Research on Chinese Language Education Policy and Chinese Language Education Development in Thailand

Abstract

Development of Chinese language Education in Thailand is highly typical, not only leading in global Chinese language education but also pioneering numerous firsts. Thailand was the first country to incorporate Chinese into its national education system, the first to invite Chinese language teacher volunteers from China, and the first to establish Confucius Classrooms. Over a century, Thai Chinese language education has experienced both prosperous "springs" and challenging "winters." In recent years, with the warming of Sino-Thai relations and the increased attention from the Thai Ministry of Education, the number of Mandarin learners has surged, marking a period of significant development for Chinese language education in Thailand. To fully capitalize on this opportunity, various issues potentially constraining the development of Chinese language education must be adequately addressed. This research divides the historical development of Chinese language education in Thailand into three stages: germination, gradual decline, and comprehensive development. It deeply explores the policies at each stage, examining multifaceted factors influencing its progress. Analyzing the current implementation of Chinese language education policies in Thailand, the research identifies challenges, including teacher resources, lack of unified teaching materials, and chaotic market supervision. These challenges pose potential obstacles to the sustained development of Chinese language education in Thailand. To overcome these issues, the research suggests the Thai government formulate unified teaching materials and curricula. Additionally, it recommends enhancing training for Thai Chinese teachers and establishing a comprehensive teacher assessment mechanism to ensure the quality of Chinese language instruction. The research concludes by proposing collaboration between China and Thailand, creating a resource-sharing platform through technology to propel Chinese language education in Thailand into a new era.