A Study of the Thai Language Proficiency of International Students at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University

Abstract

The research titled "A Study of the Thai Language Proficiency of International Students at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University" aims to: 1) examine the Thai language proficiency of international students at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, 2) explore the development of their Thai language usage, and 3) propose a model for Thai language learning among these students. This qualitative research employed in-depth interviews with eight key informants, selected through purposive sampling. The data were analyzed using descriptive and content analysis methods, drawing from relevant documents, interviews, and previous research. The analytical process included: (1) collecting related literature, (2) organizing the data, (3) conducting interviews, (4) analyzing the data thematically, and (5) summarizing and discussing the findings with recommendations.

          The results revealed the following:

          1)Thai language proficiency among international students involved both internal factors such as motivation, attitude, and self-confidence and external factors such as language environment, teaching methods, curriculum content, and institutional support. Students showed moderate proficiency in listening and speaking in daily communication, while reading and writing were more challenging.

          2) The development of Thai language skills enabled students to better understand the Thai language, Buddhist teachings, and Thai culture. While students could generally listen and speak well in daily life, they encountered difficulties with technical vocabulary and royal language used in academic settings. Other obstacles included religious and academic terminology, syntactic differences between Thai and their native languages, and limited opportunities to practice speaking with native Thai speakers.

          3) The findings highlighted the essential role of the Thai language in both academic and daily life contexts. As most academic content at the university is in Thai, understanding the language is crucial for successful learning. Students emphasized the need for Thai language reinforcement programs, such as intensive tutoring, real-life conversational practice with locals, and collaborative activities with Thai students to enhance their learning outcomes