Effect of TOEIC Short-Course Instruction of Buriram Rajabhat University Language Center on Teacher Candidates

Abstract

The research aimed: 1) to investigate the effect of the Test of English for International Communication or TOEIC short-course instruction of Buriram Rajabhat University (BRU) Language Center on teacher candidates and 2) to explore the satisfaction of the samples towards the instruction. This was a 30-hour short-course that focused on grammar, vocabulary and techniques in taking TOEIC. The sample group included 32 eligible teacher candidates under an initiative which recruited teachers to work in their hometowns in October 2017. The samples were also BRU alumni from 10 programs, namely Thai, English, Early Childhood Education, Social Studies, Physics, General Sciences, Physical Education, Music and Thai Dramatic Arts from the Faculty of Education. They were selected by using a purposive sampling method. Data were collected by using 1) pre-test and post-test and 2) satisfaction assessment questionnaire. Statistics used in the data analysis were percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, and content analysis. The results showed that most of the samples were females (71.9%) and the majority of the samples were from Social Studies (18.8%). The results revealed the effectiveness of the instruction as the post-test score of the samples was significantly higher than the pre-test score at .00. Moreover, the satisfaction of the samples towards the instruction was also at high level (x̅ =4.59). Thus, it was suggested that the TOEIC short-course instruction of BRU Language Center on teacher candidates was effective and can be used to enhance the ability of the teacher candidates in taking TOEIC for their future career. However, limitation and suggestions for further studies should be concerned.