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[dindong]

My turn...................

[MacWalen]

dindong, on 2012-02-03 13:18:26, said:

MacWalen, on 2012-02-02 12:58:55, said:

dindong, on 2012-02-02 11:40:29, said:

Not everyone agrees with their method
http://www.thaivisa....i-goodnot-good/

maybe the exception, were the two members who just happened to join thaivisa the very same day.
also trumping your chest and knocking the competition is not a great way to do business.

Also you refer to a very old post. We are making progress all the time and improving things that need improving. We will as with other Walen schools offer free demonstration lessons so you can come and see for yourself.
Get to know us and you might like us.

Very new post.
http://www.scam.com/...ad.php?t=137827

Read it carefully and you will see that what they write is nonsense. Covered also in other parts of this forum, but good try, keep searching.

Regarding being arrogant, not sure what is the definition then. We offer a solid quality service. That is stating facts.

[toybits]

If Walen's main come-on is to offer Education Visas to its foreign students, then there is something very wrong with this school.

[leosmith]

MacWalen, on 2012-02-03 01:34:32, said:

Don't tell me it is only because we are good at marketing

Why not? Afraid of the truth?

MacWalen, on 2012-02-03 01:34:32, said:

I really have to question your understanding of the business as you must be saying that the mister market is wrong and you are right and that is simply not possible, market is always right.

What nonsense. Have you never heard of Nova? Biggest english school in Japan goes bust, laying off thousands of employees. They had the best marketing, and best business out there for some time. Due to the superb marketing machine, it took a long time, but enough of the masses of students figured out that the results were terrible, and started canceling classes like crazy. The company started refusing to hold some classes, due to cut income, and the issue got worse. Finally they went under. I feel sorry for all those students and teachers who didn't get paid, but good riddance to a school that valued cash so much that they neglected their teaching.

Now this kind of thing happens a lot. A company moves in with some cash, starts a strong advertising campaign, and captures a share of the market. It does not mean that the product is good. It has nothing to do with the product at all. It amazes me you are trying to convince everyone it does - how dumb do you think people are?

However, I don't deny that your company appears to be doing well financially. And I believe that people can successfully get visas through you, as with just about any other school out there. But I don't care about those things. I care about the quality of your education. The facts are that your students don't pass the Thai proficiency test. And if they have no other background in Thai, they don't speak well. You don't teach conversation in your school. Talking about how great your business is, how pretty your teachers are, how well you process a visa, etc, doesn't erase these facts.

MacWalen, on 2012-02-03 01:34:32, said:

When my staff will read your not so nice comments I am sure they will get even more determined to get better at what we do.

I doubt it. I already offered to tell you what some of the other schools do for conversation, but you chose not to take me up on it. That tells me you aren't interested in improving.

MacWalen, on 2012-02-03 01:34:32, said:

For those who are new to this forum, for years we had attempts by competitors and supporters of other schools

More nonsense. I'm not affiliated in any way with any school. I would recommend just about any other school over yours due to the shortcomings of your teaching method.  

Walen School - striving to be the next Nova

[klikster]

leosmith, on 2012-02-03 21:52:08, said:

You don't teach conversation in your school.

Is this statement really true? Seriously?

[Thighlander]

MacWalen, on 2012-02-03 01:34:32, said:

leosmith, thank you for your opinion. If we are so bad how come we are the largest and most successful Thai school? Don't tell me it is only because we are good at marketing and the teachers are pretty. Right now I am in the Philippines in Angeles City and our school here is also constantly growing here. Again just marketing? I really have to question your understanding of the business as you must be saying that the mister market is wrong and you are right and that is simply not possible, market is always right. So if we sell successfully what we offer for more than 10 year who are you to question that? That means it at least good for most of the potential students.

Anyway leosmith, good try. I am afraid however your discouraging techniques will not work, no offense. We are really good at what we do. When my staff will read your not so nice comments I am sure they will get even more determined to get better at what we do.

For those who are new to this forum, for years we had attempts by competitors and supporters of other schools to discredit Walen with little or not success so even what leosmith is doing now can only result in more students wanting to try our system of teaching, after all we offer demo lesson for free so nothing to lose.

Walen School - try for yourself

You write in Flip English.  I notice about 12 errors in your opening post.  Perhaps you moved closer to the border so your teachers can renew their 15 day visas more easily.
Please ask the CMU Language Schools about their CANCELLED PROGRAMS.  It also appears that Walen is involved in multi-level marketing.

Edited by Thighlander, 2012-02-04 12:29:04.

[leosmith]

klikster, on 2012-02-04 08:02:58, said:

leosmith, on 2012-02-03 21:52:08, said:

You don't teach conversation in your school.

Is this statement really true? Seriously?

The descriptions he has given of how he teaches conversation are basically students answering questions that are in their books when prompted by the teacher. Imo, this is not teaching conversation.

[sceadugenga]

The notoriously arrogant sceadugenga who has just noticed this thread....  (I'm arrogant, not observant ) congratulates Walen School on the three pages of free advertising they have achieved here.
Obviously it has not been noticed by George.
Sceadugenga is also available for any well paid teaching positions going in Angeles City, having wiled away a pleasant hour or two in the bars there in the past. (For the uninitiated, it makes Pattaya seem almost religious by comparision).

Edited by sceadugenga, 2012-02-05 07:18:39.

[Lizard2010]

Give him a go.
There are other schools that are probaly worse.
No school is perfect.
Thought i would put me bit in.
Before George or a moderator shuts the topic down.

[pomchop]

I don't know walen from a bag of beans...but...unless i missed something he runs a business and his potential customers are free to buy his services or not......or as they say in LOS....UP TO YOU...ultimately the customers will decide which business will survive and/or thrive and which won't...I suspect that if he has somehow scammed a bunch of people that Thai visa would have a few hundred pages of "scam reports"?

It appears that he does offer a "free trial" that allows you to sample the menu before you place an order?

So again...UP TO YOU.

[Paul888]

sceadugenga, on 2012-02-05 07:17:31, said:

The notoriously arrogant sceadugenga who has just noticed this thread....  (I'm arrogant, not observant ) congratulates Walen School on the three pages of free advertising they have achieved here.
Obviously it has not been noticed by George.
Sceadugenga is also available for any well paid teaching positions going in Angeles City, having wiled away a pleasant hour or two in the bars there in the past. (For the uninitiated, it makes Pattaya seem almost religious by comparision).

I think you will find he is an advertiser mate. Different rules.

[toybits]

MacWalen, you were attacked because of your haughty attitude. A person or organization (you obviously represent the organization) could be more humble to accept a typo. Instead you decided to label Stoneyboy as being unfriendly.  Very immature and very discouraging. Not very good advertising.  I guess - what Chiang Rai folks (at least the expatriate population) think is that we do not need another language school. There are already enough schools and missionaries at Chiang Rai. Have a GREATday.

MacWalen, on 2012-02-03 10:04:48, said:

toybits, on 2012-02-03 09:50:19, said:

I have a problem with your attitude MacWalen.

Dear sir, we will provide a valuable service for many residents of Chiang Rai. I am as you can see being attacked by some for no good reason so just responding. It is always easy to criticize but much harder to do something that is of benefit to others. Sure, we are not perfect but we certainly are trying to do our best and I am sure residents of Chiang Rai will be better off  having a choice.

MacWalen, on 2012-01-31 12:22:43, said:

Dear stoneyboy, do you know what you are talking about? Also this is Walen not wale. You do not seem to be very friendly.

Edited by toybits, 2012-02-06 10:49:50.

[Paul888]

toybits, on 2012-02-06 10:48:20, said:

MacWalen, you were attacked because of your haughty attitude. A person or organization (you obviously represent the organization) could be more humble to accept a typo. Instead you decided to label Stoneyboy as being unfriendly.  Very immature and very discouraging. Not very good advertising.  I guess - what Chiang Rai folks (at least the expatriate population) think is that we do not need another language school. There are already enough schools and missionaries at Chiang Rai. Have a GREATday.

I don''t klnow what is funnier.......

You claiming to speak on behalf of all expats in Chiang Rai, or the fact that you don't seem to understand that even if you did it wouldn't matter a toss as nobody that could prevent the licensing of another school cares what you or the entire expat community thinks.

We are all visitors here remember, so just leave the man to get on with his business and let the expat community make up its own mind.

Edited by Paul888, 2012-02-06 19:30:59.

[toybits]

What's in it for you Paul888? Are you the official apoligist of MacWalen?

[leosmith]

Paul888,
There are some questions that I'm still hoping you will answer.

klikster, on 2012-02-03 12:49:41, said:

If it takes a school to make you consider learning Thai, you may want to reconsider your priorities.

Why are you depending on a school to motivate you to learn Thai? Don't you live in Thailand?

Paul888, on 2012-02-02 17:47:38, said:

My guess is that they probably are but that the process would be (a lot) more complicated than letting Walen do all the paperwork for you.

Why would you say that?

[Paul888]

Re-read my posts in this thread toybits. I don't think I have been overly pro Walen.

I think that I have been pro letting people decide for themselves and not pissing on a guy's business. That is what my intention was anyway.

For what it is worth, I think that they have an interesting angle with the VIsa thing. I know that doesn't make them a great school, and possibly detracts from the business of running a school, but it is a service that some people would benefit from and they shouldn't be discouraged from investing in Chiang Rai to bring us that service.

You honestly think that nobody here would benefit from a visa that they could obtain without returning to their home country? I am not saying I would but I would be happy to have the option as I have 3 children, and so the cost of me and my family shooting home for a visa renewal is more than 10 times the cost of this educational visa.

If I needed to regularly attend classes and make an effort to learn Thai at the same time then that would give an additional benefit for me in case my children and wife ever get tired of translating things for me.

[Paul888]

leosmith, on 2012-02-07 14:29:37, said:

Paul888,
There are some questions that I'm still hoping you will answer.

klikster, on 2012-02-03 12:49:41, said:

If it takes a school to make you consider learning Thai, you may want to reconsider your priorities.

Why are you depending on a school to motivate you to learn Thai? Don't you live in Thailand?

Paul888, on 2012-02-02 17:47:38, said:

My guess is that they probably are but that the process would be (a lot) more complicated than letting Walen do all the paperwork for you.

Why would you say that?

Yes i live in Thailand, but I am in my forties and not overly motivated to go back to school. I can speak basic Thai to get myself by and have an educated wife and 3 daughters who speak very good English but I can't read a word.

I am also fluent in Spanish which I need to communicate in several times a week, and I also occasionally need to speak French and German so adding another language into my already over-full head has not been something I have considered necessary.

As regards why I would think that Walen make the process easier..... it is just common sense that somebody use to dealing with Thai bureaucracy would handle the process more efficiently than somebody not. Is it not?

I am sure that if you can recommend a better school that can also make the visa process equally as pain free then Walen's service will not appear quite as attractive.

[toybits]

Whether or not you are overly Pro-Walen is not the main point here.

What I am concerned about is that this "School" tries to legitimize persons who have really no business being here. Were it not for their conveniently issued VISA - they would not be here in Thailand. That's the crux of this matter and it is routinely abused.

So who are be those persons that would benefit from this convenient "education" visa? Missionaries? Expats living on pensions from abroad? Overstaying tourists?

Paul888, on 2012-02-07 14:39:00, said:

Re-read my posts in this thread toybits. I don't think I have been overly pro Walen.

I think that I have been pro letting people decide for themselves and not pissing on a guy's business. That is what my intention was anyway.

For what it is worth, I think that they have an interesting angle with the VIsa thing. I know that doesn't make them a great school, and possibly detracts from the business of running a school, but it is a service that some people would benefit from and they shouldn't be discouraged from investing in Chiang Rai to bring us that service.

You honestly think that nobody here would benefit from a visa that they could obtain without returning to their home country? I am not saying I would but I would be happy to have the option as I have 3 children, and so the cost of me and my family shooting home for a visa renewal is more than 10 times the cost of this educational visa.

If I needed to regularly attend classes and make an effort to learn Thai at the same time then that would give an additional benefit for me in case my children and wife ever get tired of translating things for me.

[Paul888]

And why exactly are you in Thailand Toybits?

Why is your presence here more worthy than somebody else's?

As far as I am aware, every VISA application of every sort is assessed by somebody in a position to assess it who either grants or denies it based on set criteria. I don't think Walen are bypassing this are they?

If you are saying that they are it is a serious allegation and you should be prepared to back it up or shut it up.

[MacWalen]

Regarding ED visas we are doing everything according to the directions from the ministry of education and immigration. In Bangkok we also have a full time staff working inside the immigration assisting our students, we are certainly well recognized by the authorities as we have processed the largest number (many thousands) of visas and extensions.

If any potential students of Walen in Chiang Rai required an ED visa assistance we would be happy to provide all the necessary documents.

I am also quite confident we will have a lot of people wanting to learn Thai with us who do not need any visa assistance but just want to learn Thai. We have our own way of teaching and a lot of students like it very much so more choice can be only good.

Walen School - we do not discriminate.

[MacWalen]

toybits, on 2012-02-07 15:02:26, said:

Whether or not you are overly Pro-Walen is not the main point here.

What I am concerned about is that this "School" tries to legitimize persons who have really no business being here. Were it not for their conveniently issued VISA - they would not be here in Thailand. That's the crux of this matter and it is routinely abused.

So who are be those persons that would benefit from this convenient "education" visa? Missionaries? Expats living on pensions from abroad? Overstaying tourists?

Paul888, on 2012-02-07 14:39:00, said:

Re-read my posts in this thread toybits. I don't think I have been overly pro Walen.

I think that I have been pro letting people decide for themselves and not pissing on a guy's business. That is what my intention was anyway.

For what it is worth, I think that they have an interesting angle with the VIsa thing. I know that doesn't make them a great school, and possibly detracts from the business of running a school, but it is a service that some people would benefit from and they shouldn't be discouraged from investing in Chiang Rai to bring us that service.

You honestly think that nobody here would benefit from a visa that they could obtain without returning to their home country? I am not saying I would but I would be happy to have the option as I have 3 children, and so the cost of me and my family shooting home for a visa renewal is more than 10 times the cost of this educational visa.

If I needed to regularly attend classes and make an effort to learn Thai at the same time then that would give an additional benefit for me in case my children and wife ever get tired of translating things for me.

Toybits, this was not nice of you to say that. Come and meet our students. They are quality people and saying that they have "no business of being here" is not going to make you very popular.

[MacWalen]

toybits, on 2012-02-06 10:48:20, said:

MacWalen, you were attacked because of your haughty attitude. A person or organization (you obviously represent the organization) could be more humble to accept a typo. Instead you decided to label Stoneyboy as being unfriendly.  Very immature and very discouraging. Not very good advertising.  I guess - what Chiang Rai folks (at least the expatriate population) think is that we do not need another language school. There are already enough schools and missionaries at Chiang Rai. Have a GREATday.

MacWalen, on 2012-02-03 10:04:48, said:

toybits, on 2012-02-03 09:50:19, said:

I have a problem with your attitude MacWalen.

Dear sir, we will provide a valuable service for many residents of Chiang Rai. I am as you can see being attacked by some for no good reason so just responding. It is always easy to criticize but much harder to do something that is of benefit to others. Sure, we are not perfect but we certainly are trying to do our best and I am sure residents of Chiang Rai will be better off  having a choice.

MacWalen, on 2012-01-31 12:22:43, said:

Dear stoneyboy, do you know what you are talking about? Also this is Walen not wale. You do not seem to be very friendly.

That is indeed the case. I have misunderstood his post and it was a mistake on my part. Nobody's perfect.

Edited by MacWalen, 2012-02-07 22:54:05.

[leosmith]

Paul888, on 2012-02-07 14:50:22, said:

Yes i live in Thailand, but I am in my forties and not overly motivated to go back to school. I can speak basic Thai to get myself by and have an educated wife and 3 daughters who speak very good English but I can't read a word.

I am also fluent in Spanish which I need to communicate in several times a week, and I also occasionally need to speak French and German so adding another language into my already over-full head has not been something I have considered necessary.

As regards why I would think that Walen make the process easier..... it is just common sense that somebody use to dealing with Thai bureaucracy would handle the process more efficiently than somebody not. Is it not?

I am sure that if you can recommend a better school that can also make the visa process equally as pain free then Walen's service will not appear quite as attractive.

Ok, I understand where you're coming from. Personally, if I were living in a country, that country's language would be my highest priority, and if I didn't have time, I would let my other languages slip before that one. I know many expats don't feel that way. But you speak 4 other languages, so I'm surprised it's not a higher priority to you.

Forties is a prime learning age. I started Thai in my forties. And I find that its most efficient to do self study for most aspects of the language. If I go to school, it's mostly to work on conversation. If you are interested in investigating self study a little more, I recommend  http://how-to-learn-...rum/default.asp

I agree with you about having someone else take care of visa issues. I thought you were saying this school was better than the others, so I guess I just misunderstood.

[sceadugenga]

I picked a fair bit of Lao in my 50s, but 10 years down the track I seem to have ground to a halt with Thai. I'm no where near as mentally agile as I used to be and my memory is definitely shot. (OK, OK, some here would deny I ever was mentally agile).
I find this site useful, they send me regular emails with words and phrases. I got it off a member here... apologies for not recalling his name.
http://www.thai-flashcards.com/

[Will27]

toybits, on 2012-02-07 15:02:26, said:

Whether or not you are overly Pro-Walen is not the main point here.

What I am concerned about is that this "School" tries to legitimize persons who have really no business being here. Were it not for their conveniently issued VISA - they would not be here in Thailand. That's the crux of this matter and it is routinely abused.

So who are be those persons that would benefit from this convenient "education" visa? Missionaries? Expats living on pensions from abroad? Overstaying tourists?

toybits
Why should this be any of your concern?
So someone may find it easier to stay in Thailand on this type of visa.
Are you somehow affected by it?

Regards

Will