The Development of English Communication Skills for Ecotourism in Bang Bai Mai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Surat Thani Province: A Case Study of Community-Based Boat Tours
Keywords:
English communication skills, ecotourism, Community boat cruiseAbstract
This research aims to (1) study the needs and approaches for developing English communication skills for ecotourism, and (2) propose strategies for enhancing English communication skills for ecotourism through a case study of community boat tours. The study focuses on three activities: boat tours through nipa palm tunnels, boat tours showcasing the way of life along the Klong Roi Sai Canal, and boat tours to view fireflies. The target groups are divided into two categories: (1) Community members involved in the three community boat tour activities, with five participants per activity (15 participants in total), selected through purposive sampling. (2) Foreign tourists participating in the three boat tour activities, with three participants per activity (9 participants in total), selected through accidental sampling. The research tools include structured interviews with questions designed to gather information on the needs and approaches for developing English communication skills for community-based tourism. Data were analyzed using content analysis. The findings revealed that: (1) Needs for developing English communication skills for ecotourism comprised four main aspects: daily conversations, tourist attractions, amenities, and products. (2) Strategies for enhancing English communication skills for ecotourism focused on developing listening and speaking skills through a four-step process: Compiling vocabulary and conversational sentence books (in printed and online formats). Utilizing YouTube for pronunciation of vocabulary and sentences. Developing a guidebook on using technology for translation assistance. Practicing communication with foreign tourists.
The study suggests that the development of English communication skills should involve collaboration from all relevant stakeholders to allocate budgets, create signage or provide basic information, and ensure the continuous improvement of English language skills.
References
Chanyanit Intara, Prachanan Charoenapornwatana, & Rapin Chuchuen. (2020). Problems and Needs for Developing English Communication Skills in the Workplace: A Case Study of Commercial Bank Employees in Pattaya City. Pathumthani University Academic Journal, 12(2), 266-276.
Community Organizations Development Institute (CODI), Office of Innovation and Knowledge Management Development (Public Organization). (2023). The Way of 'Khon Klong Roi Sai' in Bang Bai Mai Subdistrict, Surat Thani Province, and the Community Market’s Adaptation During Crises. Retrieved July 10, 2024, from https://web.codi.or.th/ 20220423-33490/.
Community-Based Tourism Institute. (2017). Community-Based Tourism Institute: CBT-I. Retrieved July 20, 2024, from https://www.facebook .com/cbticlub/?locale=th_TH.
Danchanee Empanthun. (2007). The Development of Community-Based Tourism and Homestay Activities. Bangkok: Kasetsart University Press.
Department of Tourism. (2018). Community-Based Tourism Standards. Bangkok: Chulalongkorn University Press.
National Tourism Policy Committee. (2023). The 3rd National Tourism Deve lopment Plan (2023-2027). Retrieved July 10, 2024, from https:// planning.dusit.ac.th/main/wp-content/uploads/2023.
Natthaphat Maneeroj. (2017). Community-Based Tourism Management. Journal of Thai Hospitality and Tourism, 13(2), 25-46.
Pojana Suansri & Sompop Yeejorhor. (2013). Community-Based Tourism Standards Manual. Chiang Mai: Payap University.
Siriporn Butsanom. (2021). Tourism Behavior, Satisfaction, and Decision-Making for Ecotourism at Rak Samet Bridge, Rayong Province. Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University Journal of Management Science, 8(2), 167-178.
Somsak Samakkidhamma. (2021). Community-Based Tourism, Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy, and Sustainable Development. Journal of Social Development, 23(1), 21–225.
Surat Thani Provincial Public Health Office. (2023). Bang Bai Mai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Surat Thani Province. Retrieved July 15, 2024, from https://xn-2222cehaco3gb0etasham2az7ci5bmc7hjavfrketfc.com/ bangbaimai/.
Das, M. & Chatterjee, B. (2015). Ecotourism: A panacea or a predicament? Tourism Management Perspectives, 14, 3-16.
Doan, T. M. (2010). The effects of ecotourism in developing nations: An analysis of case studies. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 8(4), 288-304.
Kim, Hea-Suk, Cha Y.. & Kim, Na Young (2021). Effects of AI Chatbots on EFL students’ communication skills. Korean Journal of English Language and Linguistics, 21, 712-734.
Kiper, T. (2013). Role of Ecotourism in Sustainable Development. In: Advances in Landscape Architecture, IntechOpen, London, 773-802.
Kristiani P. E., & PradnyDewi, Diah Ayu M. (2021) The Effectiveness of YouTube as Learning Media in Improving Learners’ Speaking Skills. The Art of Teaching English As a Foreign Language (TATEFL), 2(1), 7-11.
Poyyamoli G. (2018). Ecotourism policy in India: rhetoric and reality. Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 1(1), 46–61.
Syarifudin, & Rahmat, H. (2021) Intercultural Communication of EFA Students with Foreigners as A Strategy of Teaching Speaking. Journal of English Language Education, 4(1), 65-89.
Wood, C., Fitton, L., & Rodriguez, E. (2018). Home Literacy of Dual-Language Learners in Kindergarten from Low-SES Backgrounds. AERA Open, 4(2).
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Law and Local Society Journal
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Articles published are copyright of local law and society journals. Faculty of Law Surat Thani Rajabhat University
Content and information in articles published in local law and society journals It is the opinion and responsibility of the author of the article directly. which the journal editor It is not necessary to agree or share any responsibility for articles, information, content, images, etc. published in local law and society journals. It is the copyright of the local jurisprudence journal. If any person or entity wants to distribute all or part of it or to take any action must have prior written permission from the local jurisprudence journal only.
