Thread: English Preparation schools

Thais think grammar is the key to speaking English because it's the only thing they can teach well. It's not! What he needs is conversational English with a native speaker. You could probably help him more than you think. Take some day trips with him. Spend the better part of a day doing everyday stuff. Correct him when you can as well as you can. As a native speaker you can help him; even more than you think. The son of a friend of my wifes comes by every Friday and we spend a couple of hours going shopping, hanging out, and any and every situation I can think of to expose him to everyday English. Little by little he's getting better. It's a long process and the only other thing that would help is to send him to America for 2 years.

Let me add this; don't fall into the trap of speaking pidgin English to him. Speak to him as you would any other native English speaker, always! If you don't understand what he says then make him work to explain as best he can, until you really do understand, and then explain to him how to say it correctly. Frustration is part of the learning process. I hope this is helpful. And good luck.

Originally Posted by thefossil

Thanks THX, I"ve been doing what you said for quite a few years now and he has been at the top of his classes for the last three years. He is even now earning a few shekels teaching undergrads, etc., but he wants to learn more. I don't know if a BA in college would help him or not. I have also been thinking of backing him with a small classroom of his own when he graduates. What do you think of putting him through AUA?

Well there you go then, keep it up. As Tomcat says; Bkk can be a good place to get knowledge but AUA might be the way to go. Why doesn't he want to go to BKK?

Bye the way, I'm a fossil also, just passed my 64th.

yeah AUA rules .

'specially the night shift .

I'm going to add this: the worst native speaker is better than the best Thai teacher for teaching "speaking English". The Thai's do excel at teaching English grammar. A Thai M6 is probably better at English grammar than 99% of us native speakers; so why can't they speak? Because "grammar" isn't the key to English (speaking). Speaking is the key to the kingdom; listening, speaking, and making mistakes is the key to learning any foreign language. My Thai is progressing, albeit slower than I like; it progresses never the less. The second edge of the blade of language.

Originally Posted by tomcat

...we may have to part ways here...have you ever spoken with a poorly educated Scot? an Australian steeped in...whatever it is they steep in? a West Virginia hillbilly?...totally incomprehensible to educated native speakers...

Yes, sorry, I totally understand. I hadn't thought of that and you gave me the best laugh I've had in weeks. Thanks. Really, I'm still laughing. It's so true.

I'll be more careful next time.

Originally Posted by THX 1133

the only other thing that would help is to send him to America for 2 years.

Although this may not be an option, living in a native English speaking country will bring his conversational English on leaps and bounds. There really is no substitute for immersion in the language and culture.

Originally Posted by Cawphad Guy

Although this may not be an option, living in a native English speaking country will bring his conversational English on leaps and bounds. There really is no substitute for immersion in the language and culture.

For sure and that's why I suggested it. My best students had spent time in country; America, England and Australia. I have often thought it would be interesting if a long term immersion course could be done here in LOS. Maybe 4 weeks, 6 weeks? Nah, not gonna happen.

Originally Posted by thefossil

Any help will be much appreciated.

He should be reading English articles, books, newspapers, etc., and using a dictionary alongside his reading, everyday without fail. It's one of the best habits he can develop to learn the language in the long run imo.

Originally Posted by robitusson

He should be reading English articles, books, newspapers, etc., and using a dictionary alongside his reading, everyday without fail. It's one of the best habits he can develop to learn the language in the long run imo.

That's a very good point. My first year of teaching I had a very good student (M6) and I asked him if he had a farang teacher for private lessons; no he said, never had one. So, how is it your English is so good: BBC and the rest of the internet. Talk about motivated, this guy was for all practical reasons self taught. I was the first native speaker at my school. Blew me away. So, yeah, I agree with robitusson on this one.

^^^ Never underestimate motivation.
IMO, the best way to motivate a learner is get them interested in what they are learning.

Originally Posted by THX 1133

Correct him when you can as well as you can.

Praise is also a great motivator, use it when correcting to keep things positive.

E.g.:
'The grass is colour green.'

Response A: You don't need to say colour!
Response B: Well done, that's right, you don't have to say colour though.