I have some questions to ask. Hello Orawan! Do you know much about education? I have some questions to ask. No, I don’t think I do. Please tell me about it.

I go to a primary school. I’m in Prathom 5. Do you go to school? What kind of school do you go to? I go to a primary school. I’m in Prathom 5.

No wonder why you can read. I go to elementary school, too. I’m in 5th grade. You must be from America. Am I right.

You are right. I’m from America. I’m visiting my aunt in Thailand. I’m interested in Thai education. That’s good. Let’s talk about it now.

What’s the role of education?. EDUCATION AND ITS ROLE What’s the role of education?. Sometimes people wonder why they have to go to school. Well, education is truly advantageous.

Educated people gain recognition and respect. Could you explain that? Sure. Education makes people become efficient and successful. Educated people gain recognition and respect.

Doesn’t that sound good enough? Is that all? Well, it also enables you to improve your quality of life. You can get a good job and earn a living. Doesn’t that sound good enough?

Yes, it does. Now tell me about the goals of education. Education is provided to enable people to - improve their life quality, - live peacefully in the society, and - take part in national development. Please tell me more about that.

Could you please tell me about each aspect? The goals of education emphasize four aspects of development in individuals. The four aspects are: - wisdom - spiritual - physical - social Could you please tell me about each aspect?

What about physical and social development? Wisdom concerns abilities to understand new things, distinguish good from bad deeds, solve problems wisely, create good work, and appreciate Thai wisdom. Spiritual development involves training one’s mind to become morally developed. An educated person should be: -self-controlled -self-disciplined What about physical and social development?

Physical development deals with helping a person to be in good health. And social development is about training a person to possess proper social behavior, such as being unselfish, and contributing to the society. Now can you answer these questions?

Please don’t make it too difficult. Identify the aspect of development each person has made. Wisdom Spiritual Physical Social

1. Tom gets along very well with everyone at his office. He is a very polite and considerate person. He is not selfish. Everyone likes him a lot. Social!

2. Tim is an expert in public health. . She has been invited to give special lectures in various offices and institutions. Wisdom

3. Tong is a very healthy person. . He never gets sick and because of that he has been very efficient at work. Physical

4. Toy is always well-behaved. She has been admired for her good behavior as well as her morality. Spiritual

THAI EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM Could you please tell me about theThai educational system? The Thai educational system provides education for individuals in 5 levels: - Kendergarten for children from 4 to 6 years old. What are the other levels called?

Primary education or Prathomsuksa is compulsory for children from 7 to 12 years old. Secondary education or Mathayomsuksa is composed of two levels: - lower secondary - upper secondary Each of the two levels takes three years to complete. What’s next?

Undergraduate programs usually take 4 years to complete Undergraduate programs usually take 4 years to complete. Some programs may take 5 or 6 years. Students at this level study for a bachelor’s degree. Now, it’s time for a quiz. Graduate or post-graduate level is for those studying for a master’s or a doctoral degree, which takes 2 to 5 years to complete.

Please ask me just some easy ones. Kindergarten Primary Secondary Identify the level of education each person has attended. Kindergarten Primary Secondary Undergraduate Post-graduate

1. Ratree received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Tourism and Hotel from MSU. She is now working in a tour company in Bangkok. Undergraduate

2. Winai finished Matthaomsuksa 5 from Wapipathum School. He decided to quit so that he could help his parents run a small business in his home village. Secondary

3. Uthai is five years old and has been in school with other little children. His parents will send him to a primary school in Kantharawichai District next year. Pre-school

4. Dr. Pimyupa obtained her doctoral degree from The University of Illinois. She is now one of the most efficient English teachers at MSU. Post-graduate

5. Berm is now in Prathomsuksa 6 in Muang Maha Sarakham School. Next year he plans to enter Sarakham Pittayakom School for his secondary education. Primary

EDUCATION IN OTHER COUNTRIES Could you please tell me about educational systems in other countries? Like in Thailand, education in other countries is divided into 4 levels: - pre-school - primary - secondary - higher education Please tell me more about each level.

In England, pre-school children go to a: - play school - nursery school For the same level, children in America go to a: - kindergarten - child-care center That sounds interesting!

In England, schools for primary level are called: - infant schools - junior schools Primary schools in America are called: - elementary schools - grade schools - grammar schools That sounds interesting!

In both England and America, secondary schools comprise two levels: - junior high schools - senior high schools Higher education is obtained in colleges and universities. It comprises two levels: - undergraduate level - post-graduate level That sounds interesting!

HIGHER EDUCATION IN THAILAND Could you please tell me about higher education in Thailand? Higher education is provided in higher educational institutions under the Office of Higher Education Commission, Ministry of Education. Please tell me more about that.

Higher education is composed of three levels: - sub-bachelor’s degree bachelor’s degree graduate degree Sub-bachelor’s degree or certificate level is open in: - vocational colleges - technical colleges - polytechnics That sounds interesting!

Bachelor’s degree level emphasizes a higher level of knowledge and skills in various disciplines as well as students’ ability to apply their knowledge. Graduate level promotes students’ specialized knowledge and skills to further develop advanced knowledge through studies and research. Thank you so much.