students at the airport

[valentine]

Yes Arjay, I find that frustrating and a little annoying, because I speak reasonably good Thai. It has got to the stage now ,where , when they address my wife,she gets annoyed and tells them "Don't ask me. I'm from Philipines" but in Thai. They still don't comprehend but the look of bewilderment on their faces is a joy to behold.

[Bangsean_girl]

i 'm a Thai student who always wants to learn English, writing ,speaking reading ,listening . For me i can study about how to write, read at my school easy, because the Thai teacher will stress on grammar. I can say that most of the students in my class, they dont know how to make the conversation with foreigner but if u ask them about grammar, they will know it so well. So how can we practise our speaking and listening? I think its a good idea to do it with the native speaker, so usually when I see some foreigners who have the problem like lose the way, I would always come to help and talk with them, but sometime I find some of them are not friendly and feel bored to talk with Thais and i find that some foreigners when we ask them questions, they will answer it and then don't ask us anymore questions back, that makes me feel like they dont wanna talk with me or something, so i just shut my mouth up and next time when i see foreigner i will never ever wanna talk with them again if they dont come to talk with me first. Maybe they think we talk slow and not talk fluently and they feel like they waste their time? i dont know but when I see the body language from them, that they not feel not like talking to u, then i will just leave them alone. Have you any idea how difficult it is to approach a foreigner and engage in conversation? - but we know we have to do it or we will never have the opportunity to practice our English. What would you say to a Thai person if you wanted to practice ur Thai? - would you talk about current political issues - of course not - you would ask "how much is this or what is your name" - same old boring questions - so pls dont be annoyed next time u see thai people trying to talk in english with u

[banpaeng]

Extremely well said Bangsen Girl. Maybe some folks will read this and understand better of the person yearning to learn perspective.

I hope so.

[polehawk]

Bangsean _girl,

You can practice your English on us anytime you want.

[wansman]

Bangsen Girl, Every country in the world has it's rude people. Perhaps these are the ones that you have selected to talk to. Or possibly they were busy a the time. Many farangs are always in a hurry and seem to never take the time to enjoy life. Do not let his stop you. Just keep talking to people and sometimes you will find someone that will talk to you. I know if someone talks to me I will talk back. Just keep trying.

Look for me, I like to talk. ha ha

[yorkman]

i 'm a Thai student who always wants to learn English, writing ,speaking reading ,listening

(Shortened your post Bangsean_girl) Exactly, and far more fluently put that most here, I guess, could post in Thai. I could not....so I have much time for any student who trys to learn English.

I have a neice who is learning Japanese and English, just went for a test in BKK last weekend. Do I respect her efforts? YES I do. Her English at 17 is still not good, but that is not her fault or lack of effort, its the educational system and her shyness when she tries to talk to farang at airports, in the centre, wherever. Because some are rude, or do not respond.

To the OP; read Bangsean_girl's post. Do you really think this is is a waste of your (no doubt ) valuable time??

John

[valentine]

Bangsaen_girl, Please don't get disheartened there may be perfectly good reasons why some people don't reply. You must consider the following.Before coming here they have possibly read guide books that warn about potential dangers awaiting them on the streets of Bangkok. One of these is students approaching on the streets, sometimes pretending to be scouts or similar that are really just touts waiting to take them to jewelry shops or the like.They don't know you and this warning is uppermost in their minds, so its a brusque, no thank you, without really hearing what you are going to say.I suppose you could wear a college badge or something as identification, but how long before the touts realise this, then copy it?
You musn't take it personally, and even if they are being rude, just think, some of these people don't even talk to the people who live next door to them back home.
A suggestion, I have never tried it, that may help.Get your school to print some small paper badges with"STUDENT FRIENDLY' on, to hand out to those you interview to wear.This will help your fellow students to approach knowing they won't be rebuffed.I would wear mine with pride, as I'm sure, most on this forum would.
P.S. Can you persuade some more of your fellow students to join Udonmap?They would be very welcome.!

[Thai_1_On]

When I was in Udon in Oct. I wish I had a chance to talk with more Thai students. My father in-law is an English teacher in Udon and I did have a chance to talk with a few of his students and enjoyed every minute. I would make it a point to try to talk as much as possible and ask questions just to keep them talking. I know one time I was at a bar with my laptop showing some pictures of home and the Space Shuttle and both the bar maid and other Thai's there although nervous enjoyed practicing there English and in trade they were helping me with my Thai. Seems this may be a good way of help students i.e. they practice English with me and I practice Thai with them So much can be learned from both partys

[Garnet]

Bangsean_girl, I read your post last evening a couple of times, and I've read it again this very early Monday morning. You express yourself with such amazing clarity! I am positive that many of us are seeing things through eyes that were previously blind, or at least extremely dim. Your presence is beyond valuing. Please never feel too shy to offer an opinion or observation on the Forum, for you are a voice we need to hear. And speaking for myself, I pay keen attention each time you make a post. If I am alone in this, then my surprise will be greater than I can express.

And since I never said it before: Welocme! Welcome! Welcome!

[wansman]

Before coming here they have possibly read guide books that warn about potential dangers awaiting them on the streets of Bangkok. One of these is students approaching on the streets, sometimes pretending to be scouts or similar that are really just touts waiting to take them to jewelry shops or the like.They don't know you and this warning is uppermost in their minds, so its a brusque, no thank you, without really hearing what you are going to say.

This is so true especially if these people have been to places like Rome where bands of small kids roam stealing wallets, passports, return airplane tickets...anything. If I went anywhere after going there then I would be wary of kids.

[lee]

i 'm a Thai student who always wants to learn English, writing ,speaking reading ,listening.

Hi Bangsean_girl, welcome to the forum. It's really nice to hear your side of the story. You're more than welcome to practice your English here anytime.

Lee