The Education Ministry is planning to seek help from Cambridge University in England to set up an English study programme for Thai students.
Deputy Education Minister Theerakiat Charoensetthasin said yesterday the ministry would ask a team of English teachers from Cambridge University to design an intensive language programme to improve students' communication skills.
Mr Theerakiat said newly appointed Education Minister Dapong Ratanasuwan had assigned him to work on a plan to boost students' language proficiency.
The education minister also wants to develop a standardised test of English language proficiency for both Thai teachers and students.
The test would help ensure English-language proficiency for university students. Problems have arisen in the past because standards of language teaching at universities vary, he added.
The minister also wants foreign teachers to help coach Thai teachers on how to teach languages in class, Mr Theerakiat said.
"We need to get Thai teachers on the same page to improve teaching," he said.
Test scores would be put on graduation certificates, which would be a factor which future employers would consider, he said.