8. “Problems in using English for communication of Thai employees in a global automotive company: A case study of AutoAlliance (Thailand) Co., Ltd.”

Ms. Kultida Areeraj, Huachiew Chalermprakiet University, Thailand

(Production Parts Purchasing, AutoAlliance (Thailand) Co., Ltd)

The purpose of this study is to investigate and explore the problems in using English for communication covering four skills -- speaking, listening, reading, and writing in the workplace of Thai employees who work in a global automotive company, AutoAlliance (Thailand) Co., Ltd or AAT. The participants are 72 employees from all four sections of the Purchasing Department: Production Part Purchasing, Non- Production Part Purchasing, Purchasing Planning Analysis, and Program Purchasing. They will be categorized according to their education level, work experience, and work position. The instrument for data collection is a questionnaire. The research expectation is to reveal the English communication problems in the workplace covering the four skills of Thai employees in the Purchasing Department at AutoAlliance (Thailand) Co., Ltd or AAT. The results of this study will offer suggestions to improve and develop English communication skills of Thai employees in the workplace and related organizations, so that they will be more effective and efficient.