The Advantages Of An International School Education In Thailand

You have landed a great job in Bangkok, Thailand, and now you and your family are beginning a new life as expats in this amazing place! There is so much to think about, where to live, how to get around, where to shop, and rest assured there are wonderful options for all of those, but there is one thing on your list that you will have to put a lot of careful thought into- your children's education!

Thailand has a public education system, which like any such entity, has its pros and cons. If you and your family intend to live in Thailand for the rest of your lives it may be an attractive option, your kids will effectively grow up Thai, fully immersed in the language and culture! However, there are some drawbacks, for example, your child's chances of fluency in English or other foreign languages is frankly going to diminish, relegated to a few hours a week taught by someone who is unlikely to be a native speaker. So, the other option is to enrol your children in a school like an International Primary School in Bangkok where English will be the main language of the curriculum, but yes, they will still have ample exposure to Thai as well! International schools are the most popular option for expat families, so let's take a look at what they have to offer your children.

The excellent, high-quality curriculums are one of the big advantages of choosing an international school. The unfortunate fact is that the local Thai curriculum isn't usually recognised by worldwide universities, whereas international school curricula are designed specifically to be globally recognised and accredited. Graduating students will receive a diploma that is on par with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, American High School Diploma, and the British A-Levels, making successful application to universities in one's original country, or pretty much anywhere around the world, effectively guaranteed.

Another hallmark of excellence of the international school can be found right in the name, "international"! Learning in a diverse, multicultural environment while making friends with children from all around the world, gives children the advantage of understanding that there are many different ways of life, making them more easily adaptable, and fostering a more open-minded attitude than a monocultural education experience does. Qualities such as respect, tolerance, empathy, and the ability to understand those who may be different from themselves are traits that mark great business leaders that will serve them well in later life, particularly if they themselves seek a career that places them in the global arena.

International schools also have the advantage of being very well funded, with budgets that allow them to achieve very high educational standards. In general, class size is quite small, allowing for personalised attention from their teachers that will better help them identify their skill sets and passions. The classes also take place in modern, well-appointed facilities with state-of-the-art technology and comforts that include air conditioning, a feature most Thai public schools eschew. 

If you would like to find out more, visit this Thai Government Education website. We hope you and your family enjoy your exciting new life in Thailand!