Danny Whitehead, Country Director of the British Council Thailand, highlights the core of the issue: “While the spotlight is constantly shone on student performance, educational experts agree that the single most influential factor in student success is teacher effectiveness. Yet, in Thai primary schools, many teachers must act as generalists, teaching almost every subject, including English. Many of these teachers did not major in English and enter the classroom lacking confidence, practical experience, or the specialized training required to teach a language dynamically. This is a critical barrier, as a child’s initial experience with English dictates both their future proficiency and their lifelong attitude towards learning.” To diagnose and address this challenge, the British Council conducted comprehensive research into the Pre-service English Language Teacher Education of primary school English teachers in Thailand. The findings highlight several critical gaps. Many student teachers reported having limited opportunities to practice in real classrooms before graduating, and many struggled to translate theoretical pedagogical concepts into practical teaching. ท่องเที่ยวไทย

The research also identified a strong demand for practical teaching and learning materials, opportunities to observe effective classroom practice, and a deeper understanding of the real-world context and constraints faced by Thailand’s public school system. It also highlighted another critical, yet often overlooked, need: regular professional development for teachers themselves. Ongoing training is essential to equip teachers with the confidence and capability to effectively pass on knowledge to their students.

Suparuthai Sumonwiriya, Ph.D., of the Burapha University Language Institute, who led the research, emphasised the link between language skills and social equity: The challenges of English language teaching in Thailand are deeply intertwined with educational inequality. Many teachers tasked with teaching English need greater support in ELT practice and training, as well as adequate facilities, to deliver quality lessons. Strengthening this support benefits not only students’ language skills, but also their opportunities for further education and future career prospects.

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