Abstract:
The purposes of this research were to investigate the trends and approaches of the English language teaching that may emerge in the next decade (2017-2027) in a number of dimensions. These include internal and external factors of education, teaching methods, contents, activities, teaching materials, recommendations, new bodies of knowledge and strategies in the optimistic-realistic scenario, pessimistic-realistic scenario and most-probable scenario in the context of Thailand. Ethnographic Delphi Futures Research (EDFR) technique was used on a total of 17 scholars from 17 higher education institutions from four regions of Thailand by purposive sampling. The tools used for data collection included (1) semi-structured interview using open-ended questions for In-depth interview, and (2) close-ended questionnaire with a 5-point rating scale. Data analyses were median (Med.) and interquartile range (IQR.) The results are as follows:
The scenarios of English language teaching during the next decade (2017-2027) were envisioned as a result of combining the English language with other sciences (Combined Degree). Under the work-integrated learning approach, learners have an opportunity to integrate academic learning with practical workplace experiences. An emphasis of this approach is to enable the learners to execute social transactions effectively through the communication and interaction both face-to-face and via technology, to have creative ideas, to create their works and careers by using the English language as a communication and interaction tool. Thailand must be prepared for teaching English online for lifelong learning in order to efficiently handle the country’s aging society in the future.
