This article was originally posted on WomenLearnThai.com.
The magic of learning Thai via Skype…
Having a series about learning Thai via Skype wouldn’t be complete unless I jumped in as well. Especially after hearing that a whole lot of you are chicken when it comes to technology. So, here we are…
How did I first learn about Skype? Well, when Luca Lampariello explained the beauty of learning languages via Skype in his two part series, An Easy Way to Learn Foreign Languages, the idea grabbed my attention.
Luca: I was speaking with Americans who asked me “Luca, how can you speak English like that if you’ve never been to the US before?” For those who praise the mp3 as an incredible learning resource, think one better: Skype is the real deal. Audio-material (although a tapes’ sound quality was much worse) has been around for over 40 years, but Skype has been around for much less.
Skype is tailor-made for language learning, and with this wonderful software application you’ll have no more excuses for not getting proficient in languages. Because conversation with a native is an invaluable asset.
Months later, when I was asked to recommend a Skype teacher, I dug into my google results and passed over the shortlist of Thai teachers I’d collected during Luca’s series. The reminder started me thinking about the pros and cons of learning Thai via Skype, and by the end of the morning, I was sold on the idea (but for myself).
At the top of my Skype resources was a discussion about Skype teacher Khun Narisa Naropakorn. Khun Narisa’s many glowing recommendations from students gave me the confidence to contact her about a trial lesson asap.
During our email discussion, Khun Narisa offered two options:
- Continue with my present study materials, going to Khun Narisa for clarifications.
- Or hand over the controls to Khun Narisa.
After reading even more kudos from her students, I decided to let Khun Narisa take the lead. I then sent the payment for a lesson and she sent two MS Word docs back.
Technical Check:
- Skype
- Voice recorder: Callburner (PC) Call Recorder (Mac)
- Headset: Logitech Premium Notebook
- Skype name: 😉
- Computer advice: Virus, firewall, etc.
Student Learning Assessment:
- Background: Education, location, etc.
- Desired aims: Serious – fun.
- Class schedule: Preferred times.
- Projected study time: Months ++
- Present Thai level: Beginner – Advanced.
- Operating system: Mac, PC, Linux.
I was also instructed to come to class with the 50 Thai words and ten sentences I say most often. And as you might already know, I had a jump on that one for two sentences at least.
During my first class I was totally nervous. I was also freezing because in order to prepare a cool and quiet room, I had the ac on high two hours before my scheduled class. And I’m not depending 100% on my memory about the cold or the nerves, because Call Recorder automatically saves an mp3 of each lesson to my HD. Yeah. A recording of every mistake I make. And every shiver as well. How sweet is that?
But what really helped set me at ease was Khun Narisa’s belief that video slows down the online process. A relief, because I work on my computer flat back on the sofa. Eeew. She’d be looking right up my nose.
During the first minutes of the lesson Khun Narisa felt around to discover my Thai level. To, you know, make sure that what I stated on her form (total cacca) matched my existing skills. Suffering through it all I hemmed, I hawed, and with Mr. Bunt and Duvet being locked in their room, I blushed all on my lonesome.
I was so nervous, most of my Thai leaked away before I could sputter out anything of value. But Khun Narisa’s fun personality had me laughing, and soon we were enjoying a slow back and forth.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve managed to save a lot of the wrong Thai in my blond head. And at one point, Khun Narisa smiled (yes, you can hear a smile through Skype phones) and said that my Thai translation was kindred to Shakespeare. Quaint.
With the trial lesson over, and convinced I’d found a useful addition to my learning Thai arsenal, I signed up for the long haul. Khun Narisa then sent over a bill for the tuition fee and I paid via Paypal.
Following soon after came a professionally written employment contract where I agreed to her simple terms: Any cancellations to be made 24 hours in advance. Easy.
And along with the employment contract was a request to take a personality test and get back to her with the results. I didn’t like the results so I went around the Internet taking as many personality tests as I could find for free. But I kept coming out as a ISTJ or similar – bossy, opinionated, anal, stuff like that – which meant that I’d make a good accountant. Boring, and soooo not me. The accountant part anyways.
When I sent her a fluffy email, she came back with a link that blew me away: ISTJ. Ok. That is soooo me. But I don’t have a serious bone in my body. Nope. Nadda. And what about this one – decides logically what should be done and works toward it steadily, regardless of distraction – hmmmm?
Now that Khun Narisa had my learning style sorted, she put me to work. The aim was to find where I’m lacking as well as clean up any bad Thai I’ve taken on board. To do this, each week I’m to come up with the Thai phrases in my life, as well as any Thai I’m iffy about.
During each lesson Khun Narisa types away, giving me grammar tips with a variety of sentence patterns (patterns are my new Thai love). And at the end of the lesson she reads the sentences again. She kindly does it this way so I don’t have to work through the entire recording to cut out the sound bites to practice later.
And it’s not that I don’t like listening to an hour of Khun Narisa all over again. It’s me that is the problem. I’ve yet to meet anyone who likes their own voice and I’m no different. In fact, I disliked hearing my voice so much the first lesson, that I whispered through my entire second lesson.
The Skype window is quite useful because I can watch in real time while Khun Narisa corrects my Thai, adds notes, and creates new patterns. Then, after we’ve signed off (and she always leaves me a flower) I copy the work from the window into a MS Word doc, extract the vocabulary, add any needed translations, and tidy up the files for viewing ease. The following day I create sentences of my own using her patterns, and drill myself on any new vocabulary.
The first half of the next lesson usually starts out with Khun Narisa checking over my newly created sentences while explaining any grammar snafus. The second half is devoted to new grammar, vocabulary, and more sentence patterns.
And here we are, at the bottom of my post. I’ve been given strict instructions from Khun Narisa to avoid sharing any gushy, glowing reports in her direction. And I have been careful so far. Agreed? But I’m going to take the chance that I bored her waaaay up there somewhere, so here’s a few:
Khun Narisa is first of all, a patient teacher. And I mean really, really patient. Along with her patience, Khun Narisa is also incredibly positive, upbeat, and seriously funny. Also, I find her ability to create lessons on the fly out of my sentences, complete with detailed grammar tips, truly outstanding. It’s like having a talking dictionary, Thai course, and grammar guide at the other end of my Skype connection.
I’ve discovered that learning languages via Skype is powerful. And having a teacher as skilled as Khun Narisa makes it what it should be.
So, do you think she’s still reading?
How to learn Thai via Skype, the series…
This post is part four of an eight part series.
- How to learn Thai via Skype
- Interview: Skype Thai Teacher Khun Narisa Naropakorn
- Guest Post: Study Thai Online via Skype
- My Skype Thai Language Learning Experience
- Learn Thai via Skype: Locating Teachers and Schools
- Todd Bryant and Mixxer, the Language Exchange Community
- Baby Steps to Fluency on Skype Language Exchange Partners
- Online Language Exchange Partners
Luke, I use Call Recorder, and you do have to download it (the link is in my post). But it’s free.
My post on language partners will go live next week.
Hey, I’m not so tech savy – does the automatic call-saver come with the Mac or do you have to download it? Also, what’s the best place (or how do you find) just a language partner instead of say, a teacher where you have to pay?
Thanks,
Helge, thank you for stopping by to share your experiences with Narisa. I too love her laugh and sense of humour 🙂
Hua Hin 26 august 2010
Learning Thai language online
After having visited Thailand twice, I decided that I would learn the language.
Searched for opportunities on the Internet, – at , I found Thai teacher Narisa Naropakorn which I contacted and shortly after began to receive instruction from, by Skype.
Teacher Narisa is a very experienced and competent teacher who quickly discovered how I best learn the new language and I was quickly starting to learn, although I was then 69 years old.
Have now studied for 15 months and are able to talk to Thai people and understand a great deal of what they say, especially when they speak slowly.
Learning the language via Skype is incredibly comfortable, and shows the progress through the chat board, I record all of our weekly class on my computer, so in the days between the lessons I can read and hear the whole process again and again, I use 1 -2 hours each day to repeat and practice pronunciation.
In the 15 months I have been taught by Teacher Narisa, I have, several times, traveled to Thailand and back to Denmark, almost without interrupting the weekly learning, I always have computer with me and it’s easy to find places with internet connection.
At my age it’s hard to remember, so in order to promote learning, I have also learned a memory system from the book: “MEMO” written by the Norwegian memory-master Oddbjørn By. This has greatly helped that I got so much that now I can use Thai-language in everyday life.
But the main reason for my success is unconditional that I have the best teacher you can imagine, Teacher Narisa is very critical, demanding accuracy and courtesy, but is also patient and gives both praise and penalty.
She has a wonderful sense of humor, as an extra benefit we get, almost every time, also a good and healthy laugh.
Best regards
Helge Rasmussen
Good morning Paul. I use Thai lessons to keep myself motivated to study. If I don’t have someone waiting to see how I’ve progressed, I can forget about them for months. Life can just be so busy/wonky sometimes.
If you are mainly after controlled conversation, depending on your level, Skype teachers as well as Skype language partners are available. I don’t have any experience with Skype partners, so there is an interview on the way.
It does sound like you’ve found something that works for you Cat. I’ve never had any Thai lessons and I’m sure my Thai would benefit from them. I can read fairly well, but I often get a bit toungue tied. This is something I’ll definitely look into at a later date.
Thank you for stopping by John. I am feeling a bit easier, but having to listen to those mistakes over again… ouch! It’s going to take awhile.
Hi Talen. I just stopped by your blog and it looks like you’ve got wet wet wet on the outside now. It almost rained here, but I don’t believe it did. My fingers are crossed for a dry Monday and Tuesday for you as well. And I’m looking forward to hearing all about it 🙂
Cat, for the moment everything is dry so with fingers crossed I will be checking out language classes on Monday and Tuesday. The extra classes through Khun Narisa will hopefully be just the ticket to get me where I need to be a Little quicker.
Catherine,
I identify completely with your nervouseness at the first lesson(s) with Narisa, the web cam and listening to your mistakes when reviewing the MP3 files.
Things get overwhelming at times but she allows the student to relax a little from time to time. As you get better acquainted the nervousness goes away and the fun begins.
Martyn, I’m glad you enjoyed reading it because I enjoyed writing it down. Skype is new to me, and you know how I love finding out how new things work. Especially when they do.
David does a good job of teaching how to read and write, so you are in good hands. Khun Narisa doesn’t really teach that part in depth, but it’s better your own anyway. Easy as she goes.
Does K N smoke? I don’t believe she does. She doesn’t take breaks, that I know. But I do have to plead Uncle sometimes.
You and your monkeys (and what a fun post 😀
Catherine I really enjoyed the read. Before I had the general idea of what is was all about but this post has walked me through it. Like you I would much prefer the video block as it would probably quadruple my concentration and benefits.
I’ve started going back through David Smyth’s Teach Yourself Thai with the intention (as always…) of getting a little grip on the reading and writing side of the language. Assuming I can do that then I will really consider seriously looking at the Skype option, you have convinced me with this post that it would be my best option. However I would like to get past the baby beginner stage first.
Does Khun Narisa smoke, because we’d have to have at least two cigarette breaks in a hour. Sitting still and concentrating for 60 minutes would be a problem for me.
Please don’t throw any virtual rocks at my IP address but the monkey punchline was Branch Manager.
That’s corny….okay you can chuck a couple but make em small ones.
Do you mean once you get your feet dried out? 😀 You’ve had such an experience since you arrived Talen. I hope it calms down soon for you.
And when it does, I’m sure you’ll enjoy Khun Narisa’s teaching style (like I do).
Great Cat, I think you just cinched the deal for me…once I get into my weekly classes and have my head in the right place I will be contacting Khun Narisa to give me that extra push.
Welcome Emil 🙂 Skype is perfect for introverts because they can concentrate on the class and not on everything else crowding in.
For instance, if you go to Thai classes in BKK, there is traffic. A lot of traffic. On a bad day, traffic is tiring and annoying. On a good day it’s interesting, sure. But in the hot season it’s murder.
If a Thai teacher comes to you, then there is all the preparation. For me anyway. There’s the foofing (need to look presentable), the dishes, and picking up around the place.
With Skype, you can block the video so taking a Thai class in your pj’s is totally fine.
Another point I’ve noticed is that when I haven’t slept for several days, having a Thai lesson is not as difficult because my tiredness cannot be seen. So I’m not concentrating on how tired I might look. It’s still there and we joke around it, but it’s not as big an issue.
I’m not sure, but I certainly did.
This whole learning by Skype thing has piqued my interest somewhat. What interests me in particular is that you have been so postive about the method – despite being an introvert. I’m rather shy myself – perhaps even too shy for Skype, but I’ll watch this series with great interest before I disregard the idea completely.