English – Page 10 – School of Languages and General Education

SOLGEN, in collaboration with the SOLGEN Student Club, organised a training session on the topic 'Future-Proof Financial Strategies in 21 Century'

School of Languages and General Education, in collaboration with the SOLGEN Student Club, organised a training session on the topic “(Future-Proof Financial Strategies in 21 Century).” The event featured a speaker from Kiatnakin Phatra Bank, who provided insights and guidance on financial management to a group of interested students attending the session.

The event attracted more than 60 students, with feedback from participants resulting in an evaluation score of 4.62, which is considered excellent, and received positive responses from those who attended. The session covered the main topic KKP FinLit: Following Financial Life, focusing on providing fundamental knowledge and techniques that can be applied to manage personal finances effectively. The topics covered included:

The importance of financial management and setting life goals
The 4 Rs for sustainable preparedness
Basic knowledge of saving and investing
Top financial planning tools
Taxes and life insurance protection
Debt traps and debt management: Financial risks
Workshop on investing through mutual funds

The event took place on Wednesday, 18th December 2024, from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. at the Srithammarat Conference Room, Architecture and Design Building (AD3401). This training session not only provided students with valuable knowledge on financial management but also helped to develop essential skills for making informed financial decisions in daily life, ensuring preparation for a financially secure future.

SOLGEN Welcomes and Delivers a Lecture on 'Promoting English at Walailak University' to the Language Institute, Thammasat University

On November 26, 2024, Associate Professor Dr. Surin Maisrikrod, Vice President of Walailak University, formally welcomed a delegation of 17 executives and staff members from the Language Institute of Thammasat University. The delegation was led by Associate Professor Dr. Suphakorn Phucharoensilp, Director of the Language Institute. The purpose of their visit was to engage in discussions aimed at enhancing and improving academic work to align with high-quality international standards.

During this occasion, executives, lecturers, and staff from Walailak University participated in the welcome event, held at the Khao Luang Meeting Room, Cooperative Education Building, Walailak University.

Both teams shared and discussed their work and management experiences in various areas. There were also lectures and exchanges of knowledge on several topics. Assistant Professor Junifer Leal Bucol, Head of the Languages Department, School of Languages and General Education, shared strategies for promoting English learning and various methods to provide students with the best opportunities to use English. he also exchanged knowledge on academic services to society based on the SDGs framework.

Dr. Jindarha Prampramote, a researcher from Center for Academic Services, highlighted how the university supports society in various ways. Additionally, insights were shared on Cooperative Education and Career Development. Furthermore, Mr. Ekkarat Kaeokhiao, Head of Cooperative Education, explained Walailak University’s successful approach to organizing cooperative education programs, including partnerships with institutions abroad.

The Language Institute, Thammasat University, expressed its willingness to collaborate and welcome students from Walailak University for cooperative education, recognizing Walailak University’s strengths in this area.

The group also conducted a tour of the beautiful university campus, which spans over 9,000 rai (1,440 Hectare), including visits to the Bota Sky Tower and Walailak Botanic Park.

Source: Facebook Page Walailak University มหาวิทยาลัยวลัยลักษณ์

SOLGEN participated in the academic conference “The 19th The Asia Pacific Student Services Association Conference 2024” in Singapore

On November 18-20, 2024, Aj. Pavirasa Praditsorn, Acting Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, School of Languages and General Education, joined the academic conference “The 19th The Asia Pacific Student Services Association Conference 2024” in Singapore. She participated together with the Student Development and Support Division, Assoc.Prof.Dr. Urai Jaraeprapal, Vice President for Student Affairs, and four student representatives.

The purpose was to develop cooperation in student affairs, student support systems, and to improve the quality of teaching and learning to meet international standards. The conference was an important opportunity to exchange knowledge and experiences with student affairs experts from universities across the Asia-Pacific region. The participants also attended presentations of research and academic work related to student support systems in different institutions, as well as learning about the general situation and changing trends of students in each country.

The School of Languages and General Education would like to congratulate Mr. Methus Siriwat on the publication of his research article in a Scopus Q1 journal with a percentile ranking of 90 or above

Cogent Arts & Humanities (Percentile 91%)

Mr. Methus Siriwat

Conceptual Metaphors of Sexual Intercourse in Thai Yaoi Fiction

Congratulations!

SOLGEN partners with KOICA to strengthen international collaboration and promote cultural diversity

On November 7, 2024, Walailak University welcomed representatives from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), including Ms. Park Soohyun, Project Manager, and Mr. Channawat Phonphakdeephutip, Project Officer. The meeting was attended by the President, Prof. Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong; Vice President, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Surin Maisrikrod; and faculty members from the School of Languages and General Education to discuss future collaboration opportunities.

KOICA is an organization that supports development in various countries. Currently, it dispatches Korean volunteers to teach at Walailak University, giving students the opportunity to learn about foreign cultures and participate in activities that foster skills for living in a multicultural society.

Walailak University is committed to fostering global collaboration. The partnership with KOICA presents a valuable opportunity to enhance the quality of education, strengthen international connections, and better prepare students for an increasingly globalized world. The university intends to further expand such collaborations in the future.

Source: Walailak University and KOICA explore potential partnerships, Miss Nithiwan Promkeaw, Center for International Affairs (CIA)

Congratulations to the faculty members who have published their work in journals with a percentile ranking above 90 for October 2024.

The School of Languages and General Education would like to congratulate the faculty members whose research articles were published in journals ranked in the top 10% (percentile above 90) for October 2024, as follows:

COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION:ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (Percentile 99%)

Asst. Prof. Dr. Mark Bedoya Ulla

How can GenAl foster an inclusive language classroom? A critical language pedagogy perspective from Philippine university teachers

JOURNAL OF EDUCATION CULTURE AND SOCIETY (Percentile 92%)

Asst. Prof. Dr. Budi Waluyo

Narrating Chinese Teaching and Learning in Culturally Local Thai Schools

3L: LANGUAGE, LINGUISTICS, LITERATURE (Percentile 97%)

Asst. Prof. Dr. Budi Waluyo

Aj. Thinley Wangdi

Task-Based Language Teaching in Academic English Higher Education: A Case of Low-Proficiency Learners in Thailand

SOLGEN discusses cooperation with SOLLAT, Universiti Sains Malaysia in teaching, student affairs, and research

Associate Professor Dr. Kannika Thongkhao, Acting Assistant Dean for International Affairs, Associate Professor Dr. Taweeluck Pollachom, Acting Head of the Department of General Education, and Miss Pavirasa Praditsorn, Acting Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, visited Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in Penang, Malaysia, from August 13-15, 2024. The purpose of the visit were to strengthen academic cooperation in international affairs and student affairs, and to meet with the administration of the School of Languages, Literacies, and Translation (SOLLAT).

In terms of teaching, the two institutions discussed exchanging faculty members. They also explored the development of joint online courses. SOLLAT offers several foreign language courses, including English, Thai, and Spanish. However, they only have one Thai language teacher with a full workload. The faculty exchange program will play a crucial role in expanding opportunities to teach Thai. The exchange will require at least 14 days and must involve onsite teaching.

For student affairs, SOLLAT plans to organize activities to improve English skills for students at Walailak University. SOLGEN will send a group of students to Penang in September 2024 to practice English, and they requested SOLLAT’s cooperation in organizing a buddy system for student participation. Regarding research, SOLLAT expressed interest in collaborating on research projects and encouraged faculty members from SOLGEN to contact staff at SOLLAT.

Additionally, SOLLAT introduced the IJOLLT journal, encouraging researchers to consider publishing in the journal. SOLLAT also recommended the USM’s Centre of Excellence in Feminize to Associate Professor Dr. Taweeluck Pollachom for further study through related websites. This collaboration marks an important step in strengthening academic networks between the two institutions, focusing on sustainable development in education and research.

SOLGEN study visit to enhance cooperation in managing general education courses and English-medium instruction in Hong Kong and Taiwan

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

City University of Hong Kong

Walailak University, led by Associate Professor Dr. Surin Maisrikrod, Vice President and Acting Dean of the School of Languages and General Education, along with Assistant Professor Dr. Suthanya Doung-In, Assistant to the President and Acting Director of Center for Learning and Teaching Excellence, Assistant Professor Dr. Taweeluck Pollachom, and Lecturer Pavirasa Praditsorn, traveled to Hong Kong and Taiwan for a study visit to enhance cooperation in managing general education courses and implementing English-Medium Instruction (EMI). The visit took place from September 2-7, 2024.

On September 4, 2024, the delegation visited two universities in Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and City University of Hong Kong (CityU).

At PolyU, the university operates independently but is still closely monitored by the government and relevant committees to ensure transparency and efficiency. The team was warmly welcomed by Professor Peter Yuen, Dean of the University. Afterward, the delegation learned about the university’s general education management and EMI.

Most students at PolyU are international, with an entry requirement of a minimum TOEFL score of 550 or IELTS 6. The focus on English language development emphasizes academic writing and the integration of AI in teaching to keep up with modern trends. PolyU also provides a 30-hour teacher training program, both onsite and online, to ensure teaching quality. There is also a comprehensive manual for new students.

In the curriculum of general education, the university’s programs at both associate and bachelor levels emphasize analytical thinking, statistics, Chinese culture and history, social service learning, ethics, and AI in data management. The curriculum uses skill mapping strategies to ensure that students develop essential skills systematically, matching the expected learning outcomes.

On September 6, 2024, the delegation visited National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU), an esteemed university in Taiwan founded in 1922, which focuses on producing education professionals. Today, NTNU offers a wide range of programs with approximately 16,000 students and 1,600 staff members. The university drives its teaching by using English as the medium of instruction, in line with government policy, and receives financial support from the government.

NTNU has established a center to provide various English language skill development services to students. The university encourages professors to teach in English, offering incentives for courses taught in English. Students can choose to take courses in English in addition to those taught in Chinese, the main language. Professors who teach using EMI are exempt from student evaluations for two semesters and tend to receive higher evaluation scores.

The university emphasizes communication skills in teaching. Professors’ commitment to teaching is reflected in their methods and their use of both verbal and non-verbal communication. EMI also provides students with a global perspective and opportunities to connect with others. Additionally, NTNU has a support center for EMI, the Centre for Academic Literacy (CAL), and creates environments that encourage the use of English to further develop students’ skills.

Stories of Nakhon Si Thammarat People through Food and Restaurants

The School of Languages and General Education, led by Assistant Professor Piyachat Suengtee and Dr. Pannyupa Thamwatt, has undertaken the project “Food in Life, Life in the Restaurants of Nakhon Si Thammarat: Stories of Nakhon Si Thammarat People through Food and Restaurants” with the aim of recording and preserving cultural heritage.
This project focuses on recording and preserving cultural heritage as Nakhon Si Thammarat is a city with a long historical development, where different groups of people have come to exchange and interact throughout history. Food is seen as knowledge, the heritage of displaced communities, traditions, and intangible cultural heritage. As humans have a highly conservative organ—the tongue—food naturally follows people from outside into Nakhon Si Thammarat. Examples of food that reflect migration routes in Nakhon Si Thammarat from initial studies include:
Chinese Food – Overseas Chinese in Nakhon Si Thammarat

1. Chinese restaurants in Nakhon Si Thammarat originate from two main groups:
1.1 The first group consists of Teochew-speaking Chinese who originally settled in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
1.2The second group consists of Hainan-speaking Chinese who migrated to Nakhon Si Thammarat due to changes in the rice trading market in Pak Phanang district. This led to the growth of commercial areas in the “Tha Wang” area, particularly in front of the Nakhon Si Thammarat railway station, where many overseas Chinese from Pak Phanang settled. As a result, various types of Chinese restaurants were established, including a large congee restaurant opposite the railway station that operates in the afternoon and evening, forming an essential part of the relationship between food and people in Nakhon Si Thammarat in later periods.

2. Muslim-Malay Food
Muslim-Malay restaurants can be divided into two categories: traditional food and the food culture of the new Malaysian middle class that emerged in the 1990s. Traditional roadside tea and roti shops used to sell breakfast, but in the 1990s, due to Malaysia’s economic changes and the wave of Islamic reformism, Muslim-Malay cultural influences started shaping the food scene in Nakhon Si Thammarat. This gave rise to a new form of Malay cultural restaurants or new Malaysian middle-class culture, transitioning from traditional tea and roti shops or tea shops serving rice with curry to hamburger shops. These hamburger shops differ from the American food culture, representing a new form of restaurant resulting from the migration of people.

Recording and preserving cultural heritage through food and restaurants in this project reveals that food is knowledge passed down among people, a heritage of displaced communities or migrants who have settled in Nakhon Si Thammarat. It reflects the changing traditions and tangible heritage, as ingredients have evolved. Food also embodies intangible cultural heritage that is expressed in the daily lives of people, showcasing the diverse interactions of different groups in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

SOLGEN organized a campaign to raise awareness about natural resource and environmental management and joined a mangrove planting activity.

Asst.Prof. Jenjira Kaewrat, a lecturer at the School of Languages and General Education, participated and gave a lecture to students and the public in the campaign to raise awareness about natural resource and environmental management and joined the mangrove planting activity. This was held to celebrate the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother, on August 13, 2024, at the Saline Irrigation Project, Village No. 6, Tha Sak Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province.