Students' Perceptions towards the Roles of Local English Language Tutors and Problems of Learning English in preparation for the AEC

Abstract

This study investigates Thai students’ perceptions towards the roles of local English language tutors and the students’ English learning problems in preparation for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). The data were collected by using a mixmethod of an online questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. The participants were 67 high school students from Wat Phrasri Mahadhat Secondary Demonstration School, Phranakhon Rajabhat University selected by the purposive sampling method. The questionnaire results showed that teaching materials and teaching techniques are the most crucial factors affecting students’ motivation in learning English. The interview results revealed that the students considered Thai English language tutors helpful for improving the students’ English skills. However, the tutors should improve their teaching styles and English accents in order that their language performance could be of good assistance in preparing the students for using English in the context of AEC.