Are Thais Taught Anything About The World Outside Of Thailand

[Kananga]

Someone making something up???....on Thai Visa!!!???

I'm not having that!! Never!!!

I must admit this has developed into an out and out classic.

Thanks to all involved, especially "Somchai"

I bet Richard is an English teacher who has been here less than 2 years. In fact I know so as somchai just sent me a PM telling me. He can tell all about posters, their native languages, age, profession etc just by reading their posts. He's amazing. And imaginary.

[Kananga]

Somchai was referring specifically to the native English speakers here.

He also knows the difference between "infer" and "imply".

So much for the vastly superior Westwrn education system.

I am glad Somchai has an opinion of the Farang educational system. Does he have anything to say about the Thai educational system that is the topic of this thread?

He says, "sorry...I thought the topic of the thread was how inferior the Thai educational system is to Western ones".

I think some farangs here aren't quite as well-educated as they think they are. They know what the Battle of Britain is, but are unable to use their native tongue correctly to junior high levels.

I'm sure that's true but I bet they still know where Brazil is and that Elvis wasn't the King of America like those 'professional' Thai buffoons

Edited September 23, 2011 by Kananga

[StreetCowboy]

Someone making something up???....on Thai Visa!!!???

I'm not having that!! Never!!!

I must admit this has developed into an out and out classic.

Thanks to all involved, especially "Somchai"

I bet Richard is an English teacher who has been here less than 2 years. In fact I know so as somchai just sent me a PM telling me. He can tell all about posters, their native languages, age, profession etc just by reading their posts. He's amazing. And imaginary.

As I recall we had a long discussion on imaginary numbers recently, but our education was found lacking, and we failed to reach a conclusion.

Perhaps our imaginary friend could explain that to us, being from round those parts.

I imagine Somchai was educated at Eton, in any case.

SC

[Richard4849]

Someone making something up???....on Thai Visa!!!???

I'm not having that!! Never!!!

I must admit this has developed into an out and out classic.

Thanks to all involved, especially "Somchai"

I bet Richard is an English teacher who has been here less than 2 years. In fact I know so as somchai just sent me a PM telling me. He can tell all about posters, their native languages, age, profession etc just by reading their posts. He's amazing. And imaginary.

Well, it looks like an imaginary Thai speaks English more correctly than you do then.

[Kananga]

Someone making something up???....on Thai Visa!!!???

I'm not having that!! Never!!!

I must admit this has developed into an out and out classic.

Thanks to all involved, especially "Somchai"

I bet Richard is an English teacher who has been here less than 2 years. In fact I know so as somchai just sent me a PM telling me. He can tell all about posters, their native languages, age, profession etc just by reading their posts. He's amazing. And imaginary.

Well, it looks like an imaginary Thai speaks English more correctly than you do then.

And when exactly have any of you heard me speak English?

[Richard4849]

Somchai says he can infer from your writing skills that your speaking skills are also likely to be sub-par. The quality of your writing implies it.

[Richard4849]

By the way, he also mentions that if you are not a native English speaker to please let us know. Then he will lay off you.

[HeavyDrinker]

Richard is definitely a sub 2 year TEFLer....

Stands out a mile! I can almost hear the static from his nylon tie...

[StreetCowboy]

By the way, he also mentions that if you are not a native English speaker to please let us know. Then he will lay off you.

Richard -

I take it you are Somchai's Yingluck, so to speak.

I've come over all Sandie Shaw for a moment...

SC

[Kananga]

Somchai says he can infer from your writing skills that your speaking skills are also likely to be sub-par. The quality of your writing implies it.

It's funny you should mention that. I've just been chatting to Nok. She can infer by your inability to get your point across effectively and mount a credible argument that you had to invent somchai out of pure lies. Your floundering around unable to explian what a failed superior western education means implies it. :jap:

[Kananga]

By the way, he also mentions that if you are not a native English speaker to please let us know. Then he will lay off you.

So now somchai doesn't know who the native speakers are, which means he was attacking people who may use English as a second or third language. What a naughty little somchai. Obviously a product of the failed thai education system.

[Richard4849]

Somchai says he can infer from your writing skills that your speaking skills are also likely to be sub-par. The quality of your writing implies it.

It's funny you should mention that. I've just been chatting to Nok. She can infer by your inability to get your point across effectively and mount a credible argument that you had to invent somchai out of pure lies. Your floundering around unable to explian what a failed superior western education means implies it. :jap:

You can't understand proper written English? Poor reading comprehension? Yet another failure of the superior Western education system.

Let me make it clearer: my 10 year-old nephew has better English than you do.

[StreetCowboy]

Somchai says he can infer from your writing skills that your speaking skills are also likely to be sub-par. The quality of your writing implies it.

It's funny you should mention that. I've just been chatting to Nok. She can infer by your inability to get your point across effectively and mount a credible argument that you had to invent somchai out of pure lies. Your floundering around unable to explian what a failed superior western education means implies it. :jap:

I hope you're not having a go at Somchai just because he's imaginary.

Some of us would take that personally...

SC

EDIT: next you'll be having a go at mythical characters like the leprechauns and Odysseus, and then whose next? Legends like George Best?

EDIT: Clearly the product of a failed education system. "whose" should read "who's"; that was a bit pots and kettles, sorry!

Edited September 23, 2011 by StreetCowboy

[Kananga]

Somchai says he can infer from your writing skills that your speaking skills are also likely to be sub-par. The quality of your writing implies it.

It's funny you should mention that. I've just been chatting to Nok. She can infer by your inability to get your point across effectively and mount a credible argument that you had to invent somchai out of pure lies. Your floundering around unable to explian what a failed superior western education means implies it. :jap:

You can't understand proper written English? Poor reading comprehension? Yet another failure of the superior Western education system.

Let me make it clearer: my 10 year-old nephew has better English than you do.

Has better English what? Come on Richard, you can do better than that. And for an English teacher as well...Perhaps you are the reason the Thais are so bad at Engrish?

What happened to somchai anyway? Off getting drunk and hitting his wife most likely.

[StreetCowboy]

...

What happened to somchai anyway? Off getting drunk and hitting his wife most likely.

You can't beat a Thai wife, apparently.

SC

[Kananga]

...

What happened to somchai anyway? Off getting drunk and hitting his wife most likely.

You can't beat a Thai wife, apparently.

SC

You can after you've made her up.

[Richard4849]

Is that the worst name you can think of to call me? An English teacher? Oh, dear!

Somchai says even HE knows much worse things to call someone in English.

Out-done once again -- by a lowly, uneducated Thai.

[SteeleJoe]

Richard is just doing what people like Richard will always do: unconditionally and uncritically reject anything that explicitly or implicitly reflects poorly on Thailand in any way. It's an odd quirk that never ceases to baffle me but it's not at all uncommon. I'm just surprised - and I'll bet he is too -- how easily, with a sort of slightly more sophisticated version of "I'm not, you are" that we all used in primary school, he turned this into a situation where Farangs are sort of ridiculously arguing that they are in fact intelligent or can use English well -- neither of which are at all relevant or change anything about Thailand at all. (Though I admit I was sort of amused earlier in the thread by how many people in an attempt to illustrate or deny Thai shortcomings in various fields revealed those of their own; what happened to that guy who said Hitler was the cause of the Japanese killing 300,000 Thais or whatever?)

But to be fair to Richard: I just assumed from the beginning that "Somchai" was a rhetorical device and not actually an attempt to fool people. But unfortunately Somchai said some really dumb stuff...

[kerryk]

Somchai was referring specifically to the native English speakers here.

He also knows the difference between "infer" and "imply".

So much for the vastly superior Westwrn education system.

I am glad Somchai has an opinion of the Farang educational system. Does he have anything to say about the Thai educational system that is the topic of this thread?

He says, "sorry...I thought the topic of the thread was how inferior the Thai educational system is to Western ones".

I think some farangs here aren't quite as well-educated as they think they are. They know what the Battle of Britain is, but are unable to use their native tongue correctly to junior high levels.

I have a guest over for dinner. Her name is Som Bong. She read the thread and says to tell you the topic of the thread is, Are Thais taught anything about the world outside of Thailand, not junior high English. She says, Somchai should be ashamed of himself for going so far off topic. She says if he has nothing to say about the topic he should keep his ideas to himself because he is making Thais look stupid.

[SteeleJoe]

But Richard distracted people from this gem:

Another thread running in Thailand news apparently confirms the OP's suggestion. "Figures from a study conducted in 2009 by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) showed that the learning level of 15-year-old Thai children was ranked at 50th for reading, 50th for mathematics and 49th for science, out of 65 participating countries."

Yeah, but that's because PISA are using white man victor's criteria or don't understand Thai priorities or aren't knowledgeable enough about Asian culture...or something like that...

correct!!! your learning steelejoe, your learning!!

There is a limit as to how much pythagoras theorem you need to be a good rice farmer. Thai society rubbed along quite nicely for a few thousand years before capitalism visited these shores.

50 years ago South Korea was an agrarian economy, and look at it now. It's a technological superpower, however a recent survey put South Korean teenagers at the top of the miserable list.

The West has exported many laudable ideas around the world, including capitalism, and it takes an attitude of "we know best" in almost every matter. I would argue strongly that on the whole capitalism is a force for good, but is it a force for happiness?

So now the Thais are having to play catch up, I see plenty of young kids heading into Universities, educationally, the future of Thailand is bright. Will the people be happier though?

[StreetCowboy]

Is that the worst name you can think of to call me? An English teacher? Oh, dear!

Somchai says even HE knows much worse things to call someone in English.

Out-done once again -- by a lowly, uneducated Thai.

You can scarcely call someone who has spent 12 years at Eton uneducated

SC

[wandrinstar]

Well,from what ive seen of Ferang Teachers here over 25 years, they cant have learned much from them..They cant make it in the World, so they work here for Peanuts. I know it angers the few good ones here, but its true in general. :jap:

[Kananga]

Is that the worst name you can think of to call me? An English teacher? Oh, dear!

Somchai says even HE knows much worse things to call someone in English.

Out-done once again -- by a lowly, uneducated Thai.

And what's wrong with English teachers? Are you suggesting that you are in some way superior to English teachers by implying that I am calling you names? Dear oh dear, teaching English isn't exactly glamorous (and you should know), but many Thais rely on them as their English studies in school are so woefully poor.

[Richard4849]

Somchai was referring specifically to the native English speakers here.

He also knows the difference between "infer" and "imply".

So much for the vastly superior Westwrn education system.

I am glad Somchai has an opinion of the Farang educational system. Does he have anything to say about the Thai educational system that is the topic of this thread?

He says, "sorry...I thought the topic of the thread was how inferior the Thai educational system is to Western ones".

I think some farangs here aren't quite as well-educated as they think they are. They know what the Battle of Britain is, but are unable to use their native tongue correctly to junior high levels.

I have a guest over for dinner. Her name is Som Bong. She read the thread and says to tell you the topic of the thread is, Are Thais taught anything about the world outside of Thailand, not junior high English. She says, Somchai should be ashamed of himself for going so far off topic. She says if he has nothing to say about the topic he should keep his ideas to himself because he is making Thais look stupid.

English -- a foreign language -- doesn't count as being taught something about the world outside of Thailand?

Somchai stands corrected.

But he is still horrified at the poor English writing skills of people who are trying to denigrate the Thai education system as inferior. Perhaps this deserves another thread, "Are Farangs Taught How to Speak and Write Their Native Language Correctly".

[Richard4849]

Is that the worst name you can think of to call me? An English teacher? Oh, dear!

Somchai says even HE knows much worse things to call someone in English.

Out-done once again -- by a lowly, uneducated Thai.

And what's wrong with English teachers? Are you suggesting that you are in some way superior to English teachers by implying that I am calling you names? Dear oh dear, teaching English isn't exactly glamorous (and you should know), but many Thais rely on them as their English studies in school are so woefully poor.

One could easily infer from your tone that you were calling me an English teacher in order to denigrate, rather than flatter.

It's called reading comprehension, sweets.

[Kananga]

I am glad Somchai has an opinion of the Farang educational system. Does he have anything to say about the Thai educational system that is the topic of this thread?

He says, "sorry...I thought the topic of the thread was how inferior the Thai educational system is to Western ones".

I think some farangs here aren't quite as well-educated as they think they are. They know what the Battle of Britain is, but are unable to use their native tongue correctly to junior high levels.

I have a guest over for dinner. Her name is Som Bong. She read the thread and says to tell you the topic of the thread is, Are Thais taught anything about the world outside of Thailand, not junior high English. She says, Somchai should be ashamed of himself for going so far off topic. She says if he has nothing to say about the topic he should keep his ideas to himself because he is making Thais look stupid.

English -- a foreign language -- doesn't count as being taught something about the world outside of Thailand?

Somchai stands corrected.

But he is still horrified at the poor English writing skills of people who are trying to denigrate the Thai education system as inferior. Perhaps this deserves another thread, "Are Farangs Taught How to Speak and Write Their Native Language Correctly".

Just out of interest, do you think the Thai education system is superior to a Western European education system?

[ludditeman]

Is that the worst name you can think of to call me? An English teacher? Oh, dear!

Somchai says even HE knows much worse things to call someone in English.

Out-done once again -- by a lowly, uneducated Thai.

And what's wrong with English teachers? Are you suggesting that you are in some way superior to English teachers by implying that I am calling you names? Dear oh dear, teaching English isn't exactly glamorous (and you should know), but many Thais rely on them as their English studies in school are so woefully poor.

Plenty of English teachers in Thailand that can't speak English very well and are themselves poorly educated.

Not sure they would be allowed to teach English (or anything else) in another county.

(this comment applies equally to both foreigners and Thais, but of course does not include all teachers in Thailand)

[SteeleJoe]

Well,from what ive seen of Ferang Teachers here over 25 years, they cant have learned much from them..They cant make it in the World, so they work here for Peanuts. I know it angers the few good ones here, but its true in general. :jap:

Yes, no doubt it's the fault of the Farang teachers.

(I realize that's not quite what you said but really -- what is it about the existence of Farang teachers in Thailand (good and bad) that is so endlessly worthy of discussion and general angst and aggro? In other words why do people look for every possible opportunity to slag them off? The question is actually rhetorical but I won't go into t it because Farang teachers are also not the topic here).

[Kananga]

Is that the worst name you can think of to call me? An English teacher? Oh, dear!

Somchai says even HE knows much worse things to call someone in English.

Out-done once again -- by a lowly, uneducated Thai.

And what's wrong with English teachers? Are you suggesting that you are in some way superior to English teachers by implying that I am calling you names? Dear oh dear, teaching English isn't exactly glamorous (and you should know), but many Thais rely on them as their English studies in school are so woefully poor.

One could easily infer from your tone that you were calling me an English teacher in order to denigrate, rather than flatter.

It's called reading comprehension, sweets.

Would that be the same way we can infer you're a liar with imaginary friends and has saffron tinted spectacles when it comes to viewing dear old Thailand? You're obviously a newbie, you'll grow out of it. They all do.

[Richard4849]

I am glad Somchai has an opinion of the Farang educational system. Does he have anything to say about the Thai educational system that is the topic of this thread?

He says, "sorry...I thought the topic of the thread was how inferior the Thai educational system is to Western ones".

I think some farangs here aren't quite as well-educated as they think they are. They know what the Battle of Britain is, but are unable to use their native tongue correctly to junior high levels.

I have a guest over for dinner. Her name is Som Bong. She read the thread and says to tell you the topic of the thread is, Are Thais taught anything about the world outside of Thailand, not junior high English. She says, Somchai should be ashamed of himself for going so far off topic. She says if he has nothing to say about the topic he should keep his ideas to himself because he is making Thais look stupid.

English -- a foreign language -- doesn't count as being taught something about the world outside of Thailand?

Somchai stands corrected.

But he is still horrified at the poor English writing skills of people who are trying to denigrate the Thai education system as inferior. Perhaps this deserves another thread, "Are Farangs Taught How to Speak and Write Their Native Language Correctly".

Just out of interest, do you think the Thai education system is superior to a Western European education system?

Absolutely not. There is no objective way of rating "superior" or "inferior" -- certainly not anecdotes of Thais supposedly thinking Elvis was the King of America or not knowing where Canada is on the map.

The Thai education system teaches Thai kids what is important for them to know, while the Western system does the same.