UK - Thailand Digital Innovation Grant

Project Description

The current economic, social and technological changes affect the teaching of foreign languages. The important purpose of teaching foreign languages is for learners to develop their own language competence to be able to communicate, work with and culturally exchange with people in other countries as global citizens. English as the global language is therefore needed in everyday life. Teaching basic English to develop 4 skills which are listening, speaking, reading and writing are essential. The problems of English for Communication among Thai learners include the lack of efficient English teachers to teach English from primary, secondary up until higher education level. As a result, Thai learners are unable to communicate well in English. Besides, Thai teachers’ lack of confidence in teaching in English, the social and cultural differences between learners and English native speakers, the lack of motivation in communicating in English in everyday life should be taken into consideration (Ministry of Education, 2021).

In the Digital technology era, English teaching approaches including paradigms in English language teaching-learning have changed. Teachers, therefore, need to adjust their English teaching methods, including the use of technology to motivate students and to be in line with the needs of the students. Anywhere, anytime, and anyone learning model should be adopted to equally prepare learners. The importance of using technology is to improve the quality of teaching and learning.

Teachers need to enhance their skills of the use of technology for English teaching such as coaching, training and teaching materials, etc. to be able to engage the students productively in the class and ensure the intended outcome of efficiently communicating in English. This research project is interested in combining knowledge and technology with the teaching of English paradigms and contents based on the framework of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK), as well as proposing guidelines for using applications.

In Thailand, there are 588 schools under royal patronage and royal commemoration, under the Office of the Basic Education Commission, that follow His Majesty’s royal initiatives to develop education for the benefit of people. Those schools offer teaching-learning in both primary and secondary levels. Some schools have outstanding potential in the royal patronage, while some have been given the royal name of the school. However, there are still many of them that show lower performance and should be developed in many areas, including students’ English language skills. This research project therefore, is interested in bringing the concept of teaching English through applications to develop the potential of teaching English for communication among teachers in the schools under royal patronage and royal commemoration schools. The research plan includes teachers’ needs and basic competency assessment, the development of English teaching applications, the training to develop teachers’ potential in effective English teaching. An online platform for exchanging knowledge among teachers will be created and a learning network across schools nationally and internationally will also be promoted.