Thread: Thailand lacks in good English Teachers

Originally Posted by Hootad Binky

We have less of an accent;

I always assumed that until I met a few. I was surprised at just how strong (and whiny) their accent was.

Originally Posted by Hootad Binky

There are more emulators of and native speakers of North American English in this world than British English, full-stop, period

True, but we were talking about English, not American. Most immigrants into the US were not native English speakers, and even those who were, were generally illiterate.

Originally Posted by Hootad Binky

Also, when one holds up "received pronunciation" (unnatural and imitative by its very nature) or "the Queen's English" as representative of British English, this is a complete fallacy as the vast majority of British English Teachers (of English as a Second Language), qualified or not, often have incomprehensible (to Thais) Cockney, Northern, Scottish, Northern Irish, etc. regional accents.

True.

Originally Posted by Hootad Binky

Only a few million Britons actually sound like a BBC announcer, and that's a fact.

Indeed.

Originally Posted by Hootad Binky

Having a degree or not may be indicative of one's educational level and aspirations, but having an internationally accredited TESL Certificate, like the CELTA from Cambridge (or an equivalent with 100/120 hours of classroom instruction + classroom observations and teaching practicum), most definitely makes a difference as to one's teaching capabilities.

That's a fact also.

Originally Posted by Hootad Binky

Just being a school teacher does not make one a competent TEFL teacher, as the methodologies are quite different.

But, ignorant forum owners like to think otherwise.

Now that I'm here ... and can see first hand for myself. I gotta tell ya Dirty Dog ... yer a fuggin genius starting this thread.

The Thai are much better off hiring Filipinos than white face farangs.

^
That's what's needed!
More LBFM's!

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

^
That's what's needed!
More LBFM's!

So where is "Graceless Fawn" ?

^
Ask the 'Scampster' - he's over in the PI, right?

Originally Posted by William

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by Fabian

That's another problem, who is a native speaker.

Err, English people of course.

Certainly not yanks

VN, Taiwan, and Korea prefer North American accents becuast of the business connections and trade.

No gives a hoot about the old turd of England anymore.

The problem of non-qualified builders in Thailand is also of concern.....

Originally Posted by Milkman

VN, Taiwan, and Korea prefer North American accents becuast of the business connections and trade.

So does Japan..

^
Know what you mean.
Hate that Aberdeen accent out of the mouths of those lovely lasses up there. Gives me wood just thinking how rough it sounds to the ear!

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Hate that Aberdeen accent out of the mouths of those lovely lasses up there. Gives me wood just thinking how rough it sounds to the ear!

Many parts of Scotland probably speak the best English you'll ever hear (you wouldn't think so listening to MrsQ speak though).

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Hate that Aberdeen accent out of the mouths of those lovely lasses up there. Gives me wood just thinking how rough it sounds to the ear!

Many parts of Scotland probably speak the best English you'll ever hear (you wouldn't think so listening to MrsQ speak though).

MrsQ is Afro-Carribean though.

This kinda feeds into my Wannabe ET thread, but are there many overqualified English teachers doing it more for the activity and satisfaction than the money, or do they all get frustrated and pack it in?

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by Hootad Binky There are more emulators of and native speakers of North American English in this world than British English, full-stop, period True, but we were talking about English, not American. Most immigrants into the US were not native English speakers, and even those who were, were generally illiterate.

Are you sure about that?

South Efricans, Kiwis, Australians, Indians, and any of the other countries that were colonised all speak British English. Even the Canadians use British spelling.

And here's one for you Marmite; Australian TV presenters seem to have a large representation on the BBC and CNN.

Originally Posted by William

Thailand lacks in good English Teachers

whoever wrote the title to this thread needs an English lesson or two

or a shitload more

Originally Posted by Lily

Indians

Don't be silly, Lily.

Originally Posted by Lily

And here's one for you Marmite; Australian TV presenters seem to have a large representation on the BBC and CNN.

I know that the presenters they have on the Beeb are terrible. CNN manages to have better English presenters.

I have said many times that I think Aussie English is probably better in many ways than most other strains (except Gold Coast English of course).

Marmite, no one actually lives on the Gold Coast except retirees from Melbourne.

There is no Gold Coast accent. I think the accent you are thinking of is from the industrial towns of Newcastle and Wollongong or the rural accents of North Queensland.

Originally Posted by Lily

Marmite, no one actually lives on the Gold Coast except retirees from Melbourne.

Don't forget the Kiwis!

Originally Posted by Lily

There is no Gold Coast accent.

I know.

Originally Posted by Lily

the rural accents of North Queensland.

Indeed.

Originally Posted by Lily

South Efricans, Kiwis, Australians, Indians, and any of the other countries that were colonised all speak British English. Even the Canadians use British spelling.

And here's one for you Marmite; Australian TV presenters seem to have a large representation on the BBC and CNN.

Indians are not native speakers.

The other countries mentioned (including the U.S., by the way) might have started out speaking British English more than a century or more ago but do so no longer; they each have unique accents and idioms, etc. Canadians do use British spelling but the similarity ends there. Also, it's very easy for me, a Canadian, to pass myself off as an Englishman; the accent isn't hard to imitate, just as it isn't hard for an British speaker to imitate an American; but only native speakers can pull that off. Think of that British actor, forget his name, as the main character of "House," that American medical drama; I always think of him as Bertie Wooster! Or Mike Myers as Austin Powers.

However anyone from any native English-speaking country can speak clearly if they try; it's not that difficult! Most English teachers with strong accents know this and adjust their pronunciation accordingly. My math(s) teacher was from Edinburgh and sounded like an Oxford don.

And no, "American" is not considered a different language. Put an Aussie, a Kiwi, a South African, a Scotsman, an Irishman, a Canadian and an American together and they'll be understanding each other just fine very quickly ...because they all speak the same language, essentially.

Further factoid: most speakers of English in the world are not native English speakers. Most English teachers in this world are not native speakers, either.