The Working Language of ASEAN Shall be English

           

          In the next two years, Thailand becomes to be an ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) membership including with another 9 countries member. The communication must play as an important role for the countries member when they need to communicate each other. Thus, Charter of the Association of Southeast ASIAN Nations (2007) has set “The working language of ASEAN shall be English”. However, there is a survey of English language levels all of countries around the world by Education First English Proficiency Index (2013) (EF EPI), shows Thailand gets very low proficiency level (rank 55th). This is the most important thing to indicate Thailand should go back to focus on English language learning in the country seriously.

         

In fact, there are various factors in Thailand that affect to learners in English language learning. Because Thai people normally use Thai language to communicate each other in the country. Thus, Dornyei (1994) has claimed the motivation refer to an individual attempt and desire to learn a specific language. Although, the motivation is a complicated process, it is able to lead learners’ behavior to achieving their goals as well (Melendy, 2008). In addition to, Muftah and Rafik-Galea (2013) say the most of studies about the motivation toward English language learning have been conducted in Southeast Asia are done in Indonesia and Malaysia, but other countries have not completed yet. Therefore, more research is required as some researcher believe motivation toward English language learning is able to be an improvement of English skills for Thai people. 

In language learning there are various factors to make learners success or failure but if who have high motivation, they will success in learning language. As Oxford & Shearin (1994) state about motivation is considered an important role of both acquiring and retaining a new language, as it determines how involved the student is personally and actively. Although, motivation is a complicated psychological process, but it starts with a need and leads to a behavior that helps move people towards achieving their goals in language learning Melendy, (2008).

Therefore, Gardner (1972) defines two types of motivation in language learning, they are integrative and instrumental motivation. Integrative motivation is related to learners’ willingness to focus and interact with native speakers and their culture (Merisuo-Storm, 2007; Shirbagi, 2010). In addition to, Gibb, M. (1997) illustrates Integrative motivation is a since desire to understand the people and culture of the target language. Thus, it is associated with openness to cultural differences and different ways of living through the development of a positive emotional disposition toward native speakers of the target language (Dörnyei, 2003). In contrast, Merisuo-Storm, 2007; Shirbagi, 2010) points out instrumental motivation refer to a desire to learn a second language for future career reasons or to pass an exam.

         

Thus, if would like to be a different person from other Thai people, you need to aware of the important of English language now. There is no time to be shine because just only two years everything will change rapidly in Thailand. So, All of you need to be "change" as soon as possible.