Abstract

The English for Integrated Studies (EIS) program has been accepted as an innovative practice to be utilized for Thai non-English speaking teachers (NESTs) using English as a medium of instruction (EMI) in the Thai basic education curriculum to increase the accessibility of the English program (EP) of the ministry of education to all students. The purpose of this research is to explore the problems and issues of the schools using EMI, to develop an alternative system of using EMI for NESTs and finally to determine the effectiveness of the alternative system. The Phenomenology theory approach of qualitative research was used as strategic research with the purpose of selecting key informants in 266 schools who provide and teach EP and/or EIS in the secondary and vocational education levels throughout Thailand.

The results of the study show that the benefits and advantages from providing EIS program strongly supports solving the permanent problems in providing EP, such as reliance on outsourcing and frequent changes of foreign teachers, high registration and tuition fees which are unaffordable for most families and government policies which cannot support or are not being implemented effectively reducing the opportunities for all students to learn in a quality EP. The innovative EIS approach is an alternative EMI system for NESTs one of the key success factors driving the process of the system is the EIS approach to continuous implementation of the administrators’ policies through the EIS 6 Tips pedagogy. It not only includes the development of the Thai basic education curriculum in the regular program but also helps to promote the Education Ministry’s policies of providing a quality education system. Moreover, EIS encourages competitive competency and reduces the gap in the quality of the public education system according to the national strategy.

Key words:  English as a Medium of Instruction/English for Integrated Studies/ Non-English Speaking Teachers/On the Job Training/Thailand 4.0