TTLV: Thailand's English Language Policy and Implications for Vietnam

MASTER'S THESIS INFORMATION

1. Student's full name:Pham Thu Ha

2. Gender: Female

3. Date of birth: 09-09-1989

4. Place of birth: Hanoi

5. Decision on recognition of students No. 3215/2014/QD-XHNV-SDH dated December 31, 2014 of the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi

6. Changes in training process: Extension of study period from December 2016 to June 2017

7. Thesis topic name:Thailand's English Language Policy and Implications for Vietnam

8. Major: Linguistics Code: 60.22.02.40

9. Scientific instructor:Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khang(Institute of Linguistics - Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences)

10. Summary of the results of the thesis

- The thesis has described in detail 4 main stages in the history of implementing English language policy in Thailand (1824-1910, 1910-1960, 1961-1996 and 1997-present). In each period, regardless of the different political or socio-economic regimes, English education has always held a leading position in Thailand's educational policy and English has always been the most chosen foreign language to study in this country.

- The thesis also discusses the shortcomings in implementing language policy for English in Thailand including decentralization in education management, limited capacity of teachers, consequences of examinations and limited time for English in the curriculum.

- Regarding the English policy in Vietnam, the thesis has pointed out the efforts of the Vietnamese government in comprehensively innovating the teaching and learning of English in the context of globalization and regional integration. However, in implementing the government's innovation policy, the issues of building a foreign language competency framework, a teacher competency framework and regional foreign language centers still pose certain challenges.

11. Practical application

The thesis can help Vietnamese educators, English teachers and policy makers to draw lessons from the case of Thailand, thereby proposing policy adjustments to improve English proficiency for the young generation in the context of globalization and regional integration.

12. Further research directions

- Can learn about the effectiveness or impact of policies on teaching activities at each level of education.

- On a broader scale, it is possible to conduct a comparative analysis of Thailand's English language policy with that of Vietnam or other Southeast Asian countries to draw lessons from each country's case, the successes and shortcomings in policy implementation, and from there make appropriate suggestions.

13. Published works related to the thesis:

Pham Thu Ha (2017). Thailand's English education policy through the ages. Journal of Language & Life 2(256) 2017, 75-80.

INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS

1. Full name: Pham Thu Ha 2. Sex: Female

3. Date of birth: September 9, 1989 4. Place of birth: Hanoi

5. Admission decision number: 3215/2014/QD-XHNV-SĐH, dated December 31, 2014, issued by Rector of University of Social Studies and Humanities – Vietnam National University

6. Changes in academic process: Extension of the training time from December 2016 to June 2017

7. Official thesis title: The English Language Policy of Thailand and some recommendations for Vietnam

8. Major: Linguistics Code: 60.22.02.40

9. Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khang (Institute of Linguistics – Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences)

10. Summary of the findings of the thesis:

- The thesis gives a detailed description of 4 main periods in the history of English language policy in Thailand (1824-1910, 1910-1960, 1961-1996 and 1997-now). Although each period has different social, political and economic settings, English education has been prioritized in Thailand's education policy and English has always been the number one language chosen to learn as a foreign language in this country.

- The thesis also discusses the problems in the implementation of English language policy in Thailand, which has involved the decentralization in educational management, teachers' limited authority, test backwash and the limited time for English in the curriculum.

- The thesis shows the effort of Vietnam's government in thoroughly renovating English teaching and learning in the era of globalization and regional integration. However, there are some challenges regarding the English proficiency framework, English teachers' competency framework and regional foreign languages ​​centers.

11. Practical applicability

From the case of Thailand, educators, teachers of English and policy makers of Vietnam can draw lessons and then make necessary amendments in order to improve

the young generation's English proficiency in this time of globalization and regional integration.

12. Further research directions

- Study the effectiveness or the influence of the policy on the English teaching and learning at different stages of education, ie elementary, secondary and tertiary education.

- On a larger scale, carry out an in-depth comparative analysis of the English language policy of Thaiand and that of Vietnam or other ASEAN countries.

13. Thesis-related publications:

Pham Thu Ha (2017). The history of English education policy in Thailand. Language & Life Journal 2(256) 2017, 75-80.