Thailand is in the thick of its nationwide project “2012 English Speaking Year”. The aim is to teach English at least once a week in all state schools in order to ease Thailand’s entry into the ASEAN community in 2015. That’s when Southeast Asia becomes one economic zone and a universal language is required.
Thailand’s English project focuses on speaking the language rather than studying grammar. Teachers are provided training through several outlets including media modules and partnerships with foreign institutions. The goal in 2012 is to reach 14 million students in 34,000 state schools, from pre-primary to university, across Thailand.
Ministry officials are giving teachers incentives to create an “English corner” in their classrooms which contains English-language newspapers, books and CDs. But, the program is not mandatory. Students who take part may get a scholarship to travel abroad or be given extra credit at the end of the term.
If English doesn’t work out for Thailand, the Ministry of Education has also been in meetings with China about creating a “Speaking Chinese Year” project.
Creative Commons Love: Trey Ratcliff on Flickr.com
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