age to the UK. They do fine. I even know some Thai girls now in their 20s who came over a few years ago when their mum married a farang and even they are doing fine, quickly picking up the language and finding ok jobs in shops and Thai restaurants., or going to a UK uni.
I'm happy my 15 year old daughter has a much better future having been educated here than in Thailand.
Her Thai is a bit rusty though. [image: http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/parenting-in-thailand/images/smilies/grin.gif]
Added after 4 minutes:
I think the parents must play a major role in their kid's education. My mother taught me to read and write before I was two. By the time I started school at four, I was already ahead of many kids who were a year older than me (I started a year early and did one more year in primary school).
If I was a parent here, I would expect my kids to be taught the same, but in English and Thai. Aging One's kids are a shining example of that - I would be proud as punch to have kids like them.
For the moment though, I'm only 35, so I'm too young to be a father. [image: http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/images/smilies/drinkin.gif]
Quote Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog
For the moment though, I'm only 35, so I'm too young to be a father. [image: http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/images/smilies/drinkin.gif]
Advocating the use of condoms Marmite? [image: http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/images/smilies/rock.gif]
Stop shagging bargirls and you might find someone worthy of having your child.
A combined Poolcleaner Production/ Family Planning Association announcement!