Imagine studying in a country like Thailand… Imagine rewarding yourself with a weekend on the beach after a hard week’s study, or trekking through the jungle as soon as your exams are over! Whether for full blown degree programs or short vocational courses, more and more people are making Thailand part of their educational objectives and becoming ‘Educational Tourists’.
With fewer Thai students studying abroad over the last decade, foreign universities opened campuses in Thailand or made agreements with Thai universities to run ‘Dual’ (or ‘Twinning’) degree programs - foreign degrees run at Thai universities. As a result, Thailand has a huge choice of international-level education options and is a major draw for students all over the world looking for world-class education.
Of course, to benefit from higher education at an ‘English-medium’ university, students must understand English well. For many years there has been a booming domestic market for English language courses in Thailand; a market driven by Thai students who appreciate the benefits of studying with a native English speaking teacher. As a result, there are countless teaching jobs available to foreign teachers in Thailand, both at commercial language centres and within the state system. Such is the demand for teachers that visitors often include teaching English as part of their itinerary for a trip to Thailand. Would-be-teachers do though need training and as a result of there has been a dramatic rise in the number of English teacher training courses available in the Kingdom. Whether it’s short courses that give you the basics, or detailed internationally recognized courses that offer a stepping stone into the English teaching profession, there is certainly a course in Thailand to meet your needs.
English though is not the only language you can study in Thailand. As the country takes its place on the international stage, its influence grows around the world. Increasingly, people take Thai language lessons for business and educational purposes, or simply build a short language course into their stay in the country for fun. As a result, a number of commercial Thai language centres catering for expatriates and visitors have emerged to give people an insight into the language.
Of course, with the rise of tourism to Thailand the world is now interested in all things Thai - particularly Thai food. There is an abundance of centres in Thailand teaching foreigners the intricacies of preparing Thai cuisine… and very popular they are, too! With the worldwide boom in Spas and ‘Wellness’, the demand for masseurs able to offer Thai massage is increasing and the number of visitors studying massage in Thailand growing. Likewise, more and more visitors take courses in traditional Thai medicine to become practitioners in their own countries. What follows is a sample of courses for ‘Educational Tourists’:
Educational Tourism in Thailand
British Council
Whether you are a complete beginner, getting ready to study overseas or would like to brush up on your business English, the British Council has an English course for you. Courses include General English, Academic English, English for Business and preparation for important examinations like IELTS. These courses are available at the British...
Watpho Thai Traditional Medicine School (Wat Pho)
Phra Wat Chetaphon (Wat Pho) in Bangkok is widely regarded as being the chief school of massage Thailand. It is here that legions of traditional massage practitioners learn their skills through very intensive, detailed and extensive courses. Wat Pho offers a series of courses to foreigners alongside its core courses; they are though, very different...
AUA Language Centres
AUA (American University Alumini) is one of the most recognised names in English language training in Thailand offering multilevel courses to both Thai students and an increasing number of students from other countries in the region and beyond. Taking a ‘multi-skill’ approach to training AUA’s ‘Regular Program’...
Thai Massage School of Chiang Mai (TMC)
Thai Massage School of Chiang Mai (TMC) is a fully accredited centre providing short courses in Thai massage including ‘Basic Thai Massage’ and ‘Thai Foot Reflexology’. Three basic levels of tuition take 90 hours. This is the only Thai government approved Thai massage school to teach 300- and 600-hour ‘Government...
ECC (Thailand)
Established in 1983, English and Computer College (ECC) is the largest private language school in Thailand. The school has branches throughout Thailand and runs a wide variety of courses from general conversation to specialist test preparation courses. With a predominantly native English speaking staff, ECC is firmly committed to providing...
The Oriental Thai Cooking School
The Oriental Hotel in Bangkok is consistently voted amongst the top 10 hotels in the world. One the reasons is its excellent food. A natural extension of its kitchens, the Oriental now has its own Thai cooking school. The school offers a four-day English-language cooking course with a “watch and learn” methodology, emphasising...
AAA Thai Language School
AAA is run by a former head of the Union Language School and uses the same methodology. Emphasis is on small groups that only use Thai during classroom activities and intensive study aimed at students getting immediate results. AAA Thai Language School 35 WANNASORN TOWER, 10th floor, Phayathai Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok Thailand 10400 Tel:...
Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School
Established in 1993, the Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School is a family business run by a married couple. Their courses provide an introduction to Thai cuisine taking a systematic approach to the essentials (ingredients, paste making, etc.). Five different courses are available each designed to take only one day. The price of a one-day course is 990...
Baan Thai Cooking School
Baan Thai Cooking School provides training in a genuine Thai setting which enables students to learn how to cook real Thai food. Located in central Chiang Mai, the school has skilled teachers offering 5 levels of tuition. Whether you are an expert or an amateur, Baan Thai has a course that can accommodate your needs. Classes are held during the day...
Patong Language School
Patong Language School (PLS) prides itself on being the most experienced language training provider on Phuket offering Thai to foreigners alongside a suite of foreign language courses delivered to locals. Courses provide study materials have been developed by PLS and continually updated. This is another great choice for people interested in...
PRO Language
For people who like a guided approach to language learning, PRO Language offers “sequential and systematic” Thai lessons. Course contents cover a range of every day interactions and provide language that can also be used in business situations. Alongside development of spoken Thai the training develops reading and writing skills....
Wayfarers Thailand Thai Cookery School
Wayfarers Thailand Thai Cookery School in Chiang Mai provides one- or two-day training courses to private groups. The training is student directed in that a training group decides what dishes it wants to be able to prepare and the training is moulded to this requirement. Plenty of time is given to question and answer sessions. Price is according to...
Kao Hom Cooking School
Kao Hom Cooking School takes a systematic look at a range of key Thai dishes, explaining precisely how to prepare the dish to absolute perfection. Their belief is that with this absolute knowledge of preparation of a dish, students have a solid platform on which to improvise and establish their own culinary style. The school’s program...
Union Language School
The Union Language School offers Thai language tuition at a range of levels. With small classes, tuition is very intensive and results are quickly and easily achieved. The initial courses focus on spoken Thailand, with writing skills introduced during the third level of instruction. The school is recognised as one of the key centres in Thailand to...
inlingua School of Languages
inlingua School of Languages is another franchise language school with headquarters in Berne, Switzerland. Well-known for high standards, inlingua offers Thai language courses alongside its suite of foreign language tuition courses. The four-level programme covers learning Thai phonetics, vowels, tones, numbers, greetings, introductions, common...
Ruamrudee International School
Located in Minburi and founded by the Redemptorist Fathers of Thailand and the Sisters of Holy Infant Jesus in September 1957, Ruamrudee International School follows an American curriculum and is one of the more established International Schools available. The school aims to provide the best education available while nurturing students’...
Bangkok Patana School
Bangkok Patana School offers world-class education to over 2000 children and young adults from around the world. The school offers ‘British Curriculum’ education, that being education provided using exactly the same content prescribed by the British Ministry of Education for inclusion in the British state system leading to GCSE and...
RC International School and Ruam Rudee Learning Centre
The school is one of the fastest growing international schools in Thailand and offers quality education based on the British Curriculum for children ages 18 months to 12 years old. The school community is comprised of students, teachers and staff from various parts of the globe with varied cultural orientation and experience. The school’s...
Berlitz International, Inc.
Berlitz International, Inc. is one of the world’s largest and best recognized language centres in the world providing expert language instruction for over 125 years. Berlitz has its own approach, methodology and teaching materials all delivered by ‘native-fluent’ teachers who are trained to deliver courses the Berlitz way. They...
International House Bangkok
International House (IH) has branches in many countries in the world and is renowned for delivering quality English language instruction. The organization prides itself on well-trained, professional native English-speaking teachers and the highest possible quality resources. Focus is on small groups in pleasant classrooms and a caring, personal...
The TEFL Institute
The 120-Hour TEFL Teacher Training course offers participants the practical experience and classroom skills they need to become confident, effective teachers of English. The course is split between Teaching Methodology (35%) where participants view a series of lesson demonstrations and discuss the elements of a successful lesson, Language Analysis...
Bangkok School of Management
Come spend a term or a year abroad in Bangkok, Thailand and earn transferable university credits while spending the summer holiday in Thailand! Bangkok School of Management offers courses in Business Administration, Marketing, International Business, Small Business Management and others, which are transferable to colleges and universities...
KIS International School
KIS International School is community of dedicated teachers, supportive parents and enthusiastic students representing over 30 countries around the world. Established in 1998, KIS is an IB world school and offers the International Baccalaureate Programs. By combining IB philosophies with our academically challenging curriculum, the programs promote...
Spencer International
Spencer International runs a selection of teacher training programmes accredited by Chichester College (UK). Held in Bangkok, the training leads to a basic certificate in TEFL which enables novice teachers to acquire the skills they need to conduct English language classes. The course is run five times a year at the Spencer International Training...
Thai Solutions
Thai Solutions helps you gain better understanding of the Thai language. The Thai Solutions method makes learning a language really enjoyable. Designed for people who need to learn enough Thai...
St. Andrews International School
St. Andrews International Schools Thailand is comprised of 3 campuses, all owned and operated by Cognita UK,- a British owned and run educational management organization.(www.cognitaschools.co.uk). There are 3 schools in the St Andrews group - Sathorn, Sukhumvit 107 and Green Valley, Rayong. ( www.standrews-schools.com ) Sathorn is a primary...
Stamford International University
Stamford International University offers a range of degree programs to undergraduates. Offered in conjunction with Shiller International University (an accredited American university with campuses in England, France, Germany, Spain and Switzerland), Thai and international students at Stamford can study in any of the 8 Shiller campuses around Europe...
International School of Bangkok
Recognized as one of the finest international schools in Asia, this is one of Thailand’s original International Schools and a name that is immediately recognizable in Bangkok. Established in 1951, International School Bangkok (ISB) follows a predominantly American educational system and syllabus but has qualified and experienced teachers from...
International Training Massage School
International Training Massage School offers massage courses for people with all levels of experience. Whether you are a complete beginner, or a well-versed at massage, the school will definitely have a course for you to follow. Classes provide demonstrations of movements followed be adequate ‘question and answer’ time. This then leads...
NIST International School
The first and only full, not-for-profit IB World School in Thailand, NIST International School was established in 1992 with the guidance and support of the United Nations. The school now welcomes over 1,500 students of over 50 nationalities and provides all three International Baccalaureate programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle...
St. Stephen’s International School
St. Stephen’s International School believes that educating students is not simply equipping them to be survivors in a competitive world, but ensuring they become good leaders within their communities. St. Stephen’s students are equipped with the ability to apply wide-ranging knowledge and skills to their daily lives and ultimately to...
Harrow International School
Harrow International School, Bangkok is an independent school modelled on the traditions of the British public school system operating in full association with its British namesake. Harrow prides itself of offering the best of Britain here in Thailand and comprises ‘Early Years’, ‘Primary’ and ‘Secondary’...
Shrewsbury International School
Shrewsbury International School aims to offer a quality education matching that experienced at its parent school, the world-renowned Shrewsbury School in England. Although a relatively new player in the international school arena, it has substantial backing from local business and has quickly developed a reputation as an integral component of the...
University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce
The university of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) is a ‘non-profit’ private institution offering a range of International programs including a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Master of Business Administration (Business Communication), Master of Business Administration (International Business: Global MBA), Master of Arts...
Shinawatra University
Shinawatra University is a private university developed to support private sector development in Thailand and within the region. Founded by current Prime Minister, Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra, the university offers a number of English language programs including a full- (20 months) and part-time (24 months) international graduate Master of Business...
St. Theresa International College
St. Theresa International College is a partnership between St Theresa in Thailand and the Inti Group of Colleges of Malaysia. The aim of the college is to provide international education comparable to that received in US and UK universities. To do this the college offers joint academic programs with several overseas universities including Troy...
Webster University
Webster University Thailand is the Asian campus of this nonprofit university. Webster’s offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in areas including business, computer science, psychology, communications, international relations, science, education, fine and performing arts and liberal arts. The university’s network allows...
