Challenges and strategies in English communication among Myanmar students in international programs in a Thai university

This research investigates the challenges and strategies in English communication among Myanmar students enrolled in international programs at a Thai university. Myanmar students increasingly pursuing higher education in Thailand encounter difficulties in both academic and social settings communicating in English. Thus, the two main research questions this study addresses are (1) what challenges do Myanmar university students face when communicating in English across academic and social contexts? And (2) what strategies do they adopt to manage these challenges? Data collection involved a structured questionnaire with Likert scale items and open-ended questions. A mixed-methods approach was employed to analyze responses from 18 undergraduate Myanmar students from various faculties. The analysis of quantitative data involved the application of descriptive statistics, while qualitative responses underwent thematic analysis. The findings indicate that students frequently struggle with academic writing, adjusting to classroom expectations with participation, and understanding English spoken with various accents. The English communication challenges faced by the students could be categorized into five areas: language-related, psychological & emotional, interaction & peer-related, cultural & communication style, and learning environment & institutional differences. Despite these difficulties, students used strategies including watching English media, practicing informal conversations with peers, seeking clarification, and engaging in self-directed learning. The findings highlight the need for targeted institutional support, such as writing workshops and peer mentoring programs, and provide practical implications for educators and administrators to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment that enhances the academic and cultural integration of Myanmar students in multilingual university settings.