Andragogy: A Workplace Business English Course

Abstract

It has been complicated and protracted process to develop an English course for
the specific purpose termed andragogy for adult learning. With the growing importance
of the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) in the ASEAN labor
market, Thai employees have to develop themselves so that they can be compatible with
new recruits and/or other ASEAN workers, suppliers and coordinators who arrive in
Thailand with high English proficiency. At academic settings presently, not only
professors but also personnel are encouraged to improve their English skills and
demonstrate their high English proficiency. Likewise, at an enterprise with almost
20,000 people such as Company A, its employees need to adjust to handle such changes.
This 1.5 year study was thus conducted in order to show how 19 employees at a leading
Thai telecommunication enterprise struggled to achieve their English competence. The
TOEIC score progress is shown and analyzed together with the respondents’ answers
to the questionnaire and participant evaluation form. The findings revealed a wealth of
optimistic feedback, whereas their individual levels of success varied. From the 19
employees, only nine attained the course requirements and were permitted to take the
real test at the Educational Testing Service (ETS) center. The highest score was
840/990, while the lowest score was 455.