Piseth

Options for language study can be looked at when you arrive in Phnom Penh. There are number of options available from classes to couples or individual studies. You can go to the school or tutor will come to your house.

Choose carefully your preferred method of study and budget $3 - $5 an hour for one to one tutoring or $180.00USD to $200.00USD a term for classroom studies.

There are a variety of methods for learning Khmer, but currently there are only limited schools for regulated study. It is generally advised that the new expatriate member of staff combines a private tutor with an organized school.

The initial orientation period usually enables the new staff member to be free from any work responsibilities, and therefore be able to concentrate time and energy on language acquisition. However, other responsibilities, such as finding a house, furnishing the house, getting to know the town, shopping, cooking and family responsibilities usually encroach on the language learning.

Some organizations advocate treating the language study period as though it was work; therefore giving a minimum of six hours a day to it is a good discipline.

Language Centers

The following language facilities are available in Phnom Penh:

Institute of Foreign Language Khmer Language Course

Phnom Penh University, Pochentong Road,

Tel: 012 866 826

Good for written Khmer. Four levels offered in the course of a year, approximately 10 weeks terms with 1 ½ hour lessons, costing $180USD per term.

Khmer Language Classes for Expatriates (also called the French School)

Junction Street 61 & 96 (next to the Youth Center opposite Le Royal Hotel)

Entrance in on Street 61. Tel: 012 895 148

Good for conversation classes. Two levels of writing and speaking classes offered each month, 1 hour classes, five days a week at $50USD per month.

Khmer School of Languages (KSL)

#10 Street 420, Toul Tom Poing

Tel: (023) 213 047

Founded by SAO. Official charge $5USD per hour at the school, but discount to $3USD hour for missionaries (slightly more if they come to your house)

Khmer Language Center (KLC)

#1B Street 450, Toul Tom Pong

Tel: (023) 214 938

A breakaway from KSL. $4USD per hour at the school, but discount to $3USD per hour for missionaries (slightly more if they come to your house)

All the above prices are subject to change

Recommendations

The course at the university provides a firm basis for the written Khmer; this course is always run concurrently in the morning and afternoon. It can be combined with the spoken course at the French School (they tend to use phonetics) as well as a private tutor. Such an arrangement would probably be an overload, since all three require homework – but it is possible!

Generally it would be sensible to do the University course in the morning or afternoon and combine this with a private tutor for an hour or two, leaving time during the day for private study, activities associated with the house and rest.

Learning Khmer, both written and oral is essential for everyone living and working in Cambodia, even though here for a relative short time. i.e. two or three months should make an effort to acquire some basic language skills.

Everyone will have to consider learning opportunities that are suitable to their own circumstances but the help of colleagues in deciding will be every helpful.