Thais rank low again at English

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Spitfire
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Re: Thais rank low again at English

Post by Spitfire »

oakdale160 wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2018 9:07 pm I am constantly amazed by the fact that most of the bar girls speak and understand English better than the staff in my bank.
That's because of what is termed as language exposure...which most high school students and uni students don't get. They (bar girls) are more exposed tot he language and are forced to learn, plus are motivated, as it has real time recognizable benefits for the present and future and that doesn't exist at high school/uni apart from with the smart ones.

It's the difference between what they call 'intrinsic' and 'extrinsic' motivation...those with the 'intrinsic' type (from within) will do much better, but all too often you come across the later (from outside).
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Re: Thais rank low again at English

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I am impressed that there is one segment of the Thai economy that is very active in helping their staff improve their English and provides teaching by English speakers--the high-end hotels. One young lady who works the front desk ofa hotel told me that she is very lucky to work for the Amari group where this is the case. Of course, most of the 5star hotels have foreign General Managers.
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Re: Thais rank low again at English

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Spitfire wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2018 9:23 pm
oakdale160 wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2018 9:07 pm I am constantly amazed by the fact that most of the bar girls speak and understand English better than the staff in my bank.
It's the difference between what they call 'intrinsic' and 'extrinsic' motivation...those with the 'intrinsic' type (from within) will do much better, but all too often you come across the later (from outside).
Totally agree, Spitfire. I have a new first year student who speaks excellent English. He's never been abroad and learnt his English because of his love of computer games when he was a kid - he needed to understand the instructions and play on-line with non-Thais. He then moved on to movies, TV series, and music. His favourite programme to listen to is 'Sorry, I Haven't a Clue'. :shock:

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Re: Thais rank low again at English

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His favourite programme to listen to is 'Sorry, I Haven't a Clue'.

Respect ! Theres a lot of newly minted Brits who wouldn't get the humour in that. Your Thai may be disappointed when conversing with many brits in HH.
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Re: Thais rank low again at English

Post by centermid7 »

" Your Thai may be disappointed when conversing with many brits in HH. "

I know I always am!

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Re: Thais rank low again at English

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As I get older my hearing is deteriorating--- I use this when talking to some Brits, when I do not understand what they are saying I blame my hearing.
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Re: Thais rank low again at English

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Pardon!
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Re: Thais rank low again at English

Post by 404cameljockey »

Anyone else get an abusive private message like this one I received from a Thai who didn't have the courage to reply in the thread?:

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[Mod edit: re-posting private messages on the public forum is not permitted]
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I stand by my comment that most Thais are insular; they have little interest in the wider world outside of Thailand, and therefore have little inclination to learn foreign languages at school (which is just indisputable fact as proven by the article we are discussing). At least this guy learned the word s**t.... :/
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Re: Thais rank low again at English

Post by bannsupaporn »

you can go and F yourself for that! thai people no need your voice or your thinking, go back to your country! Get a life!
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Re: Thais rank low again at English

Post by caller »

bannsupaporn wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2018 10:11 am you can go and F yourself for that! thai people no need your voice or your thinking, go back to your country! Get a life!
So what's your take on why the teaching of English is so poor here?
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Re: Thais rank low again at English

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I would guess it's the no fail scenario within Thailand. I have 2 very Thai granddaughters (one at university) who have excelled at school, and their English grades are excellent, yet I can barely hold a conversation with the eldest, and the youngest is a non-starter.

OK, I'm no better at Thai, so I'm as bad, but I've never been given outstanding markings on my ability at using the Thai language (and never will be :oops: ). It does annoy me to see their English grades, and I then wonder about the rest of their education.
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Re: Thais rank low again at English

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caller wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2018 11:11 am
bannsupaporn wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2018 10:11 am you can go and F yourself for that! thai people no need your voice or your thinking, go back to your country! Get a life!
So what's your take on why the teaching of English is so poor here?
I wouldn't hold your breath for a serious reply. This person seems like someone who takes criticism of problems in their country personally and refuses to acknowledge them if it's said by a farang. Despite the fact that they acknowledge that they are American/Thai and so are not a full-blown Thai themselves anyway. Pretty sad.
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Re: Thais rank low again at English

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Big Boy wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2018 11:59 am I would guess it's the no fail scenario within Thailand. I have 2 very Thai granddaughters (one at university) who have excelled at school, and their English grades are excellent, yet I can barely hold a conversation with the eldest, and the youngest is a non-starter.

OK, I'm no better at Thai, so I'm as bad, but I've never been given outstanding markings on my ability at using the Thai language (and never will be :oops: ). It does annoy me to see their English grades, and I then wonder about the rest of their education.
You can't seriously claim to teach a language without a reasonable level of oral/conversational education. Even 45 years ago in the UK I had to sit both a French written and oral examination to get my school GCSE ('O' level).
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Re: Thais rank low again at English

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Obviously, I don't know how the assessments are made, but they have always achieved outstanding grades. I hate to think of the English skills of those who finish below them.
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Re: Thais rank low again at English

Post by StevePIraq »

oakdale160 wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2018 9:07 pm I am constantly amazed by the fact that most of the bar girls speak and understand English better than the staff in my bank.
That is because the bar girls understand where the money comes from
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