Share your thoughts

Discussion 1 : 25/07/2012 at 09:17 PM

First thing Thailand has to do is sort out the inadequacy of the Thai teaching system. The kids "don't understand" the English language lessons because they are not taught to understand. They are not encourage to "ask questions" to think as an "individual" and are scare of "losing face" if they are not correct. There is an old Chinese proverb that says; "You tell me, i forget. You show me, i remember. You involve me, i understand". Until the Thai teachers begin to tutor there students in this way, every subject will be a problem for them.

Discussion 2 : 24/07/2012 at 01:40 PM

What utter nonsense. These teachers are being paid by being given (or loaned) a mobile phone (which I guess they have anyway) and they are in Thailand for just six weeks. What can the teachers possibly achieve in six weeks, when a language takes years to learn? All done for show, as usual.

Discussion 3 : 24/07/2012 at 10:28 AM

Those who teased Yingluck and all other Thais' fluency in spoken english need to learn that even the Japanese or Chinese PM are also not quite fluent in speaking english.

Discussion 4 : 24/07/2012 at 02:35 AM

Why not hire English-speaking Farangs who already made their homes in Thailand to teach English in Thai schools permanently? They already know enough Thai and are familiar with Thai culture, making them superior to those newcomers who will only stay for six weeks.

Discussion 5 : 24/07/2012 at 01:28 AM

After looking at the picture of the cute little girl I couldn't help think those English teachers would be teaching in primary schools. If that's the case, the students would be prepared for the 2015 community in about 10 years.

Discussion 6 : 23/07/2012 at 11:48 PM

Maybe they can also teach the Thai teachers how to use tablets.

Discussion 7 : 23/07/2012 at 10:46 PM

Shame on the British Council for signing on to this charade, "preparing the teaching curriculum and providing teaching assistance." But then again, there's probably a decent bit of money to be made from it, so why not? The English teaching industry has never been shy about accepting money for nothing. The entire English education apparatus needs to be dismantled and discared, not even revamped. The truth is, English is not really that important or necessary for Thai people. 95% of them can do just fine without it, the other 5% will learn it when the motivation is there. So let's stop shoving it down their throats. The hate it. Wouldn't you hate it if your government told you you had to learn Chinese?

Discussion 8 : 23/07/2012 at 08:16 PM

Do not Knock it give them a chance.These people have volunteered or so the Thai organisation says.How many readers would do this.We have many English here many retired who could help this program.

Discussion 9 : 23/07/2012 at 08:15 PM

100 hundred Brits for 6 weeks are going to have a fantastic impact on Thai students' English. Now maybe Germany and France can each send 100 people to teach their languages. If Thailand is serious about improving the level of English, the number one priority should be to train enough English teachers! There simply are nowhere near enough to go around. Far too many Thais teaching English in the primary and secondary school cannot even communicate in English themselves. As a result, they spend far too much their time teaching vocabulary and penmanship.

Discussion 10 : 23/07/2012 at 08:06 PM

Another novel idea and lots of photo oppurtunities blah blah blah but it will take more than 100 teachers in 6 weeks to make any impact. How many English teachers are there, currently teaching in Thailand??? Still waiting for that impact!!!!

Discussion 11 : 23/07/2012 at 07:37 PM

This is simply something to point at allowing the government to claim that something is being done. It is as pointless as the taxi drivers ‘crash course’ in English to prepare them for ASEAN. As I understand it when ASEAN begins, it will be a long-term Asian economic community for years to come. That being the case, why aren’t elementary level schools throughout the entire country starting well-thought-out English language programs from native English speakers for the years to come in the future. This program is as useless as giving donuts to undernourished and underprivileged children. It’s a headline opportunity only.

Discussion 12 : 23/07/2012 at 07:25 PM

Why not instead start showing respect to the hundreds of qualified native-speaking English teachers already here by paying them decent salaries, providing proper insurance, listening to their expert opinions and providing them with proper, up-to-date resources. In any event, I hope these volunteers have lots of games to amuse the kiddies, and have realistically low expectations. Otherwise, it will be a frustrating experience for them.

Discussion 13 : 23/07/2012 at 07:22 PM

YS should put her hand up to join the classes and take that Foreign Minister bloke with her.

Discussion 14 : 23/07/2012 at 06:32 PM

Although this is a step in the right direction, as anyone familiar with how English is routinely taught in Thai schools today, it will take a complete revamping of the entire apparatus, starting with the teacher, the curriculum and finally the student. It's not a question of energy. Unless the system is fixed, Thailand won't be ready - whether it's for 2015 or 3015.

Discussion 15 : 23/07/2012 at 06:23 PM

As a QTS Teacher, I assume all these teachers are qualified to teach, or are they just here for a holiday?

Discussion 16 : 23/07/2012 at 06:16 PM

What you expect from a country whereby the prime minister herself speaks rotten English. The one person that really needs to show by example is non other than the prime minister herself.

Discussion 17 : 23/07/2012 at 06:05 PM

Waste of time and energy. Six weeks, which will really wind up being about 2 weeks of actual instruction will be forgotten by the time the volunteers arrive back in England.

Discussion 18 : 23/07/2012 at 05:59 PM

Good idea !