Thailand Compulsory Language Test?

Posted on August 6, 2010 by Mike

If a person is going to settle in a foreign country like Thailand should it be compulsory for them to take a test to see if they are able to speak that countries main language before they are allowed entry?

Well in November this year the UK will require people(Non-EU citizens) applying for a visa to join or marry their settled partner to pass a compulsory English test before the visa is issued. This also applies to the first languages of other EU countries so if for example a German citizen wanted their foreign partner to join them, then the partner would take a German language test.

So if you have a Thai partner(whatever gender) and you want them to join you in the UK, to live with you(married or not) they will need to pass an English test at level A1, which is about what you would expect from a 5-6yr old child,  before they get their visa.

Given that there are many long term foreign residents in Thailand married to Thai partners I wonder can I take this a stage further and ask the following question:-

“Do you think it would it be fair to ask a prospective long term resident to take a test on the Thai language if they wanted to come and stay in Thailand on anything other than a tourist visa, before they received their visa?”

That is, in similar circumstances to the UK requirements.

Now I know through my own language learning experiences that I would not have qualified for a visa if this rule had been applied by the Thai government when I applied for my O visa. In fact three years down the line I probably still wouldn’t qualify given that I do not read or write Thai and frankly speak it pretty badly.

There are of course good reasons why countries like the UK have imposed a language test and indeed a nationality test to be taken after two years in the UK. Primarily its to have a measure of control over who settles in the UK and their better integration into society.

But what about the human factor in all this, the couples who might end up separated because a person cannot pass a test? Should countries impose such restrictions and what would happen if Thailand had a compulsory language test?

Footnote:

Details of the English language test to be applied for entry to the UK can be found on the UK Border Agency web site, at the moment there is no list of approved foreign testers.

Related posts:

  1. English Second Language Thailand
  2. Thailand Visa O or O-A for Long Stay
  3. Thailand Visa Information Overview
  4. English in Thailand
  5. Thailand Tourist Visa
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  • http://paulgarrigan.com/ Paul Garrigan

    I’m sure this type of thing has been suggested by some eager-beavers already, but I doubt it will happen. I think the situations in the two countries are a bit different. It is an interesting question though. In some ways it might be good because it would encourage more people to learn the language. I think that most people who come to Thailand do genuinely try to learn the language in the beginning, but give up when they find out that it isn’t that easy. Maybe a compulsory test would be an incentive to keep people motivated. It is amazing what we can accomplish if we feel we’ve no other choice.

  • http://www.thailand-blogs.com Mike

    You're of course right about the countries being different. I wrote the article more for folk who are taking a Thai to the UK. Then I got thinking…….what if.

    I also think you are so right about motivation when you have to do something, if I didn't have a Thai partner who speaks reasonable English I would be a lot more motivated too.

  • http://paulgarrigan.com/ Paul Garrigan

    In regards to the situation in the UK and the rest of Europe. My gut says that it is reasonable to expect people staying there to speak the language of the country, but…It is a pity where people have to be almost threatened into learning. I worked in a hospital in the East End of London previously and there were many people who had lived in London for a long time and couldn't speak hardly any English. A lot of this has to do with cultural issues, but mostly lack of contact with English speaking people. You can live in parts of England and get by without the national language very easily – just like Thailand.

  • http://www.thaisabai.org Martyn

    Mike I've been a bit busy work wise and read this post a couple of days back but didn't really have the time or definitely the energy to post a comment. The dreaded night shift has made the bags under my eyes heavier and even broken the handles. Thank God I'm back on days tomorrow.

    I think the answer to your question is no, because unlike English, Thai is not a universally used language. A nationality test after a two year settlement period wouldn't be a bad thing. If there were no Pattaya questions then quite a few expats would be shown the door. A nationality test would prove someone's good intention towards the country and also their successful integration into Thai society, assuming the questions weren't too remote.

    I think the UK's and Thailand's cases towards language testing are totally different because of their employment laws. Most foreign settlers come to work in the UK whereas a large majority of expats in Thailand are retirees. Working makes it a near necessity to learn the host country's language. Retiring doesn't make it so compulsive.

    I see I'm sat in the silver medal spot in your Top Commentators List. I can taste gold coming.

  • http://www.thailand-blogs.com Mike

    Paul I think one of the reasons the UK is implementing this policy is too try and break down some of the barriers that exist in places like London, Birmingham and Leicester where there are large isolated foreign speaking communities.

    Not unlike Pattaya, Hua Hin and Phuket to name but a few.

  • http://www.thailand-blogs.com Mike

    Martyn I think foreign language learning leads to better integration in any country. Many of the retiree moaners here would be a lot happier if they wrote/read and spoke Thai. It also tends to get rid of the expat enclaves you find here, the UK and Spain for example.

    BTW thanks for all your comments the are appreciated. Once I get a bit of PR I intend to give a site wide link to each months top commenter. Even now you get a link from the comment and the widget. Not sure how if at all I can make comments dofollow on the actual pages. This is a Disqus thing I think.