A study of Thai English teachers' English listening and speaking skills

The main purpose of this study was to identify the needs of the English language for communication regarding listening and speaking skills related that Thai English teachers want to improve and to investigate the problems of English listening and speaking skills related to teaching students or communicating with foreign teachers at the workplace. The sample size of this study was 60 Thai English teachers who teach students and communicate with foreign teachers at public schools in Muang district, Sakon Nakhon Province, Thailand. The participants were selected by convenience sampling and were asked to complete the modified questionnaire, which included both closed-ended questions on a checklist and a five-point Likert scale as well as open-ended questions. The study reveals that Thai English teachers’ needs for improving their English relate to teaching students or communicating with foreign teachers. They had much higher needs for speaking than listening skills. It was found that speaking greetings and farewells to students and foreign teachers was the most important aspect they needed to improve their skills for use in their job. Thai English teachers generally had more problems listening than speaking when teaching students and communicating with foreign teachers at the workplace. They had the most trouble listening to English at native speed. This finding can provide information that can assist in designing courses for Thai English teachers' listening and speaking by selecting appropriate materials and organizing effective training courses that meet the needs of Thai English teachers. Moreover, this study may allow students in the field of Thai English teachers to recognize the value of using language skills and prepare them for future employment.