A Survey of Needs for Thai Conversation Content of Students Learning Thai as a Foreign Language

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to explore the needs for Thai conversation content of students learning Thai as a foreign language. The sample of this research was 50 foreign students of Thai as a foreign language of We Learn Thai au educational institution in Chiang Mai. The instrument used in this study was a survey of the students, needs for Thai conversation contents which were divided into 19 topics. The results found that the average level of the students, needs for Thai conversation content was high for all 19 topics, ranging from the most to                    the least, including 1) greeting, introducing yourself and others, 2) asking for help,            3) food / ordering food, 4) apologies / gratitude, 5) travel, 6) personality / habits,                7) date / time, 8) telephoning, 9) hobbies, 10) family, 11) weather, 12) housing,                 13) hospital, 14) body, 15) reporting a crime, 16 ) colors, 17 ) buying and selling,            18) blessings, and 19) festivals. In addition, the sample group suggested 9 additional topics of content which were culture and tradition, aesthetics, history, linguistics, lifestyle, activities, economics and politics, and careers.