A STUDY OF THE PROBLEMS AND NEEDS FOR IMPROVING THAI LANGUAGE SPEAKING AND READING SKILLS AMONG STUDENTS IN SOUTHERN BORDER PATROL POLICE SCHOOL IN THE THREE SOUTHERNMOST PROVINCES

Abstract

Abstract 

          This research aims to study the problems and needs in developing Thai speaking and reading skills of students of the Southern Border Patrol Police school. This research is a survey research. The sample group consists of 36 students of the Southern Border Patrol police school (Division 44), 36 parents, and 12 teachers, who were selected by proposive sampling, using structured and key informant interviews for data collection.

          The results show that the main problems in developing Thai speaking and reading skill is caused by 5 factors: family, students, educational institutions, skills, and environment. In particular, lack of family support, unfavourable learning environment, and lack of modern teaching media. These problems lead to the need to develop Thai speaking and reading skills, which could be divided into 3 main groups: students want to develop Thai speaking and reading skills to increase their confidence and need additional learning opportunities outside the classroom; teachers want modern and appropriate teaching media including an environment conducive to learning, to solve the problem of lack continuity in teaching and learning; and parents want to participate in promoting students’ Thai learning and need additional learning media to practice at home. Therefore, there is a need to solve the problem and develop students’ Thai speaking and reading skills, emphasizing the integration of cooperation between schools, teachers, parents, and communities, as a guideline for designing and developing an environment conducive to learning Thai effectively.