Step-by-Step: How to Learn the Thai Alphabet

Parisa, the Visiting Scholar from Thailand’s Bangkok Christian College, brings wonderful energy and teaching strategies when sharing Thai culture. Step-by-step, she walks students through the process of learning a new written language. Read the following exert from an email Parisa sent to the ASOP office about her week at Mount Anthony Middle School:

I want to share with you how the students in Mount Anthony Middle School enjoyed learning the Thai alphabet and making bookmarks with their “Thai names” written on them. 

First, I told them about the Thai alphabet and Thai vowels.

 

Next, I we practiced pronunciation.

I then wrote the alphabet on the board (the first to the fifth one) and let volunteers copy them. It was amazing that they could copy Thai alphabet! Next, I let the students write their names in English down one side of the bookmarker. I then showed them, one by one, how to write their names in Thai. They had to practice on blank paper until they were sure that they could write down in the book marks. The students were so successful!

Thai Night for a Vermont Neighborhood

While this even happened over a month ago, the event remains one of ASOP’s favorite host family celebrations with a Visiting Scholar. On a Saturday night, Visiting Scholar Thitima and her host family organized a “Thai Night” and invited all the neighbors to share in food, music, and a chance to view Thai fashion. Read Thitima’s reflection for more details:

Last Saturday night, my host family was the host for a dinner party with the neighborhood for about 28 people. The theme they set was “THE THAI NIGHT”. I cooked Massaman Neu, Pad Paew Whan and Palo for everyone. I wish I had pictures of the food to share, but I totally forgot about taking pictures of the food.

 

Family in Traditional Thai Clothing

The family decided to surprise the neighbors by dressing in Thai costumes. After cooking, I helped them get ready in traditional Thai dress. I was so busy but it was so much fun. That night I wore an ancient vest and a traditional Thai cloth (เสื้อคอกระเช้า และผ้าถุง) which elderly women in Thailand love to wear, but I changed outfits later in the night because it was too cold to wear เสื้อคอกระเช้า และผ้าถุง. The guest admired my food, which brought me happiness. My host family was responsible for the main course in dinner and appetizers, desserts, etc. It was fun and such a great day. I decorated the house with some paper chimes, paper fish, flowers and colorful flags to create an atmosphere like Thailand. I thought sharing food and decorations with our guests was another great way to share Thai culture with Vermonters.

Snow and Pumpkins: A Unique Vermont Halloween

A spooky pumpkin gets cold, too!

Visiting Scholar Lu Jianhong, who is currently at Putney Central School, shares her thoughts about a Halloween that has both snow and spooky ghosts! Lu Jianhong celebrated the event with her host family and the ASOP curriculum coordinator, Gerry Gatz. 
Read Lu Jianhong's reflection here:

It is Halloween today. With the greetings “Happy Halloween!” or “Merry Christmas!” the kids merrily came into the classroom with a full backpack. I was greatly surprised because it was not Christmas yet. They laughed and said it was white with snow outside.

In the afternoon we held a party in the classroom and I showed the kids how to use chopsticks to pick up candies. Children could only eat candies if they picked them up with chopsticks. It was great fun for them.

After school Angela and I drove to Gerry’s home to enjoy Halloween night. When we arrived we were delighted to see a big pumpkin, lit up, carved by Gerry. After 5 pm children began to knock at the door and say “trick or treat”. Some were small kids, only about 4 or 5-years-old while some were high school students. Most of them were dressed up. When a woman dressed up in something like grapes appeared and claimed herself grandma without bringing children with her I was amused. Some children also raised money for UNICEF. Gerry was busy giving out candies from 5:00pm to 8:30pm. While this is a completely new experience for me, I think it may also be a completely new experience for some kids. Maybe they need to gather up their courage to say “trick or treat”. It is also a way of cultivating their ability to communicate with different people.

On my way back to the host family around 9:00pm, I saw some kids still walking in snow playing “trick and treat” in the icy weather.