Hi Everyone

[David]

Hi everyone

I was recently invited to start my own page on this site by a teacher who, some of you will know, I have had a difference of opinion with over approaches to teaching. As he asked so nicely, how could I refuse?

Though I am no longer an English teacher, I did spend several years teaching English in Thailand before returning to the UK. Hopefully I should be able to help anyone who has a question to find the answer. I am also a student of the Thai language, so I know that learning a language takes time and patience. Perhaps you guys will be kind enough to help me too when I have a question?! If you feel more comfortable posting your questions in Thai, instead of English, that's no problem and if I get stuck, I can always ask Ple to help me out:). Sometimes I might post an answer that some of you might disagree with. If I do, then let me know and we can explore the language together. Asking questions and disagreeing over topics is a very important part of learning anything.

I live in England now with my wife Ple and our two children, Sebastian, 6, and Emily, 4. We moved back here five years ago and live in the north in a town called Huddersfield. It isn't the most exciting place in the world but it is where I am from originally.

Best wishes
David

[David]

:) Smile

[Pat]

You brought me to tears!

[David]

Hi Khun Pat

Thank you for your comments which were much appreciated. When I was teaching in Bangkok, I always tried to gently persuade my students to question what I told them, not just accept it. By doing so, they began to explore the language more fully, gain a deeper understanding and become more independent learners. I was not always successful as for some, the approach was too different from what they had become used to. However, there were others who would challenge me every lesson and on occasion, they would be better prepared than I was! Those were the students who excelled, reaching a level where they didn't really need a teacher any longer - they could learn by themselves through experience and even teach themselves. Functional language presented as set words and phrases can be very useful, but language learning involves so much more and the journey is perhaps to be enjoyed more than the destination - it certainly was for me as a teacher, anyway.

When you made a challenge in the forum to the comments you disagreed with, I saw someone who had the right approach - someone who wasn't afraid to disagree with the teacher. In addition to being correct, you also made your point it in a way that was intelligent, appropriately presented and fair. To reach your level of ability in English is an amazing achievement and I wanted to make sure that your confidence was not damaged because of another's comments - that's why I posted myself.

I think you did the right thing by leaving the room for a while and I also think you have hit the nail on the head with your comment "life goes on". Hopefully all of us involved will have taken as least something positive from the experience, after all, every cloud has a silver lining:) For me, I have connected with lots of fantastic new people and reconnected with my teaching background after five years. I also have a new way to improve my Thai - always a good thing. This year is the first year we are not returning to Thailand for a holiday because of friends' weddings in the summer so my promise to myself is that I will work very hard for the next twelve months to improve my Thai and impress mum and dad when I see them again next year:)

Thanks too for your suggestion about moving my comments to the English Club. I will look at doing this this evening. Please excuse me if things are a little slow at first- I read Thai but more slowly than I do English though I have asked Ple to design me a lesson to interact with this site more efficiently.

Thanks again for your comments Pat and keep up the great work with your English - I am sure you will keep me sharp on subject knowledge - you, along with everyone else on the site, are a great example for me with my own challenges in the Thai language.

Best wishes
David

[Pat]

Hi David

I have been meaning to write to you for many days now. I really want to say how much I thanking you for your comments. The information you gave have given a clear understanding of the word. Please don’t think of me buttering you up. For many days now that I can’t really find the right words to say how much I truly appreciated you and your wife, what you have done for the parents in this village and definitely for me alone.

I was really wanted to reply to your first comment, but only I excused myself off that room. Reading the way he has commented to you and twisted my words to favour him is just.................... .
I do stand by my comment. I’m only regretted making a comment to him because he gets so offended. (Other mistakes would be my English and spelling)

Anyway he did have his last word and you did create your own blog, so life goes on. May I make a suggestion that you move your blog in to our English Club, so you can make your reply a lot easier?

I would have to ask you to excuse my English as I’m still learning a lot as well as trying my best for you to understand.

Best regards

Pat

[ยศภัด มีเดช]

Nice to meet you David. My english language not well.Thanks for you kind.Welcome to 2pasa's Family.

[พี่ฟ้าใส น้องไออุ่น]

Welcome to our big family, David.
Here you'll find many people who have same goal.

[ปาจรียา(แม่ป้อของอิง+หมิง+หลง)]

สวัสดีค่ะ คุณเดวิด ยินดีที่ได้รู้จักค่ะ ขอบคุณสำหรับน้ำใจที่ให้กับครอบครัวสองภาษาค่ะ

[Suthawadee C.]

Hi David, My name is Om. It's glad to have more friend from UK. You are very kind to offer hands to help us for improving our English in this website.

[KrisMum]

I know it's a bit warmer here than up in Loughborough (Near Nottingham) where I'd lived for couples of years. I've been living here for almost 5 years but we're emigrating back to Bangkok in few months time :D Your comment makes me miss the gorgeous beach in Phuket now :D

Totally, keep calm and carry on ^____^

[David]

Hi Khun Op
Thanks for you kind words - I am happy to be a part of the site and hope I will be a useful addition. If I can be of any help, please just drop me a note. I'm still finding my way around the site, so apologies if my posts don't end up in the right place to start with. I'm sure I'll get the hang of it eventually :)
Thanks again
David