The Opinions of Foreign Students on the Basic Thai Language Curriculum A Case Study of Chinese Students in Dhurakij Pundit University

Abstract

             This study aims to survey 201 Chinese students in Dhurakij Pundit University who studied “Communicative Skills in Thai for Non-Native Speakers” course (subject code: KH160) during the academic year 2018. The results of the study were divided into 6 parts as follows: 1) general information of the students, 2) experiences and abilities of Thai language using before attending KH160 course, 3) attitudes and opinions towards learning Thai language, 4) opinions towards the contents taught in KH160, 5) comments on teaching materials and learning activities in KH160 and 6) trends in continuing their Thai language studying and studying Thai language for career improvement. According to the study, These students were not specific language-majored students namely, 65% of students had studied Thai language less than 1 month before coming to Thailand. They could communicate in Thai at lowest level or non-Thai speaking level. However, when students studied in Communicative Skills in Thai for Non-Native Speakers course by a phonetic approach, they had positive attitudes towards Thai language and culture. These student were interested in Thai culture and alphabets. For the purpose of future career, 34.33% of students would like to choose Thai as their minor subject and they would like the course to emphasize the contents on business, tourism, Thai culture and Thai language translation due to the benefits in their future career.