Posted By Webmaster on March 13, 2012

Poor language skills to hamper Thais come 2015:-

When the Asean Community comes into effect in 2015 regulations for seven professions in the labour market will be eased under mutual recognition agreements (MRAs), enabling people employed in these professions to work in other Asean member countries.

However, while the MRAs will make it easier for doctors, dentists, nurses, engineers, architects, surveyors, and accountants to seek work abroad, few Thais are likely to find their qualifications meet the strict criteria necessary to gain Asean recognition due to poor language skills.

One of the biggest obstacles facing Thais hoping to benefit from the Asean Community is Thais' lack of foreign language skills - Associate professor Patcharawalai Wongboonsin, Chulalongkorn University College of Population Studies

According to associate professor Patcharawalai Wongboonsin, a researcher from Chulalongkorn University’s College of Population Studies, one of the biggest obstacles facing Thais hoping to benefit from the Asean Community is Thais’ lack of foreign language skills.

Ms. Patcharawalai told a Thai workers’ qualifications for the Asean labour market seminar recently that compared to people from Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines where English is widely spoken, Thai professionals face significant obstacles in leveraging employment opportunities and better salaries after the Asean Community comes into existence.

Using the engineering industry as an example, Ms. Patcharawalai said that only 3,712 Thai engineers, or just two per cent of Thailand’s 170,830 engineers, have the necessary certificates, portfolios and eight years of continuous work experience necessary to qualify for accreditation.

The situation is similar for Thailand architects, who must have worked in architecture for at least 10 years, half of which they must have held a professional licence, with at least two years in charge of important architectural projects.

According to Ms. Patcharawalai, with these tough criteria and poor language skills Thai engineers and architects, in addition to other professions, can not compete with leading skilled workers in the region.

Agreeing with the gloomy outlook is Boonlert Theeratrakul, director of the labour market research division at the Department of Labour, who said a recent survey found many Thai workers lacked most in English, IT and numerical skills, making “it really hard for them to compete in Asean”.

Ms. Patcharawalai told the seminar that though Thais were easy to train and could learn their jobs quickly, Thailand professionals had more weak points than strong ones and many workers lacked training, preparation, ethics, discipline and punctuality.

Chirapun Gullaprawit, director of social development strategy and the planning office at the National Economic and Social Development Board, said the number of workers in Asean countries is expected to increase to 300 million by 2015, with higher quality Chinese and Indian workers also expected to join the the professional workers pool.

Mr. Chirapun said Thailand’s education system needs to produce workers for the 21st-century with discipline, synthesising, creative, respectful and ethical minds, in addition to knowledge in their fields and professional skills.

English Click offers a range of English language training courses for professionals to prepare them for the 2015 Asean Community. Our English language course for engineers, English language course for medical and healthcare professionals, English language course for lawyers and the legal industry, and English language course for the banking and finance industry, in addition to our English language courses for general business management feature content specifically tailored to provide Thai professionals with the English language skills necessary to conquer in the 2015 Asean Community.

For more information on any of our courses telephone us on (02) 678.1530, or fill out our contact form.

English language vocabulary

mutual (adjective) held in common by two or more parties
criteria (noun) a principle or standard by which something may be judged or decided (adjective) make a choice from a number of alternatives
recognition (noun) acknowledgment of something’s existence, validity, or legality
significant (adjective) sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention)
leveraging (noun) the power to influence a person or situation to achieve a particular outcome
discipline (verb) train oneself to do something in a controlled and habitual way
punctuality (adjective) happening or doing something at the agreed or proper time; on time

The full source for this Talking Point can be read at  Thais face challenges getting Asean jobs

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Posted By Webmaster on February 7, 2012

2012 The Year of Speaking English:-

As you are undoubtedly aware, there has recently been a large amount of press coverage on the Ministry of Education’s (MoE) plans to achieve better English communication skills among Thai school and university students. This extremely imperative objective to enhance the English language speaking skill of young Thai citizens, which is supported by leading academics, writers to the correspondence pages of the newspapers and, it goes without saying, by English Click, is in recognition of the need for Thais to be fully equipped for the start of the Asean Community in 2015.

Thailand’s Ministry of Education focusing on English skills development ahead of the Asean Economic Community formation in 2015

The Asean Community will open up a free labor market among the ten member countries of Asean, with professionals and skilled workers who possess an advanced level of English language proficiency having the edge on other applicants for a job position, since this language is the common medium for international communication in both the public and private sectors.

Thus the MoE is quite correctly and realistically working to an agenda that will assist and support Thais to become competitive in the deregulated Asean Community, to the benefit of their incomes and advancement within their particular profession.

The achievement of students acquiring advanced English communication skills requires a fundamental change in the teaching approach at both school and university level. As educational specialist Mr Paron Israsena was recently quoted in The Bangkok Post as saying: “The old way of teaching English, which starts with grammar, must be scrapped and replaced with an emphasis on listening and speaking skills so that students are encouraged to speak up.”

This is exactly the same way that English Click thinks and accordingly the way we conduct our conversation lessons! We can provide a wide range of courses to prathom and mathayom school students, university students and adults that are simultaneously instructive and enjoyable.

We urge you to participate with us in 2012 the Year of Speaking English, and thereby improve your own or your son’s or daughter’s future prospects within the Asean Community.

English language vocabulary

undoubtedly aware (adverb + adjective): almost certainly know

press (noun): newspaper

imperative (adjective): absolutely necessary

it goes without saying (expression): obviously

edge on (noun + preposition): advantage

agenda (noun): plan

deregulated (adjective): free, not limited by government rules

acquiring (verb-noun): getting

fundamental (adjective): basic and major

scrapped (verb past participle): thrown away, cancelled

emphasis (noun): main stress

accordingly (adverb): consequently in agreement

simultaneously (adverb): at the same time

urge (verb): strongly ask

participate (verb): join and take part

For a free, no obligation information pack on our English language training courses for children and younger people contact us via Email, or click here

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Posted By Webmaster on December 17, 2011

A New Year wish: Further advances with English language communication:-

The current year is now nearly at an end and it is an appropriate time to reflect on one’s personal development over the past 12 months – what one has successfully achieved and any areas where further application is still desirable. I earnestly hope that improved English communication skills are high on your list of achievements!

English Click wish all of our clients & friends a Merry Christmas and a safe, prosperous 2012 (2555) and look forward to helping you further your English language communication skills.

Whether or not you have made advances in English language communication during 2011, we at English Click would like to stress that the acquisition of second language proficiency is a continuing process and not just a short term exercise.

We wish to be at your service by playing an important role in enhancing your or your staff’s personal development next year, by providing you with effective English instruction and training over the coming months.

At English Click we offer a large range of courses to suit your particular needs, including English language communication tuition for young learners that can include math’s and science, IELTS preparation, professional and industry specific English language communication training, as well as English language communication tuition in general and business conversation and writing.

At English Click our qualified and experienced teachers strive hard ensure that all English language communication tuition classes achieve measurable progress among the students and are also an enjoyable experience for them.

A fundamental purpose of English Click is to help Thai people develop their English language communication skills so that they can lead a fully satisfying and rewarding life, both in the Asean community and the international world of the 21st-century.

To all our readers of Talking Point, and to past, present and future clients and students of English Click, we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, safe and prosperous New Year.

English language vocabulary
appropriate (adjective): fitting

reflect on (verb + preposition): think about

application (noun): work on

earnestly (adverb): sincerely

acquisition (noun): gain

role (noun): part

enhancing (verb – present participle): improving

strive (verb): work

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Posted By Webmaster on October 31, 2011

Training to increase productivity and profitability:-

I recently had the pleasure of catching up with an old friend of mine who is a specialist at training to increase productivity and profitability while he was visiting Bangkok. Our conversation provided me with a trigger to focus my thoughts on the importance, value and results of corporate training to increase productivity and staff development.

English language training to increase productivity makes staff a more valuable asset for the company

Firstly, there is the effect on the individual staff member: a training programme will enhance the employee’s knowledge and skills and quality of output, as well as helping in developing motivation, loyalty and positive attitudes. An employee who underoes special courses of training to increase productivity will become better acquainted with the requirements of his or her job and will need less supervision – thus there will be less wastage of time and effort.

Furthermore, staff who receive training to increase productivity become eligible for promotion and consequently become a more valuable asset for the company.

Secondly, continuing professional development engenders a more elevated level of morale, job satisfaction and team spirit among the staff, desirable contributing factors to high standards of quality in the workplace and to the success of the organization. Moreover, training to increase productivity also helps in creating a better corporate image.

Thirdly, as supremely important tangible benefits for the company, staff who undergoe training to increase productivity will provide increased profitability – a valuable and positive return on the monetary outlay for the training programme.

English language training to increase productivity is clearly a vital area for management and staff professional development in today’s ever expanding international arena for government, professional and commercial organizations in Thailand, since English is the universal language of communication.

English Click can deliver English language training to increase productivity programmes to suit the specific needs and specialist requirements of organizations based in Thailand so that they reap the benefits described in the three paragraphs above.

English language vocabulary:
catching up with (verb + preposition + preposition): meeting and talking to again

trigger (noun): mechanism to start an action

motivation (noun): reason to do things

loyalty (noun): remaining committed to an organization

acquainted with (verb + preposition): knowledgeable about

engenders (verb): brings about

more elevated (adverb + adjective): higher

morale (noun): employees’ joint feeling towards an organization

desirable (adjective): to be wished for

tangible (adjective): real and can be shown

arena (noun): field

universal (adjective): worldwide

reap (verb): gather or collect

For a free, no obligation information pack on our English language training to increase productivity courses contact us via Email, or click here

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Posted By Webmaster on October 3, 2011

Effective English skills necessary for Thailand’s business economy to compete:-

In a recent newspaper article Dr. Aat Pisanwanich, Director of the International Trade Studies Centre of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, propounds that Thailand’s business economy needs to make major improvements in communication skills and learning the ways that businesses operate in other countries if they want to remain competitive in the increasingly integrated ASEAN market:

For Thailand’s business economy to compete it needs to improve its English skills before the Asean Economic Community comes into effect in 2015

“We (Thailand) have to improve a lot, especially in language for communication, and must learn more about each other in ASEAN.”

Dr. Aat points out that other ASEAN countries, such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam are becoming more serious competitors in a scenario that includes the full economic and labour liberalisation under the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015. He also quotes rice, rubber, sugar, automotive, electrical appliances and electronics as strong export growth sectors for Thailand.

On the subject of communication, effective English skills are necessary with English the common language for international trade, with English skills proficiency needing to be raised across all levels of the workplace if Thailand is to keep up with the economic growth achieved by other developed countries in South East Asia. To address this requirement, English Click can provide the appropriate training to enhance management and workers English skills in particular industry sectors.

English language vocabulary

propounds (verb): puts forward for consideration

integrated (adjective): combined to make a whole

scenario (noun): situation

address (verb): deal with

For a free, no obligation information pack on our English language training courses for business management contact us via Email, or click here

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Posted By Webmaster on September 26, 2011

Advanced English language skills essential for Thailand’s business economy to remain competitive:-

I have read with great interest two recent authoritative newspaper articles that reinforce what we at English Click believe is absolutely necessary for Thai citizens to ensure that Thailand’s business economy keeps pace with other Asian countries’ performance and also to advance their own career path – the acquisition of advanced English language skills.

Advanced English language skills essential for Thailand’s business economy to remain competitive

The first article is very critical of the Thai education system, which the writer of the piece believes, is having a negative effect on Thailand’s competitive edge in the region. The main faults of the system are highlighted as overcrowded classrooms and an inward-looking curriculum that emphasizes rote-learning.

This situation, it is argued, has serious implications on the nation’s chances of successful competition in the business area in South East Asia and therefore serious implications for Thailand’s business economy:

“It’s easier to find young, versatile, highly skilled and English-speaking workers in Singapore, Taiwan and China,” said a US chief executive at a major Bangkok-based company. Not surprisingly, the executive quoted includes the ability to speak English as a necessary qualification for good staff.

The article goes on to focus on the relative standing of Thailand in regard to English language skills. Because of the shortcomings in the country’s education system, the local workforce has weak proficiency compared with other nations. The Swiss-based Institute of Management Development places Thailand at number 54 out of a total of 56 countries it rated for English language proficiency, the second lowest in Asia. Singapore was ranked #3 and Malaysia #28.

The second newspaper article presents a similar message and quotes extensively Sakkarin Niyomsilpa from Mahidol University’s Institute for Population and Social Research, who says that Thailand’s business economy weakness is its language limitations, especially in English.

It is a necessity for Thai people to improve their English language capability to the same level as other Asian countries to enable  Thailand’s business economy to remain competitive. He also added that the government should develop more skilled workers for the automotive and petrochemical industries, while more students should be trained in tourism and medical services.

English Click delivers a wide range of courses, general and specific, that will enable students to enhance their English language skills for Thailand’s business economy, a qualification that without question is absolutely necessary for their own and the Thailand’s business economy advancement.

English language vocabulary

authoritative (adjective): written or said by an expert person

keeps pace with (verb / noun / preposition): moves at the same speed as, does not fall behind

acquisition (noun): getting

emphasizes (verb): stresses

rote-learning (noun): learning by memory from tables, books etc.

implications (noun): possible effects

versatile (adjective): able to do many tasks, multi-skilled

quoted (verb): who said the words

proficiency (noun): level of ability

similar (adjective): much the same

enhance (verb): improve

advancement (noun): progress

For a free, no obligation information pack on our English language courses to help you in Thailand’s business economy, contact us via Email, or click here

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Posted By Webmaster on September 20, 2011

English language skills for the business world of today

As the world is evolving, people are expected to know some English, and it is not only English speaking people who use it but non-native speakers as well. It has become the main way you get around, get things done, source out information, and meet friends, while possessing English language skills for the business world of today is a vital requirement for successful international trade.

Possessing English language skills for the business world of today is a vital requirement for successful international trade

According to a Voice of America Special English Economics Report, business is the most popular subject for international students in the United States. Twenty-one percent of foreign students at American colleges and universities were studying business and management. As Thomas Cossé, a professor of marketing and business at the University of Richmond in Virginia quoted, those international students who want to study business need to have good English language skills for the business world of today:

“At least among business schools, more and more worldwide are requiring that their students take English, as they are teaching more in English.”

Companies therefore allocate a proportion of their training budgets to courses focusing on English language skills for the business world of today. This more diverse demand has led to the development of training courses which specialise in English language skills for the business world of today, in order for workers and management to function better.

Another advantage of possessing well developed English language skills for the business world of today is that it opens job and employment opportunities in more countries and markets. Most of the top business schools, medical centres and advanced-study institutes are located in North America and Great Britain, where English is the language used in every activity at these institutions of higher learning.

Increasing globalization will see the need for staff and management with English language skills for the business world of today increase, as companies seeking to grow their business target clients and customers internationally. It therefore makes sense for executives and the people who routinely accompany them to seminars, trade shows and business meetings to develop their speaking in English language skills for the business world of today through our English Language Training Courses for Executives and Accompanying People.

Our English Language Training Courses for Executives and Accompanying People courses are designed so that the student is able to meet the challenges of the 21st century, where speaking in English language skills for the business world are deemed just as important as an MBA.

English Click also recognizes that organizations and individuals often require training programs that are directly focused on their own particular field of activity, and in response to this demand we also provide a wide range of training courses focusing on English language skills for the business world designed to meet the specific needs of companies, as well as courses providing English language skills for the business world focusing on specific industries.

Our English language skills for the business world courses for companies are individually constructed to be directly applicable to the work performed by its staff and they are formulated to improve the students’ English language communication skills and enhance their ability to work in an English language environment.

For a free, no obligation information pack on our English language skills for the business world of today contact us via Email, or click here

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Posted By Webmaster on January 20, 2011

Investing abroad requires advanced English language skills

A recent newspaper article reported that Staporn Kavitanon, chairman of the prime minister’s economic advisory team, has proposed the establishment of a $1 billion revolving fund to support Thai investment abroad. Furthermore, the Board of Investment is expected to hire consultants this month to study how to promoteThai investment abroad.

Staporn Kavitanon, chairman of the prime minister’s economic advisory team

The implication of this positive initiative is that Thai business activity will become more international and hence the need for Thai management and staff to be able to posses effective English language skills.

An earlier study by the Board of Investment identified investment potential in other countries as:

• Construction
• Petrochemicals
• Tourism
• Fisheries
• Livestock
• Mining
• Jewellery
• Textiles
• Automobiles.

English Click offers a range of courses to improve the English language skills of managers, the English language skills of executives and their assistants and a range of English language skills courses with special focus on particular industries, to assist companies who wish to invest abroad. Moreover, these courses can also specialize in specific areas of corporate activity, for example finance, international law and marketing.

English language vocabulary

establishment (noun): setting up

promote (verb): help and advance

implication (noun): suggested result

initiative (noun): new move

hence (conjunction): therefore, thus

potential (noun): having the possibility of a good development

livestock (noun): animals for food

For a free, no obligation information pack on our English language training courses for business management contact us via Email, or click here

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Posted By Webmaster on November 18, 2010

English language skills essential to securing jobs with foreign investors:-

This weekend (November 20 & 21) the Careers Expo is being held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center and strong English language skills will make job seekers significantly more appealing to potential employers.

English language skills will make job seekers significantly more appealing to potential employers – especially where the job sought is with a multi-national employer.

With increasing foreign investment in Thailand it’s reasonable to expect that this weekends expo will see an increase in the number of foreign companies looking for staff. While verbal and written English language skills look impressive on a resumé, there are a few other things that dovetail with good general English language communications skills.

As has been emphasized in previous Talking Points, possessing advanced English language skills will greatly improve the chances of career advancement for Thai people in any field they seek employment, and a position with a foreign company investing in Thailand opens the door to higher salaries, better career opportunities and the potential for working in foreign countries.

Applying for a job or new position and attending an interview is a crucial process that requires preparation, attention to detail and practice. With continuing globalization in the workplace an increasing number of employment interviews are being undertaken in English – especially where the job sought is with a multi-national employer.

For those wishing to submit a job application and attend an interview conducted in the English language, a short course of study requiring just a few hours is an ideal way to brush up on English language speaking skills and mean the difference between winning a coveted position, or not.

The range of professions and work pursuits available to people is huge – and one factor that makes life extremely interesting– with each area of work or profession having its own particular jargon or specialized language, often unknown to people outside the profession.

English Click offers a very wide selection of English language training courses that focus on the contexts and English vocabulary and expressions that apply to particular professions and industries, as well as general English language conversation courses and English language conversation courses for business.

Continuing job training, including English language instruction, is a win-win situation for both the organization that arranges the training sessions and the individual participants themselves, with increased knowledge and higher skills enabling both the organization and its staff to prosper.

English language vocabulary

Expo (noun): exhibition, fair
significantly (adjective): sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention
dovetail (verb): fit or cause to fit together easily and conveniently
emphasized (noun): stressed
crucial (adjective): of great importance
sought (verb): attempt or desire to obtain or achieve (something)
crucial (adjective): extremely important
coveted (verb): yearn to possess or have (something)
pursuits (noun): followings
contexts (noun): situations
participants (noun): people taking part
prosper (verb): become richer

For a no-obligation information pack on our range of tailored English language communications courses for adults, English language courses for business, and English language courses for people employed in specific industry sectors, contact us via eMail, or click here

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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

For a no-obligation information pack on our range of tailored English language communications courses for adults, English language courses for business, and English language courses for people employed in specific industry sectors, contact us via Email, or click here

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