THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THAI READING SKILL ENHANCEMENT EXERCISES BASED ON KALILAH WA DIMNAH THROUGH A SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING PROCESS FOR THAI STUDENTS RETURNING FROM SAUDI ARABIA (MUWALLAD)

Abstract

This study aimed to 1) Investigate the effectiveness of Thai reading skill exercises through a self-directed learning process integrated with the Kalilah wa Dimnah stories; 2) Compare the learning achievement of Muwallad students before and after learning through Thai reading skill exercises based on a self-directed learning process; and 3) Assess the satisfaction of Muwallad students toward the learning activities using the developed exercises. A quasi-experimental research design was employed. The sample consisted of 30 Muwallad students at the upper secondary education level under the Department of Learning Encouragement, selected through purposive sampling during the second semester. The research instruments included lesson plans, Thai reading skill exercises based on the Kalilah wa Dimnah stories, a 30-item four-choice multiple-choice Thai reading achievement test, and a learner satisfaction questionnaire. The data were analyzed using exercise effectiveness, mean, standard deviation, and a dependent-samples t-test. The results revealed that 1) The Thai reading skill exercises achieved an effectiveness level of 82.11/88.98, which was higher than the established criterion of 80/80; 2) The students’ post-test learning achievement was significantly higher than their pre-test achievement at the .05 level. The pre-test mean score was = 11.50, S.D. = 2.31, while the post-test mean score was =26.33, S.D.=1.82, t (29) =23.33 p  .001); and 3) The learners’ satisfaction with the learning activities using the Thai reading skill exercises was at a high level ( = 4.26, S.D. = 0.72). The findings indicate that the developed Thai reading skill exercises were effective and appropriate for application in Thai language learning among learners with diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.