Native speakerism ideology underlying English education policy in Thailand

Nareethip Nitsaisook; Denchai  Prabjandee; Punwalai  Kewara

doi:10.62819/jel.2025.1387

Authors

Nareethip Nitsaisook Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand
Denchai Prabjandee Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand
Punwalai Kewara Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62819/jel.2025.1387

Keywords:

English education policy discourse, language ideology, native speakerism

Abstract

Language policy is known to embody language ideology. Previous studies have argued that language policy in Thailand is grounded in native speakerism, an ideology that positions native speakers as better role models than non-native speakers. Since native speakerism is a prevalent ideology, this research aims to investigate its origins in the discourse surrounding English education policy in Thailand, with a focus on the evolution of relevant policy discourse since 1898. A qualitative research method is employed in this study, which involves analyzing English educational policy discourses. An iterative framework was created to facilitate ongoing meaning-making and focused analysis. The findings indicated that native speakerism became ingrained in education policy after changes in the political system and persisted during the 1999 educational reform era. Today, the globalization era does not explicitly reflect native-speaker standards in policy, but it still appears in practice.

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