Perception of Common Challenges of Learning Thai as a Foreign Language of Master’s Degree Chinese Students at a Thai Private University
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Abstract
This study aimed to 1) identify the common challenges Chinese students encounter when learning Thai as a foreign language and 2) explore how students can overcome these challenges. A mixed methods approach was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data using a questionnaire and structured interview. Choose a Thai private university as a case to study. A total of 56 master's students from the school participated in the questionnaire survey, and 10 volunteers with more than two years of Thai learning experience were interviewed. The results from the quantitative research showed that the challenges students encountered when learning Thai as a foreign language were the challenges of vocabulary and expressions, the challenges of grammar structure, the challenges of pronunciation and phonetics, the challenges of cultural background and language environment, and the challenges of listening and reading comprehension. In addition, the findings from the qualitative research showed that students could increase their Thai vocabulary and overcome vocabulary challenges by making word cards, watching Thai movies and TV series, choosing topics of interest, and reading Thai books, newspapers, and magazines. Also, students could overcome their challenges in pronunciation, grammar, and other areas by increasing their grammar knowledge, learning Thai culture, and following podcasts and audio materials.
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