Better English Teaching Needed

[mijan24]

The following article appeared today in Letters to the Editor The Nation.

I believe it is a very inpirational write by four First Year students from The Faculty Arts Chulalongkorn University.

Like to throw it to the audience (TV members) for comment!!

From The Nation Monday September 19 2005

Make English education a matter of practical use

Re: “Better English-teaching needed”, Editorial, August 15.

As Thai students who have been through the Thai English-teaching system for 12 years, we think the biggest problem in the system is that it doesn’t encourage Thai students to really learn English. We are forced to learn English because we have no choice. In the classroom we are taught about grammar and made to memorise vocabulary, but all of that we do just for our grades. We quickly absorb the things that the teacher teaches, and we also quickly delete it out of our brains as soon as we pass the test.

The solution to this problem is we have to learn that English is just the key to the world and not a monster. We should be aware that the main point of learning English is to be able to use English in our everyday lives, and this is what the educational system should teach us to do. Teachers should teach us something realistic, things that we clearly see the benefit of learning, and in an interesting way, such as using expressions from movies and songs.

We believe the best way to learn any language is to accustom yourself to speaking and hearing it. Start from the things that are interesting for you. You may read novels, watch English movies, listen to English songs or send e-mails to your friends in English. Another way is to try thinking in English: look around you and try to think what things are called in English.

These activities are examples of what teachers should encourage their students to do. Once the students get familiar with the language, they can use it properly without worrying about grammatical errors or lack of vocabulary. This method is not more complicated than teaching the students to reply to “Hello, how are you” with “I’m fine thank you, and you?” So what are we waiting for?

Pradthana Ungchusak

Piemsak Hongjamrassilp

Parida Nobthai

Panjaporn Sompoonsawasdee

First Year, Faculty of Arts

Chulalongkorn University

[DavieA]

The students sum it up to a tea. It is known now that this is the problem and it seems that the ball is rolling to change things. Tha fact that this is coming from the students is a good thing too.

The problem is that things don't change quickly in Thailand. From what I see the younger Thai teachers are more on the ball in the classroom, but it's the oldies that have been around for years and use incredibly old and ineffective teaching methods that find it hard to change. This is apparent at my school anyway. This was evident the other day when one of the (old) teachers at my school actually said she must now start to speak English in her classes......ahhhh!

[chownah]

Yes indeed these four students have 'discovered' that motivating students is the problem....this is not news....anyone who has studied education knows that a motivated student is a good learner......but.....motivating students given the limited resources, time alottment, and school restrictions is not an easy task....in fact the limitations imposed by these three factors are, perhaps, exactly why most formal education everywhere in the world gets low scores in effectiveness. I hope these four bright students decide to become teachers so that they can show us how its done!...good luck!

[Spit the Dog]

We believe the best way to learn any language is to accustom yourself to speaking and hearing it. Start from the things that are interesting for you. You may read novels, watch English movies, listen to English songs or send e-mails to your friends in English. Another way is to try thinking in English: look around you and try to think what things are called in English.

These activities are examples of what teachers should encourage their students to do. Once the students get familiar with the language, they can use it properly without worrying about grammatical errors or lack of vocabulary. This method is not more complicated than teaching the students to reply to “Hello, how are you” with “I’m fine thank you, and you?” So what are we waiting for?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't know wht they are blaming their lack of interest on poor teaching methods. If a student is really determined to learn a language, then they should use their initiative and find things outside of class that interest them in English. It's common sense. You don't need a teacher to tell you this

There are a lot of farang who can speak Thai and have never had a Thai lesson in their life. The reason they can speak Thai, is because they have been determined to master the language.

If the students are bored with saying 'Hello, how are you?' everyday, then why don't they try and make it more interesting by starting a converstion with the teacher during classtime. I'm sure most English teachers would be thrilled if the Thai students would shown more enthusiasm.

Some Thai students think just because they show up to a class twice a week, the teacher will automatically insert English into their brain. They forget that they have to work hard to acheive their goals.

But I do agree with them in some aspects as some of the teaching methods in Thailand are outdated. There is a big emphasis on grammar and reading/writing and not enough is done to encourage the students to communicate in English. There are also far too many written tests. I can understand the students lack of interest in the classroom.

Edited September 19, 2005 by Spit the Dog

[chownah]

We believe the best way to learn any language is to accustom yourself to speaking and hearing it. Start from the things that are interesting for you. You may read novels, watch English movies, listen to English songs or send e-mails to your friends in English. Another way is to try thinking in English: look around you and try to think what things are called in English.

These activities are examples of what teachers should encourage their students to do. Once the students get familiar with the language, they can use it properly without worrying about grammatical errors or lack of vocabulary. This method is not more complicated than teaching the students to reply to “Hello, how are you” with “I’m fine thank you, and you?” So what are we waiting for?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't know wht they are blaming their lack of interest on poor teaching methods. If a student is really determined to learn a language, then they should use their initiative and find things outside of class that interest them in English. It's common sense. You don't need a teacher to tell you this

There are a lot of farang who can speak Thai and have never had a Thai lesson in their life. The reason they can speak Thai, is because they have been determined to master the language.

If the students are bored with saying 'Hello, how are you?' everyday, then why don't they try and make it more interesting by starting a converstion with the teacher during classtime. I'm sure most English teachers would be thrilled if the Thai students would shown more enthusiasm.

Some Thai students think just because they show up to a class twice a week, the teacher will automatically insert English into their brain. They forget that they have to work hard to acheive their goals.

But I do agree with them in some aspects as some of the teaching methods in Thailand are outdated. There is a big emphasis on grammar and reading/writing and not enough is done to encourage the students to communicate in English. There are also far too many written tests. I can understand the students lack of interest in the classroom.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree with your comments about the student needing to be self motivated but my opinion is that this should be the attitude at college and university. In the US I took courses at University in education and we were taught that elementary school teachers should develop their lessons so that these lessons create interest and motivation in the students. Young students are mostly not self motivating as this is one of the ways they are mentally developing...and....one of an educational systems purposes is to aid in the child's developement which includes developing self motivation. There are many many educators who believe that the most important task to be undertaken in school is to create self motivated learners....if you can do that then it doesn't matter what you teach them because they will fill in the blank spots on their own...a noble task...but a very very difficult one especially when trying to accomplish this in school...it can be more easily done by the parents which is one of the reasons why I occasionally go off on a "parents, get involved in your children's education" rant.

[lost_in_space]

It seems to me many Thais are studying English because of extrinsic motivations, e.g. a promotion at work, the King thinks it's a good idea; or even negative incentives, e.g., you'll never amount to anything without English. But in the long run, it's intrinsic motivation that will make them better speakers, they have to get some pleasure out of it, they have to like it for its own sake.

Can teachers really instill self motivation? This is a grey area for me. I've had teachers who really got me interested in a subject, but I wonder if I wasn't already predisposed (a single spark can start a prairie fire). and I've had lousy teachers who didn't squelch my interest in a subject.

As a side note, I once read (on this board, I think) that Thais were speaking English to each other in the 90's as a kind of cool thing, then after the '97 crash, when the west was the bad guy, it became uncool.

[isanity]

If the students are bored with saying 'Hello, how are you?' everyday, then why don't they try and make it more interesting by starting a converstion with the teacher during classtime. I'm sure most English teachers would be thrilled if the Thai students would shown more enthusiasm.

Most English teachers in Thailand are Thais who cannot speak English. If their students tried to have an English conversation with them, they would be terrified.

[kenkannif]

^ You know that. Good at grammar, but can't speak a word of English

[sadman]

Most English teachers in Thailand are Thais who cannot speak English.  If their students tried to have an English conversation with them, they would be terrified. 

Forgive my ignorance, but I was under the impression that there was a glut of English/US/Aussie teachers of English in LOS. Is this not the case, or am I thinking specifically of post-compulsory teaching?

This has a particular relevance to me, for although I am UK qualified (PGCE in PCET and also starting a TEFL course), I had pretty much discounted the idea of teaching when I move to Phuket full-time, owing to lack of opportunity. I would rather carry on teaching, I must say.

Edited September 21, 2005 by sadman

[kenkannif]

Most English teachers in Thailand are Thais who cannot speak English.  If their students tried to have an English conversation with them, they would be terrified. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Forgive my ignorance, but I was under the impression that there was a glut of English/US/Aussie teachers of English in LOS. Is this not the case, or am I thinking specifically of post-compulsory teaching?

Don't really know what you're saying. But the majority of English teachers here are obviously Thai. There are a lot of Westerners here, but still we're the minority in regards to teaching English.

This has a particular relevance to me, for although I am UK qualified (PGCE in PCET and also starting a TEFL course), I had pretty much discounted the idea of teaching when I move to Phuket full-time, owing to lack of opportunity. I would rather carry on teaching, I must say.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You'd get work in Phuket mate. Although it doesn't pay amazingly well there.

[DavieA]

Most English teachers in Thailand are Thais who cannot speak English.  If their students tried to have an English conversation with them, they would be terrified. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Very true, they sh*t themselves when I want to talk to them!

^ You know that. Good at grammar, but can't speak a word of English

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I argue that they're even good at grammar. Most of the teachers at my school have been teaching grammar/reading/writing for donkeys years and earn the same if not more than me (30,000/month). They still still make a ###### of a lot of basic mistakes and even teach incorrect things to the kids. No wonder the kids are confused.

One of our younger teachers has a Masters degree in English and she doesn't even know her pronouns, let alone have the ability to tell me what she did on the weekend.

Sometimes I wonder how much a Thai university degree is really worth.

[Tyree D.]

I agree with the article. Too much emphasis is on grammar and more grammar and not speaking. I am the first foreign teacher ever at my current school and they told me to do more speaking excercizes (yes I know I mispelled).

as for the necessity of foreign teachers...these students have been taught wrong by Thai teachers (I have stomachhh achhhe. I eat pancakes with sai-rup).

Oh, and the Board of Directors told me my students are also now more confident to approach someone and speak whatever language.

[Plus]

Grammar is too difficult for them and it requires thinking and efforts. No wonder they are so bad at it and prefer "conversation" and "learning is fun".

I doubt that it will get people very far once the initial excitement of "communicative approach" wears off.

[paully]

The four 'P's (the students) are right, of course: after 12 years of study they certainly should be capable of thinking in English, even at a fairly basic level. But, if they've had mainly Thai teachers and given that they're Thai students, it's not exactly a surprise that they're not able to.

Edited September 23, 2005 by paully

[Rhys]

Spot ON..by these insightful Thai students... Wouldn't it be nice to have a class of these types of eager and fresh faces...

Little by little in the LOS.. YET.. the people who have the power to make the changes, do not.. and those who want the change have not..

The next M of Education is off to another.. Rile em up.. tactic.. BUT let's remember.. High Tech, low touch DOES NOT WORK Always.. and with this crowd. the approach is suspect...... with this crowd.. They'll create.. excellent RAKANOK Players..

THE OLD FASHION WAY.. is best. FACE TO FACE.. High touch low tech..

YET.. The ADM folks are hooked on.. another stream of thought and economics..

For those students who take an active role as English language learners.. THEY DO FIND the way.. inspite of the challenges from their on MOE..

GO DO..

[bluebear]

Spot ON..by these insightful Thai students... Wouldn't it be nice to have a class of these types of eager and fresh faces...

Little by little in the LOS.. YET.. the people who have the power to make the changes, do not.. and those who want the change have not..

The next M of Education is off to another.. Rile em up.. tactic.. BUT let's remember.. High Tech, low touch  DOES NOT WORK  Always.. and with this crowd. the approach is suspect...... with this crowd.. They'll create.. excellent RAKANOK Players..

THE OLD FASHION WAY.. is best. FACE TO FACE..  High touch  low tech..

YET.. The ADM folks are hooked on.. another stream of thought and economics..

  For those students who take an active role as English language learners.. THEY DO FIND the way.. inspite of the challenges from their on MOE..

  GO DO..

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

huh? what the ###### are.....you on? why can you never post...... in proper english.... why DO ... you have POST.... this way? can write you in english?

Tyree - just who has too much emphasis on grammar? I will lay a bet now and say it isnt us.

As for the Thai teachers not being able to speak english despite having majors in english, well it doesnt surprise me.

just look at the last thread about not needing native speakers. i cannot believe that people are still saying that we are not needed and thais should hire phillipinos and indians because they are just as good as us. total and utter bullshit. it the same with thais. any mistakes they have are multiplied down to the learners and multiplied again. i can barely understand a lot of the indians and pakistanis who have lived in my home country for 30 years so god know what the effect is if they tried to teach english to thais and then the thais tried to spak english.