Email this article 
COMPETENCY-BASED ENGLISH INSTRUCTIONAL MANAGEMENT IN THAI PRIMARY EDUCATION: A SINGLE CASE STUDY OF PLANNING, CLASSROOM IMPLEMENTATION, AND EVALUATION
Abstract
In Primary Education in Thailand, where instruction is transitioning toward Competency-Based Education (CBE), the instructional management of English language learning is oriented toward memory rather than authentic communication. This study aims to analyze CBE-based instructional management of English language learning at a primary school in Southern Thailand. This qualitative study, employing a single instrumental case study methodology, was limited to a fifth grade English learning program for the duration of one semester. Participants were selected through purposive sampling and involved one curriculum coordinator, two English teachers, and 37 fifth-grade students. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, structured observations, and document analysis. Data were analyzed using a qualitative thematic analysis model based on the stages of instructional management, which include planning, implementation, and evaluation. Data validity was checked through triangulation of techniques and sources and audit trail. The results of the study indicate that instructional planning has been aligned with competency standards. The implementation is student-centered and supported by collaboration with teachers, media, and pedagogical translanguaging as scaffolding. Evaluation is performed formatively, based on corrective feedback and teacher reflection. This study contributes to enriching the literature on CBE instructional management at the primary school level and provides practical and evaluative references for aligning the English curriculum context of multilingual education in Southern Thailand.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Abdussalam, N., Sothayapetch, P., & Khuvasanond, K. (2026). พลิกโฉมการเรียนรู้ สมรรถนะในหลักสูตรประถมศึกษาไทยจากอดีตสู่ปัจจุบัน (Transforming learning competencies in Thailand’s primary education curriculum from past to present). An Online Journal of Education, 21(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.14456/ojed.2026.6
Adri. (2023). Assessment for learning in the primary classroom. EAL Diaries. https://ealdiaries.com/2023/05/assessment-for-learning-in-the-primary-classroom/
Cai, Y., Chen, Y., & Yang, Y. (2026). The role of uncertainty tolerance in lowering test anxiety and enhancing English achievement. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 59, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2025.102027
Chang, C. B. (2019). The phonetics of second language learning and bilingualism. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429056253-16
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2017). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
EF. (2025). The world’s largest ranking of countries and regions by English skills. EF English Proficiency Index. https://www.ef.com/wwen/epi/
Global, S. (2026). What are the top 200 most spoken language? Ethnologue. https://www.ethnologue.com/insights/most-spoken-language/
GoThai.io. (2025). Why Thai flashcards improve vocabulary learning. GOThai.io. https://gothai.io/thai-flashcards-effective-vocabulary-learning/
Hidayat, A. Z., Amalia, H. R., & Putra, A. S. (2026). English as a lingua franca: Concepts and differences World Englishes. International Journal of English Education and Linguistics, 8(1), 24–32. https://doi.org/10.33650/ijoeel.v8i1.13941
Kos, T., & Bergner, G. (2026). Developing pre-service teachers’ instruction-giving practices through an explicit training intervention: Evidence from primary CLIL classrooms. Learning and Instruction, 104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2026.102357
Mai, J., Marie, P. A., & Sarlinda, S. (2026). Investigating translanguage practices in Thailand primary education: Evidence of pedagogical dimensions for multilingual learners. Journal of Language and Literature, 1(2), 120–138. https://doi.org/10.67981/jollit.v1i2.88
Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2014). Qualitative data analysis: A methods sourcebook (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
Nakanishi, Y., & Takeuchi, O. (2026). Adapting the L2 engagement scale for young language learners: Methodological considerations for age-appropriateness. Research Methods in Applied Linguistics, 5, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmal.2025.100293
OBEC. (2022). Framework for basic education curriculum Buddhist era: Primary level (ร่าง) กรอบหลักสูตรการศึกษาขั้นพื้นฐาน พุทธศักราช ระดับประถมศึกษา. Office of the Basic Education Commission, Ministry of Education.
Pawapootanon, A., Poopatwiboon, S., & Ambele, E. A. (2025). Pedagogical translanguaging in English classrooms: Teachers’ and students’ experiences in a Thai secondary school. Australian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 8(3), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.29140/ajal.v8n3.2257
Prasansaph, S. (2025). Competency-based curriculum in Thailand: Aligning education with global and local demands. Journal of Education Silpakorn University, 23, 56–85. https://so02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/suedujournal/article/view/275895/185561
Putra, H. S., Sugiharto, S., Silva, A. M. Da, & Syahrizal, T. (2025). Pedagogical translanguaging in language education: Constructing translanguaging space to reduce cognitive load in support of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). International Journal of Language Education, 9, 656–675. https://doi.org/10.26858/ijole.v1i1.77403
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2020). Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation from a self-determination theory perspective: Definitions, theory, practices, and future directions. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2020.101860
Safitri, S., Priyanto, W., & Kartinah. (2025). Penggunaan permainan anagram untuk meningkatkan penguasaan kosakata bahasa Inggris siswa kelas V SD Negeri Selokarto 01 Batang. Wawasan Pendidikan, 5, 602–613. https://journal.upgris.ac.id/index.php/wp/article/view/22586
Sangwanglao, J. (2024). Competency-based education reform of Thailand’s basic education system: A policy review. ECNU Review of Education, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1177/20965311241240486
Serfaty, J., & Serrano, R. (2020). Examining the potential of digital flashcards to facilitate independent grammar learning. System, 94, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2020.102342
Sipahutar, N., & Harahap, I. M. W. (2025). Effectiveness of using interactive learning media to improve students’ learning interests at State Elementary School 0406 Aek Tinga In Islamic education learning. Jurnal Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan, 2, 282–295. https://doi.org/10.62945/etnopedagogi.v2i1.610
Sriwichai, C., Duangfai, C., Paicharoen, N., & Yuensak, S. (2026). Insights into English proficiency: The analysis of test results among undergraduates in Thailand. Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 15(3), 630–644. https://doi.org/10.17509/hv44am08
Sucandra, Budiman, M. A., & Fajriyah, K. (2022). Analisis kesulitan penguasaan kosakata pembelajaran muatan lokal bahasa Inggris pada siswa kelas IV di SD Plus Latansa Kabupaten Demak. Wawasan Pendidikan, 2, 71–80.
Sugandi, F., Nurhayati, L., & Yulia, Y. (2026). Foreign language anxiety in English speaking activities: A mixed methods study of rural Indonesian school students. Journal of Innovation And Research in Primary Education, 5(1), 1318–1331. https://doi.org/10.56916/jirpe.v5i1.2890
Thummaphan, P., Sripa, K., & Prakobthong, W. (2022). Competency-based school curriculum: A development and implementation framework. Rajabhat Chiang Mai Research Journal, 23, 185–205. https://doi.org/10.57260/rcmrj.2022.261665
Thumvichit, A., Tejasen, B., Masor, R., & Samoh, U. (2026). Evaluating competency-based education: Divergence in implementation challenges among primary school English teachers in Thailand’s Deep South. Current Issue in Language Planning, 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/14664208.2026.2736059
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.32934/jmie.v10i2.990
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright © 2017, JMIE: Journal of Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Education, p-ISSN: 2580-0868, e-ISSN: 2580-2739
Indexed By:
