STUDY OF PROBLEMS AND NEEDS IN ORGANIZING ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNINGTO PROMOTE KNOWLEDGE OF ACADEMIC VOCABULARY FOR PRATHOMSUKSA 4

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate the problems and needs in organizing English language learning to promote academic vocabulary knowledge among Prathomsuksa 4 students and English teachers. The sample consisted of 52 Prathomsuksa 4 students, determined using the Krejcie and Morgan table, and three English teachers, selected through purposive sampling. The research instruments included 1) a questionnaire on problems and needs in organizing English language learning to promote academic vocabulary knowledge, and 2) an interview with teachers regarding problems and needs in organizing English language learning to promote academic vocabulary knowledge. Quantitative data were analyzed using basic statistics including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis.
The research findings revealed that: (1) The highest-ranked problem in promoting academic vocabulary knowledge reported by students was their fear of pronunciation, while their greatest need was for speaking skills practice through conversational question and answer exercises. (2) From the teachers' perspective, the main problems in promoting academic vocabulary knowledge were their own lack of confidence in using English to communicate, while they expressed a need to enhance their teaching techniques, especially through the use of songs.