คอร์สเรียนภาษาสำหรับผู้ใหญ่

Berlitz was the ONLY way I could learn to speak Thai.

As a professional working in Bangkok, it is not necessary I speak Thai. However, I noticed colleagues appreciated my efforts at trying to speak the language. Also, my dependency on others for the simplest tasks was embarrassing. The city of Bangkok and country of Thailand has so much to offer. But the enjoyments are compromised without any language skills.

At first, I tried self-study (worse teacher I ever had-myself!). However, the language is distinctly different from English and proper tonal pronunciation essential. Impossible if you are studying alone. Then, I tried learning from some Thai friends. However, my friends are not trained as language teachers. Also, friends are just that…..Subjecting your Thai friends to this stress is simply not nice. Then I tried learning from two University graduate students in the science fields. Again the students lacked language teaching skills. And the young Thai students were reluctant to correct and firmly guide the senior Professor.

Berlitz has a longstanding superb reputation. With some apprehension, I started my lessons at the Silom branch in Bangkok about two years ago. The office is efficiently run, provides a good teaching environment, and is near public transportation. The Staff has always made an effort to accommodate my work and travel schedule. The teachers are professional and competent. I have been fortunate to have Ruang Sangwarosakul as my primary teacher. She is reliable, organized, skilled and persistent. The latter characteristic is quite important as the student has moments of discouragement. Ruang firmly encourages you to keep going.

At this point, I have accomplished the objective of adequate Thai language skills for limited conversation with my colleagues at work and  enjoyment of Thailand  on my own. However, the more I learn, the more interesting the Thai language becomes.

So I will continue my study of Thai, at Berlitz , of course.

        Professor John J. Kavanagh
 Co-Director Cancer Research Center Chair,
       International Oncology Program
Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Medicine