Developing English Lessons to Enhance Caddies’ Communication Competency

Abstract

This research aimed to (1) study and analyze the English language proficiency of caddies, (2) develop English lessons for caddies, (3) conduct English training workshops for caddies using the lessons developed by the researchers, and (4) enhance the communication skills of caddies with international golfers. The sample group for this research was 60 caddies from Suwan Golf & Country Club. Five research instruments were employed in this study, including a needs analysis of the caddies, a pretest, English lessons developed by the researchers, a posttest, and a training evaluation survey. The results from the needs analysis were used to develop English lessons and a 12-hour workshop was conducted. After the workshop, posttest results showed that the learners’ average score increased by 31.27% indicating that the lessons developed by the researchers and the instructional methods effectively improved the caddies' English communication skills. Results from the caddie evaluation survey showed that the caddies expressed high levels of satisfaction pertaining to knowledge acquisition with an average of 4.80 on the Likert Rating Scale, indicative of being very satisfied. As for the overall evaluation of the instructors and materials prepared, the participants gave an average rating of 4.83. The prepared material specifically garnered the highest rating of 4.88. Finally, the caddies rated the benefits accrued from the workshop at 4.82, equating to very satisfied. The overall satisfaction score was 4.82, indicating that the learners were very satisfied with the workshop. This study makes a major contribution to golf caddies in the region by developing their English communication skills at work, which could benefit the golf business and industry in terms of effective customer service.