elef Posted August 11, 2005 Report Share Posted August 11, 2005 English language teaching to be overhauled SIRIKUL BUNNAG Education Minister Chaturon Chaisaeng has set a one-month deadline to revamp English language teaching nationwide by switching from learning by rote and grammar to English language for communication, after tests revealed that Thais have the second-worst English language skills in Southeast Asia. On Tuesday, the Higher Education Commission's English proficiency development centre revealed Thais came eighth and fourth in the nine and six Southeast Asian countries rated by TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language) and TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication), scoring on average only 201 on a cumulative scale of 300 and 524 of the full 990 score respectively. This has promoted the drafting of a special English-language curriculum for workers in six major industries. The minister said he told senior Education Ministry executives on Tuesday about his three-month action plan under which the ministry would overhaul the curriculum and improve the quality of teaching and teachers nationwide. He would start with English language teaching at all levels and promote the teaching of Mandarin, which was now important for trade and investment. English language teaching methods should be changed from learning by rote and grammar to communication with a focus on speaking, writing and comprehension, Mr Chaturon added. ''I've long been trying to push for such a change, but officials and schools resisted. These test results clearly show that Thais have poor English language skills ...in terms of scoring, almost the worst in Southeast Asia. ''TOEFL tests recently changed to gauge communications, speaking and writing skills instead of focusing on listening and multiple choices. That's why Thai students who learn English by rote have failed to adjust to the change,'' he said. Restructuring the curriculum, teaching methods and improving teacher quality was a major agenda item in the wake of the many policy implementation problems that had arisen since the curriculum for basic education was introduced four years ago. To achieve the goal, the ministry would listen to academics and people's opinions. Khunying Kasama Varavarn na Ayudhaya, permanent secretary for education, would oversee creation of a strategic plan and a database on teaching methods for schools and teachers to use. ''The curriculum has too much content and causes burdens and worries to teachers. Students are unhappy about studying and incapable of analytical thinking and applying their knowledge. The new curriculum must not upset students or teachers, but introduce easy-to-understand teaching methods. ''Whatever is too difficult for children must be corrected while whatever is used for teaching must be evaluated and updated,'' Mr Chaturon said. He also wanted the ministry to scrap its vague policy for every school to design its own curriculum based on the central curriculum but including a local component, and instead help schools with the design based on local intellect. The policy had confused schools, he said. To enhance teaching of Mandarin, the ministry would seek cooperation from the private sector and universities, to help institutions set up teaching systems which met international standards. Vocational and non-formal education would also be overhauled, pre-primary and higher education improved and community participation boosted in education management. Bangkok Post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coss Posted August 11, 2005 Report Share Posted August 11, 2005 This'll be a good thread, if the education system can get away from rote learning, and foster free and independant thought, ooh, very exciting. cheers Coss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cardinalblue Posted August 11, 2005 Report Share Posted August 11, 2005 Again, I will be surprised if there is really any substantial change towards an analyitical, understanding, critical-thinking based english language system when the rest of their educational system will remain in the rote, memorize, multiple test way of learning... These acquired necessary skills occur over a long period of time within a cultural framework and education is just part of that culture. To acquire these skills is not just a class or two to send thai english teachers to expecting them then to not only believe what they learned but capable to teach it through their now newly acquired value and cognitive thinking systems. Fat chance... While this planning may be a start, the key will be the implementation over a long-term timeframe like years if not a decade or more... Change like this is extremely diffucult and needs to start at the very top with administrative structures and management.. If it is does not begin here, it will fail from the get go... Seeing some glipses of various Thai educational systems over the past few years, I just don't see it happening effectively or measurably successful... One needs a total meltdown and tear down of the current thought process with the belief this is the correct thing to do and knowing a little on how thais deal with change, new ideas, problem solving, taking risks, dealing with the unknown, empowering staff, "what if" environments, etc, I will be shocked if we see any measurable progress... CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiamIAm Posted August 12, 2005 Report Share Posted August 12, 2005 Could be a boon for native English speaking teachers. Though, this comes from a Thai official so should be taken with a grain of salt ::... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted August 12, 2005 Report Share Posted August 12, 2005 Sound and fury ... as usual. 1. The average Thai English teacher at the primary and even secondary level simply cannot speak English! So is the govmt going to wave a magic wand and make them suddenly fluent? 2. Some primary schools already do include a bit of Mandarin. Once again, the teachers cannot speak the language themselves. Teaching pay is crap for both Thais and native-speaker foreigners. The only way to get really qualified teachers is to increase the pay several times over. The govmt will not -- and can't even afford -- to do that. Therefore, no changes on the horizon. p.s. An example: Thaksin opened his modestly named Shinawatra University a few years back. He announced that he wanted only the best western educated Thai PhDs as instructors. And their pay? Uh ... 40,000 baht a month. At that salary, how long will it take them to pay off their years of studying in the US, UK, Canuckada or Oz??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted August 12, 2005 Report Share Posted August 12, 2005 p.p.s. As to bringing in outside experts at government universities, rots o' ruck! They are not going to get any big guns volunteering their time. For special lecturers (e.g. part time) both Chulalongkorn and Thammasat Universities pay just 400 baht an hour! Chula used to pay 600 baht an hour, but cut it to 400 since enough people were willing to work for that just to be able to say they were an ajarn there. My Mrs told me that Chiang Mai Uni pays only 300 baht an hour! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pom_Jao_Choo Posted August 12, 2005 Report Share Posted August 12, 2005 coss said:This'll be a good thread, if the education system can get away from rote learning, and foster free and independant thought, ooh, very exciting. cheers Coss But can Thai's ever acept pure learning over their lust for good face and merit? Do they really want johny to come home with knowledge, or trinkets of merit that can be displayed and shown to the neighbors ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
limbo Posted August 13, 2005 Report Share Posted August 13, 2005 And questions everything his parents believe in.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pom_Jao_Choo Posted August 13, 2005 Report Share Posted August 13, 2005 I know, that's exactly it, NOTHING is going to change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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