Development of Self-Learning Package to Enhance Communicative English Listening And Speaking Skills for Thai Soldiers

Abstract

The main objectives of this research were to: 1) investigate Thai soldiers’ challenges and needs in terms of their communicative English skills; 2) develop a self-learning package to enhance English listening and speaking skills of Thai soldiers; and 3) evaluate the level of the soldiers’ satisfaction as it pertained to this self-learning package. The sample group in this research comprised of 100 soldiers from eight provinces in the upper northern Thailand, who voluntarily contributed to this study. The research instruments consisted of questionnaires relating to the Thai soldiers ' needs as it pertained to their communicative English skills, a self-learning package designed to develop the soldiers’ listening and speaking skills, and a survey on the soldiers’ satisfaction with the learning package itself. The quantitative data from the questionnaire and the satisfaction form were then analyzed to find the mean and standard deviation (S.D.).

The results revealed that 1) the topics the soldiers wanted to learn and what they found to be challenging when communicating in English were relevant to their job and daily use of English. 2) The learning package of this study, consisting of a booklet and a Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI), was developed effectively and successfully. The booklet and the CAI comprised five units to include; Introducing oneself, Handling basic commands, Giving directions around the military installation facilities, Asking for and giving permission, and Carrying on daily military conversations. 3) The satisfaction of the Thai soldiers with the package was indeed positive at a high level.