Speaking English: Thailand vs Philippines

[HerbalEd]

Maybe the fact that PI was governed by USA for so many years and thus English is very commonly spoken there is the reason.

[Shancloudy]

To prove that Filipinos are good in English.... Ms. Philippine won again in the beauty contest this year as Ms. International 2013.

[Kudel]

Well the United States won the Philippine's from the Spanish as a result of the Spanish American War in 1898, after the Philippine- American War 1899-1902 the Americans defeated the revolt of the people of the Philippines and made English the primary language of, the government, education and business, The US controlled the Philippines from 1898 to 1946.

So to answer your question, Why the people of the Philippines have more English speakers and teachers then Thailand, was a result of 48 years of English language was forced on the people of the Philippines as it official language!

Cheers

First of all sir it was never forced on the Filipino culture. They did have two bases there but are now down to one and Subic Bay is located outside of Angeles city.

English is there second-language because of the American influence, that is correct! I visited many schools when I was in the Philippines basically because I was a principal from the USA. They are taught English on the first grade level through the 12th grade level. They are the third largest English speaking country in the world. They have approximately 94% literacy in the Philippines.

I visited a first grade class with 51 students and you could hear a pin drop. When working for my Doctorate I also did a survey of some of the Filipino educational systems. Their curriculum is very sound and their universities are basically top notch. The number one University is located outside of Manila in Quezon City and the number two is in Dumaguete. The International Universities are totally top notch and with the core of instructors that they have it appears that they are extremely sound.

To sum up most of the questions asked here, it mainly depends on the lecturers or the instructors at the University that makes them a sound and quality-based educational system.

If Thailand had this quality of instructors I truly believe that their educational system could have possibilities, But they must change the curriculum in order to meet the accreditation requirements. Thai students can only be as good as the instructors or the leaders of that individual school. Thai students are extremely intelligent if Instructed properly with quality educators. Once again do not give total Autonomy to the owners of the school and the school must meet accreditation because the teachers are qualified but not in English. This is not the problem of the teachers but the leaders of the school.

I'll agree with you to a point. There are major cultural differences too. Thais are taught not to question authority and not to lose face So independent, analytic thinking is not a trait that is developed in the school systems, nor is risk taking. And in order to learn, you need to to do both. You need to be willing to make mistakes and then learn from your mistakes. That doesn't happen here. And there are some excellent instructors here. Don't let that Doctorate go to your head. Unless those cultural issues are addressed, effective learning doesn't take place, regardless of how dedicated an instructor is.

I didn't see those issue in the PI school systems or with Filipino students. It's a different culture. So please don't arbitrarily blame it on 'poor instructors' or 'poor curriculum'. Within the education system, Thais need a 'quantum leap' in their cultural perspective .

My Doctorate is in Technology and Curriculum and it is not going into my head! I have 12 years as an administrator in the USA and three years experience at an international University in Thailand. I've had teaching experience and have taught teachers from different countries to teach English in their home countries to their students. I have nothing to prove to you nor am I my trying to prove anything to you other than voicing actual facts as I have seen it in the past years. You cannot compare to my qualifications nor experiences so basically cheers! Quality of the curriculum in this country is less than desirable because my daughter attends a Thai school. Her English is better than the instructors.

To enter into a cultural background is the least of the educational problems in Thailand. If you wish to speak to me use respect and not tell me that something is going to my head it offends me talking to an unintelligent individual from some country who feels they are a little more arrogant than others.

Cheers!

As a none engrit speaker youre engrit sucks big time.

[Baerboxer]

From the OP ...

There are plenty of good Filipino English speakers teaching English in Thailand ...

There some here who may contest that statement in part or whole.

.

Indeed. I know some excellent one - ability in English and teaching. I also know some who can't hold a real conversation in English. It's very variable.

However, when in the Philippines I have never had any problems in shops, restaurants, hotels, taxis, businesses. People understand what you say and can communicate an answer of varying degrees of clarity.

Here, I know Thai university professors who write in English for academic journals, yet cannot or are unwilling to speak English.

[David48]

Hotel in the Philippines see photo.

Can you post the link to what hotel is this? Or a link to where you got the photo from? yes carrying guns in the Philippines by security guards is normal just like the US but not guns like that.

Here Manilla - Pan Pacific Hotel

Philippines tourism can’t sell “fun” while gun crime remains pervasive.

Credit Pasay city SWAT members of the Philippine National Police make the rounds

of business establishments as they go on patrol at suburban Pasay city, south of

Manila, Philippines

[Bender]

you should have titled this thread : Speaking english Uk vs Philippines

i have few filipinos friends and yes their english is perfect.

For me, the main reason, they are open mind, they are interested about everything and eager to learn

willing to work hard...

[Hardened Spanker]

Well the United States won the Philippine's from the Spanish as a result of the Spanish American War in 1898, after the Philippine- American War 1899-1902 the Americans defeated the revolt of the people of the Philippines and made English the primary language of, the government, education and business, The US controlled the Philippines from 1898 to 1946.

So to answer your question, Why the people of the Philippines have more English speakers and teachers then Thailand, was a result of 48 years of English language was forced on the people of the Philippines as it official language!

Cheers

First of all sir it was never forced on the Filipino culture. They did have two bases there but are now down to one and Subic Bay is located outside of Angeles city.

English is there second-language because of the American influence, that is correct! I visited many schools when I was in the Philippines basically because I was a principal from the USA. They are taught English on the first grade level through the 12th grade level. They are the third largest English speaking country in the world. They have approximately 94% literacy in the Philippines.

I visited a first grade class with 51 students and you could hear a pin drop. When working for my Doctorate I also did a survey of some of the Filipino educational systems. Their curriculum is very sound and their universities are basically top notch. The number one University is located outside of Manila in Quezon City and the number two is in Dumaguete. The International Universities are totally top notch and with the core of instructors that they have it appears that they are extremely sound.

To sum up most of the questions asked here, it mainly depends on the lecturers or the instructors at the University that makes them a sound and quality-based educational system.

If Thailand had this quality of instructors I truly believe that their educational system could have possibilities, But they must change the curriculum in order to meet the accreditation requirements. Thai students can only be as good as the instructors or the leaders of that individual school. Thai students are extremely intelligent if Instructed properly with quality educators. Once again do not give total Autonomy to the owners of the school and the school must meet accreditation because the teachers are qualified but not in English. This is not the problem of the teachers but the leaders of the school.

I guess you were not a geography major in school check a map Subic Bay is not outside Angeles City but a good 80 or so kilometers away. The US doesn't have one base in the Philippines as we have an agreement with that country that allows us to use there base. We left the Philippines in I believe 1991 after the volcano explosion dumped several feet of ash on Clark Air Force Base (which is outside Angeles City) and several inches on Subic Bay and the government as for an outlandish amount of money for the rent of the two bases. The Philippines Government was feeling there oats about then and wanted the US out. I was in the US Navy for 10 years and spent a bit of time in Subic Bay and I know where it is at. And they do not speak good english

Clark is the old US base and also the airport for Angeles City which is about 11km away.It's a military runway and even though you land halfway down it you still can't see the end of it when you get off the plane!

[Hardened Spanker]

ok ok pedant anonymous member here,

but Philipines was colonised that is why they are catholic , or some branch of Christian and all speak bludy good English

Yeah, it was a Spanish colony before. Then the US took it over. I have met some people from there who speak Spanish (along with English and Tagalog). They have a saying about it...don't remember. Ask a Filipino and they will probably know it. Several have told it to me and laughed.

During one visit to Luzon, a Filipino friend said, "The Spanish gave us religion (Roman Catholicism), The Americans gave us English and Civil Service and the Japanese gave us Kamikaze drivers". I thought it was funny and he continued the conversation is fluent English, complete with the latest jokes and comedy.

They do mix there "Fs" with "Ps" though, which can be kinda funny. I had a Filipino girlfriend of mine (lived in the SF Bay area) tell me a bunch of jokes that were a play on words that Filipinos couldn't say well. Her English was flawless, so the jokes were pretty darn funny.

Here's one:

Q: What do you call two Filipino pilots?

A: A pair of pliers.

Ok, two:

Q: What do Filipino tennis players wear on their feet.

A: Tenacious.

What utter nonsense,have you EVER even been to The Philippines?

[Hardened Spanker]

For everyone saying there's thousands of languages in the Philippines there's two main ones.On Luzon Island,where the capital Manila is they speak Tagalog and in the South they speak Visaya,that's it.
Huge amount of BS about The Phils going on in this thread,from people who have obviously never been near the place!

[Leung Falang]

I worked in the Philippines for a year in 1989-90 at Subic Bay Naval Base for US Navy. Nearly everyone in the area spoke English as

it co-official with Tagalog/Filiipino. Before the US occupation in early 1900's, the country was a Spanish colony. Learning English is sure much easier after a Spanish base language.

From Wikipedia: English is dominant in business, government, the legal system, medicine, the sciences and as a medium of instruction. Filipinos prefer textbooks for subjects like calculus, physics, chemistry, biology, etc., written in English rather than Filipino. By way of contrast, native languages are often heard in colloquial and domestic settings, spoken mostly with family and friends. The use of English may be thought to carry an air of formality, given its use in school, government and various ceremonies.

We volunteer in Thai schools and find the focus is on grammar, 3 hours of instruction per week in middle school and up, class size of

45 or so, poor discipline in classroom, automatic promotion, teachers frequently absent for many reasons, lack of technology, little parental

oversight, and .......constantly changing direction from Bangkok, centralized administration from Bangkok.

[Shancloudy]

My grandfather told me after the world war II the american government sent thousand of missionaries to educate the filipinos they created doctors, nurses, teachers and a lot more. As far as I know Filipino people love american people everytime I talk to my friends, classmates, neighbors they really happy for all the help of americans maybe because we are open minded we know how to appreciate all the help that we receive and we are eager to learn. I remember when I was a kid every children in Philippines received a powder milk and some food from american that was 20 years ago. And most of my playmates have an american poster parents to support them. I remember that time I was so jealous to my playmates because they received a beautiful toys from their poster parents every christmas hahaha but me, I don't have poster parents the filipino government told me that I don't need poster parents because my parents are businessman and they can give what I want. And everytime i went to the library I always read in the books that " this book is for filipino people given by _________ University in America." We filipino really feel the love and care of Americans.

[Shancloudy]

For everyone saying there's thousands of languages in the Philippines there's two main ones.On Luzon Island,where the capital Manila is they speak Tagalog and in the South they speak Visaya,that's it.

Huge amount of BS about The Phils going on in this thread,from people who have obviously never been near the place!

Yes that's true. There's a thousand languanges in Philippines every Islands have their own dialects. Like in my parents place they speak bisaya or bantoanon. And my parents moved to Mindoro which is the main dialect is tagalog but some words are different then I studied in Manila and met many friends from different islands since we have different dialects we use english or tagalog in a conversation. But most of my friends want to use english because its hard for them to speak tagalog.

Edited December 17, 2013 by Shancloudy

[Ystradyfodwg]

Wouldn't it be a shame if all countries in the world spoke English.Of course it would be easier in everyday life but surely countries that are not 'first language English' would lose out on their culture,history and heritage.

[Somtamnication]

Why are we comparing Thai vs Philipino English? Like comparing apples with oranges.

[DGIE]

I've just come back from a trip to Bali,Indonesia and guess what?Everyone speaks perfect English there as well,at least as good as the Philippines if not better without the silly accent!
The truth is it's just not cool or "Gangsta" in Thailand to speak English and that suits the governments just fine,keep 'em stupid,uneducated and therefore much easier to manipulate!

What has not speaking English to do with being stupid and uneducated? Silly accent? Oh God we need a thread on that. We could have a poll what is the most difficult accent to understand as opposed to the silliest accent.

[DGIE]

you should have titled this thread : Speaking english Uk vs Philippines

i have few filipinos friends and yes their english is perfect.

For me, the main reason, they are open mind, they are interested about everything and eager to learn

willing to work hard...

But that cannot be. UK is the original native English speaking country

while the Philippines, English is just a second language.

[slipperylobster]

History is a good subject, and should clear up any questions for you.

[DGIE]

Well the United States won the Philippine's from the Spanish as a result of the Spanish American War in 1898, after the Philippine- American War 1899-1902 the Americans defeated the revolt of the people of the Philippines and made English the primary language of, the government, education and business, The US controlled the Philippines from 1898 to 1946.

So to answer your question, Why the people of the Philippines have more English speakers and teachers then Thailand, was a result of 48 years of English language was forced on the people of the Philippines as it official language!

Cheers

First of all sir it was never forced on the Filipino culture. They did have two bases there but are now down to one and Subic Bay is located outside of Angeles city.

English is there second-language because of the American influence, that is correct! I visited many schools when I was in the Philippines basically because I was a principal from the USA. They are taught English on the first grade level through the 12th grade level. They are the third largest English speaking country in the world. They have approximately 94% literacy in the Philippines.

I visited a first grade class with 51 students and you could hear a pin drop. When working for my Doctorate I also did a survey of some of the Filipino educational systems. Their curriculum is very sound and their universities are basically top notch. The number one University is located outside of Manila in Quezon City and the number two is in Dumaguete. The International Universities are totally top notch and with the core of instructors that they have it appears that they are extremely sound.

To sum up most of the questions asked here, it mainly depends on the lecturers or the instructors at the University that makes them a sound and quality-based educational system.

If Thailand had this quality of instructors I truly believe that their educational system could have possibilities, But they must change the curriculum in order to meet the accreditation requirements. Thai students can only be as good as the instructors or the leaders of that individual school. Thai students are extremely intelligent if Instructed properly with quality educators. Once again do not give total Autonomy to the owners of the school and the school must meet accreditation because the teachers are qualified but not in English. This is not the problem of the teachers but the leaders of the school.

Even if you put quality teachers in Thai schools. One big problem is the students. They are not interested. That means that children are not advised by parents the importance of English to them.

There is a free learning in English and Chinese in Huamark temples. Teachers are Filipinos and Chinese. The local government pays the teachers. The non-formal education is free to any Thai who wants to learn basic English and Chinese. But although free for the people, very few are interested.

[Dennisdob]

I agree with you on some of things that you say! It has been my experience to whereas the reason some are not interested is because they basically have nowhere to practice it. They can't go home to practice it, their friends do not speak English so consequently it becomes a language if you don't use it you lose it.

For some of the less economic individuals I would tutor every Sunday to try to develop English with some of the students to increase their English proficiency. They were interested but the problem once again was practice! I had the opportunity to speak to some of the Thai teachers and they had no idea on what I was saying so my daughter had to be the translator.

The temple schools ,I had an association with only one and it was a disaster considering I was helping the English teacher making cassette tapes so he could use in this class. The YWCA also have some English classes but I was not permitted to go in and view the class.

To take a three month course from me at the University was 45,000. Most could not afford it, so for the less fortunate, I did it for free.

[Dennisdob]

Well the United States won the Philippine's from the Spanish as a result of the Spanish American War in 1898, after the Philippine- American War 1899-1902 the Americans defeated the revolt of the people of the Philippines and made English the primary language of, the government, education and business, The US controlled the Philippines from 1898 to 1946.

So to answer your question, Why the people of the Philippines have more English speakers and teachers then Thailand, was a result of 48 years of English language was forced on the people of the Philippines as it official language!

Cheers

First of all sir it was never forced on the Filipino culture. They did have two bases there but are now down to one and Subic Bay is located outside of Angeles city.

English is there second-language because of the American influence, that is correct! I visited many schools when I was in the Philippines basically because I was a principal from the USA. They are taught English on the first grade level through the 12th grade level. They are the third largest English speaking country in the world. They have approximately 94% literacy in the Philippines.

I visited a first grade class with 51 students and you could hear a pin drop. When working for my Doctorate I also did a survey of some of the Filipino educational systems. Their curriculum is very sound and their universities are basically top notch. The number one University is located outside of Manila in Quezon City and the number two is in Dumaguete. The International Universities are totally top notch and with the core of instructors that they have it appears that they are extremely sound.

To sum up most of the questions asked here, it mainly depends on the lecturers or the instructors at the University that makes them a sound and quality-based educational system.

If Thailand had this quality of instructors I truly believe that their educational system could have possibilities, But they must change the curriculum in order to meet the accreditation requirements. Thai students can only be as good as the instructors or the leaders of that individual school. Thai students are extremely intelligent if Instructed properly with quality educators. Once again do not give total Autonomy to the owners of the school and the school must meet accreditation because the teachers are qualified but not in English. This is not the problem of the teachers but the leaders of the school.

I guess you were not a geography major in school check a map Subic Bay is not outside Angeles City but a good 80 or so kilometers away. The US doesn't have one base in the Philippines as we have an agreement with that country that allows us to use there base. We left the Philippines in I believe 1991 after the volcano explosion dumped several feet of ash on Clark Air Force Base (which is outside Angeles City) and several inches on Subic Bay and the government as for an outlandish amount of money for the rent of the two bases. The Philippines Government was feeling there oats about then and wanted the US out. I was in the US Navy for 10 years and spent a bit of time in Subic Bay and I know where it is at. And they do not speak good english

Clark is the old US base and also the airport for Angeles City which is about 11km away.It's a military runway and even though you land halfway down it you still can't see the end of it when you get off the plane!

That is completely correct!

[Dennisdob]

I also wish to relay the message that this is about education where Thai versus Filipino! Not necessarily where Subic Bay is located nor where the US Army base is located but basically we're going to discuss educational needs or educational philosophy.

[Dennisdob]

Mr Panther sir one reason may be, go to google and type, "List of countries where English is an official language." Thailand is not on there, I don't think. Philippines is on there I think, Check it out,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_where_English_is_an_official_language

If you really didn't now the Philippines was a US colony and had thousands of Americans stationed at naval bases in the country for years after that.

The Philippines fought on our side during WWII and the Thais on the other side.

ok ok pedant anonymous member here,

but Philipines was colonised that is why they are catholic , or some branch of Christian and all speak bludy good English

Yeah, it was a Spanish colony before. Then the US took it over. I have met some people from there who speak Spanish (along with English and Tagalog). They have a saying about it...don't remember. Ask a Filipino and they will probably know it. Several have told it to me and laughed.

During one visit to Luzon, a Filipino friend said, "The Spanish gave us religion (Roman Catholicism), The Americans gave us English and Civil Service and the Japanese gave us Kamikaze drivers". I thought it was funny and he continued the conversation is fluent English, complete with the latest jokes and comedy.

They do mix there "Fs" with "Ps" though, which can be kinda funny. I had a Filipino girlfriend of mine (lived in the SF Bay area) tell me a bunch of jokes that were a play on words that Filipinos couldn't say well. Her English was flawless, so the jokes were pretty darn funny.

Here's one:

Q: What do you call two Filipino pilots?

A: A pair of pliers.

Ok, two:

Q: What do Filipino tennis players wear on their feet.

A: Tenacious.

That was great! They do have quite a sense of humor and I can appreciate some of the things that they say and I'm glad that you brought this out.

English is not the official language of the Filipino people it is basically their second language.

[JDGRUEN]

People from the Philippines who teach English in Thailand work in Thailand because they work for CHEAP wages -- not because they can speak English correctly or are able to speak English without a debilitating accent... Philippine nationals for the most part speak POOR ENGLISH and speak English with a severe accent. Thus any Thai student in an English class conducted by a Philippine English instructor is likely to learn poor English and learn English with an accent that makes their English hardly understandable ... That's the bottom line folks - no matter how many may rationalize it ....

[Dennisdob]

From the OP ...

There are plenty of good Filipino English speakers teaching English in Thailand ...

There some here who may contest that statement in part or whole.

.

Indeed. I know some excellent one - ability in English and teaching. I also know some who can't hold a real conversation in English. It's very variable.

However, when in the Philippines I have never had any problems in shops, restaurants, hotels, taxis, businesses. People understand what you say and can communicate an answer of varying degrees of clarity.

Here, I know Thai university professors who write in English for academic journals, yet cannot or are unwilling to speak English.

I can totally agree with that! Quality of instructors and Curriculum. Most schools in Thailand are privatized by owners and they have complete Autonomy of the courses that are being taught. I too have never had difficulties in going there were visiting the different schools.

[Shancloudy]

People from the Philippines who teach English in Thailand work in Thailand because they work for CHEAP wages -- not because they can speak English correctly or are able to speak English without a debilitating accent... Philippine nationals for the most part speak POOR ENGLISH and speak English with a severe accent. Thus any Thai student in an English class conducted by a Philippine English instructor is likely to learn poor English and learn English with an accent that makes their English hardly understandable ... That's the bottom line folks - no matter how many may rationalize it ....

We are in Asia and do you want Asian people to speak like a native english speaker?

[pinebits]

My grandfather told me after the world war II the american government sent thousand of missionaries to educate the filipinos they created doctors, nurses, teachers and a lot more. As far as I know Filipino people love american people everytime I talk to my friends, classmates, neighbors they really happy for all the help of americans maybe because we are open minded we know how to appreciate all the help that we receive and we are eager to learn. I remember when I was a kid every children in Philippines received a powder milk and some food from american that was 20 years ago. And most of my playmates have an american poster parents to support them. I remember that time I was so jealous to my playmates because they received a beautiful toys from their poster parents every christmas hahaha but me, I don't have poster parents the filipino government told me that I don't need poster parents because my parents are businessman and they can give what I want. And everytime i went to the library I always read in the books that " this book is for filipino people given by _________ University in America." We filipino really feel the love and care of Americans.

yeah right, "poster"parents......IT SHOULD BE FOSTER!

[JDGRUEN]

People from the Philippines who teach English in Thailand work in Thailand because they work for CHEAP wages -- not because they can speak English correctly or are able to speak English without a debilitating accent... Philippine nationals for the most part speak POOR ENGLISH and speak English with a severe accent. Thus any Thai student in an English class conducted by a Philippine English instructor is likely to learn poor English and learn English with an accent that makes their English hardly understandable ... That's the bottom line folks - no matter how many may rationalize it ....

We are in Asia and do you want Asian people to speak like a native english speaker?

Yes - absolutely -- as much as possible ... just as Thai people want Westerners to speak Thai as much as is possible as a Thai. Your question is just off the scale ignorant.

Edited December 18, 2013 by JDGRUEN

[Dennisdob]

Well the United States won the Philippine's from the Spanish as a result of the Spanish American War in 1898, after the Philippine- American War 1899-1902 the Americans defeated the revolt of the people of the Philippines and made English the primary language of, the government, education and business, The US controlled the Philippines from 1898 to 1946.

So to answer your question, Why the people of the Philippines have more English speakers and teachers then Thailand, was a result of 48 years of English language was forced on the people of the Philippines as it official language!

Cheers

First of all sir it was never forced on the Filipino culture. They did have two bases there but are now down to one and Subic Bay is located outside of Angeles city.

English is there second-language because of the American influence, that is correct! I visited many schools when I was in the Philippines basically because I was a principal from the USA. They are taught English on the first grade level through the 12th grade level. They are the third largest English speaking country in the world. They have approximately 94% literacy in the Philippines.

I visited a first grade class with 51 students and you could hear a pin drop. When working for my Doctorate I also did a survey of some of the Filipino educational systems. Their curriculum is very sound and their universities are basically top notch. The number one University is located outside of Manila in Quezon City and the number two is in Dumaguete. The International Universities are totally top notch and with the core of instructors that they have it appears that they are extremely sound.

To sum up most of the questions asked here, it mainly depends on the lecturers or the instructors at the University that makes them a sound and quality-based educational system.

If Thailand had this quality of instructors I truly believe that their educational system could have possibilities, But they must change the curriculum in order to meet the accreditation requirements. Thai students can only be as good as the instructors or the leaders of that individual school. Thai students are extremely intelligent if Instructed properly with quality educators. Once again do not give total Autonomy to the owners of the school and the school must meet accreditation because the teachers are qualified but not in English. This is not the problem of the teachers but the leaders of the school.

I'll agree with you to a point. There are major cultural differences too. Thais are taught not to question authority and not to lose face So independent, analytic thinking is not a trait that is developed in the school systems, nor is risk taking. And in order to learn, you need to to do both. You need to be willing to make mistakes and then learn from your mistakes. That doesn't happen here. And there are some excellent instructors here. Don't let that Doctorate go to your head. Unless those cultural issues are addressed, effective learning doesn't take place, regardless of how dedicated an instructor is.

I didn't see those issue in the PI school systems or with Filipino students. It's a different culture. So please don't arbitrarily blame it on 'poor instructors' or 'poor curriculum'. Within the education system, Thais need a 'quantum leap' in their cultural perspective .

My Doctorate is in Technology and Curriculum and it is not going into my head! I have 12 years as an administrator in the USA and three years experience at an international University in Thailand. I've had teaching experience and have taught teachers from different countries to teach English in their home countries to their students. I have nothing to prove to you nor am I my trying to prove anything to you other than voicing actual facts as I have seen it in the past years. You cannot compare to my qualifications nor experiences so basically cheers! Quality of the curriculum in this country is less than desirable because my daughter attends a Thai school. Her English is better than the instructors.

To enter into a cultural background is the least of the educational problems in Thailand. If you wish to speak to me use respect and not tell me that something is going to my head it offends me talking to an unintelligent individual from some country who feels they are a little more arrogant than others.

Cheers!

As a none engrit speaker youre engrit sucks big time.

Get an education! Perhaps then you can speak with intelligence.

[QROPS]

People from the Philippines who teach English in Thailand work in Thailand because they work for CHEAP wages -- not because they can speak English correctly or are able to speak English without a debilitating accent... Philippine nationals for the most part speak POOR ENGLISH and speak English with a severe accent. Thus any Thai student in an English class conducted by a Philippine English instructor is likely to learn poor English and learn English with an accent that makes their English hardly understandable ... That's the bottom line folks - no matter how many may rationalize it ....

We are in Asia and do you want Asian people to speak like a native english speaker?

Yes - absolutely -- as much as possible ... just as Thai people want Westerners to speak Thai as much as is possible as a Thai. Your question is just off the scale ignorant.

I think the only one showing their ignorance is yourself.

[pinebits]

People from the Philippines who teach English in Thailand work in Thailand because they work for CHEAP wages -- not because they can speak English correctly or are able to speak English without a debilitating accent... Philippine nationals for the most part speak POOR ENGLISH and speak English with a severe accent. Thus any Thai student in an English class conducted by a Philippine English instructor is likely to learn poor English and learn English with an accent that makes their English hardly understandable ... That's the bottom line folks - no matter how many may rationalize it ....

Everybody has an accent anyway so accent shouldn't be an issue as other native english speakers has their own "debilitating" accent as you put it. Being able to speak the english language is one thing that Filipino's would always be proud of wherever they are. Of course, there are a few who cannot but that's one in a hundred I guess. They are willing to work CHEAP wages, for you, but for them it is not. You have to remember, everything is relative, what is cheap for you, may not be for some.