Asian students outshine Thais

Published: 22 Jan 2013 at 21.34
Online news:

Students from Asian countries are better than their Thai counterparts in English-language proficiency, rector of Mae Fah Luang University Wanchai Sirichana, said on Tuesday.

Mr Wanchai said a great number of foreign students studying at the university in Chiang Rai province were more attentive in class than their Thai colleagues.

The English language skills of the foreign students especially those from Myanmar, Vietnam and Bhutan were also better than the Thais, he added.

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dude
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Discussion 21 : 23 Jan 2013 at 16.3821
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Poor education (especially upcountry) is a deliberate part of the political gain of politicians. Whilst people stay dumb due to a poor educational system, vote buying is thrive! That's why all subsequent Ministers of Education see no urgency in properly reforming or improving the educational system. Singing, dancing, beating drums, sport-events, and the recent tabloid computers are the main educational issues in Thailand.
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bobbyak
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Discussion 20 : 23 Jan 2013 at 14.4420
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@gdf #12, While you are correct about qualifications not being an issue to teach in Thailand other than being a native speaker, you are missing the point. Yes, there are some bad apples here but i know of many UNQUALIFIED teachers working here who are fantastic teachers. People who are here for the long run with families. I have been teaching here for 7 years and can say the problem lies with the education system iteself, prehistoric dinosaurs running the Ministry of Education, the School Admin officials and Thai teachers themselves. This has nothing to do with the bad apples. Thailand doesn't like or want change.
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rastas
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Discussion 19 : 23 Jan 2013 at 10.4119
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Given a better education system, I believe that Thai Students could equal the performance of other nations. Unfortunately the current education system doesn't allow the majority of Thai students to reach their full potential. Such a pity, as Thailand could also shine too.
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Danno1
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Discussion 18 : 23 Jan 2013 at 10.2018
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It seems as though hardly a month goes by without a politician or academic pointing out the failures, particularly with English instruction, of the Thai education system. Solutions are proposed and committees are formed, but nothing gets accomplished. How about setting up a program to tap into the large number of native English-speaking retirees who have settled in Thailand? Many of them would be happy to have something productive to do and would also be happy to do something good for their communities. Besides a sense of accomplishment at helping their communities, their reward could be a free annual visa and a small monthly salary.
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jacksprat
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Discussion 17 : 23 Jan 2013 at 10.1117
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@ discussion 14 - I once privately taught a Japanese businessman in Bangkok, a graduate of the country's top university. Sometimes I would say a word and he would looked puzzled. I'd write it for him and he would immediately recognise it. He told me English classes in Japan were heavy on reading and writing, almost no conversation practice!
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heartie
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Discussion 16 : 23 Jan 2013 at 09.2216
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In most government schools, if the students don't pass their exams with a certain mark, they are expelled. But if the parents have the money, they can just pay the administrators to keep their kid in class. The administrators are the problem. They are just as corrupt as politicians! So don't look to old administrators for progressive reforms. As for the teachers, they are paid poorly and you get what you pay for. When the day comes that all the teachers and administrators have to pass their own English proficiency exams... that will be the day for change because very few will be left.
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bkkajarn
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Discussion 15 : 23 Jan 2013 at 08.2115
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GDF @12 - I think you mean 'personnel' not 'personal'- You are right, it is disgraceful that they allow anybody to be a teacher!

Re changes - how about adding a fail grade to the list of grades a student can obtain, or even making it compulsory for them to sit an exam for the class they have with a native speaker? I teach at a 'prestigious' school just outside Bangkok. The students are aware that they do not have to sit an exam for the 'farang', and that we do not contribute to their overall grade. So, what happens? I walk in one door, and 75% of the students walk out the other!
What chance does anybody have if students don't attend?
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rfukata
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Discussion 14 : 23 Jan 2013 at 07.2514
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d13, incorrect.
the japanese may not be able to converse english well but can write and read far better than many other countries.
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android
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Discussion 13 : 23 Jan 2013 at 07.0413
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Japanese proficiency in english is even worse, but Japan is a leading country in the world.
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gdf
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Discussion 12 : 23 Jan 2013 at 06.2212
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Whilst you have a system that allows previously unqualified personal to teach English with the only requirement being that they are native speakers and attend a T E F L course things won’t change. The quality of the people that are recruited to teach here astounds me, they can be from any walk of life and often the key motivation is the visa that comes with the employment.
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