A study of English skill development needs and problems among Thai officers at a public organization in Bangkok

This study aimed to investigate the needs and key problems that Thai officers face in a public organization in Bangkok regarding the development of their English language skills in the workplace. The significance of this study lies in enhancing Thai officers’ language proficiency in alignment with the organization’s mission, contributing to their long-term development. It also focuses on officers’ preferred methods for developing English skills and the support they expect from their organization. The population consisted of 183 people and 50 Thai officers were selected through purposive sampling method. A bilingual questionnaire was employed to collect both quantitative and qualitative data which were analyzed using descriptive statistics along with data analysis of the open-ended responses. The findings showed that speaking and listening were the most needed skills, with speaking ranked as the most difficult, especially in formal meetings and real-time communication. Additionally, writing email correspondence emerged as an important skill that many Thai officers considered significant for their work. The key problematic factors came from nervousness, lack of confidence, and limited opportunities to practice English in real life. These problems reflect a broader issue in Thai governmental organization, where English is rarely used regularly. This study recommended that English training and workshops should be provided to create a supportive English-speaking environment in the workplace. The study’s outcomes will benefit other public and government organizations by informing language policy planning at the national level.