Thailand Needs To Boost Language Skills As Aec Approaches: Gerald Fry

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EDUCATION

'Need is urgent to develop and focus on our education goals'

Wannapa Khaopa

The Nation

Country also needs to boost language skills as AEC approaches: Gerald Fry

BANGKOK: -- When the Asean Economic Community becomes operational in 2015, it will not only affect Thailand's economy but also education. In light of this, an education development specialist has urged Thailand to rush to develop its human resources, based on the country's niche occupations, and to improve science and maths education to strengthen knowledge production, and productivity.

Professor Gerald W Fry, who has worked in quality education for years in all Asean countries and many other centres, has shared with The Nation - in an exclusive interview - what these countries have done to upgrade the quality of their education.

Gerald Fry is a distinguished international professor at the Department of Organisational Leadership, Policy, and Devel-opment at the University of Minnesota.

Professor Fry is now starting his sixth decade of work in Thailand and has taught at five Thai universities, including Thammasat and NIDA. He has also worked closely with many leading Thai academics and educators.

He said the future of any country fundamentally depends on its human resource development - something countries such as Singapore, Korea, Japan and Vietnam understand strongly.

Therefore, Thais should do likewise, Professor Fry said, adding that, China, Malaysia and Laos have clear goals about what they want to accomplish by the year 2020, but Thailand's targets are not so clear.

As a result, Thailand should shape systematic visions of what it wants to accomplish in terms of human resource development by 2020 and train people for special niche industries -like tourism and hospitality (including MICE, Thailand recently hosted the World Economic Forum). Other goals may involve being a "Kitchen of the World", "Detroit of the East", creative entrepreneurship, an international education hub, the fashion industry and designing of attractive products. The success of the Thai product Red Bull as a global brand is an example of Thailand's potential.

The Kingdom has numerous advantages already. Singapore wants to be the international education hub of Southeast Asia, but it is very expensive there. So Thailand, in terms of establishing a similar hub, has the advantage of being a friendly welcoming country where education costs are low compared to Singapore. Thailand also has an excellent educational infrastructure with many impressive campuses (such as Chulalongkorn, Assumption/Bang Na, Mahidol's new green campus at Salaya, and AIT.

Professor Fry said Thailand should improve the language proficiency of its people - including in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Burmese, and Khmer.

"Students should meet and communicate with English native speakers, while teachers should be innovative in finding opportunities for students to use English for functional purposes. Their role should be as a catalyst to point students towards resources." There is great but unrealised Internet potential to help students learn other languages.

Singapore and Malaysia are emphasising STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education.

"It's really important for Thailand to give more emphasis to high quality training in the STEM fields. Thailand has too many people in social sciences and business, relative to STEM fields," he said.

Professor Fry noted that Thailand had more than 150 universities and colleges. These should be divided into groups with varying expertise to produce graduates in different fields. Mahidol and Chulalongkorn Universities should be responsible for research in STEM, while Chiang Mai Rajabhat University could focus on tourism, as Chiang Mai is a famous tourist destination.

Schools near the new bridges across the Mekong at Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan need to give more attention to Vietnamese and Chinese languages and culture. He said he was extremely pleased that the ministry had designated nine institutions as research universities, as a step towards increasing Thailand's R & D capacity, critically important for its future and in producing higher value-added products.

With more researchers and advanced research knowledge in STEM fields, the standard of technology would be lifted in terms of knowledge production and improved efficiency and productivity, he added.

The professor said Vietnam's education is changing rapidly and their rice productivity is higher than that of Thailand.

"Although Thailand is far ahead of Vietnam in terms of infrastructure and its potential is high, both are similar in terms of rice exports and exporting products. Vietnam is a country on the move (a "rising Phoenix") and is comparable to Thailand in many ways. It's a serious competitor in many areas including tourism."

When compared to Thailand, Vietnam was more of a reading culture. "Vietnamese people are highly motivated. They also are highly creative."

In Vietnam, teachers working in remote areas get paid much more. Consequently, he wanted the Thai government to consider narrowing the large disparity or gap in education. Thailand needs to target more funds toward the most disadvantaged remote rural areas to reduce regional disparities in quality, he said.

Thailand should focus on two priorities - improving the overall quality of education at all levels and reducing the gaps in achievement.

Professor Fry emphasises that true education reform begins in the classrooms. With enhanced quality of teachers, students would learn to become more productive. He is pleased to see the Ministry of Education is trying to deal effectively with the problem of excessively small schools of low quality.

"We don't know what the jobs of tomorrow will be - but what we can do is teach students how to learn by themselves and how to be active efficient learners and readers all their lives."

-- The Nation 2012-08-13

[Scott]

From the OP:

"In Vietnam, teachers working in remote areas get paid much more. Consequently, he wanted the Thai government to consider narrowing the large disparity or gap in education. Thailand needs to target more funds toward the most disadvantaged remote rural areas to reduce regional disparities in quality, he said."

This gets to the core of the problem in Thailand. The social structure of the country basically assumes that only the elite, mostly in Bangkok, need to be well educated. There are more opportunities for a good education in the rural areas as more private schools penetrate the areas, but they still require a considerable outlay of cash; something a lot of families with talented children simply don't have.

[MaxLee]

The average Thai person wouldn't even bother reading 2 pages in daily life. In that aspect READING... their overall attitude sucks.

But on the other hand. The Thai government just "SETS IN those useless policies, that only "LOOK promising on the surface, but don't work "IN REALITY" ... Because reality is, that the majority of Thai people is too busy working their a***** off for just 200-300 dollars per month, and deals with all kinds of their top to bottom cultural face saving sh****, that prevents them from developing common sense,... and you think they have time or the motivation to "LEARN ENGLISH OR ANY OTHER SMART STUFF IN THE WORLD"????. And besides, their children in their free time are too busy playing with their little digital toys for 6 hours plus a day...

Welcome to the "real Thailand"... where the majority is just "freaking lazy" and "learning motivation is the biggest problem"

[thequietman]

He's a farang. He doesn't understand Thailand.

Thai's know better. End of discussion.

[sprq]

Same old song, which will have the same old effect: nothing. Thais regard being half-arsed at languages as OK, "Oh, angrit difficun...."

[Pesche]

Professor Gerald W Fry is simply realistic: True, spot on!

The sad thing is that "The Land of paradox" led by populistic nepotism (so called elite) simply smiles while offering free tablet computers to teenies - which is a great propaganda actually - "Oh yes we love you and thank you for the new gadget to play..."

...Thinking they DO progress, while parents in the rural areas barely have the money for books and uniforms!

I know from great and big Entrepreneurs that they are not so content as the training of their employees costs a lot while the salaries are low!

Other countries, like Vietnam or Cambodja are getting more and more competitive as nearly everyone speaks fluent English!

Additionally they are highly motivated.

Motivation doesn't seem to belong to the Thai vocabulary...

Thai style:

"Why bother! I live day by day, I always find a shelter and if I'm hungry I go and pic up some food along the road or in the backyard AND if I need some cash, I rip off the Farang"

I accompanied some kids I was taking care of to school... One day I asked the teacher if I could sit in the class to see how they teach.

I do recommend to you (if you have kids at school) to do the same AND...

You will see!!

My humble opinion - of course

[BWPattaya]

He's a farang. He doesn't understand Thailand.

Thai's know better. End of discussion.

That about sums it up.

[belg]

tip for any governement agency reading this forum : let us farangs, teach children in private (no need to do in school) for free, in our own village / moo bahn without need of workpermit or being afraid a jealous neighbor could possible get us deported for trying to help forward this country and its people

Edited August 13, 2012 by belg

[SouthernMan3]

Problem is the same as with the rice.

Gov't too busy partying and lining their pockets to spend money on native English speakers.

:I know.

We'll get our palm and rice from Lao.

Then sell it and make a profit and a big ole tax.

While we're at it rubber just dropped more then 10 bt. in about a week".

Of course everything at all the stores keeps going up.

Even importing used cars from abroad is now banned cause they can't charge us enough tax.

"We'll get teachers from Lao and Burma because we can pay them cheap salarys instead of native English speakers.

Even though the ASEAN language will be English".

The Buddha would not call this "right thought" (in my opinion).

[Udox]

Remember just a few weeks ago the wonderful news that they (the Government) were going to bring over 100 native English speaking university students for a whole six weeks, to give native English speaking lessons to Thai kids in 100 different schools around the country?

100 'wet behind the ears' students (not much older than the Thai kids they are 'teaching') who have no idea about how Thai culture and teaching works and probably don't know more than 2 words of Thai - supposedly teaching English to a class full of completely uninterested teenagers in some remote up-country village school - it really needs no comment.

There is an abundance of untapped resources right under their noses right here in Thailand where thousands of native English speakers resident here would (probably) be more than happy to spend a couple of hours a week just having basic conversational practice with these kids just to give them a bit of experience and confidence. These guys know the score here, know the cultural requirements and maybe even a few words of Thai language too - but of course, it will never happen as 'Johnny jobsworth' in his khaki uniform forbids it as it would be taking work away from Thai people and then of course they would all have to have work permits and most of all it might show just how terrible the real English teachers are in their schools.

So I hope the visiting students enjoy their 6 weeks here and party like theres no tomorrow and enjoy seeing the sights on their little jaunt to Thailand - and after their 6 weeks of 'intensive teaching' in Nakhon Nowhere, will they really have made a difference and will the kids here be better off because of it ?

Ah well back to the sleeping, chatting and playing facebook in class again now that 'ajarn peter' has gone home again.

[jsflynn603]

How ironic, there are so many who would, if they could do it, come to Thailand, take a TESOL (Teacher of English as a 2nd language) course, and teach, for little or no payment. But....oh, no.... not allowed.

AUA a reknowned English teaching school in Chiang Mai (and elsewhere) no longer even offers its TESOL class.

Something is wrong here...oh wait, I'm a farang, I don't understand....

[masaomi]

The average Thai person wouldn't even bother reading 2 pages in daily life. In that aspect READING... their overall attitude sucks.

But on the other hand. The Thai government just "SETS IN those useless policies, that only "LOOK promising on the surface, but don't work "IN REALITY" ... Because reality is, that the majority of Thai people is too busy working their a***** off for just 200-300 dollars per month, and deals with all kinds of their top to bottom cultural face saving sh****, that prevents them from developing common sense,... and you think they have time or the motivation to "LEARN ENGLISH OR ANY OTHER SMART STUFF IN THE WORLD"????. And besides, their children in their free time are too busy playing with their little digital toys for 6 hours plus a day...

Welcome to the "real Thailand"... where the majority is just "freaking lazy" and "learning motivation is the biggest problem"

Should not generalise it like that. Though only 10 percent of the Thai population are educated, speaks impeccable English and conduct themselves really well. They are also studious and well informed. Some of them happened to be my students and I am really very proud of them.

[Somtamnication]

Too late.

[atyclb]

How ironic, there are so many who would, if they could do it, come to Thailand, take a TESOL (Teacher of English as a 2nd language) course, and teach, for little or no payment. But....oh, no.... not allowed.

AUA a reknowned English teaching school in Chiang Mai (and elsewhere) no longer even offers its TESOL class.

Something is wrong here...oh wait, I'm a farang, I don't understand....

A circle of self perpetuating ineptitude and the illusion of progress. Not at all surprising.

A very good article written by a Thai about some of these issues; google... Naziism and our brainwashed upbringing

[atyclb]

The average Thai person wouldn't even bother reading 2 pages in daily life. In that aspect READING... their overall attitude sucks.

But on the other hand. The Thai government just "SETS IN those useless policies, that only "LOOK promising on the surface, but don't work "IN REALITY" ... Because reality is, that the majority of Thai people is too busy working their a***** off for just 200-300 dollars per month, and deals with all kinds of their top to bottom cultural face saving sh****, that prevents them from developing common sense,... and you think they have time or the motivation to "LEARN ENGLISH OR ANY OTHER SMART STUFF IN THE WORLD"????. And besides, their children in their free time are too busy playing with their little digital toys for 6 hours plus a day...

Welcome to the "real Thailand"... where the majority is just "freaking lazy" and "learning motivation is the biggest problem"

Should not generalise it like that. Though only 10 percent of the Thai population are educated, speaks impeccable English and conduct themselves really well. They are also studious and well informed. Some of them happened to be my students and I am really very proud of them.

10% speak impeccable English ???? Really

[Scott]

The problem that I have seen over the years is the lack of a consistent, strong curriculum with regard to English. Skills need to be taught consistently with goals and objectives. It's a step-by-step process and one that can't jump all over the place.

The teachers (both Thai and foreigners) need to speak English with the students. Both need to be trained in teaching a foreign language. I've seen too many 'white' faces with no skills being put in a classroom. Untrained native speakers can play a part in the learning process, but this should be the under the supervision of of a teacher who knows and gives the guidance to attain the objectives of the class.

Eight weeks of English here and there isn't going to cut it.

Edited August 14, 2012 by Scott

[MaxLee]

The problem that I have seen over the years is the lack of a consistent, strong curriculum with regard to English. Skills need to be taught consistently with goals and objectives. It's a step-by-step process and one that can't jump all over the place.

The teachers (both Thai and foreigners) need to speak English with the students. Both need to be trained in teaching a foreign language. I've seen too many 'white' faces with no skills being put in a classroom. Untrained native speakers can play a part in the learning process, but this should be the under the supervision of of a teacher who knows and gives the guidance to attain the objectives of the class.

Eight weeks of English here and there isn't going to cut it.

Waste of money and time since the culture of Western languages requires the individual to express himself and question things to the uttermost limit, something that will never be adopted by a face saving, status-worried and EXAM oriented society which is so brainwashed by the higher class to an extend that these kids and poor middle class people lose their motivation towards learning.

Don't even bother. A farang just standing in the classroom doesn't cut it.

Learning Western Language is a long term self motivational attitude, that's sadly lacking in a 50-70 plus classroom in most Thai government schools.

Bottom line... Waste of time and resources in vain...

[Scott]

I can understand your frustration, but in my experience, a few good years with the young 'uns, lays down the basics for the language and the students can build on it rather quickly. Motivation is different for a lot of students. Their goals may be much shorter term than ours or the nations--they simply want a good grade.

Young people like to communicate and once they have a basics, they will start talking. The boys, who are usually the worst students, love to talk about football. They want your ideas, what team you support etc.. The Olympics would have been a fantastic teaching opportunity.

[Pops]

Quote: Other countries, like Vietnam or Cambodja are getting more and more competitive as nearly everyone speaks fluent English!

Additionally they are highly motivated.

I do business in both Cambodia and Vietnam and can assure you, that your statement, that everyone there, speaks fluent English and is highly motivated is absolute nonsense.

I know you just ventilate an opinion, but it would be nice if this opinion would at least be based on some knowledge.

[Phatcharanan]

Quote: Other countries, like Vietnam or Cambodja are getting more and more competitive as nearly everyone speaks fluent English!

Additionally they are highly motivated.

I do business in both Cambodia and Vietnam and can assure you, that your statement, that everyone there, speaks fluent English and is highly motivated is absolute nonsense.

Have to agree. Awful comprehension of English in Cambodia...........example

'Allo me old china....lovely barnet! And I am drowning in them minces! How far down this frog and toad I gotta go to find a Jack?

She looked at me like I was some kind of alien.

[culicine]

Remember just a few weeks ago the wonderful news that they (the Government) were going to bring over 100 native English speaking university students for a whole six weeks, to give native English speaking lessons to Thai kids in 100 different schools around the country?

100 'wet behind the ears' students (not much older than the Thai kids they are 'teaching') who have no idea about how Thai culture and teaching works and probably don't know more than 2 words of Thai - supposedly teaching English to a class full of completely uninterested teenagers in some remote up-country village school - it really needs no comment.

There is an abundance of untapped resources right under their noses right here in Thailand where thousands of native English speakers resident here would (probably) be more than happy to spend a couple of hours a week just having basic conversational practice with these kids just to give them a bit of experience and confidence. These guys know the score here, know the cultural requirements and maybe even a few words of Thai language too - but of course, it will never happen as 'Johnny jobsworth' in his khaki uniform forbids it as it would be taking work away from Thai people and then of course they would all have to have work permits and most of all it might show just how terrible the real English teachers are in their schools.

So I hope the visiting students enjoy their 6 weeks here and party like theres no tomorrow and enjoy seeing the sights on their little jaunt to Thailand - and after their 6 weeks of 'intensive teaching' in Nakhon Nowhere, will they really have made a difference and will the kids here be better off because of it ?

Ah well back to the sleeping, chatting and playing facebook in class again now that 'ajarn peter' has gone home again.

Throw a bunch of hansum 20 y.o boys from the west into a m6 girls class and watch then want to talk Kids don't have a lot of intrinsic interest to learn english so they need extrinsic motivators !

On a more serious note, instead of badgering many teachers in school around the country without 'proper' teaching qualifications. Apart from EP's / bilingual schools, most teachers are here to teach conversation in government schools. The Thai teachers seem to teach grammar in these schools. Why not relax the requirements for teaching qualifications then, and make it easier to get work permits / visas, etc. This government should have realistic, clear goals, such as all student in the country having a native speaker for x number of hours per week, but the end of 2015. That's only 3 years away and sadly, I think, not enough time to significantly improve language learning in this country.

[crazydrummerpauly]

The average Thai person wouldn't even bother reading 2 pages in daily life. In that aspect READING... their overall attitude sucks.

But on the other hand. The Thai government just "SETS IN those useless policies, that only "LOOK promising on the surface, but don't work "IN REALITY" ... Because reality is, that the majority of Thai people is too busy working their a***** off for just 200-300 dollars per month, and deals with all kinds of their top to bottom cultural face saving sh****, that prevents them from developing common sense,... and you think they have time or the motivation to "LEARN ENGLISH OR ANY OTHER SMART STUFF IN THE WORLD"????. And besides, their children in their free time are too busy playing with their little digital toys for 6 hours plus a day...

Welcome to the "real Thailand"... where the majority is just "freaking lazy" and "learning motivation is the biggest problem"

Should not generalise it like that. Though only 10 percent of the Thai population are educated, speaks impeccable English and conduct themselves really well. They are also studious and well informed. Some of them happened to be my students and I am really very proud of them.

"..only 10 percent of the Thai population are educated, speaks impeccable English.." - 'only' ?! ( emphasis added ) Absolutely no way - is there 10% of any population that speaks a foreign language 'impeccably' ? - hyperbolic, and inaccurate, and mind-boggling in the Thai context.