A MODEL OF THE JAPANESE LANGUAGE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT FOR TOURISM BUSINESS IN HIGHER EDUCATION LEVEL

Abstract

This thesis aims to study qualifications of desirable graduates in Japanese language, to study program management in Japanese language for tourism business, and to develop a model of the Japanese language program management for tourism business in higher education level. The samplings used in the study were divided into 3 groups; heads/secretaries and teachers of Japanese language in undergraduate level, owners or managers and staff of inbound travel companies and experts. Three research procedures were set up; 1) a quantitative study was used to obtain data in desirable qualification of graduates in Japanese language for tourism business and contents of program management in Japanese language for tourism business but data analysis and conclusion, 2) a qualitative study with in-depth interview was used to support the results obtained from the quantitative study in order to analyze, synthesize and create a model of Japanese program management for tourism business, and 3. Focus group discussion was arranged to investigate, assess and improve the model. The results of the study were found that: the level of desirable qualifications of Japanese graduates according to Thai Qualifications framework for Higher Education(TQF:HEd) was run from maximum to minimum in subject knowledge and occupation skills, inter-personal skills and responsibility, cognitive skills, personality, planning, management and development, ethics and moral, numerical analysis, communication and information technology skills. In the contents of program management in Japanese language for tourism business; The program philosophy was to produce graduates accomplished with knowledge, characters and ability in using Japanese language in tourism business according to the demand of local and international markets. The aim of Japanese program management was to produce graduates accomplished with knowledge, characters, ability in using Japanese language in tourism business, understanding in cross-culture. The curriculum should be focused on knowledge in Japanese language for tourism business, learning experience, problem solving, and training. Teaching staff recruitment should be based on subject knowledge, ability and direct experience. The program management should be emphasized on suitability and advantage the learners should achieve. The program facility management should be focused on benefit, suitability, interest, variety and modern. The program assessment and evaluation should be started from plan, do, check and improve. The “KEP to S&C Model: The Japanese Language Program Management” for development of program management in Japanese language for tourism business. This model emphasizes development in knowledge, ethics, and potential in order to accomplish the learners in skills and efficiency in tourism business.