Developing an English curriculum for local guide: a case study of Ram Dang community, Thailand

Abstract

This study aimed at designing and developing an English curriculum for volunteer local guides in Ram Dang community in Songkhla, southern Thailand; and investigating the opinions of the participants on the designed curriculum. The research process consisted of 4 phases: a survey of local needs and contextual information, curriculum design and development, the designed curriculum implementation, and the curriculum evaluation. Data were generated from 30 officials and residents, and 50 students living in Ram Dang community, and by means of focus group interviews, observations, pre-test and post-test, document collection, and sets of questionnaires. The study resulted in a designed curriculum, two five-day training programs, and two learning materials: English Handbook for Guides in Ram Dang context and Manual for Being a Good Host. The study also indicated that after the training sessions, the assessment of the participants’ performance and learning progress was shown at a highly satisfactory level. Further, the average of the participants’ opinions on the curriculum was at a highly satisfactory level. However, this research suggests that English language training based on the designed curriculum should be frequently organized for the local guides and follow-up programs should be held.