Embracing English as a Global Language: A Big Leap Forward for Thailand’s Sustainable Development
By Janpha Thadphoothon
Abstract
This paper suggests a language-driven
way for the development of Thailand in a more sustainable fashion. It provocatively
calls for Thailand to embrace English, not as a foreign language, but as a
truly global one, and Thai teachers and the Thai public to ‘voice their soil
and soul’ more in English. In the sphere of education, it outlines the role
English plays in the Thai context, the roles of English teachers and learners
as text producers. In particular, the author explains why and how he has used
English to express his concerns for the degradation of the environment and the
destruction of local ways of life. In the paper, the author calls for the conception
and appreciation of English as a means to represent Thailand on the world stage.
The assumption proposed here is that if a practice or idea is not articulated
and/or represented in English, it will not get enough attention to stay alive
and prosper on a global level. The author proposes that one way to improve
Thailand’s English language ranking and a way to preserve Thai culture is to do
it through creative writing activities. It would be a big leap for Thailand.
With proper content and process, it would be a factor contributing to the
development of Thailand’s education and Thailand’s sustainable development.
Keywords: English as a global language, Creative writing, Sustainable development, equality
