Communicative Language Teaching and the Thai Context

Authors

Gwyn Williams

Publication Date

1992-01-01

Abstract

The English language is international and, as such, should be viewed as culturally neutral. Conversational "competence," specifically "appropriateness" ("polite speech"), should be determined by the cultural setting in which an interaction in English occurs. In Thailand the use of English is cross-cultural. Judgements of competence should not be based on foreign and alien notions derived from "norms" of Western culture and society. Cultural differences ought not to be viewed only as a source of difficulty in the cross-cultural situation, but rather as contributing to and enhancing the interaction. The discourse of Thai speakers of English in the Thai setting should therefore be viewed as competent.

DOI

10.58837/CHULA.PASAA.22.1.3

First Page

29

Last Page

41

Recommended Citation

Williams, Gwyn (1992) "Communicative Language Teaching and the Thai Context," PASAA: Vol. 22: Iss. 1, Article 3.
DOI: 10.58837/CHULA.PASAA.22.1.3
Available at: https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/pasaa/vol22/iss1/3