Speaking English the Wright way II

Q: "How do you choose the right word for the right context?" (Suthida Wimuttikosol, 23, master's degree student of English Literature, Thammasat University, and English-teaching materials developer.)

Wright: "It can come from observation. Bury yourself in the English-language media. Read a lot of English texts, watch a lot of English-language movies and listen to a lot of English-language songs.

When you're not sure whether to use "I see television" or "I watch television", open your ears and eyes and you'll notice that no one says "I see television". Or you can look it up in an English-to-English dictionary."

Q: "I don't understand English at all." (Sukol Loppuen, 22, senior student, Faculty of Management Science, Suan Dusit Rajabhat University.)

Wright: "Listening [and understanding] comes with, again, practice. Beginners should find materials that provide both listening and reading opportunities and listen and read at the same time to get familiar with the language. Watch a movie with English subtitles, listen to a song with English lyrics and listen to an English learning CD with a transcript you can follow.

Everyone can do it and if there's a will, there's a way. But it takes time. Beginners in particular must work hard."

Q: "I'm fluent while speaking, though my grammar is not good and my choice of words might be wrong. Sometimes I speak for a long time to try and explain what I say. And foreigners say "It's OK, I understand." But do they?" (Darunee Detchimplee, 25, tour guide, Diethalm Travel Thailand.)

Wright: "English-language speakers, specifically Westerners, are straightforward and raised to be assertive. When they don't understand, they'll definitely say "Sorry, I don't understand" and will ask for clarification. They don't have the concept of "losing face" like Thais do. They are not brought up in a Thai culture where Thais who are straightforward and speak their mind are seen to be blunt and inconsiderate.

It's hard for Westerners to understand the Thais sometimes because whether they understand or not, they just smile."

Q: "How does one teach a speaking and listening class of 60 students?" (Kanda Kumpol, 31, part-time teacher at a local Thai university and secretary to the director of the molecular biology unit at Siriraj Hospital.)

Wright: "It's not possible. In a speaking and listening class every student must have a chance to practise speaking and listening. If it's an hour-long class, it means each student has only one minute to do so. It's impossible for them to improve their skills within such a short time. Besides, Thais have a group-oriented culture where they don't do anything to stand out because they might "sae na" (lose face) and other people might "mun sai" (not like someone just because they try to do something outstanding)

So it's the standard that everyone tries to be quiet and not talk. The more people in the class, the slimmer the chance they'll talk.

What teachers can do in this situation is to do their job and "tam jai" (try to cope with it). You teach them what to say and how to say it correctly and have them practise as much as you possibly can. You play them the listening materials, and whether students pay attention or not is up to them. If students want to improve, they've got to find ways to do it."

Wright's story

British-Thai Christopher Wright, 29, has been teaching English at tutorial schools since he was a freshman at Mahidol International University. When he graduated, he became both a full-time and part-time teacher at several universities, including Rangsit, Ramkhamhaeng and Kasem Bundit.

Last year, he launched his first two pocketbooks in Thai, "Farangs kao jai khon Thai get" I and II (English That Foreigners Understand And Thais Know How To Use). In July, Wright went on a local talk show, "Jor Jai", talking about Thais and their problems speaking English. With its content and his humour and unique character, he became the talk of the town and his two books sold out.

In October, two more of his books will be launched. In November, he will open his own English school, Wright English Club, at RCA, Rama IV.

Wright doesn't have a degree in teaching but he says he's done a lot of self-study and taken short courses in the subject.

By Rojana Manowalailao

The Nation