Teaching My Thai Kids English

[junglechef]

My two boys are 7 & 9 and have been living with us for a year and a half and are starting to pick-up English from listening to me, watching tv and some lessons at home and I feel they could benefit a lot from something more serious. I speak just a little Thai and am not a language teacher by any means. Also their school's English curriculum is definitely not adequate. I'm interested in any suggestions, from iPad Apps or home lessons I could immediately implement to weekend classes or ???

[scorecard]

If you want to try to do it yourself, here's two ideas you might like to consider:

Step 1: Go to DK or a similar bookshop and look at the numerous level by level course book series, mostly from UK or US. They are all built on two things:

a. The functions of English, usually starting with question words, and the what do you need to understand and say in English on a step by step progressive basis. Grammar is built in.

b. The actual lessons are based on typical everyday situations, the drawings of the situations / short stories is appropriate to age levels. Usually in good color and attractive to kids.

There are many series of these books, some suitable for very young learners, some for older kids, some for adults. Choose what is appropriate for your kids.

You can easily see how it all works in terms of learning / teaching.

If you wanted to go a step further these series usually come with workbooks for further exercises / reinforcement, and also have a teachers book (may not be in stock at all shops but can easily be obtained from the main book warehouses).

Don't try to explain everything in Thai, at 7 and 9 most kids can easily cope with immersion.

Step 2: Go to SE-ED books (in most bigger shopping malls etc., all over Thailand), they have a well developed and well presented series of small books (I think in 7 levels). Each book has a quick and interesting story appropriate to age groups / levels, normally about 8 to 16 pages (guessing). The books are obviously in English but they have the Thai vocabularory on each page, plus test pages to test comprehension etc. The English in these books is always perfect. The books are well designed and well manufactured, professionally presented, good color, good paper, etc

Many of the books also have a CD ROM with a narrater reading the story, always in very clear English. These are also very useful: encourage your kids to follow the written story whilst listening to the voice on the CD etc. Or, Listen to a sentence whilst reading it, then tell the kids to verbalise the sentences themselves 5 times. Listen to their pronunciation and correct it quickly - perhaps play that part of the CD ROM again so they can hear it from a source additional to yourself. You can use the book and CD ROM in multiple configurations to reinforce learning.

From memory the books without CD ROM are around 75Baht each, with CD ROM around 120 - 140Baht.

Good luck.

[NancyL]

Just thinking back to how I learned English as a child -- my parents read story books to me every day, often several times a day. I have treasured memories of my father's evening ritual, where he'd sit in his big armchair, with my brother and me cuddled on each side in the chair, reading a book aloud and talking about the pictures. It was a very special half-hour before bedtime.

Mom always had a kid's book in her handbag and if we had to wait someplace, like at a doctor's office, she'd quietly read to us.

I didn't have kids, but my brother and his wife continued this tradition. His wife brought in a tradition from her family as their kids got older. Mom and kids would read a book together, a little every evening, after the kids were in bed. The older kids would read a page or two aloud themselves and then Mom would take over for about five or six pages until everybody looked drowsy. Next night, they'd continue at the point that everyone could remember from the previous night.

They plowed thru the entire Harry Potter series that way. My brother reports that often his wife would climb into bed and "read ahead" in the Harry Potter book for herself because she was so absorbed in it.

I never see Thai people reading to their kids and I rarely saw it in America either. Now it seems kids are given some electronic device and told to amuse themselves if they have to sit quietly, like while waiting in a doctor's office.

Oh, about Score-card's "Point 2", my Thai teacher and I used that series. Both the English and Thai are very good and the stories very good. My only problem was the stories were from western culture and I wanted to learn more about Thai culture, but my Thai teacher loved them and we had an opportunity to practice Thai conversation with my explaining the historical importance of the stories and the characters to her.

[scorecard]

At Pantip you can pick up a set of DVDs eight I believe that teach you to speak Thai. One set comes with it printed below the picture. Might be able to get a set that teaches English to the Thais. Don't know for sure. At first the simpler the better.

But I do agree with scorecard that at one point you will need the bookssss to help with the gramer. I know from mytn own experiance a

scorecard

Ultimately there are many ways to reinforce all the the 4 skills of English (or any language): Listening, speaking, reading & writing.

Various CD ROMs etc., can be great for reinforcement but personally I believe the course book approach is the best foundation. And at 7 and 9 make sure the kids are pushed to open their mouths and speak as often as possible, and ensure it's all fun.

At about 1.5 years I used to walk around the house with my Thai granddaughter teaching her vocabulary, plus her Thai father (my son, speaks perfect English) would join the activity.

Example: 'door', then my son would repeat the word until his daughter would attempt to say it, then 'chair', 'spoon' etc etc.

Later we added 'this is a door', then later 'the door is white' etc etc.

By the time she started kinder (a good one which has a big focus on English development), she was way ahead of the other kinder kids.

An electronic dictionary can also be useful for quick translations of vocabulary, if needed, but don't let the electronic dictionary become the focus of the class / lesson.

[scorecard]

Just thinking back to how I learned English as a child -- my parents read story books to me every day, often several times a day. I have treasured memories of my father's evening ritual, where he'd sit in his big armchair, with my brother and me cuddled on each side in the chair, reading a book aloud and talking about the pictures. It was a very special half-hour before bedtime.

Mom always had a kid's book in her handbag and if we had to wait someplace, like at a doctor's office, she'd quietly read to us.

I didn't have kids, but my brother and his wife continued this tradition. His wife brought in a tradition from her family as their kids got older. Mom and kids would read a book together, a little every evening, after the kids were in bed. The older kids would read a page or two aloud themselves and then Mom would take over for about five or six pages until everybody looked drowsy. Next night, they'd continue at the point that everyone could remember from the previous night.

They plowed thru the entire Harry Potter series that way. My brother reports that often his wife would climb into bed and "read ahead" in the Harry Potter book for herself because she was so absorbed in it.

I never see Thai people reading to their kids and I rarely saw it in America either. Now it seems kids are given some electronic device and told to amuse themselves if they have to sit quietly, like while waiting in a doctor's office.

Oh, about Score-card's "Point 2", my Thai teacher and I used that series. Both the English and Thai are very good and the stories very good. My only problem was the stories were from western culture and I wanted to learn more about Thai culture, but my Thai teacher loved them and we had an opportunity to practice Thai conversation with my explaining the historical importance of the stories and the characters to her.

Hi Nancy, your comment about bedtime stories copies my own experience as a child, and it promoted me to share more.

My Thai granddaughter is now 7.5 yrs old and her English already quite advanced. I'm convinced that the 'bed time story routine' (30 minutes, but only if all other homework has been completed and her house chores finished) has helped.

We use the story books already mentioned but we've now moved to the arrangement where I read one page then she reads one page, plus I 'play dumb' and say "I don't really understand the story, can you explain it to me". This checks her comprehension plus pushes her to construct language.

It all helps.

[scorecard]

Just thinking back to how I learned English as a child -- my parents read story books to me every day, often several times a day. I have treasured memories of my father's evening ritual, where he'd sit in his big armchair, with my brother and me cuddled on each side in the chair, reading a book aloud and talking about the pictures. It was a very special half-hour before bedtime.

Mom always had a kid's book in her handbag and if we had to wait someplace, like at a doctor's office, she'd quietly read to us.

I didn't have kids, but my brother and his wife continued this tradition. His wife brought in a tradition from her family as their kids got older. Mom and kids would read a book together, a little every evening, after the kids were in bed. The older kids would read a page or two aloud themselves and then Mom would take over for about five or six pages until everybody looked drowsy. Next night, they'd continue at the point that everyone could remember from the previous night.

They plowed thru the entire Harry Potter series that way. My brother reports that often his wife would climb into bed and "read ahead" in the Harry Potter book for herself because she was so absorbed in it.

I never see Thai people reading to their kids and I rarely saw it in America either. Now it seems kids are given some electronic device and told to amuse themselves if they have to sit quietly, like while waiting in a doctor's office.

Oh, about Score-card's "Point 2", my Thai teacher and I used that series. Both the English and Thai are very good and the stories very good. My only problem was the stories were from western culture and I wanted to learn more about Thai culture, but my Thai teacher loved them and we had an opportunity to practice Thai conversation with my explaining the historical importance of the stories and the characters to her.

Hi Nancy, your comment about bedtime stories copies my own experience as a child, and it promoted me to share more.

My Thai granddaughter is now 7.5 yrs old and her English already quite advanced. I'm convinced that the 'bed time story routine' (30 minutes, but only if all other homework has been completed and her house chores finished) has helped.

We use the story books already mentioned but we've now moved to the arrangement where I read one page then she reads one page, plus I 'play dumb' and say "I don't really understand the story, can you explain it to me". This checks her comprehension plus pushes her to construct language.

It all helps.

A bit more...

Vocabulary learning and reinforcement can be turned into many different fun games. Example: teach the new vocabulary mid week before you do the next lesson on Saturday from the course book. Have two small whiteboards on easels, one each for the two kids involved here.

Make them write the new vocab. words in English plus add the Thai, then make sure there is a quick practice session (maybe just 5 minutes) several times, then after maybe 24 hrs tell them to rub off the Thai translation.

Next day have a quick competition. Use another bigger whiteboard, tell the two kids to stand maybe 3 or 4 metres back, when you say a word (e.g. carrot), the first one to run to the big whitebaoird and write the word correctly gets a sticker on the outside of their course book or anything to reward the 'first correct answer'. Maybe limit this vocab / spelling / writing game to just 10 or 15 minutes to ensure it doesn't become boring.

An electronic dictionary can also be useful for quick translations of vocabulary, if needed, but don't let the electronic dictionary become the focus of the class / lesson.

[MrBrad]

You don't need a work permit to talk to your family members...in English or any other language.

That said, please speak to the boys in good English as opposed to caveman English. I know I'm opening myself up to criticism of what is "good" or even "proper" English. We all know caveman or Tarzan English when we hear it, and that's what we should avoid using around Thais. So many foreigners insist on speaking to their Thai wives, girlfriends, and others in a broken style of English that only confounds the listener. If you keep the vocabulary and sentence structure simple at first, but still complete and with good sentence structure, your kids will learn to understand and repeat English in a style which is generally used.

You don't say if you're from the States, but for American English the best series I've found is Side-by-Side which is available only by special order from the local bookstores. The learner should be at least about 10 years old, however, to deal with this series. For younger kids, a better series is English Time, which is available at Suriwong Books. Be sure to buy workbooks as well, since the extra homework reinforces the lesson.

Remember: You can speak good English, or bad English. Good English is better. (My Spanish professor said the same, only he substituted "Spanish" for "English.") And, of course, the same could be said for learning to speak Thai.

Oh, and Nancy's suggestion about reading is priceless. Get the kids interested in books--real books, not comic books. Reading is the shortest route to imagination, escape, relaxation, further education and more...and, it combats boredom.

[mcgriffith]

A couple of troll and nonsensical comments have been removed.

[muchogra]

The best avenue is to devote more time youself to teach them yourself.

My relatives and some friends enroll their kids in international schools where they learn not only just bi-lingual but tri-lingual.

A prestiged international schoo is not necessarily a good one. They could be spoiled by the environment their parents put them in.

If you plan on living here for good, get them in a semi-international one and devote your time to bring them up right including teaching the English!

[hellodolly]

At Pantip you can pick up a set of DVDs eight I believe that teach you to speak Thai. One set comes with it printed below the picture. Might be able to get a set that teaches English to the Thais. Don't know for sure. At first the simpler the better.

But I do agree with scorecard that at one point you will need the bookssss to help with the gramer. I know from mytn own experiance a

scorecard

Ultimately there are many ways to reinforce all the the 4 skills of English (or any language): Listening, speaking, reading & writing.

Various CD ROMs etc., can be great for reinforcement but personally I believe the course book approach is the best foundation. And at 7 and 9 make sure the kids are pushed to open their mouths and speak as often as possible, and ensure it's all fun.

At about 1.5 years I used to walk around the house with my Thai granddaughter teaching her vocabulary, plus her Thai father (my son, speaks perfect English) would join the activity.

Example: 'door', then my son would repeat the word until his daughter would attempt to say it, then 'chair', 'spoon' etc etc.

Later we added 'this is a door', then later 'the door is white' etc etc.

By the time she started kinder (a good one which has a big focus on English development), she was way ahead of the other kinder kids.

An electronic dictionary can also be useful for quick translations of vocabulary, if needed, but don't let the electronic dictionary become the focus of the class / lesson.

Don't know what happened on that post. My computer screwed up before I could finish it or proof read it and obviously let the spell checker do it's magic. Actually I asked the mods to remove it as it did not give my whole over all opinion.

It was just an Idea and I can see where getting them at a young age and working with them personally would be a great advantage as it would be easy to pick words you could use all day. I realized the point would come where books would be mandatory.

[hellodolly]

You don't need a work permit to talk to your family members...in English or any other language.

That said, please speak to the boys in good English as opposed to caveman English. I know I'm opening myself up to criticism of what is "good" or even "proper" English. We all know caveman or Tarzan English when we hear it, and that's what we should avoid using around Thais. So many foreigners insist on speaking to their Thai wives, girlfriends, and others in a broken style of English that only confounds the listener. If you keep the vocabulary and sentence structure simple at first, but still complete and with good sentence structure, your kids will learn to understand and repeat English in a style which is generally used.

You don't say if you're from the States, but for American English the best series I've found is Side-by-Side which is available only by special order from the local bookstores. The learner should be at least about 10 years old, however, to deal with this series. For younger kids, a better series is English Time, which is available at Suriwong Books. Be sure to buy workbooks as well, since the extra homework reinforces the lesson.

Remember: You can speak good English, or bad English. Good English is better. (My Spanish professor said the same, only he substituted "Spanish" for "English.") And, of course, the same could be said for learning to speak Thai.

Oh, and Nancy's suggestion about reading is priceless. Get the kids interested in books--real books, not comic books. Reading is the shortest route to imagination, escape, relaxation, further education and more...and, it combats boredom.

True about reading. But it can become a method of escapism from life at a early age. I used to hide from my friends when I was a young lad so I could read books. Now I want to buy a reader but can not justify the cost because I have so many books to read. I have a hard time not just taking a peek to see what is in a book store.

I could get a cheap reader but I want the big one by Amazon with a nine and five eights inch screen. In my dotage I try to be good to my eyes. The cheap ones are six inches and I measured the text in a pocked book and it was six and a half. The large screen holds over two and a half times as much text and like the small ones the fonts can be adjusted if I find them to big or small.

[junglechef]

You don't need a work permit to talk to your family members...in English or any other language.

That said, please speak to the boys in good English as opposed to caveman English. I know I'm opening myself up to criticism of what is "good" or even "proper" English. We all know caveman or Tarzan English when we hear it, and that's what we should avoid using around Thais. So many foreigners insist on speaking to their Thai wives, girlfriends, and others in a broken style of English that only confounds the listener. If you keep the vocabulary and sentence structure simple at first, but still complete and with good sentence structure, your kids will learn to understand and repeat English in a style which is generally used.

You don't say if you're from the States, but for American English the best series I've found is Side-by-Side which is available only by special order from the local bookstores. The learner should be at least about 10 years old, however, to deal with this series. For younger kids, a better series is English Time, which is available at Suriwong Books. Be sure to buy workbooks as well, since the extra homework reinforces the lesson.

Remember: You can speak good English, or bad English. Good English is better. (My Spanish professor said the same, only he substituted "Spanish" for "English.") And, of course, the same could be said for learning to speak Thai.

Oh, and Nancy's suggestion about reading is priceless. Get the kids interested in books--real books, not comic books. Reading is the shortest route to imagination, escape, relaxation, further education and more...and, it combats boredom.

For the record I'm an American (whose Boston accent will sound interesting on the boys speaking) whose mother was from London and spoke Queen's English. One of the things I do now is that if the boys want something they must ask in proper English, of course with my help if necessary, and it's "may I have" not "can I have" (I would remember my mother replying "yes you can but you may not"). I also correct my GF's English, which she likes, especially since we have a 7 mnth old together and I want him to learn in a proper speaking environment. As I'm not a teacher and do appreciate your help but is "Good English is better" correct? I believe "Correct English is better" or perhaps "Speaking English well", yes I'm just having a bit of fun but on the serious side I have my boys bring home their homework (they have him do it at school and don't want the students taking the books home which takes the parents right out of the picture) and his latest assignment said "Have you got?" which I thought was incorrect but asking a teacher friend of mine he said what I thought was correct version, "Do you have?" , was American and the other British so you have a very good point in the province of my childhood more than just using the word lorry for truck. I agree with the usefulness of reading and have brought some children books from America and the boys to enjoy it (almost as much as the iPod - well....)

[LarryBird]

Anki is a great resource for the computer/smartphones. Make audio files on your computer. have a Thai person say the Thai, you say the English, get them to repeat and try to sound the same as you saying English. . Show them all the great reasons to learn English. Listen to music, watch movies, quality TV shows. Get them skype friends to chat with in English.

The best way to do it.. Is to treat it as life or death. Imagine the boys are going to have to go to America next year and get a job to support themselves. What would you do? What would you do if you were told they won't be able to go to school if they can't speak English well in 6 months?

You'd be resourceful. You'd find every thing you could available on the internet. You'd be organized. You never stop. It would be the only thing you think about. If you take a casual approach, they'll get better, but not great, and no different from anyone else. Be rigorous.

[scorecard]

You don't need a work permit to talk to your family members...in English or any other language.

That said, please speak to the boys in good English as opposed to caveman English. I know I'm opening myself up to criticism of what is "good" or even "proper" English. We all know caveman or Tarzan English when we hear it, and that's what we should avoid using around Thais. So many foreigners insist on speaking to their Thai wives, girlfriends, and others in a broken style of English that only confounds the listener. If you keep the vocabulary and sentence structure simple at first, but still complete and with good sentence structure, your kids will learn to understand and repeat English in a style which is generally used.

You don't say if you're from the States, but for American English the best series I've found is Side-by-Side which is available only by special order from the local bookstores. The learner should be at least about 10 years old, however, to deal with this series. For younger kids, a better series is English Time, which is available at Suriwong Books. Be sure to buy workbooks as well, since the extra homework reinforces the lesson.

Remember: You can speak good English, or bad English. Good English is better. (My Spanish professor said the same, only he substituted "Spanish" for "English.") And, of course, the same could be said for learning to speak Thai.

Oh, and Nancy's suggestion about reading is priceless. Get the kids interested in books--real books, not comic books. Reading is the shortest route to imagination, escape, relaxation, further education and more...and, it combats boredom.

For the record I'm an American (whose Boston accent will sound interesting on the boys speaking) whose mother was from London and spoke Queen's English. One of the things I do now is that if the boys want something they must ask in proper English, of course with my help if necessary, and it's "may I have" not "can I have" (I would remember my mother replying "yes you can but you may not"). I also correct my GF's English, which she likes, especially since we have a 7 mnth old together and I want him to learn in a proper speaking environment. As I'm not a teacher and do appreciate your help but is "Good English is better" correct? I believe "Correct English is better" or perhaps "Speaking English well", yes I'm just having a bit of fun but on the serious side I have my boys bring home their homework (they have him do it at school and don't want the students taking the books home which takes the parents right out of the picture) and his latest assignment said "Have you got?" which I thought was incorrect but asking a teacher friend of mine he said what I thought was correct version, "Do you have?" , was American and the other British so you have a very good point in the province of my childhood more than just using the word lorry for truck. I agree with the usefulness of reading and have brought some children books from America and the boys to enjoy it (almost as much as the iPod - well....)

I like your comments about correcting when needed. But of course there is a danger that done harshly this will kill the kids confidence.

I discovered the following with my granddaughter; when she says something incorrect, I quickly and softly say "can you say it this way, ............................... ".

And I repeat the corrected sentence a couple of times. I then get her to say the corrected sentence a couple of times, then encourage her to go back to what she was talking about. Sometimes it locks in, sometimes not, but all part of the journey.

[junglechef]

You don't need a work permit to talk to your family members...in English or any other language.

That said, please speak to the boys in good English as opposed to caveman English. I know I'm opening myself up to criticism of what is "good" or even "proper" English. We all know caveman or Tarzan English when we hear it, and that's what we should avoid using around Thais. So many foreigners insist on speaking to their Thai wives, girlfriends, and others in a broken style of English that only confounds the listener. If you keep the vocabulary and sentence structure simple at first, but still complete and with good sentence structure, your kids will learn to understand and repeat English in a style which is generally used.

You don't say if you're from the States, but for American English the best series I've found is Side-by-Side which is available only by special order from the local bookstores. The learner should be at least about 10 years old, however, to deal with this series. For younger kids, a better series is English Time, which is available at Suriwong Books. Be sure to buy workbooks as well, since the extra homework reinforces the lesson.

Remember: You can speak good English, or bad English. Good English is better. (My Spanish professor said the same, only he substituted "Spanish" for "English.") And, of course, the same could be said for learning to speak Thai.

Oh, and Nancy's suggestion about reading is priceless. Get the kids interested in books--real books, not comic books. Reading is the shortest route to imagination, escape, relaxation, further education and more...and, it combats boredom.

For the record I'm an American (whose Boston accent will sound interesting on the boys speaking) whose mother was from London and spoke Queen's English. One of the things I do now is that if the boys want something they must ask in proper English, of course with my help if necessary, and it's "may I have" not "can I have" (I would remember my mother replying "yes you can but you may not"). I also correct my GF's English, which she likes, especially since we have a 7 mnth old together and I want him to learn in a proper speaking environment. As I'm not a teacher and do appreciate your help but is "Good English is better" correct? I believe "Correct English is better" or perhaps "Speaking English well", yes I'm just having a bit of fun but on the serious side I have my boys bring home their homework (they have him do it at school and don't want the students taking the books home which takes the parents right out of the picture) and his latest assignment said "Have you got?" which I thought was incorrect but asking a teacher friend of mine he said what I thought was correct version, "Do you have?" , was American and the other British so you have a very good point in the province of my childhood more than just using the word lorry for truck. I agree with the usefulness of reading and have brought some children books from America and the boys to enjoy it (almost as much as the iPod - well....)

I like your comments about correcting when needed. But of course there is a danger that done harshly this will kill the kids confidence.

I discovered the following with my granddaughter; when she says something incorrect, I quickly and softly say "can you say it this way, ............................... ".

And I repeat the corrected sentence a couple of times. I then get her to say the corrected sentence a couple of times, then encourage her to go back to what she was talking about. Sometimes it locks in, sometimes not, but all part of the journey.

I agree but maybe it a boy thing as we play a lot (American football!) and have a real good relationship so they know that I'm helping and are learning not to be overly sensitive (being brought up un a household of 5 women and no men) and are happy to try again esp. if it means getting the candy they are asking. I'm constantly saying how good they are doing and how proud I am (which are both true) when they speak correctly which is the best encouragement. I was brought up in a home where the truth and being straight was of the upmost importance, which might not always be the culture here, but I feel is important so I continue with what I know. The latest is they constantly ask if this or that is real on TV, magic, cartoon or sports. They seem to be able to handle the truth just fine but luckily there's not Santa or Easter Bunny to deal with!

[drnkurmlkshk]

I agree with teaching them yourself unless you can afford a decent wage for a teacher (like at least 500 baht an hour). They should be a native speaker, have a decent background in teaching and they should actually care. Many of the "teachers" living in Thailand are a total joke, as I've known some of them first hand. They are here just to lead as lazy a life as possible. Some of them don't even have strong English skills at all!

I think this absolutely will be a case of "you get what you pay for". And I imagine you can do a lot better job yourself otherwise.

[NancyL]

Be sure to put up posters of the alphabet, words and pictures, etc in the kids' rooms. I remember staring at those for hours.

One game my first grade teacher played stuck with me and I taught it to my Thai teacher because you can do something similar in the Thai language. Here's an example in English. Start with a word ending like "ake" then go thru the entire English alphabet and ask is "aake" a word? is "bake" a word? Is "cake" at word, is "dake" a word? What do they mean? how about "eake", "fake", "gake", hake" "iake", "jake" "lake", "make" etc. You get the picture. Other good word endings are "ate", "ike", etc.