Publication: The impact of a short-term language course abroad on thai students’ language skills and affective factors
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Issued Date
2021
Resource Type
Language
eng
File Type
application/pdf
ISSN
24523151
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-85112073071
Rights Holder(s)
Scopus
Bibliographic Citation
Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences. Vol 42, No.3 (2021), p.607-616
Suggested Citation
Behr N.S. The impact of a short-term language course abroad on thai students’ language skills and affective factors. Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences. Vol 42, No.3 (2021), p.607-616. doi:10.34044/j.kjss.2021.42.3.23 Retrieved from: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14740/6443
Author(s)
Abstract
A short-term language course abroad in a native speaking country has become popular in Thailand. There is a dearth of studies on the impact of a course like this on Thai students. This research aims to investigate whether a short course abroad is crucial for Thai students’ language learning. The participants in this study were eighteen university students who participated in a one-month language course abroad. Before and after the trip, an English language test, a questionnaire and semi-structured interview were conducted. The pre-test/post-test scores were statistically analysed by t-test at p < .05. To supplement the test results, the questionnaire and the interview on attitude, motivation and anxiety were arranged. The results revealed that pre-test/post-test scores were significantly different for every component. The greatest improvement was shown in participants’ speaking scores; with most subjects’ speaking scores increasing by 10 to 30 points. From the questionnaire and interview, a lower level of anxiety after the trip was exhibited, whereas positive attitude and motivation before and after the trip were constantly at a high level. The better test scores on speaking skills seemed to relate to the level of anxiety. The experience abroad is likely to help Thai students with language performance. © 2021 Kasetsart University.