The Development of English Skills of the First Year Students, Faculty of Education, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University

Abstract

The research purposes of  the development of English skills of the first year students, faculty of education, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University were to use an extra English course to develop and enhance fundamental English skills of the 1st year students, faculty of education, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University. After the course, the students were expected to be able to use simple English language to communicate and accomplish studying English courses in a bachelor-degree program. The simples of the study were 64 first year students, faculty of education, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University. The research instruments included the English proficiency test and the students’ attitude test. The research data were analyzed by using frequency, percentage, mean, and t-test. The results of the research showed that the students’ scores of the English proficiency post-test were significantly higher than those of the pre-test at 0.01. Furthermore, the scores of the students’ English communicational post-test were also significantly higher than those of the pre-test at 0.01. The results also revealed that at the beginning of the course, the students were uncertain of their English skills and knowledge. Then by the end of the course, the students accepted that they had more confidence in using the English language and have a positive attitude towards studying English. In addition, all of them agreed that this extra English course should be continued because it was not only useful for them, but also for other students in the next academic years.