Laos, Cambodian Armies On Better Footing [... after learning English rather than Yuon?]

Saturday, August 21, 2010
BruDirect.com (Brunei)

Bandar Seri Begawan - Twenty army personnel from the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and the Lao People's Army are currently on better footing following their successful completion in an English course conducted by the Evolution Centre Training Institute of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.

Present to officiate the certificate presentation ceremony was Commander of Royal Brunei Armed Forces Major General Dato Paduka Seri Hj Aminuddin Ihsan bin POKSM DSP Hj Abidin in his capacity as guest of honour.

Speaking on behalf of the class, Cpt Seng Chan Rotana from the Royal Cambodia Armed Forces delivered a closing remark, in which he said, "It is common knowledge that English is an important language for international communication, particularly among our Asean member states, where English is used as an official language - both written and spoken.

"We highly value and appreciate the importance of the English course provided by the Brunei Darussalam Ministry of Defence and the Evolution Center Training Institute. Brunei is the right place for us to learn English, seeing that it is spoken everywhere and considered a second language.

"This course is part of Brunei's contribution towards the establishment of Asean as a community by 2015.

"Moreover, this English course provides a good channel for promoting our mutual understanding and paving the way for future defence cooperation.

"Another strong point is that the facilities provided -including a comfortable classroom, modern computer labs, study schedules and transportation - ensured our learning environment here was very conducive," he added.

Meanwhile, in a separate speech, Major General Dato Paduka Seri Hj Aminuddin Ihsan bin POKSM DSP Hj Abidin praised the excellent speech made by by Cpt Seng Chanrotana, saying it demonstrated the success of the course.

After congratulating the participants, he said, "Though it is a small course, for the Royal Brunei Armed Forces it is a historic achievement as this is the first time we have conducted a course specifically for members of foreign armed forces."

"The participants have come a long way to Brunei from Laos and Cambodia, away from their families to attend the course, which reflects their enthusiasm.

"Over the years, we have seen enduring efforts and initiatives in numerous aspects and at various levels and scopes to build confidence as well as enhance trust and cooperation among Asean member countries.

"Despite our diverse cultural and traditional backgrounds, I believe that it is everyone's wish for the people of the 10 Asean member countries to live harmoniously as a single community in the spirit of friendship and solidarity.

The commander further highlighted, "We in the defence community circle are also actively contributing in our own part to support this noble cause by strengthening our defence and military relations and bridging the communication gap through dialogue, meeting, seminars and organising course such as this."

"I believe that they (training institute) have executed their mission well as proven by Cpt Seng's speech," the commander added.

The Training Institute has become the focal point of training activities within the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.

The curriculum has expanded rapidly to incorporate training for officers and other ranks. It aspires towards becoming a centre for excellence for this country and the region. The centre has also witnessed rapid improvement and expansion of facilities.

"With the expansion and enhanced capabilities, the Royal Brunei Armed Forces is becoming self-reliant in its training needs," he added.

Following the presentation of certificates, the commander handed out awards to the best students.

Cpt Seng Chan Rotana was presented an award for best oral presentation, Capt Soulixay Phichith of the Lao's People Army was awarded for being the best student of the Elementary Course, while CWO Chhon Borey of the Royal Cambodia Armed Forces was named best student of the Intermediate English course. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Oxford University Press sets up exclusive market in Cambodia

March 16, 2010
Xinhua

The Oxford University Press has formed a partnership with Cambodia-based United Knowledge Company for an exclusive distribution of English teaching and learning materials in Cambodia, official new agency AKP reported on Monday.

The partnership agreement was officially signed on March 11 between the executive director of the United Knowledge Company Meng Heang and the Oxford University Press representative Peter Marshall, AKP said.

Founded in 1586, the Oxford University Press is a leading academic printing body based in the United Kingdom.

"It is not only because of United Knowledge's incomparable resource and experience, but its strong commitment to serve potential human resource in Cambodia, which is similar to that of Oxford University Press," Peter Marshall was quoted as saying.

Having trained approximately 5,000 English teachers in Cambodia, the United Knowledge vowed to provide better service and reasonable price for its English teaching and learning materials in the country's market.

The United Knowledge's executive director also made known his plan to enhance the cooperation with the Cambodian Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports.

Au revoir, le Français ... Hello English? But, Kom Phlech Khmer!

"Being fluent in English not only improves one’s job prospects, it allows one to access a wealth of information that is not available in Khmer. “It opens and widens up my world view, since I am able to read textbooks, newspapers and magazines in the English language, not to mention to watch foreign TV channels and movies,” Tep Livina said."

The importance of speaking English

Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Tharum Bun
The Phnom Penh Post

THE seed of the English language was planted in Cambodia during the UNTAC mission between 1991 and 1993, which facilitated the cooperation of some 60,000 Cambodians with 20,000 peacekeepers and personnel for 34 nations around the world. But the importance of the English language has truly taken hold as Cambodia integrates into a global society in which it is widely used as the language for business, education and development.

Two decades ago, those with the ability to speak some broken English stood a chance of working with the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC). Today, the ability to speak English continues to represent hope for a better future and solves common issues in the Kingdom. “You learn English to survive, it’s a language you acquire for your stomach,” said Kieng Rotana, 43, a former interpreter for UNTAC.

For students such as 23-year-old Tep Livina, it became obvious that expertise in English would open doors, regardless of the specific career he chose to pursue. In 2004, Tep Livina enrolled in the computer science programme at the Royal University of Phnom Penh. However, a year later he quit, having lost faith in the power of an engineering degree. He decided instead to enroll at the Institute of Foreign Languages, where he graduated with a degree in English last year.

As a sales executive for Japanese-run Sumitomo Corp in Phnom Penh, Tep Livina speaks English fluently and communicates confidently. “It’s more than just a bridge, you major in business, law or whatever field, without this language to communicate, you won’t be on the stage to compete,” he explained.

After years of learning and teaching English as a second language, including two years mastering the language in Australia, Kieng Rotana is convinced that acquiring fluency in English can be life-changing for all Cambodians. “Speaking at least basically or intermediary [English] is necessary to be in the workforce, in the marketplace and to thrive in higher education in this modern society,” he said.

“Early 2000 saw the arrival of foreign culture through tourism, international scholarships and international aid agencies,” Tep Livina said when asked why English has become widely used in a country that was once governed by France and is still home to many francophone intellectuals and elites.

Also in the new millennium, as Cambodians witnessed political stability and economic growth, a surprising number of new private universities have been opened, many of which have integrated English as an essential part of their curriculum.

“In 1997, Cambodia’s first private university, Norton University, helped transform how lecturing is conducted and how students access study materials; again English is the main language,” said Kieng Rotana, who is also vice chancellor of Pannasastra University, where English competency is mandatory for graduation.

When employers try to whittle down a pile of hundreds of applications, it is often those people with the best English skills who rise to the top. Students who have studied in countries such as Japan, the United States, Australia and even China’s Hong Kong usually possess strong English language skills. But this is not only due to their experience abroad – they have invariably spent thousands of hours self-learning and participating in intensive courses to perfect the language.

Being fluent in English not only improves one’s job prospects, it allows one to access a wealth of information that is not available in Khmer. “It opens and widens up my world view, since I am able to read textbooks, newspapers and magazines in the English language, not to mention to watch foreign TV channels and movies,” Tep Livina said.

As linguists estimated in 2009 that two billion people worldwide are trying to learn English, Cambodia – once isolated by civil wars – is gradually integrating itself into the regional and global economy.

“I can see the world in a bigger, clearer picture than I could have if I hadn’t learned English,” Livina said proudly.

A golden tongue for getting ahead

05/05/2007
By Greg Mellen, Staff writer
Long Beach Press Telegram (Calif., USA)

ANGKOR WAT - The smile comes easily. His approach is a mixture of confidence and deference. Om Koser is very good at what he does.

In Cambodia, speaking English is a popular way to get ahead. Many see it as a gateway to jobs in the growing tourism industry, possibly at a hotel or restaurant or as one of the ubiquitous tuk-tuk driver/tour guides that fly around Siem Reap, the gateway to the famous Angkor Wat temple complex.

Om has found a rather unique use for his English language skills. The 22-year-old identifies English speakers and hustles them by engaging in conversation, saying he is trying to improve his skills. Then, he asks for money to continue his schooling.

Like 85 percent of the villagers who live away from population centers, Om does not have a job. He lives in a small village with his grand-aunt and travels 40 kilometers each day to the Angkor Wat complex, which native Cambodians are allowed to enter for free to meet tourists.

"You are from California?" he asks a tourist. "The capital of California is Sacramento."

Om says he pays to learn English and that good teachers are hard to find and expensive. Although Om's English is very good, he says he wants to learn more.

In the meantime, he seems to be faring well chatting up visitors.

[In Cambodia,] Chinese rivals English for usefulness

05/05/2007
By Greg Mellen, Staff writer
Long Beach Press Telegram (Calif., USA)

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - While Progressive United Action Association labors to bring English to the Cambodian people, the feeling is not unanimous that English is the most valuable language skill to have.

Douglas Gardner, the head of the United Nations Development Program in Cambodia, is an American, but he floats a very un-American idea. He suggests Cambodian children might benefit more by learning the language of a neighbor.

"As it gets into trade and the global economy, Cambodia is in a subregion where China exerts enormous influence," Gardner said. "It's no longer just English. As we look to the future, English and Chinese are primary."

Kol Pheng, senior minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, agrees that Chinese is important and he favors it being taught in college.

He would like to see more Chinese offered by non-governmental organizations but predicts that because many of the groups are funded by Americans, they may not want to spend to teach a language other than English.

Another player in the mix is France.

Because Cambodia was a French colony until the 1950s and adopted the French education model until the Khmer Rouge uprising, much of Cambodia's educated population still speaks French and the language remains strong in the country.

Tippana Tith is a Cambodian activist who lives in Long Beach but often travels back to his home country. He favors expansion of English teaching in Cambodia but says he sees France trying to re-exert influence in the region and worries that their efforts are being bolstered by French-educated political leaders such as Sam Rainsy, leader of the opposition Sam Rainsy Party.

Pheng, however, says English remains the focus of the government's efforts to expand literacy in second languages. He says students are required to begin taking English in fifth and sixth grades, but their exposure is minimal.