Thailand is looking to up their country’s English proficiency.
Last year, Thailand saw their English Proficiency Index fall for the third year straight.
They were ranked as having “very low” competence, coming in 74th out of 100 countries.
According to Bangkok Post, Education Minister Nataphol Teepsuwan said on Friday that he met ambassadors from English-speaking countries to help find teachers who can teach Thai students English, as well as other subjects in English.
In April 2019, more English teachers from The Philippines were targeted to come and teach in Thailand.
According to Filipino Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, “Filipino teachers are the preferred nationals needed by the government of Thailand because of the excellent English proficiency and competence of (their) teachers,”.
Nataphol revealed that there are 7,000 foreign teachers in Thai schools, and the government is looking to add another 10,000 teachers, with funds earmarked for recruitment.
Foreign teachers must have some professional training to qualify for the job, and a language teaching certificate will be preferred.
He also that insisted accents do not matter, as long as the lessons are fun.
This follows plans for a bilingual curriculum of Thai and English to be implemented at more than 2,000 district schools in 2020.
source: Mothership.sg
