Lost in translation: Thailand struggles to climb global English proficiency ladder
Thailand, famed for its vibrant culture and stunning landscapes, is grappling with a linguistic challenge, its national English proficiency, which has caught the attention of educators and language enthusiasts worldwide.
Despite recent strides in enhancing English proficiency through virtual classrooms in Bangkok, Thailand finds itself in the shadows of its ASEAN neighbours, ranking a modest eighth in the region and a lacklustre 101st globally in the English Proficiency Index 2023.
A recent report by Education First (EF) unveils the stark reality – Thailand’s proficiency in its second language languishes in the very low category, garnering a score of 416. This places the nation just behind Cambodia, the English proficiency leader in the region with a score of 421. While the gap is narrow, it sheds light on a pressing need for a linguistic revolution in the Thai education system.
Comparisons with regional counterparts accentuate Thailand’s struggle. Singapore, the tiny island nation, emerges as the ASEAN English proficiency champion, securing a remarkable second place globally with a very high proficiency score of 631. The Philippines and Malaysia, too, shine brightly, occupying the second and third spots in ASEAN and claiming 20th and 25th positions worldwide, respectively, both basking in the glow of high proficiency.
Vietnam and Indonesia, perched ahead of Thailand, underscore the challenge at hand. Vietnam boasts a moderate proficiency, while Indonesia holds a low proficiency standing. The English Proficiency Index serves as a sobering reminder that Thailand must recalibrate its language education strategies to stay competitive in the global arena, reported Pattaya News.
The current English Proficiency Index ranking acts as a catalyst for change, prompting Thai officials to reevaluate their educational landscape. Acknowledging the room for improvement, educational stakeholders are optimistic about the future. Ongoing initiatives and innovative approaches in language education are underway, with a collective goal to elevate Thailand’s global standing.
In related news, Thailand has officially embraced programmes initiated by the United Kingdom, designed to boost English language proficiency among Thai students and teachers. Read more about this story HERE.
