Thread: Obec to Revamp English Language Classes After Very Low� Score

The Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec) aims to revamp Thailand’s English language education, following the country’s recent “very low” English proficiency ranking.


Obec chairman Ekkachai Keesukpan said after a commission meeting yesterday that the attendees discussed the development of English skills for Thai students after Thailand dropped from 74th to 89th out of 100 countries this year in the recent English Proficiency Index conducted by the global education company EF Education First.


Thailand’s English language proficiency scored 419 out of 800 under the company’s new point scale, which is considered “very low”.


Thailand is currently ranked 7th in Southeast Asia, behind Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Cambodia, respectively, and ahead of Myanmar. It ranks 20th out of 24 countries in Asia.


The meeting agreed to urgently improve Thai students’ English proficiency starting by building an ecosystem conducive to English learning. Teachers should also try to communicate with students in English, the chairman said.


Less than half of English teachers in Thailand had passed level B1 of English in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), he said.


According to the chairman, Obec would soon discuss plans to urgently develop English skills for both teachers and students. Obec would also propose that interviews to select school executives be conducted in English.


It was not necessary that Thai children have a British accent but they must be confident communicating in English, Mr Keesukpan said.


Mr Keesukpan said the meeting also approved the merger of 29 schools and dissolution of 17 schools.


Schools that had asked to be merged must be able to say when they would close after the merger, the Obec chairman said, and suggested the schools be closed within a year.



Obec to Revamp English Language Classes After "Very Low" Score | Chiang Mai One

It's the annual announcement that means nothing

Originally Posted by misskit

It was not necessary that Thai children have a British accent

The best exponents of the English language, including the use and understanding of idioms, comes from women in the sex trade. Their livelihoods depend on it.
IME the Philippino English speakers all speak English with a US accent, both OSW and in country. No real surprise there.

Originally Posted by Topper

It's the annual announcement that means nothing

...yep, the bureaucrats in charge are incapable of creating, evaluating and implementing fundamental changes to swampish "education"...however, they're good at making pronouncements that identify the need for change...

Originally Posted by Switch

The best exponents of the English language, including the use and understanding of idioms, comes from women in the sex trade. Their livelihoods depend on it.

The obvious answer is to re employ these "fallen angels" into the national school english language curiculum. The children are sure to learn little gems like "No money no honey". "My buffalo is sick"My mother/ father/sister/brother need expensive operation".

Originally Posted by Hugh Cow

The obvious answer is to re employ these "fallen angels" into the national school english language curiculum. The children are sure to learn little gems like "No money no honey". "My buffalo is sick"My mother/ father/sister/brother need expensive operation".

It’s interesting that even non English europeans transfer their brand of English language skills to their chosen ‘Angel’.
The girls end up speaking English with an Italian, French accent etc.
I recall one girl who married a Londoner, then divorced him 5 years later. She went back to work with a district cockney twang.

Originally Posted by misskit

It was not necessary that Thai children have a British accent \
Obec to Revamp English Language Classes After "Very Low" Score | Chiang Mai One

Well, that's a relief. The teachers and student's might have a hard time trying to decide WHICH British accent to use!

According to the chairman, Obec would soon discuss plans to urgently develop English skills for both teachers and students.


Soon and urgently in the same sentence. I wait with bated breath.

They need my old boss to help them. He liked that expression:

"Don't tell me what you're going to do, tell me what you've done."

Trite but appropriate.

"...starting by building an ecosystem conducive to English learning"

I can't wait to hear the details of how he will make that happen. I wonder if he has actually thought about it yet.

Originally Posted by misskit

According to the chairman, Obec would soon discuss plans to urgently develop English skills for both teachers and students. Obec would also propose that interviews to select school executives be conducted in English.

Now this is a very good idea.

Originally Posted by misskit

Less than half of English teachers in Thailand had passed level B1 of English in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), he said.

But this presents a formidable roadblock. You will get the famous start to the interview. Question 1. "How are you today"? Bet ya more than 50% will answer "27" or their age. The interview will not get far that is for sure.

Originally Posted by aging one

But this presents a formidable roadblock. You will get the famous start to the interview. Question 1. "How are you today"? Bet ya more than 50% will answer "27" or their age. The interview will not get far that is for sure.

Good, that is an easy way of separate the chaff from the wheat..

Originally Posted by lom

Good, that is an easy way of separate the chaff from the wheat..

...actually, it means the chaff will have to donate more to specific retirement programs if they want the jobs...