International English School in Thailand

An Education Learning Training market ready for investing in.

As the second largest economy in ASEAN, accounting for 17% of GDP across ASEAN. Thailand is a strong market for those looking to invest in the English language training marketplace.

68 million

Thai Population

Thailand’s economy features in the top three in terms of size and volume of international trade across the ASEAN region, as well as offering an important gateway to other strong powerful Asian markets, particularly India and China. A market worthy of consideration for any serious investor!
With a globalized economy, the importance of learning English across Thailand is critical, especially in regards to tourism and international business. There is already a common perception in Thailand that knowing the international language of English will help improve career prospects and traveling opportunities.

Although, English has often been identified as a key component in the development of the Thai economy, English proficiency levels here still remain one of the lowest across Asia, with the Education First English Proficiency Index ranking Thailand 53rd, the world’s second-lowest ranking.
There are a number of key factors which are perceived to be a contributing factor towards the low level of English language training across Thailand. Past research has pointed to outdated learning methodologies, poorly trained teachers, and overcrowded classrooms. All issues that the Linguaphone Group are well placed to address with their globally popular English language training program, Direct English.

Interview with British Chamber of Commerce Thailand

The British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT) is working with Linguaphone Group Ltd to help them identify a suitable Master Franchisee for the Group’s Direct English language program for adults across Thailand. Greg Watkins BCCT Executive Director shares his thoughts and advice for anyone considering investing in the Thai market with an International English School.

"Education and training is a big sector in the Thai market"

“Many international companies have made Thailand their ASEAN hub, stimulating demand for skilled English language speaking employees, but there is a significant skills gap in English language speaking employees to meet the needs of these companies. There is definitely a need for a quality language training program in Thailand”

Greg Watkins, Executive Director, British Chamber of Commerce in Thailand

Linguaphone Group across ASEAN
Linguaphone Group Ltd has successfully worked across the ASEAN region for over ten years with our brands, including in Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore and Malaysia. We will also launch in both Cambodia and Vietnam shortly too! We have also been present in Thailand for nearly ten years with our pre-school English language training program, Pingu’s English, working with a successful local Thai Master Licensee who have a growing network across the country.

We are working with the highly respected and well-established British Chamber of Commerce in Thailand to appoint a strong, exclusive Master License for Direct English. Companies and entrepreneurs don’t have to come from the education market, just be able to demonstrate success in developing a strong business across Thailand. And of course the resources, ambition and drive to bring our highly successful comprehensive nine-level ELT program to the B2B and B2C market in Thailand. If you are interested in securing the exclusive license to open a network of corporately owned or franchised Direct English training centers then we want to hear from you!

Read here more on Direct English Franchisee Opportunity

1.What do we offer you as a Direct English Master Licensee?

• The complete know-how and curriculum to run our Direct English system successfully - a program which is already being delivered to hundreds of thousands of students worldwide every year.
• The expertise of a global language training provider with over 110 years of experience in the language training market
• First-class support with training, marketing and business development support including
o A comprehensive bespoke in-country training program delivered by our Training team
o a dedicated Business Development Manager, on hand to support you every step of the way with sales, operations and management
o access to all the Management Manuals needed to run the system, along with all the center design and marketing collateral you’d need from our partner-only Extranet
o personalised marketing and PR support covering everything from digital marketing, to center launches, event management and network development.
• What’s more, from this summer, we have a brand new online platform, Direct English Live for our Master Licensees and their students to benefit from.
For more information on securing the exclusive rights to Direct English across Thailand click here or email us at opportunities@directenglish.ps

2.Check you’re the right fit

Experience in the education sector isn’t necessary with Direct English. We are looking for ambitious, enthusiastic investors with a drive and passion to succeed though. The type of companies and individuals we’re looking for include:-
• Nationwide English language training providers
• Other training providers (including accountancy, management, soft-skills, sales, leadership training companies)
• Education groups with a nationwide or international presence
• Successful franchise owners
• Multinational or large-scale domestic companies not currently involved in education
• Investor groups or entrepreneurs looking for a new opportunity
• With complete exclusivity across the market, you’ll have access to flexible business models, including
• Developing a network of Direct English training centers, either corporately owned or sub-licensed
• Delivering in-company training
• Program licensing
• Exploiting government training tenders

3.Review your commercial capabilities

If you’re appointed as a Master Franchisee, you’ll need enough capital to cover the following costs:

• One-off license fee
• Royalty fees
• Payment for stock
• Set-up and ongoing business costs

The overall investment will vary depending on a range of factors that we’ll help you identify through our discussions.

4.Get in touch

Fill in our contact form to check whether your market is available, and we’ll guide you through the sign-up process, which includes the following phases:
• Initial enquiry
• Conference / Skype call
• Review of Evaluation Pack
• Initial meeting
• Prepare Business Plan
• Second meeting
• Sign contract

Unit Franchise Opportunities:
Interested in becoming a Unit Licensee and opening a single training center with one of our partners instead? Find out here if your country has already a Master Licensee.

Want to receIve more info on how to become a franchise?

Leave here your email. Our team from the Head Offices in London will keep in touch with you to provide more information on the Franchise process.

Read our Inspiring Success Stories from Entrenepeurs who have choosen Direct English

Who is Linguaphone Group?

The Linguaphone Group is a International English School provider, with over 110 years of experience, successfully delivering our Direct English and Pingu’s English programs across Middle East, Asia, Europe and Latin America.

Direct English is our comprehensive nine-level international English language training system, designed to help students to develop proficiency in the English language, whatever their level. What’s more, it’ll help students prepare for the BULATS, IELTS and TOEFL exams, as well as help companies develop their employee’s English language skills.

In-country training programs
Dedicated Business Development Manager
First class marketing and PR support
Comprehensive Management Manuals
Partner-only Partner Online Platform and new Learning Management System
Exclusivity for the Cambodian Market
Globally recognised brand

Direct English Live! Online Platform

Direct English focuses on developing full confidence in speaking, writing, understanding and reading English and is completely tailored around student’s abilities and goals. The student progresses at their own pace and the program can be adapted to fit around their own work and lifestyle commitments.