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New Timetable

 

Don’t miss the start of our new semester next week! If you have any questions about times, dates, levels, or anything else you can think of, please contact us via email, phone, or in person at our office.

 

 

We are always accepting new students, so tell your friends, shout it from the rooftops, and share our posts online! Don’t forget, you get a 10% discount if you refer a friend.

MOE at KSTVS

An interview with Koh Samui Language School

Founder and Director, Dave Belcher, talks about Koh Samui, schools, and ED visas

 

“When did you first open the school?”

 

We opened the school in 2003 in Chaweng, Koh Samui. We were working in Samui’s first international school. We opened a Saturday school for children and ran summer camps for 2 years. We ran children’s classes on Saturdays and on week days. At that time there was no other international school or foreign language programmes in Samui. These classes were very popular. Particularly with children studying at the government schools in Samui, for example St Joseph’s and Tipparat.

 

“Where did you run these classes?”

 

Originally we used the classrooms and campus at Bencaja school in Chaweng. We used the classrooms on Saturdays and after school on week days. We built up a base of children and return students during this time.

 

“What was your next step?”

 

In 2005 we rented a building in Maenam and opened the school where it still is today.  We applied for and received Ministry of Education licenses to teach both Thai and English language curriculums.

 

“What is the most important demand, ED visas or education?”

 

Well, there is a demand in Samui for language lessons. Especially for foreigners, for example Italians, German, and French people. But the most popular thing is to get an education visa and study at the same time. So I would say that most people who come to the school are looking for an education visa and then they choose to learn Thai or English. Of these, English is probably the most popular especially with the Russian community. The majority of our students are Russian, as Russian people seem to want to learn English more than other nationalities and are most interested in an education visa.

 

“How important is the quality of education on Samui?”

 

Education visas are a great way to stay in Thailand over the long term, up to one year and then longer than one year. An Education visa is easier, less hassle, and better than tourist visas over the long term. The quality of language lessons to support education visas is important. Of course when people spend their money to come and learn they are looking for the best quality classes and teachers they can find. Since there are a number of language schools in Samui which offer classes and education visas, it is important to provide the highest standards, the best course, the best teachers, and the best facilities.

 

“How do you find teachers? How often do they change? How do you assess their suitability for the job?”

 

Firstly, we advertise for positions on websites for example ajarn.com. We find teachers who want to come to Thailand or that are already in Thailand, for example in Bangkok, and would be interested in coming to Samui. Secondly, by word of mouth; a lot of people write us emails or call us or come into the school because they heard from other people that we hire teachers. We have a good reputation and people know that we are a good school to work for.

 

Teachers do change quite a lot, it is the nature of the island that most people do not live here for a long time or permanently. Most people will stay here 6 months to one year, possibly a little longer. The nature of teachers who come to Thailand is that they want to move around and travel and see the world and different places. So it is a challenge to get teachers to stay. We have been fortunate and had a few teachers who have stayed long term, for example 2 to 3 years is not uncommon. But it is a challenge and we have to address it by trying to make a good team and a good working environment and paying a competitive salary. For example our Headteacher for corporate lessons has already been with us 3 years. In the past we were lucky to have a teacher called Rose who also stayed with us 2 or 3 years, and several teachers before that also stayed more than 3 years.

 

We always hire native speakers, even though they are more expensive, so most of our teachers come from the UK, USA, South Africa, and Canada. We look for people with degrees and qualifications in education; the best is a degree in linguistics or a diploma in teaching English as a second language, or another kind of degree in education. But other than that we also always look for a recognized TEFL certificate, for example Cambridge Certificate of English Language teaching to adults is the best in the world, or something of similar quality. At the moment we are lucky enough to have a Headteacher who has a degree in education.

 

“Who are your students? Why does someone want to come to learn English in Thailand?”

 

As mentioned most of our students are Europeans and Russians. I think that most people want to study English in Thailand because they want to live in a beautiful tropical island with a great lifestyle and beautiful place to live. And after that it’s a good opportunity to learn English or Thai. The prices here are very competitive and much cheaper than back home in Europe or Russia. And obtaining an education visa and studying is a very convenient way to stay in Thailand.

 

“There are 8 language schools on Samui, why someone should come to KSTVS? What are you doing to improve your school and ensure you are the best school available?”

 

We were the first school here, of course, but that does not mean that we don’t try to keep ahead of the competition and continually improve. We have the most experience and the best reputation. We’ve been here the longest and the reason for that is we’ve always been successful in supplying high quality language courses that customers are interested in. We are always looking to reinvest our profit in hiring better teachers and staff to improve the quality of our classes. We invest in our classrooms and resources, for example this year we have invested in projectors and tablets for providing eteaching material in the classroom, using a DVD version of our textbooks. We are now delivering lessons using an interactive format. In addition we are embracing technology by buying Active Teach student packages from the publisher Longmans, so that our students can complete workbook assignments online in their own time. We also invest a lot in our textbooks and research them carefully to ensure we get the best available. Our Thai text books come from England and are probably the best Thai text books you can find anywhere in the world. Our English textbooks are either Cutting Edge or New English File by Oxford University Press and Speak Out which we use for our conversation classes. In addition, we try to keep prices low and competitive as we believe it is better to have a wide range of students and a large body of students who are happy with the service and the value they receive than to charge people a lot of money and have unhappy customers.

 

“Do you have any plans for the future?”

 

Yes, we want to make online classes that would use the Longmans Active Teach online material and Microsoft learning tools like OneNote class notebooks. This would allow students to have an online tutor, use the same material, but study remotely from home and still have their work graded and reviewed by a teacher.

We would also like to arrange live internet sessions with the teacher using Skype and stream our classes live on the net for people to watch remotely.

We are planning to open a school in Krabi and Phuket, and possibly another branch here on Samui, perhaps in the south of the island in Lamai.

In the corporate world of teaching, we are working on our hospitality and hotels programs, which we are currently turning into e-learning material; both blended solutions for the classroom and apps that students can use by themselves if they are working in hotels.

Finally, we want to start Chinese classes in the school with ED visas.

 

Do you want to know more? Send us an email, phone us, or visit us in our office. We are always happy to answer your questions.

 

New courses, new books, new knowledge!

 

Don’t miss out on your chance to improve your language skills and open a world of opportunities.

Koh Samui Language School

 

Koh Samui Tutor and Vocational School is Samui’s oldest licensed Thai and English Language School. With Thai and English owners, we take the finest aspects from both cultures and combine them to provide an unforgettable educational experience.

 

Our ability to provide education visas has helped us to create a stable learning environment for our students. Stable and secure working and learning environments are almost just as important as the teacher you have.

 

Our triple award winning educational institute is the most accredited, long running, successful language and vocational school in Samui. With almost 10,000 satisfied students to date, affordable courses, no hassle education visa service, and highly trained professional staff, we really are the first choice language school on Koh Samui.

Our Courses

 

Our brand new courses start in July.  Whether you’re looking to improve your conversation skills, study for IELTS, or start leaning Thai, we cater for all your educational needs.

Please browse our courses on our website for more information. You can then click the “Register” button to sign up for the class. Or, feel free to call in to our Maenam office to discuss your options in more detail and meet the teachers.

Cutting Edge Third Edition

 

We use the brand new Cutting Edge Third Edition for our English courses. Engaging texts, new video content, and a comprehensive digital package are just some of the new features that make the new courses even more effective. New features of the course include ‘Language Live’ and World Culture lessons that actively encourage students to expand their knowledge of global issues and participate in classroom discussions.

 

Keep motivated with a striking design and fresh new content

 

  • New ‘World Culture’ DVD lessons encourage the discussion of global issues and provide greater international perspective.
  • New writing lessons help with emails, letters, reports, etc.
  • The ActiveTeach with interactive whiteboard tools, DVD, audio, transcripts, dictionary and additional resources aid learning.

 

Improve quicker with more practise and better reference tools

 

  • The new ‘Study, Practise, Remember’ section at the back of the book provides integrated language summaries and practise exercises.
  • The ‘Student DVD’ with audio and video plus transcripts allows you to review the lessons and catch up if you miss a class.
  • The new feedback functionality and exercises in ‘MyEnglishLab’ give you greater control of your learning.

 

MyEnglishLab

 

MyEnglishLab is an online tool, provided for free with our new course books. You complete your face-to-face instruction at school to introduce new topics and ideas then complete extra learning outside class using the online tools.

 

You practise the content you have learned at school in an interactive environment, with instant feedback and tips to scaffold your learning.

 

Each activity is built into a lesson plan and helps you practise speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

 

MyEnglishLab builds assessment into each activity, so you don’t need to take sit-down tests every week in order to monitor your progress and performance.

 

You can use the MyEnglishLab gradebook to see where you need improvement and it helps us as teachers personalise your learning journey. With a quick look at the gradebook or common error report, teachers can ensure that we target your weak areas. MyEnglishLab will show us how you are performing, so we don’t need to guess what you’re finding difficult.

 

Don’t hesitate. Contact us today!

Saturday School

Reading, writing, speaking, listening, and FUN!

Our Saturday School offers students the best learning experience possible!

We provide an interactive, engaging learning experience that gives students the opportunity to make friends, have fun, and learn something new!

We offer small groups with highly qualified teachers. Our teachers guide students through a fun and educational English course that encourages them to build competence and confidence as learners. Our course includes an excellent variety of creative activities that encourage children to develop academic, personal, and social skills.

 

TOEFL/IELTS Preparation Course

 

International students and workers must take a standardised test of English to move into higher levels of education and employment.

There are two popular tests that universities and employers use. They are the Test of English as a Foreign Language, TOEFL, and the International English Language Testing System, IELTS. They are both internationally recognised qualifications that demonstrate English-language proficiency.

The exams are similar in content and assessment. See our handy conversion scale below.

Our NEW preparation course will ensure you have all the skills necessary to take either test and achieve your desired score.

Who is this course for?

 

  • Students planning to study at a higher education institution

 

  • People wanting to travel to English speaking countries

 

  • English-language learners who want to track their progress

 

  • Students and workers applying for visas

 

 Are you ready to open a world of opportunity?

Sign up now!

 

30 hour course

Starting on Tuesday 29th August 2017

Every Tuesday and Thursday 2:45pm – 4:45pm

6,000 baht