Factors affecting the achievement of EPS Test of proficiency in Korean of Thai workers : focusing on Korean language schools in Udon Thani

Abstract

This research investigated the important factors affecting the achievement of EPS Test of Proficiency in Korean of Thai workers. The objectives of this research were 1) to explore Thai workers’ problems in Korean language learning, and 2) to investigate the factors affecting the achievement of EPS Test of Proficiency in Korean of Thai workers. The samples consisted of 214 Thai workers studying in 3 Korean language schools in Udon Thani, Thai workers who are working in South Korea, and 4 teachers who taught the Korean language to Thai workers in 3 Korean language schools in Udon Thani. This research employed a quantitative and qualitative research design. Data were collected using questionnaires and interviews. The quantitative data were analyzed by means, standard deviation, and Multiple Regression Analysis. The qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis.

The results showed 1) the problems in learning the Korean language by Thai workers involved grammar, listening, and speaking. The obstacle in learning was the lack of opportunities to practice Korean language skills. Further, 2) the factors affecting the achievement of EPS Test of Proficiency in Korean of Thai workers included the student factors, which included learning behavior and family, and the school factors, which included teacher, with a statistical significance level of 0.05.