wstefanc

I think my post here: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__4512361 is worth a read, but it sounds like a Visa is the real motivation here.  Some other posts in the above post are good too...

You might want to look at my previous post in the Thai Language forum about the various language schools available and my in person investigation...

http://www.thaivisa....61#entry4512361

Last year, I spent a couple of weeks visiting all the Thai Language Schools I could find in Chiang Mai.  My goal was to find a school that would help me improve my Thai Language skills dramatically over the course of a month or two.  I visited and observed a number of classes and materials from AUA, Payap, YMCA and chatted with folks at the Chiang Mai Rajabhat University about their Intensive Thai Course.  I also talked to several other private Thai schools and examined their teaching materials.

At Payap, I took a brief exam consisting of some reading and conversation. They stated I should start their Thai 6 class.  I was impressed with the folks I interacted with there.

At YMCA in Chiang Mai, I observed several classes including an entire reading and writing class which permitted me to participate that hit at about my level.  It appeared that the beginning YMCA classes had less serious students while the advanced classes had people serious about the language.

On my last day in Chiang Mai I learned that the Chiang Mai Rajabhat University offered an Intensive Thai Course.  I visited late that afternoon and talked with some people in the office.  However, I wasn't able to learn much beyond the brochure they gave me.  The brochure says it is a 6 hour / day 5 day a week class (204 course hours over 34 days for 20k baht).  This sounded like more than I could deal with, but still intrigues me.  Next time I am in Chiang Mai, I intend to go there to observe a class.  

After all the visiting, which was great fun,  I was left with the impression that Payap was probably the right program for me.  There was a chance that CM Rajabhat is a hidden gem with another look.  If I couldn't afford either of those, the YMCA "serious student" track would be the next choice, but probably wasn't intense enough.

Most Thai people I meet consider me a นักเรียนจริงจัง so what I am looking for might not be what most folks are looking for.   I just love learning the language, reading, writing and speaking.  I have no interest in learning Thai as means to a visa, etc.

Good luck!

I have looked for tutors both in the US and in TH.  In general I don't learn well in groups so a high quality tutor has been a requirement from day 1 for me.  Good ones are hard to come by but I have managed to have some great successes.  In general, I take a pretty agressive approach to finding the language assistance I desire so I am not sure how typical I am.

In Thailand, I looked for tutors by the following means with various degrees of success:

• Foreign language programs at universities or other language institutes.  Find someone willing to work outside the business.
• Almost any bulletin board at a Thai/Farang interface point.
• Bulletin boards at guesthouses.
• Word of mouth from guesthouse owners.
• Word of mouth from Farang who speak good Thai.

In the USA, there are only 2 methods that have borne any fruit:

• The local Thai Temple.
• Craigslist

Hope this helps folks looking for a great tutor!