Having a sound grasp of the English language has multiple advantages in today’s world. The opportunity of securing a well-paid position with a multinational company is far more likely if one is fluent in English. Having strong English skills will present opportunities, both professionally and personally.
It is not just in the workplace that English is important, socialising also warrants a good command of the English language. Continuing education and increasing skill development will require the learner to have a strong command of the English language.
How widespread is English in the world?
English is used as the preferred language of communication, internationally being spoken by over two billion people and increasing daily through the internet. English is the primary language in over 67 nations and the secondary language in over 27. British colonisation around the world led to the rapid spread of the English language, and it has continued to gain momentum since the United States became a major world power. Use of the English language is able to break down many barriers, including cultural ones. It will continue to spread, allowing people to interact, trade, and get a better understanding of each other.
How well is English spoken in Thailand?
English is not widely spoken in Thailand with few Thais speaking even basic English. Fluent English speakers are quite rare among the general population. The results of the latest English Proficiency Index were recently released by the Swiss-based international education company, Education First. For the fourth consecutive year Thailand’s standing has fallen; it now stands at 89 out of the 100 countries surveyed. On 26 November, the Buriram Times reported that Thailand is outperformed by all its ASEAN neighbours with the exception of Myanmar. It’s overall score of 410 ranks it as a country with “very low proficiency”.
The prevalence of English-speaking Thai people is higher in some of the larger and more commonly visited cities such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya. One reason English is not so well spoken is because many Thais perceive English as difficult and are embarrassed to speak it. Another reason for weak English usage is the lack of opportunities to practice it. Thai people are not assertive enough to take advantage of practicing their English skill with each other or with foreigners. Since Thailand has become a popular world travel destination and commercial hub, the need for Thai people to speak English is paramount.
How well is English taught in Thailand?
English is taught in Thai schools from primary school through senior high school. Some schools even start in kindergarten. The way English is being taught is not so interesting to students and for some it is actually frightening. The teachers put more emphasis on reading, writing, and grammar than on speaking. It would be far more interesting and attractive if speaking were to be introduced in a way that children could enjoy speaking with other Thais and foreigners. In order to learn good English, students need to be interested in the subject. Students who are interested seek opportunities to learn to speak English and can eventually become fluent.
What are occupational reasons for speaking English?
How about agriculture, medical professions, and prevalence of Thai language compared with other languages in other countries?
Knowledge of English is an important employability skill. The ability to speak English leads to higher income and faster promotion. English enables collaboration and transfer of knowledge across the world.
Thai language will always be prevalent in Thailand. It is only natural that citizens of a country use familiar terminology in their mother tongue.
It would be beneficial to acquire English along with one’s native language at an early age. Occupations that are well-served by English speaking personnel include those in businesses dealing with foreigners and those employed by reputable educational institutions. It is hard to imagine an occupation in Thailand which would not benefit from being filled by an English speaker. Most Thais do realise the importance of English, if not for themselves, then certainly for their children and grandchildren.
What tests are available and how widespread are they?
A high level of English is a pre-requisite for overseas study or employment, although the desired level varies from institution to institution. The most popular and well-known tests are both available and recognised world-wide with strict standards of moderation. The Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) is favoured by those for whom communication is of paramount importance. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) provides a good indication of ability to follow an academic course in English and is particularly popular in the United States. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) offers a general or academic option and is used internationally. The International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP) tests provide an exciting and practical alternative to other tests currently on the market in that fast feedback is given following testing. The tests are diagnostic, secure, and less costly. This range of tests can be used for many purposes. In middle schools and high schools English proficiency can be assessed and analysed to indicate paths to improvement with further periodic testing. In universities and institutes of tertiary education iTEP tests can be used as an admission criteria and assessing language needs. Further tests can then be administered prior to graduation. Employers can use these tests for prospective employees to gauge their English language proficiency; existing employees can be tested to provide information for accurate placement within the company.
The iTEP test results are accepted worldwide by educational institutions and employers and correlate with the European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Authors: Rose Marie Wanchupela and the Professional Rose Marie Academy Team, Email: rma@rose-marie.ac.th
Series Editor: Christopher F. Bruton, Executive Director, Dataconsult Ltd, chris@dataconsult.co.th. Dataconsult’s Thailand Regional Forum provides seminars and extensive documentation to update business on future trends in Thailand and in the Mekong Region.
About the Author team
Rose Marie Wanchupela came to Thailand as a member of the United States Peace Corps to teach English at the teacher training college level. At the end of her tour she headed the English department of the Thai Polytechnic Institute which later became Bangkok University. After furthering her education in the field of Reading Education at Syracuse University, she returned to Thailand and taught at the International School Bangkok.
Rose Marie established Rose Marie Academy in 1995 to meet the needs of Thai students seeking admission to international schools as well as to accommodate foreign and Thai students requiring supportive education. The school is staffed by professionals dedicated to ensuring a safe and friendly environment. As academic director, she relies on her many years of experience in education to work with her colleagues for the academic development and social enrichment of students under their care.