Thailand's English Skills Lowest In S E A

[Commander Tamson]

 

I work with Thais and have serious conversations in both Thai and English everyday....you have to, we're running an industry, it's a serious business, and most of the management have quite good language skills. It would seem that a large number of posters here have no experience of Thailand outside their own limited circle - e. G. Pattaya

I presume you are one of the management. Of course they make that extra effort to understand you. - you're their <deleted> boss. I also have a small company here and all my workers try very hard to both understand my Thai and to politely help with my pronunciation. But go to the local 7-11 and ask for a pack of Malboro Gold ( how simple can that be) and they just stare blankly at you. Morons! with preconceived expectations - farangs can't speak our wonderful language, so no matter what he says I'll not understand him.

ASEAN is going to come as a shock to Thailand, but they'll have some laughable excuse when the time comes as to why they've become the poor man of the region.

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Whatt a facile post! full of assumptions and prejudices.If I were you, I'd go back read it afgain and then post something with a reasoned argument.

Like you always do? Another one who trolls all the threads looking for an excuse to flame someone!

 

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[Noistar]

Another aspect of the problem with Thai education in general, which doesn't help the perceived problem with the ability to grasp English, is an apparent unwillingness of Thai parents to challenge the way their children are taught. My own experience is that my step-daughter is redoing M4 because my wife told me we couldn't raise any issues with the school.

I also get the impression that there is an unwillingness on the part of students, especially the 'superior' ones, to knuckle down and learn it.

My only limited personal experience is:

1 - poorly educated girls are attracted to Pattaya, to do a gutty 'job' to support their families. They get off their butts and learn English because they have to.

2 - here in CM, the underprivileged boys who become nen to be cared for by monks, can and do speak different levels of English, but at least the ability is there. Once again, getting off their butts.

3 - in CM I have been told there are 11 universities. I can think of 5, but I won't discount there being more. University students either say their English ability is 'nit noi' or they tend to ignore you. The few who do speak English are keen to take every opportunity to use their English and try to improve it.

The stories I hear from the people who can use English, is that English is acquired in spite of rather than because of University education. These people have told me how they use various means to expose themselves to English, hence their desire to improve their skills.

So, Thais, including less well-educated Thais who are prepared to work, can communicate effectively in English. What appears to be a large proportion of university students in CM, do not make and don't appear to want to make, a similar effort.

I believe there's nothing stopping Thailand becoming proficient in communicating in English, apart from Thailand itself.

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[kingstonkid]

MY RANT TIME

There are 3 things wrong that stop kids from learning English.

1. Why should I learn when I am going to pass anyway.

2. 40 minutes once a week

3. and this is universal as I can attest to growing up in Canada before it was a bilingual country and I am sure Americans here will agree. Why should I learn English? I am never leaving Thailand and the language here is Thai. People coming here should learn to speak Thai in my country. Both us Canucks and the Americans know how far that got or s getting us, but the Thai kids all have that same look we did and our kids did.

Solution.

Make it mandatory that officer's in the military speak fluent English along with senior staff.

Have a double pay scale for the silly servants. 50% wage increase if you can pass a true english reading, writing and speaking test with no multiple choice questions.

Have business leaders from SCG, PTT and others start going into the schools or doing ads stating that is what they are going to be looking for in executives.

This is what is needed.

[Noistar]

As a language English is remarkably democratic - no government has ever managed to interred with it's constant development. It is in short a language of the people - whoever they happen to be - there are NO RULES only conventions.

The fact is that English exists in various forms around the world none of which are particularly right or wrong. Anyone teaching English will know this. The object of teaching is in general to get people to communicate on a day to day basis. This is usually business of some kind, but it can be specialist or academic or even literary amongst others.

To judge a nation's progress on a perceived pronunciation of one letter seems facile in the extreme. I suppose next we'll have to tell the population of Eire how to pronounce "th"?.

If you are form a valid opinion on teaching English in Thailand , you not only need to know about teaching but also about the English language itself.

Wanting students to be taught correctly is not facile. It seems strange to defend teachers who cannot teach their students correctly.

The English language can easily be misunderstood when spoken by Thais. Employing teachers to mis-teach (if there is such a term) English is hardly going to improve Thai English ability.

If Maths teachers taught 1+1=3, would an observation that it's wrong be facile?

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[wilcopops]

As a language English is remarkably democratic - no government has ever managed to interred with it's constant development. It is in short a language of the people - whoever they happen to be - there are NO RULES only conventions.

The fact is that English exists in various forms around the world none of which are particularly right or wrong. Anyone teaching English will know this. The object of teaching is in general to get people to communicate on a day to day basis. This is usually business of some kind, but it can be specialist or academic or even literary amongst others.

To judge a nation's progress on a perceived pronunciation of one letter seems facile in the extreme. I suppose next we'll have to tell the population of Eire how to pronounce "th"?.

If you are form a valid opinion on teaching English in Thailand , you not only need to know about teaching but also about the English language itself.

Wanting students to be taught correctly is not facile. It seems strange to defend teachers who cannot teach their students correctly.

The English language can easily be misunderstood when spoken by Thais. Employing teachers to mis-teach (if there is such a term) English is hardly going to improve Thai English ability.

If Maths teachers taught 1+1=3, would an observation that it's wrong be facile?

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Facile???? where did you get that from?

the whole point about English is it CAN"T be taught like maths, and i would love to hear your explanation of "correctly" as in "Wanting students to be taught correctly is not facile." You seem now to be basing your entire critique of Thai English ability on the pronunciation of one letter.

"

Edited November 5, 2013 by wilcopops

[Noistar]

 

As a language English is remarkably democratic - no government has ever managed to interred with it's constant development. It is in short a language of the people - whoever they happen to be - there are NO RULES only conventions.

The fact is that English exists in various forms around the world none of which are particularly right or wrong. Anyone teaching English will know this. The object of teaching is in general to get people to communicate on a day to day basis. This is usually business of some kind, but it can be specialist or academic or even literary amongst others.

To judge a nation's progress on a perceived pronunciation of one letter seems facile in the extreme. I suppose next we'll have to tell the population of Eire how to pronounce "th"?.

If you are form a valid opinion on teaching English in Thailand , you not only need to know about teaching but also about the English language itself.

Wanting students to be taught correctly is not facile. It seems strange to defend teachers who cannot teach their students correctly.

The English language can easily be misunderstood when spoken by Thais. Employing teachers to mis-teach (if there is such a term) English is hardly going to improve Thai English ability.

If Maths teachers taught 1+1=3, would an observation that it's wrong be facile?

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Facile???? where did you get that from?

 

 the whole point about English is it CAN"T be taught like maths, and i would love to hear your explanation of "correctly" as in "Wanting students to be taught correctly is not facile." You seem now to be basing your entire critique of Thai English ability on the pronunciation of one letter.

"

 

An interesting summary of one example of a letter mispronunciation.

I fail to see a positive contribution from your post, but am pleased to reply to the points you raise.

1) I didn't say that English could be taught like Maths. Even a quick look at my post would show that I was comparing an apparent acceptance of poor teaching in one subject, with what should be unacceptable in another.

2) there are many mistakes made by Thais when attempting to pronounce English words, which native English speakers often do their best to cope with.

A list of other problems would be way off topic, I merely high-lighted one which is published by Thais who are qualified sufficiently in English to be able to make Thai-English publications.

When 'pay, play, pray' sound identical, it would appear to be a deficiency on the part of the teaching environment, if this is not detected and attempts made to rectify it.

Instead of judging my post, perhaps you could contribute your own thoughts. After all, this thread belongs to the members of the forum, not you.

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[petedk]

I haven't read all the previous pages so I don't know if anyone has the same idea or theory as I have, but anyway this is what I think. I want to keep it short and simple but I could write a whole page or more.

I feel that there are two groups of Thais when it comes to learning (wanting to learn) English: those who really want to learn and make a great effort to learn and those who say they want to learn but make no real effort.

I have met some Thais who speak very clear and fluent English and when I ask them where they learnt English they tell me from books, TV, films and so on. I admire these people and am always willing to help them. Others who speak excellent English have learnt it in university or have been abroad to study and made a real effort to learn.

I have met many who say they want to learn but make no effort. Some seem to have no idea as how to study. They ask me to teach them and pay for a course. They turn up without any writing materials or dictionary. They never take any notes or make an effort to remember anything. They study 2 hours (or whatever) a week with me and never make any effort outside class to use English.

I have one student who studied in Sunderland, England for two years and he cannot make a simple sentence in English. Another went to New Zealand for a year to study English, stayed with a Thai family and din't learn anything. He then studied one on one, two hours a day, every day with me for three months. That helped but cost his parents a fortune.

Some Thais don't realise that language learning is not like learning History or geography where they can learn by heart but needs practicing just like sports.

[Thai at Heart]

Until people are taught the realisation that Thai won't get them very far in the big wide world, and that for the good of the country, Thai's should endeavour to learn a second language because it's good for themselves and the country, it's all rather moot.

There can only be good to come from learning a second language, period.

[dru2]

I think expats in Thailand relish this kind of survey result, but of course they aren't interested in looking into it further, much better to sit back and say "I told you so" as if they have some in depth knowledge of the cutlural ins-andouts of language leaning and a detailed knowledge of language teaching - suddenly everyone's an expert?

Singapore - ex- British colony

Malaysia - ex-British colony

Philippines - ex - US colony

Indonesia and Thailand not a lot of difference apart from the fat Idonesia had Dutch and English influences

How about Cambodia , Laos and Vietnam? French influence there.

Not any more. French is generally only spoken by people over 70. Everyone is learning English with enthusiasm - especially in Cambodia and Vietnam.

[bangon04]

Until people are taught the realisation that Thai won't get them very far in the big wide world, and that for the good of the country, Thai's should endeavour to learn a second language because it's good for themselves and the country, it's all rather moot.

There can only be good to come from learning a second language, period.

So logically Chinese would actually be more useful than English.....

[Noistar]

 

A lot of posters have descended on this thread like a pack of vultures on a carcass. Vultures are of course bald and bird brained which seems to sum up quite a few of the post here too.

 

The OP is about ONE survey only - how through or accurate has hardly been questioned and certainly I've seen no independent corroboration of it.

 

Thailand may be loosing it's lead over it's neighbours when it comes to eduction and in particular English language.

BUT

Regardless of what the "others" are doing Thailand has made great strides in eduction, especially EL over the last decade or more. All S.E. asian countries have and the prejudices and bigotry of some posters on this thread just go to show how ignorant they are about education rather than how "badly" Thailand is doing.

 

Thailand has problems, mostly connected with corruption and an exclusive ruling class.

I work with educated Thais and common workers all who have an open mind to new ideas, technology and some of the basics of democracy........Thailand has some of the best trained technical workers in the region and they are all keen to learn more English and their companies ae prepared to pay for this.

trying to pin the blame on the school system is quite frankly utterly facile - anyone who has learned a foreign language will know that in most cases they really get to grips with it AFTER school.

 

Almost ALL the criticism on this thread is based on observations by those who clearly lack the intellect or educational background to truly understand that is going on and in fact they are contributing to they owwn inaccurate picture of what is happening.

 

May I ask, are you a teaching professional?

Your defence of the Thai teaching environment makes me wonder if you have a bias.

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[wilcopops]

A lot of posters have descended on this thread like a pack of vultures on a carcass. Vultures are of course bald and bird brained which seems to sum up quite a few of the post here too.

The OP is about ONE survey only - how through or accurate has hardly been questioned and certainly I've seen no independent corroboration of it.

Thailand may be loosing it's lead over it's neighbours when it comes to eduction and in particular English language.

BUT

Regardless of what the "others" are doing Thailand has made great strides in eduction, especially EL over the last decade or more. All S.E. asian countries have and the prejudices and bigotry of some posters on this thread just go to show how ignorant they are about education rather than how "badly" Thailand is doing.

Thailand has problems, mostly connected with corruption and an exclusive ruling class.

I work with educated Thais and common workers all who have an open mind to new ideas, technology and some of the basics of democracy........Thailand has some of the best trained technical workers in the region and they are all keen to learn more English and their companies ae prepared to pay for this.

trying to pin the blame on the school system is quite frankly utterly facile - anyone who has learned a foreign language will know that in most cases they really get to grips with it AFTER school.

Almost ALL the criticism on this thread is based on observations by those who clearly lack the intellect or educational background to truly understand that is going on and in fact they are contributing to they owwn inaccurate picture of what is happening.

May I ask, are you a teaching professional?

Your defence of the Thai teaching environment makes me wonder if you have a bias.

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and what do you mean by "bias"? Pointing out your mistakes is not bias

[wilcopops]

Until people are taught the realisation that Thai won't get them very far in the big wide world, and that for the good of the country, Thai's should endeavour to learn a second language because it's good for themselves and the country, it's all rather moot.

There can only be good to come from learning a second language, period.

So logically Chinese would actually be more useful than English.....

The reasons for studying English and / or Chinese in Thailand have been covered earlier in this thread - they are not actually the same so "more logical" doesn't make sense.

[Rimmer]

One post asking for personal detail removed

[tetleythedog]

Good post. Yes they will have egg on their faces in the Asean. But ! Rest asured the smugness will remain, they will find excuses (as always). They will continue to be prejudiced against all other nationalities. Laughable really, but it's the way they are brought up. Nurtured to deny any mistakes, facts which disprove their overall ignorance. TIT,

You mean it needed tests to come to this conclusion?

Several years ago I was in the situation of having to correspond at length with the head of the English department at one of the big Bangkok Universities . . . the lady in charge of teaching the teachers. I was astonished to discover that her written English was probably similar to that of a bright UK/USA/Aus etc 8-or 9-year-old . . . ie, confident but littered with grammatical and structural mistakes.

Will the Thai nation remain smug and offhand when it is suddenly out in the same competitive trading arena as the other ASEAN countries?

And will it keep its back turned with even fiercer pride, and shout even more loudly about how much finer the nation is than its . . . neighbours?

YOOOOOOOOOO BETCHA IT WILL!

R

[Tchooptip]

Or lowest in the world?

[Tchooptip]

Lowest in SEA ...Maybe lowest on the planet who knows?

[willyumiii]

But there isn't even a modest attempt. I have yet to see on Thai domestic television, one children's program from the west, with the original sountrack. There is Chris Delivery, but he is on at 10pm. The cinemas still put out dubbed soundtracks which are infinitely more popular than original soundtracks.

Then, to round it all off, I have yet to find a Thai high school student who can read out loud confidently in English. My niece who is an extremely smart kid, is attending an intensive English speaking course, is coming to see me every night for an hour or so to read English out loud to me, just to train herself to be able to pronounce English properly. I admire her effort, but at 22, she is attempting to do this 15 years too late. Apparently all her companions on this course want elocution lessons from me.

Patently, the entire concept of teaching languages is very screwed up in this country.

Well said. Spot on.

R

I assist a group of up to seven Thai high school students, ages 15-17 with learning English conversation every Saturday morning.

Every week, I will write a few pages of English dialog that the students will take turns reading to each other. We work on pronunciation, sounds not in the Thai language, saying complete words, as well as words, expressions, idioms, and expressions in English they may not understand.

I find that most of my students read English very well at this age. The study sessions often sound like rehearsals for a play. They have become very good at expressing emotions as well as things curiosity and confidence in their English conversations.

This is something I do purely for the enjoyment. of helping the wonderful young people who try so hard and enjoy learning so much.

I find myself looking forward to meeting with them each Saturday.

This is something they are doing because they want to learn. It is not something they are required to do.

In the past, I have assisted in schools where the students only participate because they are required to and found that more than half could not care less about learning English.

Thai students that can read English out loud confidently can be found.

I found mine outside of the classroom!

If you have the time and inclination to assist a group of Thai students who want to learn, I highly recommend it!

Choke Dee!

[wilcopops]

But there isn't even a modest attempt. I have yet to see on Thai domestic television, one children's program from the west, with the original sountrack. There is Chris Delivery, but he is on at 10pm. The cinemas still put out dubbed soundtracks which are infinitely more popular than original soundtracks.

Then, to round it all off, I have yet to find a Thai high school student who can read out loud confidently in English. My niece who is an extremely smart kid, is attending an intensive English speaking course, is coming to see me every night for an hour or so to read English out loud to me, just to train herself to be able to pronounce English properly. I admire her effort, but at 22, she is attempting to do this 15 years too late. Apparently all her companions on this course want elocution lessons from me.

Patently, the entire concept of teaching languages is very screwed up in this country.

Well said. Spot on.

R

I assist a group of up to seven Thai high school students, ages 15-17 with learning English conversation every Saturday morning.

Every week, I will write a few pages of English dialog that the students will take turns reading to each other. We work on pronunciation, sounds not in the Thai language, saying complete words, as well as words, expressions, idioms, and expressions in English they may not understand.

I find that most of my students read English very well at this age. The study sessions often sound like rehearsals for a play. They have become very good at expressing emotions as well as things curiosity and confidence in their English conversations.

This is something I do purely for the enjoyment. of helping the wonderful young people who try so hard and enjoy learning so much.

I find myself looking forward to meeting with them each Saturday.

This is something they are doing because they want to learn. It is not something they are required to do.

In the past, I have assisted in schools where the students only participate because they are required to and found that more than half could not care less about learning English.

Thai students that can read English out loud confidently can be found.

I found mine outside of the classroom!

If you have the time and inclination to assist a group of Thai students who want to learn, I highly recommend it!

Choke Dee!

What a refreshing change!

None of the sit-back-and-moan brigade here, someone who is actually going out and doing something constructive.

[willyumiii]

I believe that English is the first language in Singapore and that English and Spanish are commonly spoken in the Philippines.

People I have met from Singapore actually speak with a British accent!

It does not surprise me that these countries rate so high.

Unfortunately, in Thailand they do not seem to think that learning the English language as a high priority.

The government has allocated extra money to increase the number and quality of English teachers.

That money was used to replace the money previously use to pay the existing teachers.

The money previously used to pay the same teachers just vanished into thin air, or thick wallets!

Due to it's myopic view and corruption, Thailand is the least qualified to meet the standards of ASEAN before the deadline.

What will the consequences be for Thailand?

Mai pen Rai???

Edited November 6, 2013 by willyumiii

[Tchooptip]

Another problem is some Thais lack motivation at least by Western standards, my DIL found a job at Bangkok Airways, now her dream is to become an Air-hostess, she learnt English at school, but to start with, figures and alphabet only ... 50% not understandable! 5 for instance is fy! So I bought her a tablet Samsung to download English learning softwares.

I see her every week, each time I tell her what about your English? She giggles, that's all for an answer, on the other hand she never stops to play games on the same tablet what can I do, she is 23 years old

[wilcopops]

Another problem is some Thais lack motivation at least by Western standards, my DIL found a job at Bangkok Airways, now her dream is to become an Air-hostess, she learnt English at school, but to start with, figures and alphabet only ... 50% not understandable! 5 for instance is fy! So I bought her a tablet Samsung to download English learning softwares.

I see her every week, each time I tell her what about your English? She giggles, that's all for an answer, on the other hand she never stops to play games on the same tablet what can I do, she is 23 years old

It is quite possible to have conversations in English using only tone and vowel sounds - of which there are over 35 - so fussing about "fi" is just not understanding the problem in a way that can provide a solution.

Thais' and other S.E. asian countries do not have rhythmic or stress based languages so their main problem is getting the stress in the right place.

[Noistar]

But there isn't even a modest attempt. I have yet to see on Thai domestic television, one children's program from the west, with the original sountrack. There is Chris Delivery, but he is on at 10pm. The cinemas still put out dubbed soundtracks which are infinitely more popular than original soundtracks.

Then, to round it all off, I have yet to find a Thai high school student who can read out loud confidently in English. My niece who is an extremely smart kid, is attending an intensive English speaking course, is coming to see me every night for an hour or so to read English out loud to me, just to train herself to be able to pronounce English properly. I admire her effort, but at 22, she is attempting to do this 15 years too late. Apparently all her companions on this course want elocution lessons from me.

Patently, the entire concept of teaching languages is very screwed up in this country.

Well said. Spot on.

R

I assist a group of up to seven Thai high school students, ages 15-17 with learning English conversation every Saturday morning.

Every week, I will write a few pages of English dialog that the students will take turns reading to each other. We work on pronunciation, sounds not in the Thai language, saying complete words, as well as words, expressions, idioms, and expressions in English they may not understand.

I find that most of my students read English very well at this age. The study sessions often sound like rehearsals for a play. They have become very good at expressing emotions as well as things curiosity and confidence in their English conversations.

This is something I do purely for the enjoyment. of helping the wonderful young people who try so hard and enjoy learning so much.

I find myself looking forward to meeting with them each Saturday.

This is something they are doing because they want to learn. It is not something they are required to do.

In the past, I have assisted in schools where the students only participate because they are required to and found that more than half could not care less about learning English.

Thai students that can read English out loud confidently can be found.

I found mine outside of the classroom!

If you have the time and inclination to assist a group of Thai students who want to learn, I highly recommend it!

Choke Dee!

What a refreshing change!

None of the sit-back-and-moan brigade here, someone who is actually going out and doing something constructive.

The problem, as indicated by the bold, is finding those who 'want' to. I am always willing to help those who want to learn but they are few and far between.

Perhaps other posters have a surfeit of want to-learners - certainly not the case here.

[wilcopops]

But there isn't even a modest attempt. I have yet to see on Thai domestic television, one children's program from the west, with the original sountrack. There is Chris Delivery, but he is on at 10pm. The cinemas still put out dubbed soundtracks which are infinitely more popular than original soundtracks.

Then, to round it all off, I have yet to find a Thai high school student who can read out loud confidently in English. My niece who is an extremely smart kid, is attending an intensive English speaking course, is coming to see me every night for an hour or so to read English out loud to me, just to train herself to be able to pronounce English properly. I admire her effort, but at 22, she is attempting to do this 15 years too late. Apparently all her companions on this course want elocution lessons from me.

Patently, the entire concept of teaching languages is very screwed up in this country.

Well said. Spot on.

R

I assist a group of up to seven Thai high school students, ages 15-17 with learning English conversation every Saturday morning.

Every week, I will write a few pages of English dialog that the students will take turns reading to each other. We work on pronunciation, sounds not in the Thai language, saying complete words, as well as words, expressions, idioms, and expressions in English they may not understand.

I find that most of my students read English very well at this age. The study sessions often sound like rehearsals for a play. They have become very good at expressing emotions as well as things curiosity and confidence in their English conversations.

This is something I do purely for the enjoyment. of helping the wonderful young people who try so hard and enjoy learning so much.

I find myself looking forward to meeting with them each Saturday.

This is something they are doing because they want to learn. It is not something they are required to do.

In the past, I have assisted in schools where the students only participate because they are required to and found that more than half could not care less about learning English.

Thai students that can read English out loud confidently can be found.

I found mine outside of the classroom!

If you have the time and inclination to assist a group of Thai students who want to learn, I highly recommend it!

Choke Dee!

What a refreshing change!

None of the sit-back-and-moan brigade here, someone who is actually going out and doing something constructive.

The problem, as indicated by the bold, is finding those who 'want' to. I am always willing to help those who want to learn but they are few and far between.

Perhaps other posters have a surfeit of wantๆto-learners - certainly not the case here.

So now your angle is not the education system, it is that most Thai people simply don't want to learn.....i think you should make your mind up.

[Scott]

There are some off-topic posts and if it continues posters will be warned and suspended. The thread is about a topic, it's not about posters. Stay on topic.

You have been warned.

[connda]

Well based on the JELA results, I'm assuming that the ASEAN countries will soon adopt Thai as their official business language -- so why bother learning English. The universe does revolve around Thailand -- right?

[Noistar]

 

 

 

But there isn't even a modest attempt.  I have yet to see on Thai domestic  television, one children's program from the west, with the original sountrack.  There is Chris Delivery, but he is on at 10pm.  The cinemas still put out dubbed soundtracks which are infinitely more popular than original soundtracks.

 

 

Then, to round it all off, I have yet to find a Thai high school student who can read out loud confidently in English.  My niece who is an extremely smart kid, is attending an intensive English speaking course, is coming to see me every night for an hour or so to read English out loud to me, just to train herself to be able to pronounce English properly.  I admire her effort, but at 22, she is attempting to do this 15 years too late.  Apparently all her companions on this course want elocution lessons from me.  

 

Patently, the entire concept of teaching languages is very screwed up in this country.  

 

 

Well said. Spot on.

R

I assist a group of up to seven Thai high school students, ages 15-17 with learning English conversation every Saturday morning.

 

Every week, I will write a few pages of English dialog that the students will take turns reading to each other. We work on pronunciation, sounds not in the Thai language, saying complete words, as well as words, expressions, idioms, and expressions in English they may not understand.

 

I find that most of my students read English very well at this age. The study sessions often sound like rehearsals for a play. They have become very good at expressing emotions as well as things curiosity and confidence in their English conversations.

 

This is something I do purely for the enjoyment. of helping the wonderful young people who try so hard and enjoy learning so much.

 

I find myself looking forward to meeting with them each Saturday.

 

This is something they are doing because they want to learn. It is not something they are required to do.

 

In the past, I have assisted in schools where the students only participate because they are required to and found that more than half could not care less about learning English.

 

Thai students that can read English out loud confidently can be found.

 

I found mine outside of the classroom!

 

If you have the time and inclination to assist a group of Thai students who want to learn, I highly recommend it!

 

Choke Dee!

 

 

 

What a refreshing change!

None of the sit-back-and-moan brigade here, someone who is actually going out and doing something constructive.

The problem, as indicated by the bold, is finding those who 'want' to. I am always willing to help those who want to learn but they are few and far between.

Perhaps other posters have a surfeit of wantๆto-learners - certainly not the case here.

 

So now your angle is not the education system, it is that most Thai people simply don't want to learn.....i think you should make your mind up.

Is your post contributing to the thread or judging a poster, namely me?

I think it's just possible that the Thai education system and the unwillingness of students to want to learn, are not mutually exclusive.

My comments re both are relevant and I have witnessed the same.

As such, I believe they contribute to the thread, and welcome any other input on the subject.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[MilesofSmiles]

I think it's quite simple.

Imagine an Aussie teaching Thai, straight from a book to Aussie kids who write it down half wrong and forget soon after class.

Waer de car maaate?!

If you teach someone a language for 5+ years and they can't string a sentence together, the teacher, culture towards foreign language and schools are to blame.

This is self-evident.

Thais are perfectly capable of learning things if they want to.

[wilcopops]

The problem is nothing to do with white teachers. The majority of Thais are taught by Thai teachers who are afraid to speak english (even if they could), and use Thai 95% of the time. I'm still astounded that the average government school graduate can say barely more than hello, even after 12 years of learning english. There are plenty of excellent speakers of english here, educated in private / international schools / overseas, but they are in the vast minority of all citizens.

"but they are in the vast minority of all citizens." - perhaps you might look at your own English before criticising others?

[wilcopops]

The problem is nothing to do with white teachers. The majority of Thais are taught by Thai teachers who are afraid to speak english (even if they could), and use Thai 95% of the time. I'm still astounded that the average government school graduate can say barely more than hello, even after 12 years of learning english. There are plenty of excellent speakers of english here, educated in private / international schools / overseas, but they are in the vast minority of all citizens.

reiterate . . .

"Several years ago I was in the situation of having to correspond at length with the head of the English department at one of the big Bangkok Universities . . . the lady in charge of teaching the teachers. I was astonished to discover that her written English was probably similar to that of a bright UK/USA/Aus etc 8-or 9-year-old . . . ie, confident but littered with grammatical and structural mistakes."

"her written English was probably similar to that of a bright UK/USA/Aus etc 8-or 9-year-old " - this is the reading age required for the Sun a national UK paper - it would seem according to your criteria se is on a par with millions of native English users in the UK.

Edited November 8, 2013 by wilcopops