In academic year 2018, the University of Phayao commenced the application of blended learning approach which combines face-to-face class and online learning mode to teaching and learning English as a general education course for the first and second-year students. This study aims to explore students' readiness for learning English course through blended learning environment and investigate problems and challenges that the students faced in their learning. Drawing upon 364 questionnaires with closed and open-ended questions along with focus group interviews with 20 interviewees, the findings revealed that students' readiness for learning English through blended learning was at slightly high level. They tended to be able to learn English through the combination of two different learning modes. They believed that learning English in face-to-face classroom and online learning mode motivated them to be more self-disciplined and responsible for their own learning, and encouraged them to set up their own English learning plans and learning goals. However, the major problems and challenges the students confronted in learning included losing focus on learning in classroom due to considerable class size, limited access of online lessons caused by Learning Management System (LMS) severe crash, difficulty of online interaction with teachers and classmates, lack of experience and skills for digital tools, and time management for two learning modes.
This study aimed to explore the problems and needs in English language teaching (ELT) of preservice English teachers in Thailand related to three aspects 1) curriculum and content, 2) instructional materials, and 3) teaching methods. The participants were thirty fourth-year preservice English teachers from five universities located in Northern, Central, Northeastern, and Eastern Thailand. The findings from questionnaire and semi-structure interview revealed that the problems and needs in ELT related to curriculum and content were insufficient number of study hours of each English course, inadequate courses for specific English skills, outdated curriculum, and inapplicable content to the real life. Therefore, the participants needed the curriculum focusing on real-world context and communication skills (e.g. speaking and listening skills). The main problems related to instructional materials were non-diverse, insufficient, and ineffective teaching aids, so the participants required teachers to use diverse instructional materials and integrated web-based technology in English classes. Finally, the major problems and needs related to teaching methods included lack of specialists in teaching specific courses and uninteresting teaching technique focusing on lecturing grammar rules and reading rather than practicing communication skills; hence, the pre-service English teachers mainly expressed the needs to learn using games, role play, and oral presentation as these methods were interesting and could increase opportunities to produce target language.
In this digital era, students tend to write more for non-academic purposes on social media platforms by using informal language. Consequently, they become familiar with the informal writing style and use non-academic language in academic writing. This research, therefore, aims to discover 1) what are the results of using the social media text-based exercises developed by the researchers in promoting university students’ knowledge of non-academic and academic English language, and 2) what are the students’ attitudes toward the use of social media text-based exercises. The instruments included four sets of social media text-based exercises, a pre-test, a post-test, and an open-ended questionnaire. Participants were 96 third-year English major students enrolling in the Academic Writing course, sections 1, 2, and 3 in the 1st semester, the academic year 2021 of a university in Thailand. The findings showed that the social media text-based exercises were effective in promoting the students’ knowledge of the non-academic and academic language. Questionnaire respondents expressed great attitudes toward the exercises. They believed the materials enabled them to analyze and identify distinct features of the registers in non-academic and academic writing. Additionally, they mentioned that learning through the exercises was interesting, enjoyable, and understandable. The study also provided suggestions for improving the exercises.
In this digital era, students tend to write more for non-academic purposes on social media platforms by using informal language. Consequently, they become familiar with the informal writing style and use non-academic language in academic writing. This research, therefore, aims to discover 1) what are the results of using the social media text-based exercises developed by the researchers in promoting university students’ knowledge of non-academic and academic English language, and 2) what are the students’ attitudes toward the use of social media text-based exercises. The instruments included four sets of social media text-based exercises, a pre-test, a post-test, and an open-ended questionnaire. Participants were 96 third-year English major students enrolling in the Academic Writing course, sections 1, 2, and 3 in the 1st semester, the academic year 2021 of a university in Thailand. The findings showed that the social media text-based exercises were effective in promoting the students’ knowledge of the non-academic and academic language. Questionnaire respondents expressed great attitudes toward the exercises. They believed the materials enabled them to analyze and identify distinct features of the registers in non-academic and academic writing. Additionally, they mentioned that learning through the exercises was interesting, enjoyable, and understandable. The study also provided suggestions for improving the exercises.
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