Poor English skills could leave Thais out in cold

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Poor English skills could leave Thais out in cold

UNIVERSITIES 'MUST IMPROVE TEACHING BEFORE ASEAN COMMUNITY LAUNCHES'

Published: 8/01/2012 at 02:37 AM
Newspaper section: News

Thailand may find itself at a disadvantage because of inferior English skills when Southeast Asia becomes a single community, academics and an industrialist have warned.

The launch of the Asean Community in 2015 will see a free flow of professionals and skilled workers among the 10 member states of the grouping.

Once the community is formed, Thais will be able to look for jobs outside the country but they will have to brace themselves for challenges from regional competitors over positions in multinational and international organisations based in Thailand that require English as the working language.

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About the author

: Writer: Saritdet Marukatat; Position: Opinion-Editorial Pages Editor

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med142
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Discussion 47 : 16/01/2012 at 04:30 PM47
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I hope that they are not teaching american english? as that is not english. I have seen the books and dictionaries in the shops here in Thailand they are not good at all infact they are very bad.
What is needid is less of the so called qualified teachers teaching english but english people teaching conversational english and not by books either. Throw the books out of the window.
I would be happy to give my free time teaching how to speak english. I have heard some thai people speak very good english.
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nns
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Discussion 46 : 10/01/2012 at 06:38 AM46
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@crunchy #45, I know the PM's English is passable at best, but can you back up your comment with a source or is it just heresay?
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crunchy
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Discussion 45 : 08/01/2012 at 11:49 PM45
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Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's gaffe during her welcome to US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham
in Bangkok
"Yingluck was heard saying "overcome" instead of "welcome" as she greeted Clinton at their joint press conference"
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ricefield
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Discussion 44 : 08/01/2012 at 11:16 PM44
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My wife is a prime example of the failure of the Thai English program. 13 years of English, 4 in univ, and while she ccould spell and punctuate with the best of native English speaker her oral skills were very poor. It wasn't until she took post grad in Canada that she began to really understand the way the language really works in everyday usage. The problem is grammar and punctuation are paramount in teaching English in Thailand. Why you ask? Because you can't learn oral skills from a teacher who has never actually spoken to a native English speaker, who was educated by a teacher, who has never spoken to a Native English speaker.

To have a real knowledge of any language you have to talk to native speakers daily and this just does not happen in Thailand.
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Rex

Discussion 43 : 08/01/2012 at 11:06 PM43
If there is a willingness to learn, and a willingness for government to facilitate, it should be easy. But then, all English teachers have to leave every 3 months, any enterprise that is established will undergo further scrutiny do those kee nock foreigners don't get an edge, and if you encourage students to explore free speech, you can end up in the Bkk Hilton doing a stretch for seemingly trying to bring down the monarchy. Singapore, Malaysia et al see value in developing multiple languages. Thai governments seem to talk big about matching them, but do little to make the delivery model accessible. Time to put up or ...
from iPhone application.
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englishbob
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Discussion 42 : 08/01/2012 at 10:21 PM42
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Thais don't / can't / won't speak English...
They're lazy students and prefer to find the best way to cheat rather than learn.

They are an insular people and believe the doctrine that Thailand is a world leader... There's a rude awakening ahead.
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loopholes
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Discussion 41 : 08/01/2012 at 10:06 PM41
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Towards globalization and forming of ASEAN community, Thailand lands herself in a huge disadvantage
since she did not promote the learning of a English as a second language. The next should be Chinese language since China is an important trading and cultural partner. It seemed to be a little too late to launch any efforts to promote the learning of the world commercial language.
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android
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Discussion 40 : 08/01/2012 at 08:47 PM40
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lotu(lotus), egg-sa-lay(x-ray), c-liat(serious), hondar(honda), toyoda(toyota)......this is thailish.
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losinspace
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Discussion 39 : 08/01/2012 at 08:45 PM39
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As an example of good English spoken by a Thai, Google "ThaiPBS Thailand's worst flood" and watch a video.

Obviously, I'm talking about the male presenter, not the female one.
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bkkmatt
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Discussion 38 : 08/01/2012 at 05:34 PM38
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A Qoute from the Ministry of Education...... More importantly, the ministry has set 2012 as the English Speaking Year. Its aim is to encourage students to converse in English every Monday.

Yeah we are REALLY taking this speaking English thing SERIOUSLY!!!

Just say Hello to your teacher and say "I'm fine thank you and you" on a Monday, keep everyone happy and then continue speaking Thai for the other 6 days.
If you are going to study and improve speaking a language, practising and speaking that language 1 day a week will not cut it IMO.
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