Developing Thai–English–Chinese Local Folktale Animations to Enhance Thai Elementary School Students’ Cultural Knowledge and Communicative Skills

This study aimed to develop trilingual Isan folktale animations as educational tools to enhance elementary students’ cultural knowledge and communicative skills in the 21st century. Employing a research and development (R&D) approach, the study was conducted in three phases: (1) focus group discussions with experts to select culturally relevant Isan folktales, (2) animation development and expert evaluation, and (3) implementation of the animations in a rural elementary school. Seven folktales were selected and categorized into three types—those explaining legends and beliefs, those related to historical places, and those reflecting values and Isan ways of life. The animations were produced in Thai, English, Chinese, and the Isan dialect. The results showed that the animations were rated at a good quality level by experts (x̄ = 4.36), with high scores in sound and music quality, as well as cultural and educational value. Statistical analyses revealed significant improvements in students’ knowledge of Isan culture, English, and Chinese after using the animations. The findings highlight the effectiveness of trilingual animated folktales in promoting both cultural appreciation and multilingual communicative competence. Furthermore, the study addresses educational inequality by providing accessible and engaging materials for students in small rural schools, suggesting broader applications for inclusive and culturally grounded education.