USING INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES TO ENHANCE THAI STUDENTS’LEARNING AND UNDERSTANDING OF LANGUAGES AND CULTURES OF THE ASEAN COMMUNITY

Abstract

This research aimed to help students learn languages and cultures of the people in the ASEAN community,

use the Internet and computer as tools to assist students’ learning, and evaluate the students’ gain of

knowledge of cultures and skills in using the ASEAN languages. The participants were 18 students enrolling in

the English Course of Reading of ASEAN Cultures and Languages. The participants were divided into 3 groups

each of which consisting of 6 persons. Each had. to select one language and three types of native cultures from

the 10 members of ASEAN community. Each searched information from the Internet websites by using computers

and other resources as available for the content needed. Each group participated in the study by learning

and practicing conversation in the language chosen, and wrote two essays on the chosen topic of cultures.

Students’ reports were reviewed by the instructor of the course on the essays written and their group presentation of language skills. Result of the study found that most students engaged in using electronic tools such as

computer tablets and smart phones rather than printed materials. Results of the pre-and-post t-test of reading

comprehension among study groups found significant gains knowledge on culture and language study.

However, the pronunciation of language learned posted difficulty for their practices. They needed more trainings on

language skills but the study topic were challenging on their curiosity to learn more.