Yamsaard school

[bigideas]

Just for info. Multi-ethnic doesn't mean multi-lingual. A multi-ethnic environment simply means that the majority of the kids come from various backgrounds ie. Thai mixed with English, Swedish, Norwegian, American, German, African and Dutch. Then there are Singaporean and Malaysian mixed kids too at Yamsaard. The idea being that she will be subjected to the same kind of environment as that when she finishes schooling in London England. Though everyone won't be a Thai mix there.

[nanyang]

Just for info. Multi-ethnic doesn't mean multi-lingual. A multi-ethnic environment simply means that the majority of the kids come from various backgrounds ie. Thai mixed with English, Swedish, Norwegian, American, German, African and Dutch. Then there are Singaporean and Malaysian mixed kids too at Yamsaard. The idea being that she will be subjected to the same kind of environment as that when she finishes schooling in London England. Though everyone won't be a Thai mix there.

I am well aware of that.

I was, merely, pointing out that the dominant ethnicity is Thai.

Any influence from any other ethnicity is, almost, non existent.

Irrespective of their mix they are hugely influenced by Thai culture.

You cannot cite a 'multi ethnic environment' here as being in any way akin to what she will experience in London - probably the most cosmopolitan city on Earth.

[nanyang]

P.S.

The idea being that she will be subjected to the same kind of environment as that when she finishes schooling in London England. Though everyone won't be a Thai mix there.

Thailand is, IMO, one of the most homogenous, xenophobic countries I've been to - and I've been to quite a few.

[bigideas]

Whilst I agree that kids here are hugely influenced by Thai culture, if what you're saying is that as a foreigner, with a view to returning to the UK within 5 years, you may as well send your kid to a "THAI" school, rather than pay alot more to send your kid to a Yamsaard or even a Somtawin, I have to say I do not agree and I think after 4 years at the respective schools, the proof will be in the pudding. At the end of 4 years, one kid will be almost completely THAI with a mildly irritating papa, and the other will be Thai/English bilingual.
Even though these schools do not offer everything I would wish for my 100,000bt, I'm pleased to have the choice and if the other thread suggested that most people in Hua Hin couldn't/wouldn't afford a "proper" international school, then they are not just ripping people off, they are offering enough of an alternative for those like myself to at least try out.
If you haven't been along to take a look, I suggest you do, you may be pleasantly surprised. When I go to pick up my daughter, I am always pleasantly surprised by kids who as soon as they hear me talking and playing with my daughter, want to initiate conversation in English. I have even spoken to the co-ordinator about that, trying to get her to have native English speaking teachers in the playground after school, playing with the kids alittle so that they are encouraged to use their English out of the classroom more.

[bigideas]

P.S.

The idea being that she will be subjected to the same kind of environment as that when she finishes schooling in London England. Though everyone won't be a Thai mix there.

Thailand is, IMO, one of the most homogenous, xenophobic countries I've been to - and I've been to quite a few.

I agree with you and Me too!

[Big Boy]

bigideas wrote:

I am always pleasantly surprised by kids who as soon as they hear me talking and playing with my daughter, want to initiate conversation in English.

I think if you go to the most rural parts of Thailand, where the kids are poor, and only receive a very basic English education, then they too would take the opportunity to practice their English on you as well. This is not peculiar to the kids of Yamsaard.

One of my fondest memories of Thailand has been taking the English lesson in Ban Nong Seng, which is about as rural and poor as you will find. The kids (and teachers) were fantastic, and really excelled when having the opportunity to practice their English on me. An experience I'd recommend to anybody.

[MrPlum]

P.S.

The idea being that she will be subjected to the same kind of environment as that when she finishes schooling in London England. Though everyone won't be a Thai mix there.

Thailand is, IMO, one of the most homogenous, xenophobic countries I've been to - and I've been to quite a few.

When I moved to the Algarve some ex-pats complained that the Portuguese were too lazy or too slow. Everything was 'Manana'. After running on the mouse wheel all my working life, I rather liked it. When I moved to Hong Kong some ex-pats complained HK Chinese were racist and couldn't cook western food. It didn't bother me, I shopped 'til I dropped and ate only Chinese food. Had a great time. When I moved to Thailand, some ex-pats complained Thais were too nationalistic and will bleed you until there is nothing left. Ok. Now I understand the rules of the game I simply adjust. I'm thoroughly enjoying my time here.

Obviously if your income or career or house build is affected by the negatives then I would simply vote with my feet and get the hell out of there. One of the ways I am able to feel comfortable in whatever country I'm in is to treat the hosts with respect and see myself as a fortunate guest. Whatever values we bring with us to another country may not apply here and we have to accept the cultural and political differences, rather than constantly complain about how dysfunctional they may be.

Every child I have seen that has spent time abroad has IMO been far better for it. Devoid of the 'Little Englander' mentality that narrows their horizons. They may be held back for a while academically but they soon catch up if they have the capacity to do so. I know this since I was based in Germany for most of my early childhood and was sent to boarding school in Scotland at 10. I excelled, unlike my brother who went backwards. The capacity and emotional state of the child is also a factor.

Unfortunately a couple of years later the money ran out and it was the nightmare of Secondary Moderns from then on in. Show any sign of interest in academic subjects and the thugs are on to you. At least in the boarding school there was a definite culture of achievement. There are also children from similar income groups where a school uniform was taken pride in rather than Levi 'Stay-pressed' and Doctor Martins.

I rather like bigideas ideas. If you have the money to be selective then do so. The question isn't about money, when you have it. It's about, as she states, giving the child the best opportunities. Whether the child later on, wastes those opportunities, is down to destiny. The child cannot complain later on they were denied them.

It's not just the school that is giving them their 'education' as I'm sure you know. Younger children see their mothers as goddesses and their fathers as heroes. They are heavily influenced by the parents attitudes. For every good child who sits quietly in class and gets on with it, there is an overweight spoilt brat who will bully and steal and who's egos and demands are never ending. Ignorant parent = ignorant child. No matter what income bracket.

I think it's the teenage years, around 13-14 when the child is at greatest risk of taking a step backwards. The dangers of peer pressure are very real and I would argue the UK is more of a minefield than here in Thailand, where there is respect for elders, respect for family and lack of overt violence. I feel safer walking the streets here than I do in London where I can run into some snarling gang, oozing savagery, at any moment.

I used to interview prospective employees for a European Software company. Many candidates would submit impressive CVs and have impeccable educational records. I would say that pretty much all of them could do the job. So what set them apart? Personality, ability to work within a team, self starters, trustworthiness, degree of confidence. There are very few jobs where academic achievement is the most important criteria. I was self-taught and didn't have a qualification to my name and I've often found those with an IQ less than 100 managing those with an IQ greater than 130.

While there may be some good comprehensives in the UK I certainly didn't experience any.

There are ways to live ones life that engage the 'higher mind'. Those who simply operate at the level of the senses or indulge their most basic instincts are never going to understand since they have never engaged that aspect. The spiritual, mystical, the pleasure some get simply from learning, from poetry, art,maths, science. The study of the heavens. How many children have a sense of awe and wonder? How many adults remember they used to have it but it's been lost?

Will kindergarten at yamsaard squash or support such 'green shoots'? I think with the teaching of meditation, dance and art, they are more supportive. When I see the girls in the older classes, I was very impressed with their spirit.

Last year I was invited to take an English class at Phuket University. It was the last day of term and I recorded some English scripts for them. In between recording sessions I walked to the Assembly hall where the students were celebrating Thai culture with dance and drama. It was superb. The Thai education system may have its faults but it also has some very nice plusses.




Just my take, like.

[London Boy]

Mr Plum, I have have now lived & worked outside the UK for some 28 years and have had the good fortune of giving my children (grown up & married now) a great education, plus the opportunity for them to mix with different nationalities & religions and pleased that they enjoyed all of the exposure they had. Could not agree more with what you wrote. Let the glass be half full & not half empty

[MrPlum]

Mr Plum, I have have now lived & worked outside the UK for some 28 years and have had the good fortune of giving my children (grown up & married now) a great education, plus the opportunity for them to mix with different nationalities & religions and pleased that they enjoyed all of the exposure they had. Could not agree more with what you wrote. Let the glass be half full & not half empty

Thank you.

28 years outside the UK and you are still calling yourself London Boy?

[migrant]

I used to interview prospective employees for a European Software company. Many candidates would submit impressive CVs and have impeccable educational records. I would say that pretty much all of them could do the job. So what set them apart? Personality, ability to work within a team, self starters, trustworthiness, degree of confidence. There are very few jobs where academic achievement is the most important criteria. I was self-taught and didn't have a qualification to my name and I've often found those with an IQ less than 100 managing those with an IQ greater than 130.

I've also done many interviews, for my company as well as for my clients. As you said Mr Plum, it's not just the intelligence, or even the experience. There are many factors, but I found it's the ability to wantto do the work, and (in most positions) to be able to work with others that really counts.

Someone I respect a great deal told me once "It's not the IQ (intelligence quotient) that counts, it's the WQ (work quotient) that really makes the difference".

[bigideas]

I, wholeheartedly, support freedom of choice but, why anyone chooses to spend 100,000 baht per year so that their three year old can spend SIX hours a day away from its mother is beyond me.

Perhaps that's because you're not a mother who has just spent every waking hour of the past 3 years with her 3 year old and would like to get a life of her own on track again!

Just for the record, I'm a man. I think when I wrote this post I may have confused people. I was merely sticking-up for my wife who is studying to be a nurse.

[MrPlum]

Just for the record, I'm a man. I think when I wrote this post I may have confused people. I was merely sticking-up for my wife who is studying to be a nurse.

Apologies from the confused.

Sorry also to nadina. We've hijacked your thread. I hope you are able to find something that suits you.

[bigideas]

[quote="MrPlum"].....see myself as a fortunate guest. Whatever values we bring with us to another country may not apply here and we have to accept the cultural and political differences, rather than constantly complain about how dysfunctional they may be.



Well said, Mr Plum! We often forget about how fortunate we are to have the chance to raise kids in a place which is relatively safe and where most people adore kids. Where we never have to worry about the cold, we live near to the beach, have wonderful and cheap seafood and fruit of every imaginable kind etc. The kids will never forget this kind of comfort. And once those of us head on back to the UK, I'm sure we'll have more than alot of explaining to our kids about why we have taken them away from these pleasures and have replaced them with unsafe streets, tasteless fruit, and bloody cold, miserable weather!

[yabz]

The campus where Somtawin has the English program is quite far out of town and the stretch of road leading to it is dangerous, so for kindergarten Yamsaard is the only practical option.

I'm satisfied with it by and large although it would be nice if there was a PTA. Would any other parents be interested in trying to form one?

[bigideas]

The campus where Somtawin has the English program is quite far out of town and the stretch of road leading to it is dangerous, so for kindergarten Yamsaard is the only practical option.

I'm satisfied with it by and large although it would be nice if there was a PTA. Would any other parents be interested in trying to form one?

I certainly would, (if PTA means parent, teacher association). Is that what it means? However, I work from Friday to Sunday in Bangkok, so am only available Monday to Thursday.