Creating an English Learning Culture for Agro-Tourism by Autonomous Learning through Community Participation in Khao Kho, Phetchabun

Abstract

This research aims to study the role of English in agro-tourism and explore how to improve the English proficiency of agro-tourism stakeholders in Khao Kho district, Phetchabun province by creating a learning culture of English through autonomous learning. The data were collected through an in-depth interview, a focus group discussion, and participatory observation with twenty key informants selected by purposive sampling from government agencies, agritourism entrepreneurs, and students in the community. The data were analyzed by content and thematic analyses. The findings revealed that most participants strongly agreed on the importance of English, especially in tourism. They needed to improve their English skills as local tour guides for international visitors. In terms of fostering a learning culture for English in agricultural tourism, the findings showed that participants were keen to create an English learning environment. This would involve turning their fruit orchards into learning hubs to promote local tour guides’English skills through autonomous learning and community participation. Consequently, this approach would help these guides become proficient in both Thai and English. Moreover, the results also indicated that both the community and policymakers in the agro-tourism development sector were committed to actively promoting English language learning by establishing educational hubs, particularly for children who would represent the local area.