English to be second language

[BigBangkokTheory]

The Bangkok Post

http://www.bangkokpo...schools/page-2/

 

English to be second language

 

Published: 7/10/2010 at 06:50 PM

 

The Education Ministry plans to declare English the second language for teaching and learning in schools with an aim to enable Thai people of the new generation to communicate with other people in Asean and world communities in English, Chinaworn Boonyakiat said on Thursday.

 

The education minister said he had discussed this matter with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij.

 

A plan to develop learning and teaching in English is being drafted by the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC), he said.

 

Mr Chinaworn said in order to successfully carry out the plan it is necessary to have foreign teachers from countries using English as the mother language for all schools for Mathayom 4-6 level (Grades 10-12).

 

Schools for Mathayom 1-3 level (Grade 7-9) should at least have Thai teachers majoring in English.

 

Elementary schools should also have more English teachers, he said.

 

"After having enough foreign teachers and Thai teachers majoring in English, schools will then be able to arrange an English programme," he said.

 

Mr Chinaworn said the OBEC will decide how many foreign teachers are needed, the Finance Ministry will be asked to provide budgetary support, and the Foreign Ministry will be asked to help recruit foreign teachers.

 

"We have eyed American teachers who are retired under an early retirement programme," he said.

 

Mr Chinaworn said the ministry has tentatively set Oct 22 to declare English second language in schools.

 

 

*** I wonder if this will improve farang teacher wages above the standard 25k-35k per month? ***

[Highlander]

Good to know, might look at teaching myself

[jonerich]

Great News!!!!! Job Security and Hopefully a pay raise.

[jerry]

 

"We have eyed American teachers who are retired under an early retirement programme," he said.

 

So halve the country is gonna learn English and the other halve is gonna learn "American" .

 

 

*** I wonder if this will improve farang teacher wages above the standard 25k-35k per month? ***

 

TIT , probably because everybody wanna teach English now the wages will go down

 

[jonerich]

My last job I was making 55k a month with some private lessons and stuck in BKK most of the time but all in all not to shabby!!!!!

[Sam Hill]

It might help if the government made sure they are enough Thai English teachers who can actually speak English. I've met English teachers whose speaking ability was so low that we had to communicate in Thai.