This study assessed a multilingual education program in primary schools in Thailand's Deep South. Researchers compared learning achievement between experimental schools using multilingual education and comparison schools. Students in experimental schools performed significantly better across subjects in grades 1-3. The study also found higher learning development in grade 2 students but slightly lower development in science and social studies for grade 3 students in experimental schools. The researchers concluded that multilingual education benefits student learning and should be expanded to more schools, while also providing additional training for teachers in certain subjects.

1. An Assessment of Multilingual
Education (MLE) in Primary
Schools in Thailand’s Deep South
By
Assistant Professor Dr. Supaluk Sintana

2. Research Team
• Assistant Professor Dr. Supaluk Sintana
• Assistant Professor Dr. Sukina Ar-lae
• Assistant Professor Supha Watcharasukum
• Aj.Pimonpun Leelapatarapun
• Aj.Pranee Lumbensa
• Aj.Nasreeyah Ar-boo
• Mr.Nikyamal Ar-yae
• Miss.Nasree Manae
• Miss.Armeenoh Demae
• Mr.Niharong Tohsu

3. Introduction
• The collaboration between the Center for Documentation and
Revitalization of Endangered Languages and Cultures,
Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia,
Mahidol University and Yala Rajabhat University.
• Preserving L1 (mother tongue) (Patani dialects and Satun
dialects)
• Promoting the use of Thai language effectively among school
children in 4 southern border schools.
• Assessment process to assure the findings.

4. Research objectives
• To compare the learning achievement of primary students in
grade 1-3 between the experimental schools and comparison
schools.
• To study the learning development in five learning groups of
students in the experimental schools in the Deep South in
order to improve the project in the future.

5. Methods
Research instruments
• The papers of 5 subjects (mathematics, science, social studies,
Thai and reading skill) were designed from the analysis of
learning standards, core indicators, and multilingual indicators
to set the behavior objectives by using the two parallel paper
tests.
• The tests were tried out for their validity, reliability, difficulty
and discrimination for the actual data collecting. The tests
were then translated in Melayu dialect for the experimental
schools.

6. Methods (Continue)
Target group
• The target groups were students in primary grade 1-3
who are studying in academic year 2012 in three
experimental schools and three comparison schools.
• There were 128 students from Grade 1, 115 from
Grade 2, and 129 from Grade 3.

7. Data collection
process
Data collection process
Visit the research site to experience the ongoing teaching and
learning.
Trying out research instruments.
The actual data collection is conducted at the end of the school
academic year.
Data analysis
Data analysis using percentage, graph, average, standard
deviation, t-test and effect size.

8. Research results
1.The comparison of learning achievement
between the experimental schools and comparison
schools

9. Research result
Table 1 Comparison of learning achievement of the primary
students in grade 1 between the experimental schools and the
comparison schools
Learning
matters
experimental comparison t p d
n M SD n M SD
Prathomsuksa 1
Science 67 73.77 17.65 61 48.59 19.81 7.605 .000 1.34
Mathematics 67 60.55 23.07 61 50.94 18.60 2.580 .001 0.45
Social studies 67 62.99 18.90 61 42.95 17.99 6.128 .000 1.08
Thai language 67 69.84 27.84 61 38.74 26.87 6.416 .000 1.13
Reading skills 67 73.91 32.51 61 22.62 29.47 9.319 .000 1.64
Total 67 68.2 19.3 61 40.8 17.2 8.50 .000 1.49

10. Research results (Continue)
Figure 1 Distribution of learning achievement scores of
students in Primary Grade 1 by School Group
0 15 30 45 60 75 90 105
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
0 15 30 45 60 75 90 105
1
Total Score as a percentage
Frequency
2
1 (experimental)
Mean 68.21
StDev 19.29
N 67
2 (comparison)
Mean 40.77
StDev 17.23
N 61
Histogram with Normal Curve

11. Research result
Table 2 Comparison of learning achievement of the primary
students in grade 2 between the experimental schools and the
comparison schools
Learning
matters
experimental comparison t p d
n M SD n M SD
Prathomsuksa 2
Science 66 61.4 18.0 47 49.7 18.8 3.32 .001 0.63
Mathematics 66 61.3 20.5 47 51.6 19.0 2.60 .011 0.48
Social studies 66 64.0 16.7 47 53.4 16.5 3.37 .001 0.63
Thai language 66 59.6 20.7 47 45.5 17.2 3.94 .000 0.73
Reading skills 66 70.3 21.1 47 52.3 19.8 4.63 .000 0.87
Total 66 63.3 14.2 47 50.5 13.8 4.82 .000 0.91

12. Research results (Continue)
Figure 2 Distribution of learning achievement scores of
students in Primary Grade 2 by School Group
20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
1
Total Score as a percentage
Frequency
2
1 (experimental)
Mean 63.33
StDev 14.19
N 66
2 (comparison)
Mean 50.50
StDev 13.77
N 47
Histogram with Normal Curve

13. Research result
Table 3 Comparison of learning achievement of the primary
students in grade 3 between the experimental schools and the
comparison schools
Learning
matters
experimental comparison t p d
n M SD n M SD
Prathomsuksa 3
Science 60 57.65 20.19 69 48.85 18.77 2.56 .012 0.45
Mathematics 60 64.31 21.74 69 58.91 19.88 1.47 .143 0.26
Social studies 60 52.45 15.17 69 47.83 15.76 1.69 .093 0.29
Thai language 60 61.12 18.11 69 51.35 14.84 3.37 .001 0.59
Reading skills 60 78.67 13.55 69 69.95 17.46 3.19 .002 0.55
Total 60 62.84 14.10 69 55.38 13.76 3.04 .003 0.53

14. Research results (Continue)
Figure 3 Distribution of learning achievement scores of
students in Primary Grade 3 by School Group
30 40 50 60 70 80 90
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
30 40 50 60 70 80 90
1
Total Score as a percentage
Frequency
2
1 (experimental)
Mean 62.84
StDev 14.10
N 60
2 (comparison)
Mean 55.38
StDev 13.76
N 69
Histogram with Normal Curve

15. Research results
(Continue)
2. The learning development of students in the
experimental schools

16. Research results
Figure 4 Learning Development of Primary Grade 2 students.

17. Research results
Figure 5 Learning Development of Primary Grade 3 students.

18. Conclusion and
suggestion
• The learning achievement of students in the
experimental schools was significantly higher
than that of the students in the comparison
schools.
• The multilingual teaching should be extended
to other schools where students speak Melayu
as their mother tongue.

19. Conclusion
(Continue)
• The learning development of Grade 2 students in
the experimental schools was found to be higher;
however the learning development of students in
Grade 3 was slightly lower in science and social
studies.
• There should be a training in teaching methods for
these two subjects, including the vocabulary and
the learning concepts to be used, which will in
turn enhance the learning development of
students.

20. Thank you