A low, negative correlation between FLCA and English performance was found, which supported prior studies suggesting that anxiety has a primarily debilitating effect on language learning. The extent to which FLCA can be quantified as a predictive factor of English performance across groups was inconclusive. No significant relationship was found between FLCA and maths performance, which supports multiple intelligences theory. No significant difference was found between FLCA levels in the immersion group as compared to non-immersion groups, suggesting that increased exposure to foreign teachers did not decrease FLCA, which was found to be a predictive factor of English performance in the immersion group.
Results from this study carry a range of implications. Reducing student anxiety is a general objective of any credible educational institution, and, as such, regardless of any active or null effects, stakeholders should make attempts to reduce stressors and causes of such anxiety. Legal policy changes relating to inclusion and naturalization of long-term resident foreigners in Thailand, enhanced public service announcements and community engagement programs could help Thais feel more comfortable with persons of other colours, nationalities, and races. As adults change their ideals, and if immigration policy changes, Thai children will inherently understand that foreigners are a permanent and natural part of the Thai system, thereby probably reducing anxieties
The education institution needs to be repaired and updated. In order to support educational improvements, local government budgets need to be expanded, which requires a more comprehensive tax system in the longer term. In the short term, this study, along with discussion among colleagues, suggests that more open and transparent communication is needed between primary and secondary schools. Teachers need to meet national curriculum guidelines or campaign to amend them. All teachers need to understand and implement national policies relating to their profession, including the prohibition of corporal punishment, which this researcher found a likely primary cause of anxiety while at school.
Primary teachers need to send students to secondary levels with required skills to succeed and feel comfortable doing so. Placement assessments are needed to appropriately group students by ability level, not necessarily by age level. Teachers also need the option to fail a student so the 12th grade is not half-full with learners demonstrating a 4th grade comprehension of the language. A nationwide executive mandate is likely required to implement use of the fail mark.
Ideally, all parents should work with their children at home to improve their studies. Teachers and administrators should be open-minded and available, and districts should offer more tailored services to suit specific needs of individuals. Doing well in school is a complex combination of internal and external strengths and advantages. It takes hard work, natural intelligence, plenty of help from others, and a little luck to be number one in education. Both reducing FLCA and improving performances will take the unified efforts of multiple persons. Sharing of information and continued research will be important aspects of developing a more functional system.