Regional English Language Office, Bangkok

The Regional English Language Office (RELO), part of the Media and Cultural section of the United States Embassy in Bangkok, seeks to improve English language learning and promote the effective use of English as a medium of global communication in Southeast Asia (Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam). Our activities also help to foster mutual understanding between Americans and peoples of other nations.

RELO Programs and Services

Some of the programs and services offered by the RELO include:

• The English Language Fellow program: provides American professional expertise in teaching English as a Foreign Language by sending American experts on ten-month fellowships to overseas academic institutions.  For more information on becoming an English Language Fellow, visit http://elf.georgetown.edu/  For information on hosting a Fellow, please contact the RELO or your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
  • Thailand’s English Language Fellows (2000-present)

In Thailand, an EL Fellow will serve at the Islamic College of Thailand, in suburban Bangkok, for the 2008-9 academic year.

• The English Language Specialist program: recruits American academics in the field of TESOL for short-term (two-six week) assignments abroad.  For information on how to become an EL Specialist, visit http://exchanges.state.gov/education/engteaching/specialists.htm   If your institution is interested in hosting an EL Specialist, please contact the RELO.
  • English Language Specialists
    
    
• Publications: The U.S. Government publishes numerous books and other materials for teaching and learning English as a Foreign Language.  English Teaching Forum, one of the world’s leading publications for teachers of English, is available by contacting your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Click here for information in your country. A complete list of other publications is available at:  http://exchanges.state.gov/education/engteaching/pubs/ These can be ordered directly from the U.S. Government Global Publishing Solutions (GPS) at https://gps.state.gov/shoponline/catalog/index?c=English%20Teaching%20Publications

Recent RELO Highlights

Promoting Proper Pronunciation in Thailand—Digitally

DVC Image with Nakhon Si Thammarat audience in box

English Language Specialist Professor Donna Brinton, Soka University of America, visited Thailand for two days following the premature termination of her program in Burma due to Cyclone Nargis. Professor Brinton, who on May 8th visited AUA in Bangkok to provide much-appreciated advice on their academic English and pronunciation programs, delivered a two-hour workshop on pronunciation to a grateful audience of Thai teachers, as well as a few Burmese and other foreign teachers based in Bangkok.

In addition, the DVC was broadcast to the American Corner in Nakhon Si Thammarat, where a large audience participated despite the short notice and summer vacation.  Nearly 65 teachers attended the workshop, which was a great success according to the participants:

Thai EFL teacher comments included "very useful," "absolutely beneficial," "need more programs like this," and "let me know if she (Prof. Brinton) ever comes back…we want to be trained by her again…she's great."