English Speaking Year 2012

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Published: 20/12/2011 at 06:17 PM
Online news: Local News

The Education Ministry will launch an "English Speaking Year 2012" programme to promote English speaking by Thai students and others in preparing for the establishment of the Asean Community in 2015, Education Minister Worawat Ua-apinyakul said.

Education Minister Worawat Ua-apinyakul

Therefore, the Education Ministry will launch the "English Speaking Year 2012" programme in schools under its jurisdiction.

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glenn
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Discussion 9 : 21/12/2011 at 01:08 AM9
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It's also necessary to overcome the fear associated with saying the wrong thing. Some people never get over that. I always appreciate it when a Thai person can communicate with me in English. Even if it's not 100% perfect it's still a million times better than my very limited ability to speak a teensy tiny bit of Thai.

But it is certainly true that Thailand lags the rest of the region when it comes to English. Go to Cambodia and there are many more people communicating in English. I just finished a trip to Myanmar which had many English speakers as well. I met some young university students there who were very excited to meet a native speaker to practice on.
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ronald
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Discussion 8 : 21/12/2011 at 12:14 AM8
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Disc.2, Heartie. Don't always agree with your posts, but do this time. I don't know if you are a well educated Thai, or Farang? My (Thai) wife looked at me posting earlier, about various, & confirmed that up country, in local communities around Bangkok & anywhere there are no Farangs, they don't even attempt to speak English. Thai's just want to live Thai culture, system, no pressure, let the rich/influential run it. Were are OK, & know our place. What a sad outlook.
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smirf
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Discussion 7 : 20/12/2011 at 11:02 PM7
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I agree with everything on here so far.
I'm from England and teach here in Thailand. The main problem is that children here are taught grammar, grammar, grammar, by Thai teachers, and it's all so very boring and difficult. Leave it to advanced learners who want to enter the educational field to learn complicated grammar.
Howell @ 5 I agree totally. We have to move on to more modern teaching philosophies or Thailand will just fall further behind the rest of the region. From your post we know the reason why 95% of westerners don't know grammar. It's because the authentic use of the language means the grammar comes naturally. Read, listen, speak, write - the four skills. Replace grammar lessons with authentic use and see what a difference it will make. I bet most English kids don't know an adjective from an adverb. Why do Thai kids need to know it?
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ronald
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Discussion 6 : 20/12/2011 at 09:39 PM6
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First 5 comments here have it correct. Worked here for 15 years, before I retired. Mainly at a US company, and more than half in the Head Office, could not be considered to even have Nursery School English skills(speaking, not grammar). I had to communicate to staff in my Department through a couple of guy's to the other 20. Have visited Hong Kong a few times lately. Confused at times when travelling through the MRT, I asked some questions. Always, perfectly understood & a clear answer given. I know Philippines is same & also Malaysia. Without losing its Culture, Thailand has got kick this Xenophobic attitude out & be more open to the World.
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howell
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Discussion 5 : 20/12/2011 at 08:17 PM5
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'Mr Worawat said the ministry wants students to dare to speak English without worrying too much about grammar.'

Absolutely delighted to hear that. The emphasis on learning complicated English grammar is crippling and the main reason people do not learn the English language.

There are better ways to learn English language as opposed to grammar based on recent research into 2nd language acquisition, e.g. Dr Marvin Brown's work

Thai people are shocked when I tell them 95% of western people know next to nothing about grammar. TRUE. So why should Thais ?
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franklin
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Discussion 4 : 20/12/2011 at 08:08 PM4
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The first thing needed is teachers who speak English as their primary language. Few Thai English language teachers can fill this bill. If Thailand had seriously implemented this idea decades ago they might now be on par with China and Singapore in English language proficiency. But playing “catch up” is still a good idea.
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englishbob
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Discussion 3 : 20/12/2011 at 06:49 PM3
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@Heartie - I'm afraid you're exactly right. The majority of Thais aren't interested in speaking English, despite the financial benefits it brings.
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heartie
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Discussion 2 : 20/12/2011 at 03:43 PM2
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As much as I like the idea, I can't help but to see that it's an overly ambitious plan (e.g. 'until the majority of the Thai people can communicate in English'). You can lead a horse to water and do all you can to encourage it to drink, but if it's not interested, the horse will not drink. I suspect that the vast majority of Thai teachers and population will be like the horse that doesn't drink. The government has to find a way to inspire people to care about learning English or see that it will somehow benefit them personally.
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fungus
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Discussion 1 : 20/12/2011 at 03:33 PM1
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This is a fantastic initiative. Thailand already has the lead in several areas that are attractive to foreign investors. This will make the business environment even more competitive.
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English Speaking Year 2012 | Bangkok Post: news