A Survey Research on the Problem and Teaching Quality of Chinese Language Instructors in Elementary Schools in Thailand under the Office of the Basic Education Commission

Abstract

            The objectives of this research were to: 1) study the problems of primary education of Chinese language teachers under the Office of the Basic Education Commission; and 2) propose guidelines for the professional development of Chinese language teachers in primary education under the Office of the Basic Education Commission. The researcher used a mixed methodology with a purposive sampling technique. The target groups were the government schools that provide Chinese language courses to primary school students in seven regions of Thailand. There were 21 schools in total. The researchers collected the data through questionnaires, interviews, classroom teaching observations, and research-related documents. 

            The results indicated that the problems of the Chinese language teachers can be summarized as follows: 1) Educational institutions often encounter instability in the number of Chinese teachers. 2) The teachers lack sufficient experience in teaching Chinese. 3) There are quite a few Chinese teachers who have graduated in fields that do not relate to Chinese teaching. 4) The language proficiency of the teachers is an obstacle for schools’ teaching and learning management. 5) The teachers lack the use of modern and interesting teaching techniques and methods. Lastly, in order to benefit Chinese teachers' professional development, the researcher has also proposed guidelines for future Chinese teaching.