The Effectiveness of Bilingual Education in Basic Education Curriculum, Sufficiency Economy Philosophy Applied:  English for Integrated Studies (EIS) Model, A Case Study

Surapong Ngamsom.

Sunthonphu Pittaya Secondary School, Principal.

e-mail:surapong.ngamsom@gmail.com, Tel: 089-244-6530

Abstract

English for Integrated Studies (EIS) is an innovation for bilingual curriculum development which aims to improve the effectiveness of curriculum in basic education based on the national education curriculum of the Ministry of Education. It increases educational opportunity to Thai people with low income status. Moreover, relating to the current Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) of His Majesty the King, EIS curriculum brings about the balance and sustainability of resolution. From 2005 to 2007 the result from EIS project development was found that the learners’ learning outcomes in English, Mathematics, and Sciences were not different from those of the students in many renowned schools and those of the students in the other bilingual schools with higher readiness. In addition, it was found that EIS project reinforces the competency and potential of Thai teachers who had never used English as a medium for teaching Mathematics, Science, Computer and other subjects both in primary and secondary levels. Their instructional capability is not different than that of the foreign teachers teaching in the bilingual schools with English Program (EP) in accordance with the curriculum of Ministry of Education.

            The in-depth study has found that EIS project has made the challenge for both learners and teachers to be enthusiastic, attentive and active to use English as communicative medium in their integrated studies or in other different subjects using English as a medium of instruction. The administrators who have leadership, enthusiasm and courage to lead for change will efficiently enhance the effectiveness of EIS.