A proposed English as a Foreign Language curriculum for teachers colleges in Thailand

This study proposes a program for teaching English as a foreign language at teachers colleges in Thailand. The proposed program emphasizes business English. The target audience for the proposed program consists of (1) high school graduates who wish to study English as their major for business rather than teaching purposes (2) part-time students who need to learn English to better perform at their jobs or in their businesses. Among those who would benefit from improved English proficiency are bankers, soldiers, government officials, secretaries, businessmen, tourist agents, hotel and restaurant personnel as well as skilled laborers who plan to work in other countries such as Hong Kong, Singapore, the Middle East, and many others.; The study examines the nature of the increasing need for business English in Thailand. The examination also considers how business English helps contribute to national economic progress and development. Moreover, the study examines the diversifying roles and functions of teachers colleges which have been approved and authorized by the Parliament (Teachers Colleges Act of 1984). The evidence examined includes (1) the findings of the study by Chulalongkorn University Language Institute (2) classified advertisements in daily newspapers in Thailand (3) government documents and publications (4) private sector reports and (5) other previous research.; The data gathered is analyzed in relation to the Communicative Competence Language Model in teaching English. This model is most appropriate because of its emphasis on discourse, strategic, and sociolinguistic competence as well as grammatical competence. The analysis of business needs and application of the Communicative Competence Model to those needs is examined in the light of various theories of curriculum construction discussed by leading experts.; The result of analysis indicates that the current EFL curriculum does not fully meet the educational and professional needs of today's situation. Therefore, suggestions for new courses such as English for Tourism, English for the Hotel Business, English for the Restaurant Business, and English for Secretarial Services are offered. The proposed courses may be adapted by instructors in order to better serve the learners' needs.