RESEARCH ON THE CURRICULUM DESIGN OF CHINESE ELECTIVE COURSES AT RAJAMANGALA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY ISAAN, KHON KAEN CAMPUS (RMUTI KKC)

บทคัดย่อ

Chinese language education has become increasingly important in Thailand amid the deepening economic, cultural, and educational ties between Thailand and China. In vocational higher education, Chinese elective courses are expected not only to develop students’ basic language competence but also to enhance their intercultural communication and career readiness. This study investigates the curriculum design of Chinese elective courses at Rajamangala University of Technology Isaan, Khon Kaen Campus. It aims to examine the current status of the curriculum, identify major challenges in its implementation, and propose practical directions for improvement. A qualitative research design was adopted. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with four lecturers directly involved in the teaching and implementation of Chinese elective courses. The interview data were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that the current curriculum plays a positive role in introducing students to Chinese language learning and in supporting vocational preparation, particularly in tourism, business, and service-related contexts. However, several limitations were identified, including insufficient instructional time, teacher-centered pedagogy, outdated instructional materials, limited cultural integration, and weak alignment between course content and workplace needs. The study recommends revising the curriculum to incorporate more task-based and profession-oriented content, improving assessment practices, and strengthening institutional collaboration with external partners. The findings contribute to the ongoing development of Chinese language curricula in vocational universities and provide practical implications for improving Chinese language education in Thailand.