Teaching in English to Non-English First Language Students in some Thai University Programs in Business and Management

Abstract

This paper is about teaching non-English first language students (mainly Thai students) at a number of Thai universities in International Programs (English Programs) in Business and Management. The author has had considerable experience in teaching in such programs in various countries, Thailand, Malaysia, China, and India. The concentration in this paper is on a qualitative study conducted in Thailand where most students were Thai plus two Chinese students studying in Thailand plus interviews with four Professors (co-researchers) who also have had considerable teaching experience in teaching in English in Thailand and other countries to business students. One Professor is Australian who has lived in Thailand for more than 40 years, one is English who has lived in Thailand for over 20 years, one is American who has lived in Thailand for over 10 years, and one is a Thai national who teaches some classes in English. The author is an Australian academic who has taught in Thailand for over 20 years. All the foreign Professors are married to Thai wives. For this project, all the students and professors were aware that the author was conducting a formal research study, the research methodology being used being a qualitative study using a phenomenology methodology.