How Work and Travel Program Enhance Students’ English Language Proficiency
Keywords:
Effectiveness, Work and Travel Program (WAT), English language proficiencyAbstract
The study delves into the impact of the U.S. Work and Travel (WAT) Program on the English language proficiency of Thai University students, situated within the global prominence of English as a lingua franca. Recognizing the pivotal role of oral communication skills in career advancement—particularly in multinational contexts—the research evaluates the effectiveness of the WAT program, an initiative by the US Department of State promoting international cultural exchange. Adopting a descriptive qualitative case study design, the study assessed students’ speaking performance before and after program participation. Key dimensions such as fluency, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation were examined to evaluate proficiency in English as a second language. Data were collected through semi-structured oral interviews and analyzed using qualitative content analysis and rubric-based scoring by three evaluators. Statistical methods were employed using Microsoft Excel. Findings reveal a notable improvement in pronunciation following the WAT experience, while changes in fluency, grammar, and vocabulary were not statistically significant. These results suggest that while cultural immersion may benefit pronunciation, findings related to overall speaking proficiency remain inconclusive. The implications of these results are discussed concerning English language acquisition and the role of experiential learning in international education.
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