MOTIVATION FOR CHOOSING TO STUDY THAI AMONG CHINESE STUDENTS AT NORTH BANGKOK UNIVERSITY

Abstract

The objective this article to study the extrinsic and intrinsic motivations in choosing to study Thai language among Chinese students at North Bangkok University, Rangsit Campus. The sample consisted of 80 people. Questionnaires were used to collect data, and mean and standard deviation were used to analyze the data.
The research finding ware as follows: 1) External motivations for choosing to study Thai include:
1.1) Educational institution, overall at a high level, with the highest mean item being that teachers listen to students’ opinions on various issues and encourage students to learn and develop further in the future at a high level, followed by the university-provided teachers who are knowledgeable at a high level, and the lowest mean item being that teaching materials are consistent with the subject matter and sufficient for use. 1.2) Social aspect, overall at a high level, with the highest mean items being that there is increased opportunity for employment and wanting to understand Thai culture more at a high level, followed by wanting to make new friends in society at a high level, and the lowest mean item being able to communicate better with people in society at a high level, respectively. 1.3) Family aspect, overall at a high level, with the highest mean item being that the family has high expectations for employment after finishing studying Thai, and the lowest mean item being that the family supports studying Thai at a high level, respectively. 2) Internal motivation in choosing to study Thai language is at a high level overall. The item with the highest mean value is being interested in Thai language, wanting to use Thai language as an additional language besides Chinese and English, at a high level. Next is having various careers related to Thai language, at a high level. And the item with the lowest mean value is not having enough knowledge of Thai language for work, at a medium level, respectively.