The Use of English and Chinese Predicates by Thai University Students
Keywords:
English, Chinese, Predicates, Thai university studentsAbstract
This study aims to examine how well Thai university students could cope with English and predicates, and to investigate the possible causes of difficulties in English and Chinese predicates. Nineteen university students took a predicate test, and among the 19, six students participated in a structured interview session. The statistical findings reflected and showed no difference in their performance in both languages. To be more precise, their performance on the test did not provide a clear-cut answer on which language students performed better (p>.05). The interview was employed to elicit the information with regards to why certain structures posed some difficulties on the Thai learners. The findings revealed that in English, their body of knowledge on parts of speech and sentence structure such as imperative sentences and the complex sentences were inadequate. In Chinese, a lack of understanding of certain Chinese predicate structures and lexical items caused them to misidentify which one was a phrase or a complete sentence on the test. Instructors in both languages should pay closer attention to these problematic areas and find appropriate teaching lessons and materials to enhance their students’ language performance.
References
Amnuai, W. (2020). An error analysis of research project abstracts written by Thai undergraduate students. Advances in Language and Literary Studies, 11(4), 13-20.
Celce-Murcia, M., & Larsen-Freeman, D. (1999). The grammar book: an ESL/EFL teacher's course (2nd ed.). USA: Heinle & Heinle.
Chavanatnusorn, P. (2019). Discussion on an analysis on errors by Thai students in Chinese near-synonymous verbs and learning strategies. Chinese Journal of Social Science and Management, 3 (1), 38-149.
Kampookaew, P. (2020). An analysis of grammatical errors made by Thai EFL university students in an EAP writing class: issues and recommendations. rEFLections, 27 (2), 246-273.
Kanoksilapatham, B. (2011). National survey of teaching Chinese as a foreign language in Thailand. Proceedings of the 2nd Annual International Symposium of Foreign Language Learning, 1-15.
Li, D., & Cheng, M. (1994). A practical Chinese grammar for foreigners. Beijing: Sinolingua.
Petchedchoo, P. (2010). An analysis of common errors in Chinese prepositions usage by Thai high school students in Bangkok and nearby areas (Report No. n.d.). Dhurakijpundit University. (In Thai)
Promsupa, P; Varasarin, P., & Brudhiprabha. (2017). An analysis of grammatical errors in English writing of Thai university students. HRD Journal, 8 (1), 93-104. (In Thai)
Rakkiattiyod, K. (2019). The errors in using “忽然” and “突然” of Chinese major students of Phetchaburi Rajabhat University. Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 6 (2), 89-104. (In Thai)
Ren, J. (2015). Ultimate Chinese grammar. Bangkok: Se-Ed Press. (In Thai)
Ross, C. (2009). Schaum's outline of Chinese grammar. USA: McGraw-Hill Education.
Rungruang, A., & Mu, Y. (2020). Predicates in Chinese and English. Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Phayao, 8 (1), 76-95.
Rungruang, A., Methitham, P., Netthanyakonwong, A.,& Yanhong, M. (2021). Which Structure Causes More Serious Problems?: A Case Study of Chinese and English Predicates. In Proceedings of The 14th National and International Humanities and Social Sciences (HUSOC) Network Conferences, Naresuan University, 486-496.
Shei, C. (2014). Understanding the Chinese language: A comprehensive linguistic introduction. Hong Kong: Routledge.
Suttiphan, N. (2017). Factors affecting Chinese language listening skills of Chinese language students, Walailak University: A case study for students participating in In Country Study Program for the academic year 2017. Proceedings of the 10th Hatyai National and International Conference. Hatyai University, 223-238.
Taichan, S. (2014). Problems of Chinese teaching in a vocational college in Thailand. Patumthani Journal, 6 (2),195-199. (In Thai)
Tangpakorn, B. (2014). Thai students' acquisition to the error analysis of Chinese modal particles “吗” -- “Language subjectivity”: The interpretation of perspective. Journal of Chinese Studies, Kasetsart University, 7(2), 151-186. (In Thai)
Vongkrachang, S. (2010). A study of Thai learners’ pronunciation error in reading Mandarin phonetic symbols. Proceedings of the Second National Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences. Songkhla Rajabhat University, 373-386.
Waelateh, B; Boonsuk, Y; Ambele, E. A., & Jeharsae, F. (2019). An analysis of the written errors of Thai EFL students’ essay writing in English. Songklanakarin Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 25 (3), 55-82.
Wang, T.& Li, Y. (2019). An investigation on Chinese teaching and learning situation of schools in northern Thailand. Panyapiwat Journal, 11(2), 244-256. (In Thai)
Wasinanon, N. (2019). The study of Thailand’s systematic Chinese teaching management in higher education. Journal of Chinese Studies, Kasetsart University, 9 (2), 263-287. (In Thai)
Watcharapunyawong, S., & Usaha, S. (2013). Thai EFL students’ writing errors in different text types: the interference of the first language. English Language Teaching, 6 (1), 67-78.
Wattanakamolkul, P. (2020). An analysis of errors in Chinese words with same morpheme by Thai undergraduate students: A case study of Rajamangala University of Technology, Rattanakosin Campus. Suan Sunandha Academic & Research Review, 14 (2), 57-70. (In Thai)
Wuttiphan, N. (2013). The study of Thailand Chinese teaching policy in Chinese teaching of the Faculty of Education, Khon Kaen University. Journal of Education, Khon Kaen University, 36 (1), 16-22. (In Thai)
Xie, Z. (2018). The current situation and countermeasures of Mandarin education in northern Thailand under the “Belt& Road” Initiative. Advances in Economics, Business and Management Research, 58, 396-400.
Yamwong, N. (2021). The comparative analysis of Chinese and Thai order of modifiers. Journal of Chinese Studies, Kasetsart University, 13(2), 113-156.
Yang, J. (2006 a). Hanyu Jiaocheng (Chinese Course) (Chinese Edition--Shang). China: Beijing Language and Culture University Press. (In Chinese)
Yang, J. (2006 b). Hanyu Jiaocheng (Chinese Course) (Chinese Edition--Xia). China: Beijing Language and Culture University Press. (In Chinese)
