Soft Skills in a Multicultural Society Context: A Case Study of Teaching Profession Students in the Southern Border Provinces of Thailand

Abstract

Developing soft skills in the teaching profession students is important for teachers to facilitate the learners to learn to live together peacefully in the society. This research aims to investigate the soft skills in a multicultural society of the teaching profession students in the southern border provinces of Thailand through a qualitative method using the phenomenological approach. Data was collected by the researcher through in-depth interviews with 10 stakeholders including educational supervisors, school directors, university lecturers, psychologists, teachers and guidance counselors in the southern border provinces. and through content analysis. The results were found and classified into four main themes: (1) Communication and relationship building consisting of speaking, writing, and body language used to communicate and build relationships with people in a multicultural society; (2) Working with other people, consisting of co-working with others, joining together, taking initiative, coordinating, helping, and supporting other people in a multicultural society; (3) Adaptation consists of changing one's own ideas, feelings, and behaviors to suit the environment in the society of different cultures; (4) Accepting cultural diversity consists of learning the cultures of other people by showing respect for their differences. The results of this study provided an understanding of the development of soft skills among teaching profession students in a multicultural society. The conclusion and application of research results for educators, researchers, and counseling psychologists to promote the development of soft skills leading to quality teacher development are discussed and presented in this article.

Save as a Favourite

Author Information
Maithai Chaiyapan, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, Thailand
Jirasuk Suksawat, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, Thailand
Purimpratch Khaninphasut, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, Thailand
Putcharee Junpeng, Khon Kaen University, Thailand