Why don't the Thais speak good English?

[Dame]

Why? Anyone understand why it's not made a national priority to have a English fluent nation? The contrast with other Asian countries is marked - take S Korea, for example, where they have only English speaking TV channels and I've witnessed many examples of parents speaking to their children in English as a first language. You have to admire that level of self sacrifice. The thousands of Koreans that flock here every year seem happy as larry and very affluent.

I understand this is Thailand. I understand its inherent difficulties in terms of demographics and infrastructure, but what I can't get my head round is why people on an individual level don't take responsibility to learn the language so many people rely for their livelihoods. I tell all my Thai friends who can speak English to make it their number one priority to teach their kids the language, but the importance of it doesn't seem to sink in. Why?

[georgelondon]

you could always learn thai?

[Dame]

Originally Posted by georgelondon

you could always learn thai?

How do you know I don't? With respect, that is not the point. Like it or not, English is the world's dominant language and it is foolishness in the extreme not to learn it, especially if your livelihood depends on it. As I say, I understand the problems Thailand faces, but why isn't it a govermental priority? Failing that, why don't ordinary Thais take it on themselves? Do they not understand its import, or are they just content with their lot and can't really be arsed?

I give many thousands of baht a month to beggars, the amputees, the hungry. I would rather the country generated enough wealth to enable me to keep my baht in my pocket.

[ivanlim]

Originally Posted by Dame

Why? Anyone understand why it's not made a national priority to have a English fluent nation? The contrast with other Asian countries is marked - take S Korea, for example, where they have only English speaking TV channels and I've witnessed many examples of parents speaking to their children in English as a first language. You have to admire that level of self sacrifice. The thousands of Koreans that flock here every year seem happy as larry and very affluent.

I understand this is Thailand. I understand its inherent difficulties in terms of demographics and infrastructure, but what I can't get my head round is why people on an individual level don't take responsibility to learn the language so many people rely for their livelihoods. I tell all my Thai friends who can speak English to make it their number one priority to teach their kids the language, but the importance of it doesn't seem to sink in. Why?

really depends on the circle you keep.
the well-to-do, generally speak fluent english.
everyone else, are generally shy to speak a foreign language in their own country.
down to national pride, of course.

much like the french or japanese (if you can't bother to speak my language, why did you come in the first place?).

why is thailand slower in picking up the language?
I don't think that is really the case.

Asians take pride in being Asian.
We speak other languages only to be a good host.

In any case, most Koreans speak Korean.
Most Chinese speak Chinese.
etc, etc...

and it has to be said... English is not the be all and end all for languages. The world is getting so small that I've met farangs who speak better Bahasa Malaysia than I do.

[aussie dollar]

just as a matter of interest dame what nationality are you ?
is english your first language ?
reckon learn mandarin is the go

[ivanlim]

Originally Posted by aussie dollar

just as a matter of interest what nationality are you ?
is english your first language ?
reckon learn mandarin is the go

I think learning just one other language outside of your native tongue isn't enough in the new era.

mandarin is definitely one of the emerging languages.
I'm ashamed to say that I didn't learn it.
But being a Malaysian, I've the opportunity to learn the other Chinese dialects like Cantonese and Hokkien.

But if you speak enough languages to help you get by in the economic market, imagine what your net worth will be.

eg. a farang who speaks japanese, mandarin, hindi, french, spanish.

[nacha]

Originally Posted by Dame

How do you know I don't? With respect, that is not the point. Like it or not, English is the world's dominant language and it is foolishness in the extreme not to learn it, especially if your livelihood depends on it. As I say, I understand the problems Thailand faces, but why isn't it a govermental priority? Failing that, why don't ordinary Thais take it on themselves? Do they not understand its import, or are they just content with their lot and can't really be arsed?

I give many thousands of baht a month to beggars, the amputees, the hungry. I would rather the country generated enough wealth to enable me to keep my baht in my pocket.

that`s true, but why should a country change just for it`s tourists?? (well, of course it will, because it`s a lot of money...)
you can compair this to many other things...
like i don`t need to get austrian food in LOS, but still can buy i there (like K-Hotel).
i would never eat there, having this food all the other time at home...
but people of our group were eating there everyday, because they don`t liked the thai kitchen... (is this really possible?!?)

if i travel to a country, i should change my way to fit to that country!
i always try to learn some basic words/phrases as fast as possible (hello, thanks, please, ...)

[ub2yoo]

I must say my wifes quite impressed with all the Filipines here in Dubai who work at Hotel receptions, Shops, Agencies etc. They all speak very good english !

She also wonders why the Thai government doesn't enforce or make a better effort to educate and focus more on english.

[erik1]

Actually I believe that spanish is more dominent world wide, just not in the western world. Don't view the world from your own centrepoint. Why would a farmer need to learn english? he is better of studying the weather

Originally Posted by Dame

Why? Anyone understand why it's not made a national priority to have a English fluent nation? The contrast with other Asian countries is marked - take S Korea, for example, where they have only English speaking TV channels and I've witnessed many examples of parents speaking to their children in English as a first language. You have to admire that level of self sacrifice. The thousands of Koreans that flock here every year seem happy as larry and very affluent.

I understand this is Thailand. I understand its inherent difficulties in terms of demographics and infrastructure, but what I can't get my head round is why people on an individual level don't take responsibility to learn the language so many people rely for their livelihoods. I tell all my Thai friends who can speak English to make it their number one priority to teach their kids the language, but the importance of it doesn't seem to sink in. Why?

[ub2yoo]

Originally Posted by erik1

Why would a farmer need to learn english? he is better of studying the weather

So, what you recommend the farmers children should study, english or also the weather ?

[fun2have]

in my wifes education which ended full time after her graduation from vocational college, her years of english language learning totalled 8 years, her english was almost non-existant when i met her, her exposure to farangs was very very limited.

thais are naturally nervous to speak english, even though many really want to try, for those who learn in the bar world, their place of english language learning is obvious, but those who learn at school and never get to practice, the basics are there, but they are so shy to speak it.

the wifes sister teaches thai to children at her school, her best friend teaches english at this nakon nowhere school, and her english is very very poor.
as with all education it comes down to the quality of the teacher imho.

the nephew who will go to school in november aged 4 1/2, will follow lessons that folllow the curriculum of singapores system, hooray maybe he will be given the chances that the previous generation did not have.

[Hobbsy]

I dont see thailand as a particularly bad english speaking asian nation.

The chinese know very little (except in hong kong for obvious reasons) and most business regions in asia speak good english (HK, Singapore & KL with the exeption of Shanghai where they may know "ok" and "yes/no" at best).

And i'm sorry but the korean's i have met only knew: "manchester United" and "Park Ji Sung" (there were only 2 of them and 1 of them seemed to offer me his girlfriend but my korean is poorer than his english i only know kekeke fromonline gaming lol).

[bangladiver]

ahh the view that thais should only live and work in a way that helps you or fits into your view of the world, thats really original thinking dame

you give to beggars, so the country should learn english

if in 30 years when instead farang women are selling themselves to asian men will your view change as to which language should be the first choice

seriously despite its excesses at times (which is entirely their perogative) i love the proud nationalistic view many thais have - i wish my home country had even a tiny bit of that

thai is the dominant language in thailand - you avoided the question as to whether you speak it

[bangladiver]

have just seen the other thread about your posts generally - i cannot belive i have been sucked in - perhaps my english is deficient

[ub2yoo]

Originally Posted by bangladiver

have just seen the other thread about your posts generally - i cannot belive i have been sucked in - perhaps my english is deficient

Sucker ! :-) 555555

[bangladiver]

suckee rather than sucker thank you very much

[steve w]

in answer to the opening question........why the feck should they,up2them innit

[ub2yoo]

Originally Posted by bangladiver

suckee rather than sucker thank you very much

Oops, sorry, good you took it with humor anyway :-)

[ub2yoo]

Originally Posted by steve w

in answer to the opening question........why the feck should they,up2them innit

I don't know, maybe it's the aggressive way the OP is posting about this resulting in similar aggressive answers to this. I think the question is a very valid one and quite important.

How can you not want a nation to be open, educated and be able to interact with the rest of the world ?

I think it's that very problem where governments keep the population as uneducated & dumb as possible, it's easier for them to exploit them in that way, innit ?

[snorter]

Originally Posted by Dame

I understand this is Thailand. I understand its inherent difficulties in terms of demographics and infrastructure, but what I can't get my head round is why people on an individual level don't take responsibility to learn the language so many people rely for their livelihoods. I tell all my Thai friends who can speak English to make it their number one priority to teach their kids the language, but the importance of it doesn't seem to sink in. Why?

I think you've a misconception of the importance of English to the majority of Thais. Don't forget that the Thais that we falangs come into contact with represent the minority.

[cybernator_uk]

Originally Posted by Dame

Why? Anyone understand why it's not made a national priority to have a English fluent nation? The contrast with other Asian countries is marked - take S Korea, for example, where they have only English speaking TV channels and I've witnessed many examples of parents speaking to their children in English as a first language. You have to admire that level of self sacrifice. The thousands of Koreans that flock here every year seem happy as larry and very affluent.

I understand this is Thailand. I understand its inherent difficulties in terms of demographics and infrastructure, but what I can't get my head round is why people on an individual level don't take responsibility to learn the language so many people rely for their livelihoods. I tell all my Thai friends who can speak English to make it their number one priority to teach their kids the language, but the importance of it doesn't seem to sink in. Why?

For some reason before i clicked on this, i had a feeling you would be behind this.

So what if English is the worlds dominant language. How many languages do you speak?

Maybe a lot of them simply can't afford to learn English, or perhaps some don't see the need to learn. It doesn't bother me because i got to pick up some Thai words, and i like trying to pick up another language.

Its ther choice, but i am wondering how much of that crossed that peewee little thing inside your head you call a braincell before starting a thread that is a complete waste of time

Unlike what i said to Dodger, where i apologised because it sounded offensive, this was how it was ment to sound.....

[georgelondon]

Originally Posted by Dame

How do you know I don't? With respect, that is not the point. Like it or not, English is the world's dominant language and it is foolishness in the extreme not to learn it, especially if your livelihood depends on it. As I say, I understand the problems Thailand faces, but why isn't it a govermental priority? Failing that, why don't ordinary Thais take it on themselves? Do they not understand its import, or are they just content with their lot and can't really be arsed?

I give many thousands of baht a month to beggars, the amputees, the hungry. I would rather the country generated enough wealth to enable me to keep my baht in my pocket.

maybe you do....just seems like the height of arrogance to visit a foreign country and expect them to speak english.