Using a Web-based Simulation to Elicit Public Input into ELT Policy in Thailand

Abstract

In many contexts, decisions about educational policies are restricted to a small group of insiders. Such is the case in Thailand where a heavily centralised education system means that educational policy decision-making is largely in the hands of the Minister of Education with very little input from groups outside the Ministry. The bases on which policy decisions are made appear problematic and have resulted in poor performance of the Thai educational system especially for the learning of English. There is, then, a need for more public input into English language teaching policy in Thailand, but eliciting such input effectively is problematic since education policy is a highly complex area with conflicting priorities competing for limited budgets. This paper introduces an innovative instrument for eliciting public input into ELT policies and presents preliminary findings. The Ministry of Education Game (https://sola.pr.kmutt.ac.th/meg/) is a web-based simulation that allows users to choose preferred projects while accounting for competing for broad goals and limited budgets. The two most frequently selected projects both directly address inequalities between schools. Although preliminary, such findings show the value of using a web-based simulation to elicit public input into policymaking.