THAI LABOR REQUIREMENTS AND DEVELOPING ENGLISH COMMUNICATION SKILLS IN RANONG PROVINCE

Abstract

This research aims to study the content requirements when it comes to improvement of English communication skills of Thai laborers who are preparing to enter the labor market in Ranong province, Thailand. This study is a qualitative research since the researchers have used in-depth interviews as the key research instrument and have also applied the triangulation method to check for data validity. The key informants were 20 people including the unemployed Thais and also local university students. The skills in question have been divided into four rather traditional categories: listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. The research outcomes demonstrate that firstly, most of the unemployed Thai laborers would like to improve their listening skills so that to be able to follow basic instructions and orders at work. Secondly, regarding the speaking skills, most of the informants would like to improve their job interviewing skill. Thirdly, most of Thai laborers would like to develop their reading skill, their key motivation being to read job advertisements. And also - to be able to fill in job application forms is what most of Thai laborers would like to learn. Overall, Thai workers fully admit they are having difficulties in using all four types of skills. However, our research findings also reveals that Thai workers have serious troubles with the speaking skills, mostly because of the wrong usage of English grammar.

The authors of this study would like to recommend both public and private organizations in Ranong area to become more aware of the English communication skill problem of the local Thai workers. The results of this study should be used as a guideline in promoting and developing the programs aimed at improving English communication skills of the current and prospective Thai workers in the province in question.