This article was originally posted on WomenLearnThai.com.
Learning Thai in 2011…
A Facebook friend recently asked about New Years resolutions. Still working through jet-lag, I shot back, “I plan on writing a post about New Years resolutions and learning Thai, and then promptly forgetting about both until New Years next year”.
I was kidding. Obviously.
During the weeks before New Years I take stock of what I’ve accomplished the previous year, in order to make plans for the next.
I won’t natter on about accomplishments as it’s easy to see what I’ve been up to (or not) on WLT: posts by subject are in the new Archives.
There is a heap of great information just waiting to be utilised, so please do 🙂
For me personally, 2011 means studying for the Pratorn 6 test (the test is no more, but the studies are the same). To do that, I’ll be tackling my insomnia once and for all because no sleep = no Thai. But while you can look forward to everything to do with the Thai competency exam, I won’t bore you with my experiences at a sleep clinic (well, unless someone else is in need of the information).
WLT’s guest writers lineup for 2011…
WLT has the most amazing guest writers sharing posts about learning the Thai language. And in 2011, I’m going to ramp it up a notch.
In his informative series Thai Language Thai Culture, prolific guest writer Hugh Leong (Retire 2 Thailand, Retire 2 Thailand Blog, and eBooks in Thailand ) will concentrate on vocabulary building (some will be “situational vocabulary”). In every post Hugh writes I learn a heap of something new. I’m sure you do too.
Benjawan Poomsan Becker (Paiboon Publishing) has a new book coming out about her experiences in the translation industry. To wet your whistle, she sent over an interesting mini-series on this little known subject.
Hamish Chalmers (Ajarn Pasa at Tweet Yourself Thai) is coming on board with a series on the Tin Tin books and videos. It’s sure to be great stuff, so in preparation to follow along I’m gathering in TinTIn books and getting the videos into my iPhone.
James ( Jim) Higbie has generously donated his research from the renowned Thai Reference Grammar. The exact details haven’t been hammered out yet – we have the materials, just need to fine-tune the format – but we are getting there.
WLT’s regular bits for 2011…
As you know, I share the best software, books, courses, sites and advice available for learning Thai. None of that will change for 2011. It will only get better.
New for the Interviewing Successful Thai Language Learners series will be a mini-series with just the facts: experience, advice, and resources.
Also attached to the Interviewing Successful Thai Language Learners series will be an offshoot: Getting by in Thai. In the series, those not yet proficient in the Thai language will share what is presently working for them as well as their future plans. In addition, they will touch base six months after their interview to let us know what’s been happening. All good stuff. Greg Jorgensen (Bangkok Podcast and GregToDiffer) is first in line. Thanks Greg!
In January alone, there will be two giveaways to help you learn the Thai language. I won’t tell you what, but I will tell you when: January 4th and 11th. Stay tuned.
There is much more to come but if I don’t quit here this post won’t get out before the day is done!
Your involvement with WLT…
There are a number of ways you can get involved with WLT. So if you’d like to do just that, then contact me when you:
- Would like to be interviewed for the Successful Thai Language Learners series.
- Would like to be interviewed for the Getting by in Thai series.
- Have a post for Look Who’s Talking About Learning Thai.
- Know about any new Thai teachers, Thai schools, or Thai courses.
- Have new resources for the megga Learn Thai for FREE page.
- Want to become a Guest Writer for WLT.
- Are a Thai language blogger.
As ever, enjoy…
Hey Lani, Happy New Year! Nice to finally be in the year of the rabbit.
I’m slow – I was confused about the rabbits instead of Santas mixed in with Xmas decorations all over Bangkok.
Happy New Year Cat! ^ ^
Isn’t Greg hilarious? He’s the perfect choice for the start of a new series. And he even agreed to come back for a six month checkup 🙂
Happy New Year, Catherine…and I can’t wait to read the Getting By In Thai series. It cracks me up that Greg’s going to be your first interviewee!
Happy New Year’s day Martyn! What a fabulous view to cheer in the day – elephants walking by… Your comment about BBQ kebabs is making me mighty hungry – but too bad no one else in the house is (I’m the only one awake).
Catherine a big warm happy New Year to you from Udon Thani, just two hours back a mahout rode his elephant past our house. What a start to the year, our four dogs went mental but luckily from a safe distance.
2011 looks action packed again on WLT and I look forward to reading each and every post.
Just got news, one of Wilai’s aunts (the lao khao Nong Khai post one) is coming this afternoon and she’s bringing with her lots of BBQ kebabs on sticks. She makes the best I’ve ever tasted. Great news.
Joe, and let that be a lesson to me 😀
Snap, Happy New Years day to you! Thanks for being here for me as well (which reminds me, I owe you an email 🙂 Being a part of the Thai blogging scene opens one up to wonderful friendships – I recommend it to anyone coming to Thailand. It cuts the country learning curve down to a minimum (needed)… something like that anyway (need more caffeine)…
Catherine, Happy New Years (again 😉 Thanks for your help, support and shoulder, throughout 2010…I’m looking forward to 2011 in the LOS.
I don’t make New Years resolutions anymore, at least in public 🙂
I did however make one to the public that should hopefully be easy to keep on my blog. However, like you I looked back and took stock of what I did over the past year and how I would like to improve on it this year.
Thanks Talen 🙂 2011 on WLT is going to be exciting (I’m looking forward to it as too).
2010 was a shocking bad time for you, yet you came through it with flying colours. Given the same, I’m not sure I’d have been as strong. But I do know that I was a proud friend – proud at how you handled the bad hand you were dealt, and proud to lend what support I could.
Your kind friendship propped me up through tough times as well. Without you to talk sense into me, I might have quit or made other bad decisions (I so have a talent for bad!)
HUGS! And a happy New Years to you and yours!
Cat, looks like 2011 is going to be a great year for WLT and I would expect no less with you at the helm.
On a personal note, thank you for being a dear friend especially during more trying times I’ve had throughout 2010. The benefits of blogging have been many but making friends such as yourself tops the list!
I hope your New Years is perfect and here’s to a great 2011 for all of us. Cheers!