--- title: "Ekamai International School: Building English Language Brains Fast" description: Ekamai International School in Bangkok has been building English fast, every year for the last decade, with neuroscience educational technology Fast ForWord123 image: https://www.learnfasthq.com/hubfs/Peter%20and%20Peter%20at%20Ekamai4-1.png --- - [Blog](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog) - [Newsletter](https://www.learningbrainnews.com) - [Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/6bLMNOdd8r3x9Onx9gSubb) - [Free Resources](https://www.learnfasthq.com/free-learning-resources) - [Shop](https://learnfast-products.myshopify.com/) [![LearnFast](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/LearnFast_logo.png?width=150&height=77&name=LearnFast_logo.png "LearnFast")](https://www.learnfasthq.com) - [Programs](https://www.learnfasthq.com/programs) - Results - [The Science](https://www.learnfasthq.com/science) - [The Research](https://www.learnfasthq.com/research) - [Success Stories](https://www.learnfasthq.com/success-stories) - Who we help - [Teacher](https://www.learnfasthq.com/teacher) - [Parent](https://www.learnfasthq.com/parent) - [Business](https://www.learnfasthq.com/business) - [How we help](https://www.learnfasthq.com/how-we-help) - [Connect](https://www.learnfasthq.com/connect) - [Blog](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog) - [Newsletter](https://www.learningbrainnews.com) - [Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/6bLMNOdd8r3x9Onx9gSubb) - [Free Resources](https://www.learnfasthq.com/free-learning-resources) - [Shop](https://learnfast-products.myshopify.com/) # Ekamai International School: Building English Language Brains Fast [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/ekamai-international-school-building-english-language-brains-fast) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/ekamai-international-school-building-english-language-brains-fast) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/ekamai-international-school-building-english-language-brains-fast) ![Picture of Peter Barnes](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hub/363641/file-691639901.jpg) [Peter Barnes](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/author/peter-barnes) [English Language Learners](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/english-language-learners), [Fast ForWord](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/fast-forword) ![Peter and Peter at Ekamai6.jpg.png](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Peter%20and%20Peter%20at%20Ekamai6.jpg.png?width=315&name=Peter%20and%20Peter%20at%20Ekamai6.jpg.png)The [**Ekamai International School**](http://www.eis.ac.th/about-us-2/school-profile) in Bangkok was close enough to visit whilst we were at the Educating with Neuroscience 2017 Asia conferences in November. This Seventh Day Adventist school has over 1,300 K-12 students who come from 33 different countries and English is typically not their native language.  I was intrigued to see the focus of Ekamai school’s leaders on the importance of English. Students can’t miss the prominently displayed signs proclaiming:          ***Be Competitive Globally, Speak English Fluently***   Ekamai has become a leading innovator in how it develops English language skills.  ![Steve Miller at Ekamai3.jpg.png](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Steve%20Miller%20at%20Ekamai3.jpg.png?width=293&name=Steve%20Miller%20at%20Ekamai3.jpg.png)Thailand education consultant [Naresh Indewhat of Advance Ed](http://fastforwordthailand.com/en/) introduced a neuroscience-based technology to the school over 10 years ago to help build English language skills fast and simultaneously [improve academic performance](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hubfs/Pdf/Ekamai_School_Thailand2.pdf). At that time Naresh arranged for Dr Steve Miller, one of the [four neuroscientists](https://blog.learnfasthq.com/4-neuroscientists-how-fast-forword-was-built-and-the-future) who created the [Fast ForWord123](https://blog.learnfasthq.com/what-is-fast-forword123) (FFW123) program back in the mid 1990’s, to explain to the school leaders and staff how the cognitive exercises literally build the neuro-biological connections - “wire the brain” - for **learning in the English language**. The 76 students who participated in 2007 showed [***statistically significant improvement***](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hubfs/Ekamai-School-Thailand-full-report.pdf) in their reading skills and academic achievement with **improvements of 5 months to 1 year in Reading, Language, Math, Social Studies and Science**, during the 4 months between assessments. ![Lift to Ekamai lab3.png](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hubfs/Lift%20to%20Ekamai%20lab3.png)Following these accelerated learning results, the school has used this educational neuroscience technology every year of the last decade and has seen first hand how it builds the English language brains of its students, creating a strong, enduring foundation for all the instruction in English. Students now make use of the FFW123 technology in one of three dedicated 50-seat “ Fast ForWord Labs”. Ekamai school has shown that by investing in technology **one teacher can deliver individualised learning to 50 students at once**. Within the first few clicks of the student engaging with FFW123, each student is delivered the optimal level of challenge that [the research has validated](https://blog.learnfasthq.com/fast-forword-how-much-evidence-is-enough-science-real-world) will build the brain’s wiring to improve their capacity to learn and accelerate English language development. Thanks to the schools’ conviction that English language mastery is vital for success in today’s world, Ekamai International School has had the most students use the FFW123 program anywhere in the world outside mainland USA schools. **![Peter and Peter at Ekamai4.png](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hubfs/Peter%20and%20Peter%20at%20Ekamai4.png)Professional development for teachers** Naresh Indewhat and Dr Miller accompanied me, my LearnFast colleague David Stanley, Peter Carabi from Carnegie Learning and [Cheryl Chia](https://brainfit.com.sg/ourteam/), founder of the Singapore based [BrainFit Studio](http://brainfitstudio.com/) network, on the school visit. While we were there, Dr Miller and Cheryl Chia presented a professional development session for about 100 Ekamai teachers. Dr Miller is currently Executive Vice President – Innovation with the [Platypus Institute](https://platypus.org/), a scientific research organization that leverages neuroscience to optimize human performance. ![Ekamai ffw lab4.png](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ekamai%20ffw%20lab4.png?width=265&name=Ekamai%20ffw%20lab4.png)He presented "**The Future of Accelerated Learning - How Biotechnology Can Double Learning Speed**” and explained some of the latest developments from brain science being used to speed up learning, accelerate foreign language acquisition and increase team creativity. Cheryl Chia, a pediatric physiotherapist who established **the global learning franchise [BrainFit Studios](http://brainfitstudio.com/)**, explained the most recent research about the connection between the body and the brain and how physical exercise can improve attention and the way students learn.  She gave the teachers practical tips to use in the classroom to strengthen students’ attention and focus. ![Be competitive Globally4.png](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Be%20competitive%20Globally4.png?width=736&name=Be%20competitive%20Globally4.png)   ## Related Posts [Fast ForWord](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/fast-forword) ### [Improve Executive Function with Fast ForWord123 Exercises](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/improve-executive-function-with-fast-forword123-exercises) Your brain is an amazing organ. Countless studies, experiments and articles have shown us this. The complexities and inner-workings of this powerhouse are still yet to be fully explored.  Have you ever stopped to think what controls [Read More](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/improve-executive-function-with-fast-forword123-exercises) [![tech learning logo.png](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hubfs/tech%20learning%20logo.png?height=200&name=tech%20learning%20logo.png)](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/fast-forword123-rated-highly-by-techlearning.com) [Fast ForWord](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/fast-forword), [For Principals](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/for-principals) ### [Fast ForWord123 rated highly by techlearning.com](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/fast-forword123-rated-highly-by-techlearning.com) The neuroscience-based language & learning improvement program, Fast ForWord123 (including the Fast ForWord cognitive, language and reading development modules plus Reading Assistant, the online reading coach) was recently rated [Read More](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/fast-forword123-rated-highly-by-techlearning.com) [![LearnFast](https://www.learnfasthq.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/LearnFast_logo.png?width=150&height=77&name=LearnFast_logo.png "LearnFast")](https://www.learnfasthq.com/) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/LearnFastGroup/) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://au.linkedin.com/company/learnfastgroup) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.youtube.com/user/learnfasteducation) Connect with Us: **Phone:** 02 8467 4888 Email: info@learnfastgroup.com.au --- Copyright © 2026, LearnFast A & NZ [Privacy Policy](https://www.learnfasthq.com/privacy-policy)