The Future of English Language Instruction in Thailand

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The Future of English LanguageInstruction in
Thailand

• A closer look at the EFL (English as a Foreign
  Language) Movement
• Erin Scharling

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English Why is it The International Language
of Thailand?

• International politics

ASEAN Meeting
President Bush Thai Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra
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• 2. Advanced education outside the country

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• 3. International media

4. Culture
5. Tourism
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So many optionswhich one to choose?

• Schools under Thai government
• English instruction begins in kindergarten or
  first grade
• English is considered a core subject like math,
  science, etc.
• International Schools
• All subjects are taught in English
• Maximum of Thai students 50
• Curriculums are usually based on American,
  British, or International Baccalaureate models
• Bilingual Schools
• Most students are Thai
• Curriculum is designed by Thai Education Ministry
• More than half of the instruction is in English

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• 2003
• 63 international schools, 67
  bilingual schools, 43 private schools
  with an extensive English program

• 1994
• 3 bilingual schools

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But at what cost?

• Stress on young students
• Kindergarten Blues
• Pressure to pass exams, be accepted into
  universities, etc.

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• Loss of Thai culture
• Thai adults sound off
• "These Thai kids at international schools have
  gone farang.
• They have a very different way of thinking
  although their number is still small. As Gandhi
  once said, learning through a foreign language is
  a means of cultural transmission.
• Students have limited knowledge of Thai culture
  and have adopted another society's language and
  culture. They are the Thai elite of the future,
  and a separate class in itself."

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Acquisition of Thai English instead of a more
standard English

• Form of English learned from Thai teachers (who
  learned it from Thai teachers)
• Creates a version of English that is not easily
  comprehended by Western English speakers
• Thai sounds are substituted for English ones
• Ex. washed ? wat

• Thai rhythms and tones are added
• Complications of Standard English are ignored and
  new patterns are created
• Ex. Where do you go? instead of Where are you
  going?

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One mans solution Thai it all together!

• Jaroongkiat Pootirat believes that Thai children
  can learn to speak English like a native without
  ever having to study abroad, attending
  international schools or even learning the
  language with a native-speakerall you need is a
  well-qualified Thai to teach you and a lot of
  motivation.
• (The Nation)

• Pay attention to how the language works, not on
  rote memorization
• Focus on speaking, reading, writing, and
  translation
• incorporate Thai culture (i.e. poetry, history,
  etc.) in lessons

I want you to speak English like a native
speaker, but I still want you to be Thai, not
farang. We dont study English to become farang.
-Pootirat
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