LUQMAN MAYI (FACULTY OF LIBERAL ARTS )

THE DANGER AND THE DELIGHT OF THE 'ENGLISH EXIT EXAMINATION' IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN THAILAND: A CRITICAL PERSPECTIVE : GLOBAL ISSUES IN LANGUAGE EDUCATION

Over the recent years, the Thai government has put forward the policy of an English exit examination in higher education at Thai universities to help undergraduates showcase their English proficiency before graduating. This policy aims to emphasise the importance of preparing newly graduated Thai citizens for the workforce in the 21st century, where English proficiency is a valuable skill. The exit exam is set up like a verdict for students; if they do not pass it at a certain level, they will not be able to graduate. This poses a significant challenge for undergraduates who do not meet the required proficiency level of English set by the university, causing them stress and agony as passing English becomes a graduation requirement. This paper aims to raise awareness of how the English exit exam can be viewed as both a source of delight for students who pass it, yet also a real struggle for students to meet the government's expectations within the framework of neoliberal education. The paper seeks to encourage critical thinking regarding the use of the English exit exam and its impact on improving students' English proficiency, without being a mandatory requirement for graduation.

I am a lecturer in TESOL and Associate Dean for Academic and Research Affairs at Princess of Naradhiwas University, Thailand. My research focuses on critical perspectives of ELT and learning, including questioning how English is conceptualised in various contexts.