Upon examining the English-language classes, many researchers pointed to a few main factors contributing to
the failure of English-language teaching-and-learning: unqualified and poorly-trained teachers, poorly-motivated
students, learners of mixed abilities in overly large classes, and rare opportunities for student exposure to English
outside of class time (Dhanasobhon, 2006; ONEC, 2003).
Wiriyachitra (2002, citing Biyaem, 1997) compiled the causes of difficulties in English language teaching and
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learning in Thailand especially in the primary and secondary schools. Some of the problems she posted were:
teachers’ heavy teaching loads, inadequately equipped classrooms and education technology, the university
entrance examination system, teachers’ insufficient English language skills and cultural knowledge. The
problems involving students who wished to speak English fluently included challenging interference from Thai
language, lack of opportunity to use English in their daily lives, unchallenging English lessons, being passive
learners, being too shy to speak English with classmates, being poorly-motivated and lack of responsibility for
their own learning. These problems have been attributable to the unsatisfactory results of English language
teaching as mentioned earlier.