Prapai Jantrasakul. Academic development of EFL students in an English-mediated program. (). King Mongkut University of Technology North Bangkok. Central Library. : , 2556.
Academic development of EFL students in an English-mediated program
Abstract:
The globalization and advances in information technology has led the world to
become far more interconnected and complex. This phenomenon results on the burgeoning
significance of the English language as a global language. In respond to the changing
world of the 21st century, many schools in Asia have offered more international and
English programs where English is used as a main medium of instruction. The ultimate
goal is to prepare global students to become knowledgeable in both content subjects and
language skills.
This study report explored academic development students in an Englishmediated
program at the senior high school and equivalent. More specifically, the
paper uncovered language learning strategies employed the EFL students to
comprehend their English texts and lectures, the role of native English speaking (NS)
teachers in the course of the studies at the English-mediated program administered by
the localm, and cultural capital had influenced their academic pursuit.
The 50-item Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) developed by
Oxford (1990) was used as a questionnaire for a quantitative data on language learning
strategies perceived to be employed by the students from three English-mediated
programs in three different schools in Bangkok. The informants were studying in the
senior high school or equivalent, ranging from Grade 10 to Grade 12. The findings
showed that students ranked metacognitive strategies (X = 3.6492) compensation
strategies (X = 3.6062) และ cognitive strategies (X= 3.5772) as their fisrt three frequently used strategies when dealing with English texts and instruction. Affective
strategies is the least frequently used strategies.
In addition to a quantitative study on language learning strategies, a picture of
this particular educational challenge imposed upon these global students was weaved
together through such other multiple sources of data as an interview and document
collecting as a case study. In terms of the role of native English speaking teachers, the
findings, as a case study from one school under investigation, revealed the
misunderstanding gap between the educational institute and the teachers themselves.
Discrepencies regarding intercultural understandings related to Thai learning styles and
institutional culture and expectation were discursively mentioned by NS teachers.
However, viewing the exposure to NS teacher-led classes as means to competitive
advantage in the future education and career, NNS students showed their acceptance of
the higher employment rate of NS teachers, regardless of the nationality, for both
English and content subject classes as ways to learn about and internalize the target
language and western learning approach. For a case study on cultural capital, the data
suggested the interaction between home and school learning practice. Parents and
family play a major role in academic cultural capital. The academic achievement at the
current educational institute has attributed to parental involvement before the entry to
the current school
Given this, it is imperative every party involved-- EFL students and teachers,
content subject teachers, and program administrators-- be trained to become aware of
language learning strategies involved in order to enhance students learning capacity
and understanding during the course of their studies. For the program administrator, a
training course related to language learning strategies may be set up to bridge the gap
in the English-mediated content class. In addition, parental involvement is another factor the innovative English-mediated program administrator needs to take into
consideration in helping students learn successfully.
In sum, the findings shed light on how to provide on supportive learning
environment and ways to deconstruct barriers in the delivery of lessons in English in
the English-mediated program. The report also suggests useful information for
curriculum design and educational administration in the Thai international or English
program, especially teaching effectiveness of foreign teachers in Thailand.
King Mongkut University of Technology North Bangkok. Central Library