Using Innovative Language Teaching through Game-based Experiential Learning to Develop Business English Communicative Competence
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Abstract
The specific objectives of this study were to 1) examine the attitudes of Thai students majoring in logistics and aviation toward game-based experiential learning to enhance their business English communicative competence; 2) compare students’ speaking abilities before and after the learning process; and 3) strengthen creativity and higher-order thinking skills through the development and design of innovative experiential activities learning. This study employed a classroom investigation methodology, integrating a mixed-methods design within a one-group pretest-posttest framework. The participants were a group of 96 students enrolled in an interpersonal communication course, selected using a convenience sampling technique. The research instruments included a survey questionnaire, a semi-structured interview, and a pretest-posttest. Descriptive statistics and a paired sample t-test were employed to analyze quantitative data, whereas qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis. The research results were as follows: 1) Students had positive attitudes toward learning English through game-based experiential learning. Out of the 96 students, 94 (97.92%) recognized the significance of English oral communication for both academic success and professional development, with the highest percentage. 2) There was a significant difference between the mean scores of the pre-test and post-test of the speaking test at the 0.05 level, as hypothesized. 3) The students’ creativity and higher-order thinking skills were enhanced and developed through game-based experiential learning. The research findings indicated that an English communicative course becomes more engaging and effective for business communication when efficient technologies and various teaching strategies based on CLT are incorporated. Additionally, it can help students gain more exposure to real-time English outside the classroom, providing both direct and indirect experiences as they attempt to use it to develop business English communicative skills.
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