A Study of Problems and Solutions of Learning and Teaching Korean for Thai Labors Who will Take the EPS-TOPIK Exam

Abstract

           The purpose of this research study is to investigate the problems in and propose guidelines for learning and teaching Korean for Thai labors who will take the EPS-TOPIK exam in four aspects, namely curriculum, instructors’ proficiency, teaching media, and students’ condition. Data were collected from interviews with 30 individuals involved and questionnaires from 384 respondents. The findings suggest that 1) students taking the EPS-TOPIK exam should undergo an introductory Korean language course beforehand to prepare them for the “exam tutoring” course, with recommendations to extend the tutoring course duration for better learning. It is noted that 2) most instructors lack skills in teaching and experience in working with Korean people, indicating a need for training sessions and seminars to develop proficiency in teaching Korean, as well as the culture of working with Korean people. 3) The current use of media such as standard Korean teaching books or institute-created materials suggests a need for diversification of teaching materials, incorporating platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook. 4) Most Korean language learners have work obligations, time constraints, and financial barriers, leading to a lack of motivation due to the difficulty of the Korean language. Therefore, activities should be organized to indicate the benefits of learning Korean proficiently, along with creating motivational activities such as arranging meetings with individuals who have worked in Korea to demonstrate the advantages of proficient Korean communication, as well as to provide information on legal processes for working in Korea.