On 3^rd October 2022, Ms. Thitiporn Chirasawadi, the Director of the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs (DVIFA), presided over the opening ceremony for the Overseas Posting English Programme for the year 2023. The course aims to develop the English language competency skills necessary for professional work and to prepare the Ministry of Foreign Affairs support staff to work overseas in order to perform their duties for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs more effectively. The course will run from 3^rd October 2022 - 25^th January 2023 (one to two days per week on Mondays and Wednesdays at 09.00 - 16.00 hrs.) at the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs. This year there were twenty-one participants from seventeen departments in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs attending the course.

               During the opening ceremony, Ms. Thitiporn Chirasawadi gave an opening speech emphasizing that English is an essential skill that needs to be continuously developed. Moreover, the DVIFA has recognized the importance of upgrading and enhancing overall English language skills. Accordingly, the DVIFA has developed the Overseas Posting English Programme; which focuses on enhancing the four communicative skills namely; listening, speaking, reading, and writing in simulated overseas-posting duties. This includes such things as providing information about Thailand, contacting banks, and working with local staff, amongst others.  The purpose being to help increase the participants’ confidence in communicating in English. The director also encouraged participants to embrace the benefits of sustained learning and practicing throughout the training course.  Additionally, she pointed out that the participants should keep on improving their English skills to further enhance the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ mission in the future.