The Guidelines for Developing Communicative English Handbook for Elderly in the 21st Century in Muang District, Chiang Rai Province

Abstract

The purposes of this research were to study problem conditions, and the needs on the usage communicative English of Elderly in the 21st Century and to study the guidelines for developing communicative English handbook for Elderly in the 21st Century in Muang District, Chiang Rai Province. The population were 50 elderly in Muang District, Chiang Rai Province. These samples were selected by using stratified purposive sampling method. The research instruments consisted of paper and online questionnaires. The statistics used for the data analysis included mean, standard deviation, and content analysis. The findings found that most of elderly have never been studying English before (64%), level of English proficiency is at average level (48%) which showed that elderly still lack of communicative English skills (listening and speaking). In addition, they think that English skill is not enough (78%), and communicative English is needed (96%). Most of them studied by consulting language expert (38%), follow by self-study (28%), learning through electronic devices respectively. Elderly prefers a handbook format (38%), and spend 1 hour per week to study. Most of them have eye sight problem (54%). For the content in handbook, they prefer as follow 1) Greeting 2) Food and eating 3) Timing 4) Medical Term 5) Direction 6) Fruits 7) Telephoning expression. Lastly, elderly think that the handbook will be useful.