The Future of English Language Instruction in Thailand
A closer look at the EFL (English as a Foreign Language) Movement Erin Scharling
English: Why is it “The International Language of Thailand?”
1. International politics
ASEAN Meeting
President Bush & Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
2. Advanced education outside the country
3. International media
4. Culture
5. Tourism
So many options…which one to choose?
1. Schools under Thai government
1. 2.
English instruction begins in kindergarten or first grade English is considered a core subject like math, science, etc.
2.
International Schools
1.
2. 3.
All subjects are taught in English Maximum # of Thai students: 50% Curriculums are usually based on American, British, or International Baccalaureate models Most students are Thai Curriculum is designed by Thai Education Ministry More than half of the instruction is in English
3.
Bilingual Schools
1.
2. 3.
1994: 3 bilingual schools
2003: 63 international schools, 67 bilingual schools, & 43 private schools with an extensive English program
…But at what cost?
Stress on young students
“Kindergarten Blues” Pressure to pass exams, be accepted into universities, etc.
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."
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?”
One man’s 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 nativespeaker…all you need is a well-qualified Thai to teach you and a lot of motivation.”
(The
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
Nation)
“I want you to speak English like a native speaker, but I still want you to be Thai, not farang. We don’t study English to become farang.” -Pootirat