English – Page 11 – School of Languages and General Education

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.

The project to register the Geographical Indications (GI) of Krajud Khuan Khreng in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province aims to support production and improve the quality of Krajud products from this province.

Asst.Prof. Suvita Kaewareelap, a lecturer in the School of Languages and General Education at Walailak University, together with the Community Development Office of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province and the provincial government, organized activities to support Krajud product makers in the Khuan Khreng peat swamp forest area. This area covers 5 districts: Cha-uat, Chian Yai, Chalerm Phra Kiat, Ron Phibun, and Hua Sai in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

The main goal of this project is to help local producers register their products under the Geographical Indications (GI) program. This program certifies that the products come from a specific geographic area to guarantee the quality and reputation of the products, especially Krajud products from Nakhon Si Thammarat. The project also helps protect the cultural heritage of Krajud weaving and creates more economic opportunities for local communities.

Main activities and goals

The project has two main activities:

Public meetings: Meetings with local producers are held to plan how to register the products under the GI program. These meetings help everyone understand the rules and benefits of GI registration better.
Visits and knowledge sharing: Field visits are organized to give advice on product design and share knowledge about the special Krajud weaving techniques from Khuan Khreng. The focus is on protecting and promoting the unique weaving art and culture of Nakhon Si Thammarat.

This project matches Sustainable Development Goal 1.4.1, which supports local start-ups, especially in preserving and promoting traditional crafts. Participants learn all steps of Krajud weaving, from collecting raw materials to making finished products. This helps them use their skills to create steady income.

By the end of the project, participants not only learn more about designing products from reeds but also take important steps to register their community’s reed products under the GI system. The project is expected to help the community keep its important cultural heritage while supporting local start-up businesses focused on traditional crafts in a sustainable way.

SOLGEN First Date 2 “Thrive Together: Cultivating Relationships and Personal Growth Goals”

The SOLGEN Student Club organized the SOLGEN First Date 2 event, “Thrive Together: Cultivating Relationships and Personal Growth Goals,” on August 25, 2024, from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM at the Sri Thammarat Meeting Room, Architecture and Design Building, Walailak University. The event aimed to develop students’ leadership skills and readiness to support their peers at the university. It also sought to foster understanding of collaborative work with internal university units. The first part of the event featured a lecture titled “Thrive Together: Cultivating Relationships and Personal Growth Goals” delivered by Assoc.Prof.Dr. Urai Jaraeprapal, Vice President. This was followed by a lecture on “Education Gets You a Job, Activities Make You a Worker” by Assoc.Prof.Dr. Surin Maisrikrod, Vice President and Acting Dean of the School of Languages and General Education. Through this event, students gained insights into building and maintaining positive relationships, as well as setting personal growth goals in various aspects of life. They also realized the crucial role of education in preparing individuals for the workforce. While education provides the necessary knowledge and skills for entering the job market, real-world work demands additional skills and experiences gained from extracurricular activities.

School of Languages and General Education Welcomes Prof. Dr. Beniko Mason from Japan

From August 20-22, 2024, Associate Professor Dr. Surin Maisrikrod, Acting Dean of the School of Languages and General Education (SOLGEN), along with SOLGEN Executives, faculty members, and staff, warmly welcomed Prof. Dr. Beniko Mason on her visit to the school. The purpose of her visit was to deliver lectures and critique the teaching methods used in English courses, particularly focusing on the Story-Listening approach.

During this visit, the school had the privilege of hosting Prof. Dr. Beniko Mason, who shared her insights on how to apply the Story-Listening teaching method in the classroom with the Languages Department lecturers. She also observed English language teaching sessions and provided feedback to improve instructional strategies.

Prof. Dr. Beniko Mason also conducted demonstrations on teaching and assessment in the classroom, offering guidance on enhancing the effectiveness of English language instruction. This aligns with the school’s commitment to elevating the quality of English education at Walailak University.

Prof. Dr. Beniko Mason, an Emeritus Professor from Shitennoji University Junior College in Osaka, Japan, is the developer of the Story-Listening and Guided Self-Selected Reading methods. The School of Languages and General Education has adopted these methods to enhance students’ language learning skills.

School of Languages and General Education would like to express its deep gratitude to Prof. Dr. Beniko Mason for her invaluable contribution. Her visit and advice will play a crucial role in advancing English language teaching for students pursuing higher education at Walailak University, ensuring they receive high-quality learning that aligns with global language skill development standards.

SOLGEN Hosts a Group from King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi

On July 30, 2024, the School of Languages and General Education (SOLGEN) at Walailak University hosted a group from the School of Liberal Arts at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi. The visit took place from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The meeting focused on teaching and the recruitment of foreign lecturers. Assoc.Prof.Dr. Surin Maisrikrod, Vice President and Acting Dean of SOLGEN, and Asst.Prof. Junifer Leal Bucol, Head of the Language Department, shared insights on effective teaching strategies following UKPSF model.

Asst.Prof.Dr. Suthanya Doung-In, Assistant to the President Director and Acting Director of Center for Learning and Teaching Excellence, gave a lecture on teaching management. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, President of Walailak University, also participated in the activity by engaging in conversation and joining a group photo.

In the afternoon, the visitors toured the university. They visited the Sky Tower, the Botanical Garden, and traveled around the campus by an electric shuttle. The final activity was observing an English class at Academic Building 6.

The visit was a valuable opportunity for both universities to exchange ideas to enhance English teaching and create academic cooperation.

Summary of Research Publications in July 2024

School of Languages and General Education has a research publication that have been accepted to publish as follows:

The manuscript titled ‘Sexual Conduct in Noom Kala’s Media Landscape: Analyzing the Depiction of Masculine and Feminine Archetypes through Online Headlines’ authored by Mr. Kritsada Kantichol (First Author) and Mr. Methus Siriwat (Corresponding Author) has been accepted for publication in the journal ‘Cogent Arts & Humanities’ on Scopus Index, Q1