Are we ready for a multilingual society?

Whether you like it or not, the trend is probably inevitable as the forces of globalisation continue unabated.

"Like many other countries, Thailand is moving towards a multilingual society. Otherwise it will lose many opportunities in global competition," said James Shipton, director of English Language Services at the British Council Thailand.

Besides English, Mandarin is the other foreign language with the most potential for Thais, he said, citing a recent study conducted by David Graddol on the status, trend and influence of English around the world.

According to Shipton, English will no longer be a second language or a special skill for many Thais, but it will be regarded as just another common linguistic ability.

The same is likely to happen to Mandarin in the future.

In addition, a multilingual Thai society is not restricted only to the official Thai language, English and Mandarin, but other local dialects will also gain more prominence.

Globally, four languages will be the most popular around the world - English, Spanish Mandarin and Arabic - according to Shipton.

The Graddol study, titled "English Next", forecasts that in the next 10-15 years, around two billion people, one-third of the world's population, will use English in their daily communication.

Despite the growing use of English globally, native English will have fewer roles. The English in practical use will be as diverse as those who use it.

For Thailand, there are at least four major challenges as far as the teaching of English as a foreign language is concerned.

First, what's the appropriate age for children to start learning English Second, how can information and other technologies best be used to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of language teaching? Third, what's the most appropriate curriculum? Fourth, what are the best ways to deal with the country's acute shortage of qualified English teachers?

A senior Education Ministry official, who asked not to be named, said state schools currently needed as many as 10,000 better-qualified English teachers.

The Thaksin government had plans to import a large number of foreign English teachers to fill these positions. According to the Graddol study, encouraging teachers to immigrate is another global trend for countries wanting to improve their citizen's foreign-language proficiency quickly.

Singapore and India are among the region's two major sources of qualified English teachers because both have been successful in teaching English as a foreign language.

However, Shipton of the British Council said a massive migration programme might not be the best option. "The questions are the high cost, how do you make them satisfied living in Thailand's provinces, how do you deal with their families, and most important of all, how we can ensure their quality of teaching?

"If the plan is implemented, it would probably be the largest import of native English teachers in the world's history," he said, adding that importing a massive number of teachers should not be considered as a quick fix. Instead, Thailand should put more resources into improving current Thai teachers of English, as this is a more sustainable choice.

"Thailand is reforming its education system. The road map is good enough to achieve better teaching of English. The question is how to implement it efficiently," he said.

However, the massive import plan is now uncertain. Another senior Education Ministry official, who was earlier in charge of this programme, said: "I am not sure we still have such a plan. You need to wait for the new government's policy on this matter."

For Kasama Worrawan na Ayudhaya, the permanent secretary, creating a proper environment for learning is no less important.

"We cannot make all schools in Thailand bilingual but at least in secondary schools, students should have more English classes - at least 10 per cent more than now," she said.

Outside the school, more English television programmes are one suggestion. Another is special courses for workers to learn English for their particular professions such as taxi drivers, chefs or masseurs, Kasama added.

Shipton agreed with Kasama. He said the key to successful study of English is to consider it as part of a total learning system, and not to separate it.

"Thai children now face three challenges in studying English," he commented from his personal experience.

First, Thai linguistics are naturally different to those in English. Second, culturally, Thais do not dare to make mistakes and worry too much about losing face, which makes studying English and other languages difficult.

Third, institutionally, there are still limitations in the Thai education system such as a lack of qualified teachers.

"Many people mistakenly believe that technique or technology is important in learning English. In fact, motivation is the most important aspect and it should be made a top concern of the Thai school system," Shipton said.

The British Council has several programmes for the study of English in Thailand. One is the well-known English classes for children and students at different levels. Another is the training and assistance for some 1,000 teachers nationwide.

Kamol Sukin

The Nation