Abstract:
The purposes of the study were to identify the problems, needs, and wants of Thai language and culture for Chinese volunteer teachers in Thai schools. This study used the Needs Analysis Theory of Hutchinson and Waters (1987) and the quantitative method. The samples for the research were Chinese volunteer teachers, Thai teachers, and Thai students. A questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data. Cronbachsalpha coefficient of the instrument was .98 for each questionnaire. The research process was scrutinized by three experts and by the Committee for Research Ethics, Mahidol University. The data was statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics (percentages, mean, standard and deviation). An F-test was conducted to analyze differences between participant groups. The results from the returned questionnaires of 72 Chinese volunteer teachers, 131 Thai teachers, and 70 Thai students revealed the following findings: 1) Chinese volunteer teachers had problems, needs, and wants of 4 communication skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. They had some problems with the use of long and complex sentences, using vocabulary and short sentences to communicate with Thai teachers and students about textbook content, classroom management, evaluation, and Chinese activities, as well as some wants of explaining Chinese culture in Thai. 2) Chinese volunteer teachers had a problem and needed to understand Thai teaching and learning styles, polite language, and Thai culture in several aspects. 3) The use of Thai language and culture is useful for Chinese teachers to teach Chinese and intercultural communication in the Thai school context. Moreover, Chinese volunteer teachers proposed that teaching and learning the Thai language should use a variety of instructors, contents, and instructional methods.