Thailand is ranked 42nd out of 44 countries surveyed for adult English-language proficiency, coming in behind Cambodia (41), Vietnam (39), Indonesia (34) and Malaysia (9), according to a survey by Education First international language school.
The survey results, which were announced today by the Office of the Education Council (ONEC), also rank Thai students’ English-language skills below at least four other Asean member countries, the Bangkok Post reported.
ONEC said the Thai education system has “no clear strategy or goal to effectively teach English and educate young people on the importance of the world’s main business language,” the Post noted.
ONEC suggested an urgent need for reform to bring Thailand up to international standards ahead of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) in 2015, adding that in 20 years, Thai children must be fluent in Thai, English and Chinese, along with languages of other AEC members.
Education permanent secretary Sasithara Pichaicharnnarong on Monday said that more than 100 language teachers have come from England as part of a program to improve Thai students’ English skills ahead of the AEC.
The teachers are all volunteers being assisted by the British Council.
