Introduction: The study examined reading habits and their influence on academic achievement among students at Asia-Pacific International University (AIU), Thailand. Literature shows there is a decline in reading habits among students. Distractions from technology and social media result in a lack of interest in reading. Therefore, the objectives of this research were: a) to examine the reading habits of students at AIU; b) to discover the level of student academic achievement, and c) to determine the relationship between reading habits and academic achievement. Method: As a quantitative survey research design, the selection of 250 AIU undergraduate students was done using a convenience sampling method.  These individuals responded to a survey questionnaire, which was the only data gathering instrument for the study. To analyze the data, a Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Multiple regression and Correlation Matrix analysis was conducted to check the influence of reading habits on academic achievement. Result: Among the five variables, the study confirmed that the purpose of reading has a significant relationship with academic achievement. The findings also indicate that the majority of the respondents value the importance of reading but have low reading habits.  Discussion:  Based on the findings of this study, educators in institutions should encourage students to read while in class and, parents should familiarize reading to their children at home from a very young age. Policymakers should facilitate and avail good, interesting reading materials to students through their educational organizations. Finally, the researcher recommends that further research should find about the factors that hinder students reading habits and it’s to impact their academic achievement within the university or the region to bring awareness among students to become competent with their language skills and academic achievement, in Thailand.

Literature indicates that parental support influences better academic achievement and helps college level students undergo personal and social development. Parents support includes helping the child plan for higher education, choosing types of college to attend, financing a college education, and providing emotional and social support. This study aimed at investigating whether parents support of their college children results in better academic outcomes. Using stratified sampling, 60 undergraduate students aged between 17 years to 25 years old from five Asia-Pacific International University (AIU) dormitories were selected to participate in this study. A survey instrument for data collection consisted of a demographic questionnaire and a Likert-scale questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows, Version 21. An independent samples t-test was used to determine the differences between Thai and International students on parental support. Spearman rho correlation coefficients between parental involvement variables and cumulative grade point averages (CGPA) were reported. Results: Findings of this study showed that although there is positive influence on the family relationship between the parents and students at the college level, it does not adequately explain academic performance among students. In addition, the level of support received by the Thai students was higher than that received by international students. There are a variety of factors that influence academic success. Therefore, parental support alone cannot by itself explain students' academic achievement. As for the level of support received by Thai students, the proximity of Thai students to their parents may be a factor for the level of support they receive. The findings do show that administrators should look into how parents support their college students and establish strategies for encouraging adequate emotional and social parental support even for international college students. Future research should use mixed methods research design to focus on the impact of little or no parental support on students' well-being and academic outcomes.

Introduction: Textbook coherence is an important aspect of effective teacher´s instruction and performance of students. This study involved assessing coherence of senior biology high school textbooks in Zambia (MK Biology10, Longman Biology11 and Pupil´s Biology12) and the extent to which these books are aligned with the biology course syllabus.  Methods: Using quantitative research design, coherence was conceptualized as a unit of three constructs: alignment and organization, rigor, focus and relevance of contents and connections among ideas.  A questionnaire instrument was developed which teachers in Mufulira and other districts in Zambia (n = 82) used to assess textbook and textbook-syllabus coherence. Data was analyzed using statistical methods, independent t-tests and One-way ANOVA. Results: Teachers were generally uncertain about coherence levels in the textbooks. Concerning textbook-syllabus alignment, Pupil´s Biology12 was viewed as most coherent with the course syllabus and MK Biology10 as the least.  Discussion: Assessment of coherence is a complex process but it focuses on few common elements. Identifying these elements may help teachers improve teaching practice, curriculum developers design coherent curricula and educational activities, and authors produce coherent textbooks. Further research studies are recommended that would extend the scope of this study to include teachers in all provinces in Zambia, include a mixed method to explore perceptions about coherence, compare coherence of same grade level textbooks, or evaluate coherence of the syllabus and that of other science or non-science textbooks.

Introduction: The purposes of this study were to explore the factors that motivated and those that discouraged students from speaking English outside of the classroom at Asia-Pacific International University, Mauk Lek Campus. The university offers undergraduate programs in both English and Thai medium. The majority of Thai students who were enrolled in both programs notably lived in the University dormitories, which exposed them to students from 32 different countries, yet were still hesitant to speak English. Methods: Using the convenience sampling method, 197 students were selected to participate in this study. A descriptive quantitative method and a self-administered questionnaire were used to collect the data. Result: The findings reveal that motivation for speaking English outside the classroom was mainly for instrumental motivational reasons (M=4.17, SD=0.59), followed by integrative motivational reasons (M=3.74, SD=0.67). Less clear reasons were intrinsic motivation (M=3.41, SD=0.75) and extrinsic motivation (M=3.32, SD=0.82) motivations. The study also reported that factors such as inadequate vocabulary to speak effectively, insufficient knowledge of English grammar, and inability to speak English fluently and continuously, were perceived as hindering them from speaking English outside the classroom. Lastly, the study found statistically significant differences at the 0.05 level in instrumental motivation, intrinsic motivation, and extrinsic motivation when compared with gender, faculty, class status, program of study, and period of learning. Discussion: The recommendations for future research threefold: to study learning approaches to a variety of vocabularies which would enhance students’ communication outside of the classroom; to study participants from other nationalities; and to use a larger sample using other types of sampling and data collection methods.