The Opinions of M3 secondary students toward an English course in A Bilingual program in a Thai public school

Abstract

The aim of this research was to gain insights of bilingual school students’ mindset toward classroom teaching and learning inside the English subject class in a bilingual education environment. Specifically, the research focused on M3 secondary students attending an English course in an EP in a Thai government school whereby academic content subjects were taught in English and Thai in addition to the English and Thai language classes. The sample consisted 60 M3 English Program students, selected by random sampling. In addition, the two English teachers’ opinions were collected for additional perspectives and for comparisons with students’ opinions. The research instruments implemented were student and teacher questionnaires. A statistical analysis of mean and standard deviation was used to analyze the results of students’ and teachers’ responses. The analysis of the results indicated that all students agreed with a mean score of 3.96 that the 7 factors of 1) Learning in Class, 2) Classroom Interactions, 3) Teacher and Student Roles, 4) Course Design, 5) Teaching Resources, 6) Attitude to Learning English, and 7) Overall Satisfaction’ positively influenced their learning outcome. Teachers feedback with an overall mean score of 4.22, showing strongly agreed that Teacher and Student Roles, Course Design, and Teaching Resources and Activities significantly influenced students’ learning in the classroom, while they agreed that Learning in Class and Classroom Interactions also affected student learning. The results of the data analysis indicated that in the opinions of the students, classroom teaching and learning inside the English subject class in a bilingual education environment is affected by factors in Learning in Class, Classroom Interactions, Teacher and Student Roles, Course Design, Teaching Resources, Attitudes to Learning English and Overall Satisfaction.