This is the same problem encountered when Thais try to learn English. In many high schools English is taught in Thai. A similar situation to learning Japanese using the Latin alphabet. Most students in my school can recite the grammar rules, but have no idea how to read, write, or speak. And in my school listening skills are almost non existant. (If students don't listen teachers just speak louder, or use a microphone). We're slowly changing this, but it is hard to change the opinions of older Thai teachers.