The Use of ‘5A Learning Portfolio’, a Technique of Learning Strategies Based on Self-Directed Learning and Metacognition to Enhance English Learning Skills of Thai Engineering Students

Abstract

This study is an attempt to prepare Thai engineering students for the global market with required skills including the English language for communicating. The ‘5A learning portfolio’, a technique created from integrating theories of self-directed learning, metacognition in language learning and learning portfolio, is proposed as a new learning pathway for the students to use it to develop themselves to acquire the required skills of global engineers. The research objective is to investigate the effect of the use of this technique of the Thai engineering students towards an English learning course. The data was gathered from a sample of 30; third-year students enrolled in the English Writing course at the Faculty of Engineering in a Thai university. The intervention of the course includes lesson plans, pre-tests/post-tests and a rubric for self-assessment for the ‘5A learning portfolio’ of students. To analyze the data, the following methods were used: percentage, arithmetic mean score, standard deviation and t-test. The findings show the effectiveness of the technique through the higher learning achievement in the post test of the target group at the .05 level of statistic significance. The insights of the students’ reports in their learning portfolio also showed the positive effect of the use of this learning technique.