Does anybody know when the O-Net tests will be held this year?

[lostinisaan]

Sawasdee Khrap,

There's nobody at my school who could answer this question and as far as I remember are they usually held in the first week of February?

I've got two grade six classes and went through the Pre-O-Net tests with them and was really shocked how poor their English really is.

I'd deeply appreciate if some of you would share any existing material, preferable in MS Office Word format, or on PPS.

We had a topic three years ago, but I can't find the link to it. I've attached some grade six tests that came from Bangkok three years ago.

Plus some much better ones from California, but way too difficult for grade six students in this country.

I'm pretty sure that our M. 3 students would have huge problems to answer them.

Thanks a lot for those who are willing to share their stuff. G'Day.-

O-Net Part One Tests.docx

O-Net Part two.docx

[lostinisaan]

The ones from California....

English Tests California grade 6.docx

[laurenrebecca]

The Prathom 6 test is on February 27th. I don't know about M3 and M6 though.

My school uses only old tests to train the students. Go over the old questions enough times, and the students will have them memorized is the mentality here (although in the last 4 years of testing I have seen only 3 questions repeated).

Nevermind teaching the concepts....we need to know the previous tests, and then won't have a clue when those exact questions aren't on the test this year.

Edited January 12, 2016 by laurenrebecca

[talisman01]

According to the NIETS website the two days of O-NET exams are on the 6th and 7th February 2016 (2559) with the English exam from 2.30-4.30 on the first day.

http://www.niets.or.th/th/catalog/view/214

[lostinisaan]

The Prathom 6 test is on February 27th. I don't know about M3 and M6 though.

My school uses only old tests to train the students. Go over the old questions enough times, and the students will have them memorized is the mentality here (although in the last 4 years of testing I have seen only 3 questions repeated).

Nevermind teaching the concepts....we need to know the previous tests, and then won't have a clue when those exact questions aren't on the test this year.

I don't think that old tests are the problem. ( If the tests are in proper English and the right answer is clear to all.)

What bugs me is that the Thai teachers tell the kids the right answers of each question ( looking in the answer sheet that came from Bangkok), but they don't explain why the other answers are wrong.

( And the teachers usually don't know the right answers without the answer sheet)..

Unfortunately, there'll be students who tick the boxes of some one-hundred-year-old O-Net tests.

But that's Thailand. Don't worry, be happy and go to the next grade.

[lostinisaan]

The Prathom 6 test is on February 27th. I don't know about M3 and M6 though.

My school uses only old tests to train the students. Go over the old questions enough times, and the students will have them memorized is the mentality here (although in the last 4 years of testing I have seen only 3 questions repeated).

Nevermind teaching the concepts....we need to know the previous tests, and then won't have a clue when those exact questions aren't on the test this year.

It's usually beginning of February. Some schools already shut down early March. O-Net tests are always before the final examinations.

Edited to add: Found the old link, Google is your best friend: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/607434-looking-for-prathom-6-o-net-tests-in-word-format/

Edited January 12, 2016 by lostinisaan

[pest]

Try this forum http://www.ajarnforum.net/

[dave1108]

The M3 ONET is 30 & 31 Jan. The M6 ONET is the following weekend, 6 & 7 Feb.

I don't know when the P6 test is, but it must be around then.

[smileplur]

I have been looking for some materials for the O-Net test for my teachers to use to help students prepare. Thanks for the upload. We also use old tests. I hope these help a little bit more. I wish I could upload the old tests, but they are just too many pages for me to scan them all.

Thanks again!

[aidenai]

P6 - 27 February 2016

M3 - 27 and 28 February 2016

M6 - 6 and 7 February 2016

The results will be available on the next dates.

P6 - 28 March 2016
M3 - 29 March 2016
M6 - 21 March 2016

Edited January 13, 2016 by aidenai

[Shiver]

I don't have answers about the dates (I'm not a teacher), but as a person from England my native language is (unsurprisingly) English, and if I were a parent and saw those tests I wouldn't be too happy. I struggle with the structure of the question and the ambiguity of the answers which seem to need qualifying in many instances (maybe it's my computer language background that doesn't tolerate such things despite the latitude offered of the English language which at times can be anything but logical).

I don't want to be down on the student lack of drive, and I would have sympathy for them having to interpret this kind of thing and trying to decode the question before formulating an answer - maybe they're teaching politician speak(?). I would happily re-write them for free if they were interested, though I know what the response to that would be before offering.

[Classic Ray]

I agree with shiver. I have just looked through the first part of the O-Net Part One tests posted by lostinisaan above and almost every question is either ambiguous or contains spelling or grammatical mistakes.

For example, Q1 Christmas's Day should be Christmas Day, Q26 Here's no Peter should be There is no one called Peter here, Q29 OK today we will be fun with art should be OK today we will have some fun with art or we will be having fun with art, Q30 Keep of the grass should be Keep off the grass. I could go on, but will not.

What chance do the students have when the test papers are so poorly prepared? I would judge they have not been prepared or checked by a qualified native English speaker.

[DavisH]

Regarding the poor questions in the tests. At one stage this was discussed with some good M3 students - they said 'don't worry teacher, we know what they want' Maybe they understand the Thai mindset behind the totally illogical questions. Good questions would flummox the lot of them lol

[BruceMangosteen]

What chance do the students have when the test papers are so poorly prepared? I would judge they have not been prepared or checked by a qualified native English speaker.

No way the Thai's are going to have a native speaker "complain about" their English. While I'm sure the tests are written in good faith and for money, you'd be amazed at the lack of English speaking and writing ability a Thai teacher has, even a Thai with a Masters or Ph.D. in English. Not all of course, those that have studied abroad or lived in an English speaking country for a year or more do get it. But those without said experience, impossible. You have to step it before you understand it, just like s*&^.

[lostinisaan]

I agree with shiver. I have just looked through the first part of the O-Net Part One tests posted by lostinisaan above and almost every question is either ambiguous or contains spelling or grammatical mistakes.

For example, Q1 Christmas's Day should be Christmas Day, Q26 Here's no Peter should be There is no one called Peter here, Q29 OK today we will be fun with art should be OK today we will have some fun with art or we will be having fun with art, Q30 Keep of the grass should be Keep off the grass. I could go on, but will not.

What chance do the students have when the test papers are so poorly prepared? I would judge they have not been prepared or checked by a qualified native English speaker.

You're right with your judgment. That's exactly how they came to my former school from Bangkok.

I did "clean" them up and used them for my grade six students. But I lost all of them when two hard drives died, almost at the same time.

That was many moons ago.

[lostinisaan]

What chance do the students have when the test papers are so poorly prepared? I would judge they have not been prepared or checked by a qualified native English speaker.

No way the Thai's are going to have a native speaker "complain about" their English. While I'm sure the tests are written in good faith and for money, you'd be amazed at the lack of English speaking and writing ability a Thai teacher has, even a Thai with a Masters or Ph.D. in English. Not all of course, those that have studied abroad or lived in an English speaking country for a year or more do get it. But those without said experience, impossible. You have to step it before you understand it, just like s*&^.

You're damn right about that. "You can lead a thirsty horse to a pond, but you can't make it drink." Usually, the thesis for a Master's degree is written by a foreigner.

I've done that twice, at my second and at my current school. They usually do it in a way that you can't say no......

Our director, Doctor xxxxx Somchai's Doctorate was written by my neighbor's son. ( All the written stuff !!!)

A befriended lawyer in Ubon told me that it's possible to buy a Doctorate degree from a "better" university in Central Isaan for only 600 K.

The coordinator of a big primary Anuban school in lower northeast has a Doctorate degree from the Philippines, but she was never there...

That should explain a lot.

[BruceMangosteen]

The coordinator of a big primary Anuban school in lower northeast has a Doctorate degree from the Philippines, but she was never there...

That should explain a lot.

Actually, I wish this could be explained to the Teachers Council of Thailand. Said "council" seems to have waived the restricted list of something like two Universities in the Philippines being acceptable for a Teachers License in Thailand, now allowing any "University" in the Philippines as meeting the requirement for a degree with a major in Education for said described "License". This of course will and has resulted in western educated native English speakers being forced to either leave the Kingdom or live on their savings.

[lostinisaan]

The coordinator of a big primary Anuban school in lower northeast has a Doctorate degree from the Philippines, but she was never there...

That should explain a lot.

Actually, I wish this could be explained to the Teachers Council of Thailand. Said "council" seems to have waived the restricted list of something like two Universities in the Philippines being acceptable for a Teachers License in Thailand, now allowing any "University" in the Philippines as meeting the requirement for a degree with a major in Education for said described "License". This of course will and has resulted in western educated native English speakers being forced to either leave the Kingdom or live on their savings.

Plus certain African nationals holding a Thai teacher's license with a TOEIC score of 399 points raises various and serious questions.

I've got some resumes of Africans who applied for a teaching position at my school, so no "hearsay." Where's the logic? There's no logic at all.

I was in touch with one of the "accredited universities" from the Philippines, with an office in Bangkok and it's only a matter of money to "graduate.online." Sad if you don't have the needed greenbacks.

How does such an online course make anybody to a better teacher? The "<fill in> hits the fan when you're married, can't take your family to let's say China, nor is it possible to take them to the country of your origin.

But some, obviously not "qualified teachers", with a very questionable command of the English language, who can't even have a simple conversation with a native English speaker, are allowed to teach English in Thailand? Why do I smell rotten fish and foul play here?

And "visiting" your family in Thailand on Christmas and Songkran isn't really what others and myself are looking for. And living here for 15 + years doesn't leave you any savings.

I apologize for being off topic.

Edited January 16, 2016 by lostinisaan

[aidenai]

I thought this thread was about ONET dates. Not about content. Please start a new thread.

[BruceMangosteen]

I thought this thread was about ONET dates. Not about content. Please start a new thread.

As Secretary Clinton said..."What difference does it make?"....The topic was O-Net tests, and after you read the dates, you weren't required to continue reading about the intricacies of said tests such as typical questions and teachers ability to tutor. I fail to see why you took time to complain about something that really is on topic, just not exactly about a "date" of said exams. My suggestion is to stop reading when you find the replies out of your grasp or interest. Happy New Year.

[BruceMangosteen]

And "visiting" your family in Thailand on Christmas and Songkran isn't really what others and myself are looking for. And living here for 15 + years doesn't leave you any savings.

I apologize for being off topic.

Who actually cares if you are off topic? Certainly not anyone who has visited a book store or library or for that matter, a food court. Why do they sell things other than food in a food court?

However, you sparked an interesting point which needs to be made in your remark above. The Thai staff assume you are in fact saving a lot of Baht with your "big" salary. The truth is of course, if you live any sort of "western" lifestyle, you end up after 15 years dipping to your savings back in England just to enjoy a nice meal every now and again not to mention, contribute to outhouse construction at your ladies village.

[Scott]

Please stop the bickering.

[Scott]

An inflammatory post has been removed.

[bigt3116]

What chance do the students have when the test papers are so poorly prepared? I would judge they have not been prepared or checked by a qualified native English speaker.

No way the Thai's are going to have a native speaker "complain about" their English. While I'm sure the tests are written in good faith and for money, you'd be amazed at the lack of English speaking and writing ability a Thai teacher has, even a Thai with a Masters or Ph.D. in English. Not all of course, those that have studied abroad or lived in an English speaking country for a year or more do get it. But those without said experience, impossible. You have to step it before you understand it, just like s*&^.

You're damn right about that. "You can lead a thirsty horse to a pond, but you can't make it drink." Usually, the thesis for a Master's degree is written by a foreigner.

I've done that twice, at my second and at my current school. They usually do it in a way that you can't say no......

Our director, Doctor xxxxx Somchai's Doctorate was written by my neighbor's son. ( All the written stuff !!!)

A befriended lawyer in Ubon told me that it's possible to buy a Doctorate degree from a "better" university in Central Isaan for only 600 K.

The coordinator of a big primary Anuban school in lower northeast has a Doctorate degree from the Philippines, but she was never there...

That should explain a lot.

Really? I have taught a number of Master's and PhD classes and not one student has ever asked me to write their thesis.

[BruceMangosteen]

"Really? I have taught a number of Master's and PhD classes and not one student has ever asked me to write their thesis."

WE don't have the context of your remark. Please follow up and advise us if you are a Filipino or Thai or what Nationality?

Generally, Master's and PhD classes aren't "taught", rather guided or with an adviser. This being Thailand, I don't know for sure?

The candidate would not normally ask someone involved in the process to write their thesis or papers. It would have to be someone outside the circle. Denial is a way of life as well as of course the "silent treatment". They want a twenty page thesis on the "meaning of sufficiency economy" you give it to them. The source of the written words isn't the main focus. It's completing the task. It may not even be read by anyone, let alone a committee of educated professors.

[bigt3116]

English and believe me, most of the students still need teaching, the role of facilitator for post grads here is left to the Thai lecturers.

[lostinisaan]

What chance do the students have when the test papers are so poorly prepared? I would judge they have not been prepared or checked by a qualified native English speaker.

No way the Thai's are going to have a native speaker "complain about" their English. While I'm sure the tests are written in good faith and for money, you'd be amazed at the lack of English speaking and writing ability a Thai teacher has, even a Thai with a Masters or Ph.D. in English. Not all of course, those that have studied abroad or lived in an English speaking country for a year or more do get it. But those without said experience, impossible. You have to step it before you understand it, just like s*&^.

You're damn right about that. "You can lead a thirsty horse to a pond, but you can't make it drink." Usually, the thesis for a Master's degree is written by a foreigner.

I've done that twice, at my second and at my current school. They usually do it in a way that you can't say no......

Our director, Doctor xxxxx Somchai's Doctorate was written by my neighbor's son. ( All the written stuff !!!)

A befriended lawyer in Ubon told me that it's possible to buy a Doctorate degree from a "better" university in Central Isaan for only 600 K.

The coordinator of a big primary Anuban school in lower northeast has a Doctorate degree from the Philippines, but she was never there...

That should explain a lot.

Really? I have taught a number of Master's and PhD classes and not one student has ever asked me to write their thesis.

Really? Interesting. " You've taught a number of" Master's and PhD classes." At Disneyland?

Bruce M already made a great explanation. At this level you're "lecturing" and not teaching. Please Google the difference.

And even if your statement would be true, it's very unusual that a lecturer writes the thesis for one of his/her students.

P.S. A lecturer gives his/her students the topic of his/her thesis.

Edited January 20, 2016 by lostinisaan

[bigt3116]

" Really? Interesting. " You've taught a number of" Master's and PhD classes." At Disneyland? My university is not "Disneyland".

Bruce M already made a great explanation. At this level you're "lecturing" and not teaching. Please Google the difference. As I explained, even the post grads still need teaching English - remember, they did not all Major in English at BA or MA level.

And even if your statement would be true, it's very unusual that a lecturer writes the thesis for one of his/her students. Yet you wrote "Usually, the thesis for a Master's degree is written by a foreigner. " Please Google the difference between "usually" and "unusual".

(Assuming of course that you meant a foreign lecturer/teacher - or did you mean that post grads are going around tourist areas looking for random foreigners to write their papers?)

:-)

P.S. A lecturer gives his/her students the topic of his/her thesis. " No they don't, they may help with the selection, but they don't give out topics.

Edited January 20, 2016 by bigt3116

[lostinisaan]

" Really? Interesting. " You've taught a number of" Master's and PhD classes." At Disneyland? My university is not "Disneyland".

Bruce M already made a great explanation. At this level you're "lecturing" and not teaching. Please Google the difference. As I explained, even the post grads still need teaching English - remember, they did not all Major in English at BA or MA level.

And even if your statement would be true, it's very unusual that a lecturer writes the thesis for one of his/her students. Yet you wrote "Usually, the thesis for a Master's degree is written by a foreigner. " Please Google the difference between "usually" and "unusual".

(Assuming of course that you meant a foreign lecturer/teacher - or did you mean that post grads are going around tourist areas looking for random foreigners to write their papers?)

:-)

P.S. A lecturer gives his/her students the topic of his/her thesis. " No they don't, they may help with the selection, but they don't give out topics.

Oh, somebody stepped on Monsignor's tail? There's absolutely no need to use red color, Mr. teechaa.

Here's your sentence once more:

<snip> Really? I have taught a number of Master's and PhD classes and not one student has ever asked me to write their thesis.

< snip end>

"You "taught" Master's and PhD classes, really? You made me laugh with your post, as you usually only criticize others on this forum, or even follow them to other topics.

Now it' doesn't really matter if it's off topic, or not. It's too important not to mention it on a teaching forum.

To lecture a PhD course, you'd have to have a Doctorate, or at least a PhD, education related.

Then you'd be an instructor, lecturer, adviser, reader, or speaker. But not a teacher. But you taught courses, wow !!Taught= teacher.

If you don't understand the difference, please Google it.

You've called various honest members liars before and now I do have my doubts about the truth in your post.

To be perfectly honest with you, I have my doubts that you ever held a PhD, or Doctorate course. But using the red color and trying to understand your reply(ies) shows a lot about your psychological insecurity and very low self esteem.

[Rhys]

OK..everybody eat their wheaties now.....Just a note.. some......MATEFL programs are meant to improve the qualifications of the local teachers. However it is quite sad, that some... should have never been admitted to the program.