Posted By Webmaster on November 9, 2010

Strong English language skills essential to capitalize on increasing foreign investment in Thailand:-

An absorbing interview I have just read reaffirms how important it is for Thai people to possess strong English language skills if they want to progress in their career and capitalize on the increasing foreign investment pouring into Thailand.

Michael Byrne, chief executive of Linfox: "Asian trade is really growing and will continue to improve as wealth grows and drives consumption.” Photo: Courtesy Linfox

In the article Michael Byrne, chief executive of Linfox, a large Australian logistics company that has extensive operations in Asia, highlighted how Asian economies are expanding at a faster rate than any other region in the world, and said, “Asian trade is really growing and will continue to improve as wealth grows and drives consumption.”

Secondly, many foreign companies, including Linfox, have been firmly established in Thailand for many years, thus creating the demand for Thai staff who are able to communicate proficiently in English.

Thirdly, and very importantly, foreign companies, including those based in Australia, see their future linked to operating in Asia.

“A lot of companies now are scrambling to get into Asia and they admit that they would rather be in Asia now than in Europe or North America”, Mr. Byrne said.

If Thailand is to take full advantage of this new wave of foreign investment in the region, then it follows that the local workforce requires a strong English communications skills.

Finally, the interview makes the observation that the acquisition of an Asian language in Australia – and this is no doubt true of other western countries – is at a relatively low level.

Moreover it can be difficult for a native English speaker to choose exactly which of the many Asian languages they should learn – Mandarin or Cantonese Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Urdu, or any of the other languages spoken in the region.

As Mr  Byrne correctly points out, “there are very few Australians who speak three or four languages”.

Accordingly, English remains the common international language for business and being able to communicate in English language is a key to career success.

English language vocabulary

absorbing (adjective): very interesting
reaffirms (verb): confirms again
career (noun): working life
capitalize on (verb + preposition): to make the most of
extensive (adjective): covering or affecting a large area
expanding (verb): increasing
wealth (noun): money and assets
consumption (noun): the purchase and use of goods and services by the public
scrambling (verb): moving very quickly
acquisition (noun): learning and possessing
accordingly (conjunction): and so / consequently

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Categories: Talking Point
Tags: English for business, English for executives, English for managers, English language skills, English language training courses for specific industry sectors, General Business English Conversation Course, general English communications skills, Talking Point, Written business English