Thailand Education Visa: Pro and Cons

What are the advantages of a Thai Education Visa for studying Thai?

While there are several options for you to study in Thailand, the most common reason for obtaining an ED Visa is to learn Thai at a language school.

An education visa for learning Thai is a popular visa provided by many schools in Thailand and it also provides students with additional benefits over the Tourist Visa. The school does not accompany you to Immigration every 3 months to renew your visa, which is a disadvantage of this Visa in comparison to others. It can take up to a half-day to visit Immigration to renew an ED Visa.

What are the advantages of attending a Thai Language School?

1. Discipline & Concentration – The habit of learning Thai 2 evenings a week and consistently keeping yourself inspired to learn at home or when travelling can keep you on track and help you maintain discipline. Attending daily classes on a weekly basis will help you progress.

2. Make new friends – One of the most common advantages of studying in Thailand is the opportunity to meet new people. Even if you only speak a few words of Thai, you can make new friends and meet people from all over the world. The social aspect of learning is just as rewarding as the learning itself.

3. Boost your experiences with Thais – You’ll be able to communicate with a Thai instructor as well as locals, and you’ll be able to put what you’ve learned into practice with them because they’ll be happy to assist you. Speaking with people from all backgrounds of life helps to broaden one’s understanding of how Thai society works on a daily basis.

4. Tracking Progress Effectively – Being in a class helps you to see your progress in real-time, compare your test scores to your peers and respond to the teacher’s questions in class. Some people excel in a competitive climate while others would rather not equate themselves to others’ skills. It can be inspiring to see others’ success and be motivated to push yourself, get an idea of where you need to change and be able to set your sights on where you want to go.

5. Levels and Accreditation – A certificate is proof that you’ve mastered Thai to a certain level and serves as a motivator to keep going and reach the next level. Achieving a higher level is satisfying, and it may be useful when applying for jobs.

6. Obtain a Student Visa – It’s not so much about studying as it is about figuring out how to stay in the country for longer without having to leave. You can study on an ED visa for 6-14 months depending on the offer you purchase from the language school; however, you must report to immigration every 90 days.

What are the disadvantages of attending a Thai Language School?

1. The Price – You will be charged a monthly fee for attending a school and the better the school, the higher the fee will be. Learning is an excellent investment but if you’re on a tight budget home study or online classes might be a better long-term option for you.

2. Learning the same thing over and over again – Routine learning or the memorization of information through repetition is how most language schools teach you. They follow a syllabus from books in a classroom setting, going through the chapters one by one until they are completed, with little variation because their job advancement is contingent on completing the modules.

3. Learning Non-Conversational/Irrelevant Thai language – Some languages or quotations learned in school are not widely used in everyday Thai conversation and can be confusing. Another issue is a lack of casualty which means that no one outside of the school understands what they’re saying. Don’t keep your Thai skills to yourself in the classroom. Find a Thai friend with whom you can practice or talk to Thais in stores and restaurants.

4. Time-Consuming – Some people simply cannot commit to a school and in the case of the gym, many people pay the subscription fee but seldom use it resulting in a waste of money. Attending school is a long-term commitment so make sure you have the time. Consider the time it takes to get to and from school as well as the possibility of being assigned homework. While the online learning program is beneficial, the school is a powerful motivator.