Thread: Council set to test all English teachers

Originally Posted by BobR

The real problem is that the Thai elite do not want the average Thai to learn English. Having them only speak an insignificant local language is a form of illiteracy that is convenient for keeping them in their place.

All the silly tests, requirements and restrictions on foreign English teachers are really aimed at carrying out this objective by assuring there will be few of them.

But then 4 hours later I snipped this from the front page of today's online Bangkok Post

You're absolutely right, I suspect. I say the same to my wife all the time. She's just as frustrated by it all.
Having the unwashed masses ignorant ensures none will get uppity ideas from the global information superhighway and start getting ideas from abroad that will result in more promulgation of ideas and thus more discontent, that in turn will result in unrest, that will result in, ultimately, more equality and the elites losing their privileged position and easy money-making off the ignoratti.

Originally Posted by Maanaam

Originally Posted by BobR

The real problem is that the Thai elite do not want the average Thai to learn English. Having them only speak an insignificant local language is a form of illiteracy that is convenient for keeping them in their place.

All the silly tests, requirements and restrictions on foreign English teachers are really aimed at carrying out this objective by assuring there will be few of them.

But then 4 hours later I snipped this from the front page of today's online Bangkok Post

You're absolutely right, I suspect. I say the same to my wife all the time. She's just as frustrated by it all.
Having the unwashed masses ignorant ensures none will get uppity ideas from the global information superhighway and start getting ideas from abroad that will result in more promulgation of ideas and thus more discontent, that in turn will result in unrest, that will result in, ultimately, more equality and the elites losing their privileged position and easy money-making off the ignoratti.

Possible. But on the one hand the "elite" are roundly criticised for not being able to organize a piss up at a brewery, and on the other hand they are ascribed the ability to follow through on a decades long Machiavellian plan.

Think there is an old saying along the lines of "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity". I would go with that to be honest.

Rather more simply, Thai are too stupid to realise just how dumb they are.

If a lazy, stupid bar girl can learn English in a few months then any Thai can. They are not stupid it's the stupid education system that keeps them dumb.

Originally Posted by Dragonfly94

If a lazy, stupid bar girl can learn English in a few months then any Thai can. They are not stupid it's the stupid education system that keeps them dumb.

The difference is motivation. Bar girls have a financial motivation to be able to communicate with their clients. A lot of Thai students don't feel any motivation to learn English.

Simply, one shouldn't expect an English-language curriculum to have practical progressive applications when it's kin humanities curricula are subjectively oppressed -

Originally Posted by Neverna

The difference is motivation. Bar girls have a financial motivation to be able to communicate with their clients. A lot of Thai students don't feel any motivation to learn English.

Here's some motivation.

The Talented Kid speaks many languages to Sell his fans

Yep, money is a big motivator. Perhaps Thai kids should be paid to learn (on results only).

Naturally, the superior English-language clause applies.

Originally Posted by nidhogg

Originally Posted by Maanaam

Originally Posted by BobR

The real problem is that the Thai elite do not want the average Thai to learn English. Having them only speak an insignificant local language is a form of illiteracy that is convenient for keeping them in their place.

All the silly tests, requirements and restrictions on foreign English teachers are really aimed at carrying out this objective by assuring there will be few of them.

But then 4 hours later I snipped this from the front page of today's online Bangkok Post

You're absolutely right, I suspect. I say the same to my wife all the time. She's just as frustrated by it all.
Having the unwashed masses ignorant ensures none will get uppity ideas from the global information superhighway and start getting ideas from abroad that will result in more promulgation of ideas and thus more discontent, that in turn will result in unrest, that will result in, ultimately, more equality and the elites losing their privileged position and easy money-making off the ignoratti.

Possible. But on the one hand the "elite" are roundly criticised for not being able to organize a piss up at a brewery, and on the other hand they are ascribed the ability to follow through on a decades long Machiavellian plan.

Think there is an old saying along the lines of "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity". I would go with that to be honest.

Probable, I'd say.
I teach maths and English up to M5 (16 and 17 year-olds) in the SMA program. These are rich kids and a joy to teach. They are smart, inquisitive and responsive (after a bit of pushing for SOME of them). Their dads go to BKK every week and only come home on weekends, so I guess they are up there in business or government.
The criticism of the elites in not being able to organise a piss up in a brewery, I have no doubt has much to do with Thainess, too many cooks, and fear of loss of face, and little to do with stupidity. Sometimes because of politicking. They didn't get to where they're at by being stupid. Their kids are smart through genes.

I am convinced the elite of the elite are intent on maintaining the status quo through keeping the masses ignorant.
For sure there are numerous incompetents in charge of things.But think of the elite of the elite. Think of the multi-billionaires and the "titled".
















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Pretty soon , in Laos there's going to be a generation of kids speaking Aussie, plenty of Aussie teflers here, at least I will know what the fuk there on about. The wifes cousin just had a sprog and named him Bruce.

well Bruce is better than iphone, google, captain or paint the names of the toddlers around us. Good job no twins or they would probably name them som and tam

Council set to test all English teachers

Most native speakers in Hackney or Haringey are Polish, Romanian or Nigerian

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

Originally Posted by Maanaam

Their kids are smart through genes.

Originally Posted by Maanaam

I am convinced the elite of the elite are intent on maintaining the status quo through keeping the masses ignorant.

That's probably equally true in the US and UK.

Or anywhere, for that matter...

Originally Posted by Pragmatic

Originally Posted by Hans Mann

Thai and native teachers of English language will have their knowledge certified by the Khurusapha Teachers Council under a plan to assure students they have teachers with "real" English-language abilities.

Are we talking Queens English or that Disneyworld American English?

Me thinks the Queens.

What? I know, the fish should talk.