Using English for Communication by Thai Prostitutes

The purposes of this study were to study English competency of the Thai prostitutes for communication with their customers, and to explore methods of Thai prostitutes in improving their language ability for communication with their customers. In depth, face-to-face qualitative interview were conducted with a convenience sample of 36 Thai prostitutes and 10 international tourists. The samples were randomly from the Thai prostitute’s famous night areas in Bangkok; Khaosan Road, Patpong, and Soi Nana. A semi-interview form was created as a research tool.

This study was supplemented by additional analysis of existing secondary data sources including books, and online databases. The results indicated that the English competency of the informants is in the average level with successful communication purpose. The informants improve their English skills in real life working experience. Half of the informants are educated. They learned English skills from universities. Half of them are studying in higher education institutions. They work for money to pay for tuition fees, rents, and other needy expenses.

The international tourists expressed that the informants are poor, and they had no other choices. However, it is a way to improve language skills. The limitation of this study focuses on the anxiety of the informants since working as prostitutes is still an illegal job in the Thai society. They thought that the researcher was a police officer which may effect the obtained information. The paper shows that the language skills are beneficial in communication. It creates better customers satisfaction which will lead to an increase of the opportunity to earn more income. By Thavorn Thitthongkam

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