An Investigation of Barriers and Strategies in English-Speaking Skills for Buddhist Monks during Chatting Activities with Foreigners

บทคัดย่อ

This study investigated (1) English-speaking barriers experienced by Thai Buddhist monks when communicating with foreigners during Monk Chat activities about Buddhism and (2) strategies used to overcome these barriers. Participants were 30 Buddhist monks from Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCU), Chiang Mai Campus, Thailand, purposively selected based on active participation in the Monk Chat Program. Data were collected using two 5-point Likert-scale questionnaires (barriers and strategies) and semi-structured interviews with 10 volunteer monks. A convergent mixed-methods design was employed, integrating descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, and percentages) with thematic analysis. Results showed that intercultural communication barriers occurred at a moderate level. The most salient barriers were understanding slang/idioms and language proficiency. Monks reported difficulties with fluency, comprehending diverse accents, translating Buddhist terminology, and responding spontaneously. External constraints included limited opportunities for practice and challenges related to foreigners’ speech patterns. Regarding coping strategies, monks reported frequent overall strategy use. Social skills were used most often, particularly active listening and showing cultural respect, followed by personal skills, non-verbal strategies, and verbal strategies such as approximation, paraphrasing, and clarification requests. Peer support and technology use also emerged as supplementary strategies. Overall, the findings indicate that monks manage linguistic limitations through interpersonal sensitivity and strategic resourcefulness in authentic intercultural exchanges.