25th SEA GAMES, Vientiane, Laos 2009

Date: Jul 20, 2009

Do Lao people have enough English ability?

Date: Jul 25, 2009

As long as those involve knows basic conversational english like welcoming, giving directions, and knowing where to refer those who need assistance and other basic things would suffice.

Date: Jul 28, 2009

I THINK THEY DO.....DON'T WORRY....

Date: Aug 3, 2009

English is very easy for khoneLao.
Everyone in Laos or anywhere in the world know English.
Not just only english. We can speak many more languages.

Date: Aug 5, 2009

come on... compare to certain country in Asia.
Laos has a higher percentage of people who can speak English.
Plus a better accent. ^_^

lynn · Newbie

I hope that won't be much problem for others, especially Thai. I THINK NO NEED TO HAVE MUCH LAISON FOR THAI TEAM
//@.@\\

Date: Aug 17, 2009

Lao attained then be able to do all

Date: Aug 18, 2009

RE: Do Lao people have enough English ability?

Date: Aug 19, 2009

No, I don't think that laos have enough people to speak English so We might need more people to work as volunteer. If we have more people volunteer, our job will look more easy and getting better biggrin

whenever people's coming to laos.

Date: Aug 23, 2009

If they're that ignorant might have to do that. I see a thai movies where they had to put sub title when Laotian character speak.

Date: Aug 23, 2009

lynn wrote:

I hope that won't be much problem for others, especially Thai. I THINK NO NEED TO HAVE MUCH LAISON FOR THAI TEAM
//@.@\\

If they're that ignorant might have to do that. I see a thai movies where they had to put sub title when Laotian character speak.

Date: Aug 24, 2009

Anonymous wrote:

I wonder if we have enough human resources who can speak english well to conduct SEA Games? To me, SEA Games is an international event, and just the ability of daily life English conversation, is probably not enough, and the intensive English training for our people in this short period before the SEA Games will just not help to improve that much.

What do you think?

Dont worry, we have ample people who speak english well even

Which will count the person graduated from the states 2 people annually, Australia 20 annually, Japan 20 annually, china 50 annually ....

you might be surprised by their accent and ability to speak...
let them show

sayawat · Newbie

some time English is a problem becuase the morst ot people who can speak English they actually have a job so it is not easy to leave thier job for this

Date: Sep 1, 2009

I was just in Vientiene for 2 months doing a study abroad program through the center for lao studies based in San Fran. I met A LOT of new friends at the Lao-American college, many of whom will be volunteering during the SEA games. They all speak English quite well... I should know... I tutored some of them.

Date: Sep 3, 2009

I think authorities concerned have already prepared those who gonna be working for SEA GAMES. Volunteers, of course, can speak English at certain level and I hope that it won't have any big problem in communication among visitors and the hosts.

Lao peopl are smart enough. Do all your best.

Date: Sep 9, 2009

Anonymous wrote:

Dont worry, we have ample people who speak english well even

Which will count the person graduated from the states 2 people annually, Australia 20 annually, Japan 20 annually, china 50 annually ....
you might be surprised by their accent and ability to speak...
let them show
what the hell are you talkin about!!!! why should people might be surprised..

Date: Sep 9, 2009

Don't worry, Laotians or the people of Laos are smart. Comparing from last 35 years, before Lao PDR, We were spoken France like we speak our own Lao's language. Beside France we also spoke English. Now, how far the Laos education being? they can show the world what they got. Laotians are MAAR PEEK KEE NOU.

Date: Sep 14, 2009

I am not worry at all...
ENGLISH??????????
kong guay! guay............
peace a cake...
bor me pun ha...
even my grandmother can speak english.......
not only that...
my dog knows english too...

Date: Sep 25, 2009

Laos is beautiful country and the smile land. Just come to visit !!!
you can find cheap air tickets with Lao Airlines at Online Booking 24 Hours Confirmation Laos-AirTickets.com

Date: Sep 29, 2009

I CAN BE MORE AGREED WITH YOU.
THAT FOREIGN LANGUAGES IS NOT
A NEW AREY FOR THE LAOTIANE.
AND ONLY EVEN BETTER.
BUT, SPEAKING GOOD ENGLISH DOESN'T
MEAN MORE THAN HAVING SKILL TO
SPEAK OR ANNOUNCE IN PUBLIC.
THIS IS MY CONCERN TRAINING IS
NEEDED.

Date: Sep 30, 2009

Don't worry about that.
A LOT OF Lao people can speak English.
Just come and visit to SEA GAMES, you will have a good time.
Absolutely YES, I will be there.
see you around ...!

Date: Oct 1, 2009

I'm sure all volunteers trained have been taught the most important part of english and how to say

" We only accept US Dollars, Please give generously, I can do it for US$5, The Brothel is here, We will show you good time, Please spend your money here, You must pay to continue,...etc, that will cost you US$ and a commission fee of US$ ".

Date: Oct 23, 2009

I can't stop killing myself laughing with the comments posted here. Why? Well the posters here cannot even put a proper English sentence together but somehow they are full of confidence that those in Laos who have very little exposure to English will be OK -- LOL-- and that English is a piece of cake - Yes - a piece of cake because your English is only Engrish...we appear to be very happy with our elementary level. I guess this why we, Laotien, are so slow to catch up with other races....

samme · Newbie

i have lots of concerns for the sea games that will take place in laos!

Date: Oct 26, 2009

Yes. Today thousands of Laotians can speak English. No matter whether they speak the language fluently or skilfully. The most important of all is whether Lao people utilise the language in a correct manner. In other words, how the language is used should be communicated in a polite or ethical way.

I personally think these days many Lao people, especially young ones speak English well. However, the problem is that not many of these young people have an opportunity to speak out. So let the authority find out who can speak English well, ask them to participate in the socio-economic development OR do they just want to ask their children, cousins or relatives to do it?

LET THE LANGUAGE BE SPOKEN BROADLY!!!
A Voice of A Lao boy studying in Aussie!

vilaichit · Newbie

Don't worry about English Knowledge of laos pepole' I live in Laos and I study at National university of Laos so i know well we have many students (volunteers) who can speak English. As many people think the students in college not fluent in speaking, listening but I feel with my confident that they can discuss with foreigners. it is the basic of studying English to give direction, Welcoming, and many things.........But the problem is should be the English Knowledge of visitors from the some countries. As you know when you visit some places such as restaurants, banks, small shops don't worry if you can speak English i am sure they can understand the words about their work ...............About the seagame Players and their teams don't worry because we have many students and many volunteers who finished the training already !

Best wish,
Vilaichit

Date: Nov 6, 2009

well, just hired all the English teachers that teach at all Univesity in Laos to work at the sport events. It will help improve the the event and it would show that Laos people have improve their ability of speaking English.

Lobert MN

Date: Nov 29, 2009

don't worry..
why we care only with enlish language.
how about other languages too?
but I think we can speak all kind of language.
remember that.
And not all the people that go visit Laos could speak english ok.
koy vao man bor la?

NHP · Senior Member

Well, I'm going to come Laos next week and enjoy our biggest event. My Lao friends said that it's better to use English because most of youth Lao people can speak English as well as possible. Moreover, they said that I can use Vietnamese to speak, too. Lots of Vietnamese around there. Hope everything'll be OK

Good luck. I love Laos

Banana · Senior Member

Yeah ! .... I agree why only English ...

Why we follow western culture.

We have own culture.

I think kindness and wormly heart is better thing.

Sprit from Laotain which straight from their heart as well.

Thana · Veteran Member

Yes,,,Yes,,,
No,,,No,,,
Ok,,,

Thank You,,, Thank You,,,

Bye Bye,,,

No,,,No,,,
Me no English,,,

starboy · Veteran Member

Come ... be supporting Indonesia Sea Games champion in 2009

http://www.tinyurl.com/bismarblog

Baosheng · Senior Member

Thana wrote:

Yes,,,Yes,,,
No,,,No,,,
Ok,,,

Thank You,,, Thank You,,,

Bye Bye,,,

No,,,No,,,
Me no English,,,

lol...

stickyrice · Veteran Member

When I visited varous countries such as Japan, Vietnam and Hong Kong, I have to use pictures to order the foods. I do not believe Laos is the only country with English deficiency. Maybe this is a good time for visitors to practice our language and learn our cultures.

Majapahit Kid · Senior Member

Do Lao children learn english in school?if yes,tats gud.if no,pls ask ur Education minister 2 implement a must 4 english in school.no wori k

xxxriainxxx · Senior Member

Let us clarify first some things - First, speaking English doesn't mean a person is smarter. There are many smart people who cannot speak/read/writer/understand English. Second, taking my first point altogether, there is a need for people to learn English however as it is the international language of business and trade as well as research and development. Coming from one of the world's biggest English speaking countries, it would be nicer for me to understand the words being said here in this forum. It is actually very difficult to read some of the posts..

Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia · Senior Member

no problem with english in Lao
I think if have a problem with Laos then that is Internet...,
Don't have many Lao people in this fourm

arky · Member

Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia wrote:

no problem with english in Lao
I think if have a problem with Laos then that is Internet...,
Don't have many Lao people in this fourm

I agree,... I think that is e only problem...

Majapahit Kid · Senior Member

Tell me pls.do they hv english classes in schools?

stickyrice · Veteran Member

Yes, they do have English classes in school.

Majapahit Kid · Senior Member

Tats gud.all tis children shld b encourage 2 speak english more while in schools.i m sure Laos b improving everyday.jas b patience

noinoi · Member

HEY guys

before criticizing other whether they have good english ability or not, first we have to look at ourselves , because i think thai people mostly like to mix english and thai in verbal , but when someone speaks very long sentences of conversation, then you guy just feel like, u know , how stupid of english you are, therefore, please dont pretend to be good and insult other who has more ability rather than u ,

i am not good either, but just feel not so right or sick to hear someone looks down other without any reality

OH gosh

LaoPeople · Member

noinoi i am Agree with you
ha ha ha My mom lives Laos,She is Laos since borned
she can not speak english for me I can speak a little
If study abroad I am sure myself can do. he he
My mother can speak Vietnamese very well
Ah and something to consider, at Vangvieng is a place popular for tourists I saw many strangers come to visit and they can not speak lao language that mean We have a quality to serve them
do worry if you need to visit lao,tour companies, hotels or guesthouses they hire people who can speak English for serving you

NOINOI (I am Agree with you)

bendo888 · Veteran Member

**** with english.**** with western,we are asia should have own lenguage,what do you thing. in japan not so many people speak english, but western have to speak japanese,thats damn good, why we have to pollow all **** from western. look japan,best without change they are culture become western to look nice.modern or whatever.you ll be so hard to get job in japan if you only speak english.do you know that?? just proud as you are. for laoe.dont to much compident. coz please see arround you.your country still long way to go to be real good. but et least you improve right???

stickyrice · Veteran Member

To be honest I prefer Laos to be less developed than other countries. In a so called civilized places, the people compete and become selfish and greedy. The neighbors do not know each other. Beside, our country has less industries which produce less pollution and greenhouse effects. Lao people go to temple and do merits. The whole community know and help one another. I do not know what you base the success of a country on? Happiness or more money? In retroperspective we are happy with what we have. I think Laos is perfect with the Thai King's methology - Por Pien Economic.

terati20 · Veteran Member

I think most of educated Laos use english and french quite good na .. but for people may be not .

I think english is not a big problem u can use body languages .. and we have some same culture we can understand even with few words..
smile smile

FoolExposer · Veteran Member

There is a thing called "body language"...it actually works pretty good! biggrin

langtingaa · Senior Member

is probably not enough, and the intensive English training for our people in this short period before the SEA Games will just not help to improve that much.
very good