george Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 Thaksin sets himself as a role model for students Youngsters told how to master English BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra set himself as a role model for students nationwide in practising English language skills to enable them to communicate with the outside world. Talking to students at the Expo for Communicative English Language Learning (ExpoCEL) at Impact Arena at Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi, the prime minister turned his luncheon table into an English language debate and told the young guests how he had improved his own English-speaking skills. Twenty-two students aged between six and 25 who can speak English fluently, with some having won national and international speaking debates in English, were invited from around the country for the luncheon. Among them was one blind grade 11 student from Nakhon Ratchasima. Praising them for their efforts in mastering their English-speaking skills, the prime minister said the main problem for students in improving their conversational ability was that they tended to think in Thai, then translate their thoughts into English before speaking or writing. ''I still remember that in my first semester as a university student in the United States, I felt very nervous because my English was not good. Every time I spoke, I did not think in English but in Thai. ''In the second semester, one of my friends told me to think in English and I did it and it made my English better,'' he said. He said he understood that thinking in English in Thailand was difficult, so English teachers must encourage students to think in English whenever they wanted to speak. The prime minister cited himself as an example. He said whenever he had to attend international meetings he would prefer to speak English and not Thai through interpreters to capture the attention of the participants. He believed that speaking English would enable him to have free-flowing thoughts, even though his English was not yet good. The prime minister urged Thai students to speak English as frequently as possible with their peers at school and university or even with their parents at home. Mr Thaksin said he would support schools promoting English language learning for their students with modern technology and foreign teachers. The students who joined the two-hour discussion said they were happy to have a chance to talk and lunch with the prime minister. Kanokwan Mahitthikorn, a Matthayomsuksa 5 student of Pak Chong school in Nakhon Ratchasima, said she was excited when she talked to the prime minister. Ms Kanokwan said her English was better because she had practised by listening to songs in English, watching English language movies and surfing internet websites. --Bangkok Post 2005-12-18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragonman Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 Thaksin sets himself as a role model for studentsYoungsters told how to master English Kanokwan Mahitthikorn, a Matthayomsuksa 5 student of Pak Chong school in Nakhon Ratchasima, said she was excited when she talked to the prime minister. Ms Kanokwan said her English was better because she had practised by listening to songs in English, watching English language movies and surfing internet websites. --Bangkok Post 2005-12-18 <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yes, rap music, Ali G and thaivisa will help considerably. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heng Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 As a role model, I think he's better suited for those cute Government Savings Bank commercials. Inspirational indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phuketsiam Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westybrook Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 I hope he does support the students with good foreign teachers, as I am comming over in Feb, So Thaksin, get your wallet ready mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khall64au Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 "Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra set himself as a role model for students nationwide in practising English language skills to enable them to communicate with the outside world." Does the PM read international news? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayo Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 George Thank you for posting this.. .Possibly one of the funniest things I've read recently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penzman Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 He did learn but he'd never make it as a tv newsreader here... He still has a lot of work ahead of him. I believe one his first tries at the english language as a student in the U.S. was " How much for shipping Mercedes to Thailand?" which he really did... (a bio says he worked at Mc Donalds back then ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sriracha john Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 Thaksin sets himself as a role model for studentsYoungsters told how to master English Kanokwan Mahitthikorn, a Matthayomsuksa 5 student of Pak Chong school in Nakhon Ratchasima, said she was excited when she talked to the prime minister. Ms Kanokwan said her English was better because she had practised by listening to songs in English, watching English language movies and surfing internet websites. --Bangkok Post 2005-12-18 <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yes, rap music, Ali G and thaivisa will help considerably. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I think the reporter misunderstood the situation.... this is what the young lady REALLY meant: Kanokwan Mahitthikorn, a Matthayomsuksa 5 student of Pak Chong school in Nakhon Ratchasima, said she was excited when she talked to the prime minister, because her English was better than his. as is my barber's English... and he never went further in school than Prathom 4. Anyone who's heard the PM simply mangle the English language will likely laugh as much as Kayo mentioned. I know I did. The PM lecturing others on how to master English..... I nominate that for JOKE OF THE YEAR!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnh101 Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 I wish he would make his mind up. A few weeks ago he wanted everyone to learn Chinese. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricardo Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 April 1st 2006 must have come early Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juggler Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 This thread had me laughing outloud. The mans a natural comedian, if not a circus clown aswell Just a thought now, but how about adding some more english education programs to Thai TV. No.....no for the expats....just for the kids who haven't got the money to continue school after the age of twelve..... now that might work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallowspole Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 Now I know why so many Thais are flat-chested - they've all laughed their t1ts off listening to Toxic for the last 5 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonthaya Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 I'm happy that I don't have any kids in Thailand with Mr. T as a role model Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opothai Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 (edited) confirmation yet again, comedian . if he is a role model god help thailand. these are the type of threads that start my day of with a smile. merry xmas every one Edited December 19, 2005 by opothai Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomama Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 HM the King speaks very good English (he was born in Boston while His father studied at Harvard). He also speaks good French, and plays the clarinet at a high level. My question is: Is this country going backward or forward? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyree D. Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 Now I know why so many Thais are flat-chested - they've all laughed their t1ts off listening to Toxic for the last 5 years. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> what part of Thailand are you in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallowspole Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 Now I know why so many Thais are flat-chested - they've all laughed their t1ts off listening to Toxic for the last 5 years. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> what part of Thailand are you in? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> the flat part Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penzman Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 April 1st 2006 must have come early <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Well, for one thing, there aren't any tickets left... Shop job by Penzman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sriracha john Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 thanks a lot.... i've wet myself laughing... An entire team of the best comedy writers couldn't come up with some of thaksin's material. He really missed his calling by not going around on the stand-up comedy circuit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayo Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 Now I know why so many Thais are flat-chested - they've all laughed their t1ts off listening to Toxic for the last 5 years. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> what part of Thailand are you in? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> the flat part <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Class! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galong Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 HM the King speaks very good English (he was born in Boston while His father studied at Harvard). He also speaks good French, and plays the clarinet at a high level.My question is: Is this country going backward or forward? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> My vote is for 'backwards'. The fact that Thaksin is still in office after raping the country and mishandling almost everything he touches says it all. He's a role model for racism (Thai Rak Thai) and arrogance. Oops, this is supposed to be funny... sorry. There once was a Thai man in Texas He worked at McDonalds so he says He cheated on tests As that was his best Now everyone must do what he says Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penzman Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 (edited) thanks a lot.... i've wet myself laughing...An entire team of the best comedy writers couldn't come up with some of thaksin's material. He really missed his calling by not going around on the stand-up comedy circuit. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Just like Gallagher, an other stand-up comic, Thaksin uses stage props. Edited December 20, 2005 by penzman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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