AN INVESTIGATION INTO SFL-TNU STUDENTS’ NEED OF STUDYING CULTURES OF ASEAN COUNTRIES

Abstract

ASEAN is increasingly extending its influence worldwide; and countries in the community are having more and more extensive cooperations in many fields. Nevetheless, ASEAN countries’ cultures has not yet introduced in many university training programs. This study examines the actual need for studying Southeast Asian countries’ cultures in students at a language and education training institution. Qualitative research method with semi-structured interviews are applied in data collection and analysis to get a close-up and insightful view into students’ perspectives on the issue. The research results indicate that students are not really confident with their current knowledge of ASEAN cultures but are aware of these meanings with future career opportunities and developments. The analysis also shows the students' wishes to study ASEAN cultures in a systematic and organized way as an official course in their curriculumn. The study is considered a meaningful need analysis, which helps to survey and guide the process of developing materials and syllabus for related tertiary courses on ASEAN countries’ cultures.