This is a link to my new co-author article on "Critiquing ELT in Thailand" By Phongsakorn Methitham and Pisarn Bee Chamcharatsri
http://www.human.nu.ac.th/jhnu/file/journal/2011_10_10_14_52_29.Phongsakorn4.pdf
Enjoy!!
Friday, October 14, 2011
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
my Q&A session with local newspaper
http://www.indianagazette.com/articles/2009/12/28/news/10031300.txt
MONDAY Q&A: Student from Thailand adjusts to American customs, weather
MONDAY Q&A: Pisarn ``Bee'' Chamcharatsri
Published: Monday, December 28, 2009 12:07 PM EST
EDITOR'S NOTE: The story of Thailand native Pisarn ``Bee'' Chamcharatsri is representative of so many of the approximately 700 international students from 75 nations who attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He sat down recently with Gazette staffer Bob Fulton to discuss cultural differences, frigid winter weather, misconceptions about America and Thanksgiving feasting.
Question: Tell me first about coming to IUP. How long did it take you to get here from Thailand?
Answer: I flew from Bangkok and I stopped at Narita in Japan - Narita International Airport. And then I came to Chicago and then Pittsburgh and then Indiana. Altogether it was almost 20, 22 hours.
Question: When you first came here - you're all the way on the other side of the world, everything is different - what were you feeling?
Answer: The first few weeks it was really exciting, the first time to study in the States. Everything was new. But after a few weeks, like other international students I'm friends with, I started having a little of like homesickness.
Question: Had you ever been outside of Thailand?
Answer: Yes, I was in Canada for a month. But this is the longest period of time that I've been away.
Question: Where did you go in Canada?
Answer: I was in Alberta, in Calgary, studying English - intensive English.
Question: Why did you decide the study in the United States?
Answer: I actually talked to my professor back home and she recommended I come to IUP. Another reason is that I think the educational system here is similar to the educational system in Thailand. And another thing, I think, is the accessibility of information - it's easier to get access to the information here in the States compared to Thailand.
Question: When did you come to IUP?
Answer: August 2006.
Question: And you're a doctoral student?
Answer: Yes. I did my master's here at IUP and I did my undergrad work in Thailand.
Question: What are you studying?
Answer: English-Composition and TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages).
Question: Have the students here helped in any way to make you feel at home?
Answer: I would say yes and no. Yes, in terms of the students here at IUP in general are really understanding, they are helpful. Whenever I ask for help they are willing to help me. But for the no part, I think one thing - I don't want to say it's problematic, but there's some kind of misunderstanding I would say - that students here sometimes, I don't believe, are comfortable talking to international students. It might be because they never really had exposure to international students. So I would have like people staring at me, but they never really come and talk to me.
Question: What do you like about IUP and Indiana, and what don't you like?
Answer: What I like about IUP is my professors and colleagues. Apart from that, Indiana is a small town, but people are friendly, I would say. And because it's a small town it's easy to access - you don't have traffic and you don't have any logistical issues. But what I don't like about IUP, well, food is always an issue for international students, I would say. But I also hear some American students complaining about food. I think it's common.
Question: Well how about the United States as a whole - what do you like and what don't you like?
Answer: For the USA in general, I like it in terms of ... well, I traveled to the West last winter, went to California. I've also been to Florida, to New York. I think it's the diversity that, when I go to the West I see different kinds of people, different scenery, go to the North, a different one, go to the South, it's totally different. I think that's what I notice, is the diversity whenever I go somewhere else. As for the people in general, they are really friendly and really helpful. I've been to a lot of different places, but I haven't really had any bad experiences so far in terms of interaction with people.
Question: Did you have any misconceptions about the United States or Americans that, when you came to this country, you discovered were totally wrong?
Answer: I didn't really have misconceptions but my friend did. After I was here for about a year and I went back home, one of my friends asked me about the houses - they asked if the houses in the place where I live were the same as in the Hollywood movies. I said, well, no (laughing). No, no. Misconceptions, yeah, I think I might have one. I see students here who still stay with their parents. When I was young I always thought that American kids when they are about 18 or 19 they are moving out and staying by their own. I guess that's one. I think it's OK, because in Asia most kids stay with their parents until they get married.
Question: Are there any American customs you find peculiar? I mean, what struck you, at first, as really odd?
Answer: I think the hunting would be the answer (laughing heartily). When I was in the dorm for the first year, the opposite room of mine they were American students. We are still friends. One of the roommates, he is a big hunter. He actually goes back home every other week just to hunt. He knows what he can hunt each week by heart. I was amazed by that. And just walking through campus, I've heard a lot about the hunting culture.
Question: Besides maybe the food and the language, is there anything else you had difficulty adjusting to in this country? Thailand's not far from the equator - maybe the weather?
Answer: Yes, the weather. The first time that I have to live through the real winter season, it was a little bit rough. The first year when I was on campus that was OK because I just walked. But the driving through the snow, that's difficult. And the transition between the fall and the winter is the worst. Like you get the sleet, you get hail. It never gets cold back home. We never really go below 60, 65 (degrees). Right now is the perfect temperature for going to the beach in Thailand. That's something I miss about coming here.
Question: Are you surprised by how little most Americans know of Thailand?
Answer: If you say ``Thailand'' people will always be confused about Thailand and Taiwan. They will think like it's the same country and I'll say ``No, no, it's a different country.'' Sometimes they might not know where it is, but since we have a big tourism industry there, lots of people know about the beaches. But they don't really know about what else is there.
Question: You mentioned you went out West and to Florida. Where did you go?
Answer: I went to national parks.
Question: Which ones?
Answer: I went to the Grand Canyon, Sequoia, King's Canyon, Saguaro in Arizona, Glacier National Park, Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone and the Everglades. And the Grand Tetons, too.
Question: You live so far from home - how often do you get back to Thailand?
Answer: Once a year, I would say. The first time I went home I went there during the winter break, three or four weeks. The last time that I went home was three months, over the summer.
Question: Is it difficult for you, over the Christmas break, for example, when other kids go home and you and the international students mostly stay here?
Answer: It is. It is very difficult. Everything is closed, no one's here, the town is practically dead, you don't have any other places to go. If you don't have a car that's even worse, you don't any access to anything. And even though the bus system is getting better now, over the holidays you don't have any buses to go to Walmart. You don't even have the chance to go shopping anywhere.
Question: When will you get your doctorate?
Answer: I still have to write my dissertation - probably at least two or three years to finish my doctorate.
Question: Whenever you go back home, what do you think your favorite memory of this whole experience will be?
Answer: It's probably going to be winter (laughing). Well, besides that, the Thanksgiving. Because I have my host family, and Carol Worrell invites my other international friends and I to her place and we have a Thanksgiving meal almost every year.
Question: Are you impressed by the amount of food Americans serve at Thanksgiving?
Answer: One of the first Thanksgiving meals that I had, one of my friends invited me to his place. I saw so much food on the table. And then the leftovers, I don't know how people manage to eat them all.
Question: After you finish your doctorate, a couple years down the road, what do you want to do with your life?
Answer: I plan to at least get some teaching experience here in the States. But towards the end of the road I'm going back to Thailand to teach and help Thai students to at least give them an equal opportunity to get some knowledge.
NEXT WEEK: IUP grad Jim Self, a professor of tuba at the University of Southern California.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Do you know someone who would be a great subject for the Monday Q&A? If so, please call Jason Levan at (724) 465-5555, ext. 270.
AT A GLANCE......
Name: Pisarn ``Bee'' Chamcharatsri
Job: Graduate student
Age: 31
Hometown: Bangkok, Thailand
Family: Father Songkiat, mother Siriwan, brothers Phanuamon and Suphot
Favorite foods: Spicy chicken with basil
Food I refuse to eat: I eat everything.
Favorite movie: ``Sleepless in Seattle''
Last book I read: ``Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee,'' by Dee Brown
Favorite way to spend a day: Reading on the front porch
People who most inspire me: My parents
My life goal: Become an English professor
Something most people don't know about me: I want to be a novelist, and I have an M.A. in advertising and public relations.
MONDAY Q&A: Student from Thailand adjusts to American customs, weather
MONDAY Q&A: Pisarn ``Bee'' Chamcharatsri
Published: Monday, December 28, 2009 12:07 PM EST
EDITOR'S NOTE: The story of Thailand native Pisarn ``Bee'' Chamcharatsri is representative of so many of the approximately 700 international students from 75 nations who attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He sat down recently with Gazette staffer Bob Fulton to discuss cultural differences, frigid winter weather, misconceptions about America and Thanksgiving feasting.
Question: Tell me first about coming to IUP. How long did it take you to get here from Thailand?
Answer: I flew from Bangkok and I stopped at Narita in Japan - Narita International Airport. And then I came to Chicago and then Pittsburgh and then Indiana. Altogether it was almost 20, 22 hours.
Question: When you first came here - you're all the way on the other side of the world, everything is different - what were you feeling?
Answer: The first few weeks it was really exciting, the first time to study in the States. Everything was new. But after a few weeks, like other international students I'm friends with, I started having a little of like homesickness.
Question: Had you ever been outside of Thailand?
Answer: Yes, I was in Canada for a month. But this is the longest period of time that I've been away.
Question: Where did you go in Canada?
Answer: I was in Alberta, in Calgary, studying English - intensive English.
Question: Why did you decide the study in the United States?
Answer: I actually talked to my professor back home and she recommended I come to IUP. Another reason is that I think the educational system here is similar to the educational system in Thailand. And another thing, I think, is the accessibility of information - it's easier to get access to the information here in the States compared to Thailand.
Question: When did you come to IUP?
Answer: August 2006.
Question: And you're a doctoral student?
Answer: Yes. I did my master's here at IUP and I did my undergrad work in Thailand.
Question: What are you studying?
Answer: English-Composition and TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages).
Question: Have the students here helped in any way to make you feel at home?
Answer: I would say yes and no. Yes, in terms of the students here at IUP in general are really understanding, they are helpful. Whenever I ask for help they are willing to help me. But for the no part, I think one thing - I don't want to say it's problematic, but there's some kind of misunderstanding I would say - that students here sometimes, I don't believe, are comfortable talking to international students. It might be because they never really had exposure to international students. So I would have like people staring at me, but they never really come and talk to me.
Question: What do you like about IUP and Indiana, and what don't you like?
Answer: What I like about IUP is my professors and colleagues. Apart from that, Indiana is a small town, but people are friendly, I would say. And because it's a small town it's easy to access - you don't have traffic and you don't have any logistical issues. But what I don't like about IUP, well, food is always an issue for international students, I would say. But I also hear some American students complaining about food. I think it's common.
Question: Well how about the United States as a whole - what do you like and what don't you like?
Answer: For the USA in general, I like it in terms of ... well, I traveled to the West last winter, went to California. I've also been to Florida, to New York. I think it's the diversity that, when I go to the West I see different kinds of people, different scenery, go to the North, a different one, go to the South, it's totally different. I think that's what I notice, is the diversity whenever I go somewhere else. As for the people in general, they are really friendly and really helpful. I've been to a lot of different places, but I haven't really had any bad experiences so far in terms of interaction with people.
Question: Did you have any misconceptions about the United States or Americans that, when you came to this country, you discovered were totally wrong?
Answer: I didn't really have misconceptions but my friend did. After I was here for about a year and I went back home, one of my friends asked me about the houses - they asked if the houses in the place where I live were the same as in the Hollywood movies. I said, well, no (laughing). No, no. Misconceptions, yeah, I think I might have one. I see students here who still stay with their parents. When I was young I always thought that American kids when they are about 18 or 19 they are moving out and staying by their own. I guess that's one. I think it's OK, because in Asia most kids stay with their parents until they get married.
Question: Are there any American customs you find peculiar? I mean, what struck you, at first, as really odd?
Answer: I think the hunting would be the answer (laughing heartily). When I was in the dorm for the first year, the opposite room of mine they were American students. We are still friends. One of the roommates, he is a big hunter. He actually goes back home every other week just to hunt. He knows what he can hunt each week by heart. I was amazed by that. And just walking through campus, I've heard a lot about the hunting culture.
Question: Besides maybe the food and the language, is there anything else you had difficulty adjusting to in this country? Thailand's not far from the equator - maybe the weather?
Answer: Yes, the weather. The first time that I have to live through the real winter season, it was a little bit rough. The first year when I was on campus that was OK because I just walked. But the driving through the snow, that's difficult. And the transition between the fall and the winter is the worst. Like you get the sleet, you get hail. It never gets cold back home. We never really go below 60, 65 (degrees). Right now is the perfect temperature for going to the beach in Thailand. That's something I miss about coming here.
Question: Are you surprised by how little most Americans know of Thailand?
Answer: If you say ``Thailand'' people will always be confused about Thailand and Taiwan. They will think like it's the same country and I'll say ``No, no, it's a different country.'' Sometimes they might not know where it is, but since we have a big tourism industry there, lots of people know about the beaches. But they don't really know about what else is there.
Question: You mentioned you went out West and to Florida. Where did you go?
Answer: I went to national parks.
Question: Which ones?
Answer: I went to the Grand Canyon, Sequoia, King's Canyon, Saguaro in Arizona, Glacier National Park, Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone and the Everglades. And the Grand Tetons, too.
Question: You live so far from home - how often do you get back to Thailand?
Answer: Once a year, I would say. The first time I went home I went there during the winter break, three or four weeks. The last time that I went home was three months, over the summer.
Question: Is it difficult for you, over the Christmas break, for example, when other kids go home and you and the international students mostly stay here?
Answer: It is. It is very difficult. Everything is closed, no one's here, the town is practically dead, you don't have any other places to go. If you don't have a car that's even worse, you don't any access to anything. And even though the bus system is getting better now, over the holidays you don't have any buses to go to Walmart. You don't even have the chance to go shopping anywhere.
Question: When will you get your doctorate?
Answer: I still have to write my dissertation - probably at least two or three years to finish my doctorate.
Question: Whenever you go back home, what do you think your favorite memory of this whole experience will be?
Answer: It's probably going to be winter (laughing). Well, besides that, the Thanksgiving. Because I have my host family, and Carol Worrell invites my other international friends and I to her place and we have a Thanksgiving meal almost every year.
Question: Are you impressed by the amount of food Americans serve at Thanksgiving?
Answer: One of the first Thanksgiving meals that I had, one of my friends invited me to his place. I saw so much food on the table. And then the leftovers, I don't know how people manage to eat them all.
Question: After you finish your doctorate, a couple years down the road, what do you want to do with your life?
Answer: I plan to at least get some teaching experience here in the States. But towards the end of the road I'm going back to Thailand to teach and help Thai students to at least give them an equal opportunity to get some knowledge.
NEXT WEEK: IUP grad Jim Self, a professor of tuba at the University of Southern California.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Do you know someone who would be a great subject for the Monday Q&A? If so, please call Jason Levan at (724) 465-5555, ext. 270.
AT A GLANCE......
Name: Pisarn ``Bee'' Chamcharatsri
Job: Graduate student
Age: 31
Hometown: Bangkok, Thailand
Family: Father Songkiat, mother Siriwan, brothers Phanuamon and Suphot
Favorite foods: Spicy chicken with basil
Food I refuse to eat: I eat everything.
Favorite movie: ``Sleepless in Seattle''
Last book I read: ``Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee,'' by Dee Brown
Favorite way to spend a day: Reading on the front porch
People who most inspire me: My parents
My life goal: Become an English professor
Something most people don't know about me: I want to be a novelist, and I have an M.A. in advertising and public relations.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Guacamole: Yummy
2 Avocados
1 tomato or 5-6 cherry tomatoes
2 cloves of garlics
1-2 lime
1 Tbs of chopped cilantro
a few fresh chili
Salt
Serving: 5-6 people
Mixture:
1. Finely chop or blend garlics
2. Peel avocados into the mixing bowl
3. Mix two ingredients together. Mashing avocados while mixing with fork
4. squeeze fresh lime onto the mixture to oxidize the avocados so that it wont turn dark
5. add finely chopped chili and chopped and diced tomatoes
6. put some salt
7. Taste to your own flavor...
enjoy cooking!
1 tomato or 5-6 cherry tomatoes
2 cloves of garlics
1-2 lime
1 Tbs of chopped cilantro
a few fresh chili
Salt
Serving: 5-6 people
Mixture:
1. Finely chop or blend garlics
2. Peel avocados into the mixing bowl
3. Mix two ingredients together. Mashing avocados while mixing with fork
4. squeeze fresh lime onto the mixture to oxidize the avocados so that it wont turn dark
5. add finely chopped chili and chopped and diced tomatoes
6. put some salt
7. Taste to your own flavor...
enjoy cooking!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Second Language Writers and Creative Writing
This is my most recent article on creative writing and L2 writers. You can click on the link to read the full text.
Second Language Writers and Creative Writing
Should you have any comments or questions, please let me know.
Bee
Second Language Writers and Creative Writing
Should you have any comments or questions, please let me know.
Bee
Saturday, October 3, 2009
CFP: Academic Literacies Symposium
The Interdisciplinary Approaches to Academic Literacies Symposium aims to expand current understandings of academic literacies of diverse student populations. The conference will be February 27 and 28, 2010, at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. You are invited to submit proposals by October 15, 2009. Multiple submissions are allowed. Proposals can include, but are not limited to the following research areas:
• Academic Literacy
• Literacy Socialization
• Second Language Writing and Reading
• Academic, and Scientific Discourses
• Discourse Analysis and/or Intercultural Rhetoric
• Technology and Academic Literacy
• Multimodal literacy practices
• Plagiarism and/or Intellectual Property
• Assessment
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
SURESH CANAGARAJAH: Suresh Canagarajah is a Krigby Professor of English and the director of the Migration Studies Project at Penn State University. His book Resisting Linguistic Imperialism in English Teaching won the Modern Language Association’s Mina Shaughnessy Award for the best research publication on the teaching of language and literacy. His subsequent publication Geopolitics of Academic Writing won the Gary Olson Award for the best book in social and rhetorical theory.
ALAN HIRVELA: Alan Hirvela is an Associate Professor in the Foreign and Second Language Education department at the Ohio State University. Alan has recently co-edited Oral-Literate Connection: Perspectives on L2 Speaking, Writing, and Other Media Interactions with Diane Belcher and is now serving as a co-editor of TESOL Quarterly.
PROPOSAL FORMAT:
Proposals should be no more than three single spaced pages and should include the following: The research question(s), theoretical framework, methodology, findings and/or issues for further discussion, and the projected contributions to scholarship on Academic Literacies. Please fill out the Proposal Format form, located at http://www.english.iup.edu/academicliteracies/
TYPES OF PRESENTATIONS:
• Papers
• Posters
• Roundtable Conversation
• Graduate Research DEADLINES:
All proposals must be submitted by October 15, 2009.
Notifications will be sent by November 15, 2009.
Completed manuscripts are due February 15, 2010.
Please send your proposals to Dr. Lisya Seloni at
lisyaseloni@gmail.com
• Academic Literacy
• Literacy Socialization
• Second Language Writing and Reading
• Academic, and Scientific Discourses
• Discourse Analysis and/or Intercultural Rhetoric
• Technology and Academic Literacy
• Multimodal literacy practices
• Plagiarism and/or Intellectual Property
• Assessment
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
SURESH CANAGARAJAH: Suresh Canagarajah is a Krigby Professor of English and the director of the Migration Studies Project at Penn State University. His book Resisting Linguistic Imperialism in English Teaching won the Modern Language Association’s Mina Shaughnessy Award for the best research publication on the teaching of language and literacy. His subsequent publication Geopolitics of Academic Writing won the Gary Olson Award for the best book in social and rhetorical theory.
ALAN HIRVELA: Alan Hirvela is an Associate Professor in the Foreign and Second Language Education department at the Ohio State University. Alan has recently co-edited Oral-Literate Connection: Perspectives on L2 Speaking, Writing, and Other Media Interactions with Diane Belcher and is now serving as a co-editor of TESOL Quarterly.
PROPOSAL FORMAT:
Proposals should be no more than three single spaced pages and should include the following: The research question(s), theoretical framework, methodology, findings and/or issues for further discussion, and the projected contributions to scholarship on Academic Literacies. Please fill out the Proposal Format form, located at http://www.english.iup.edu/academicliteracies/
TYPES OF PRESENTATIONS:
• Papers
• Posters
• Roundtable Conversation
• Graduate Research DEADLINES:
All proposals must be submitted by October 15, 2009.
Notifications will be sent by November 15, 2009.
Completed manuscripts are due February 15, 2010.
Please send your proposals to Dr. Lisya Seloni at
lisyaseloni@gmail.com
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
CFP: Symposium on L2 Writing in Spain
Call for proposals
The 2010 Symposium Organizing Committee seeks proposals for 20-minute presentations that address various topics within the field of L2 writing broadly defined. Any topic related to second language writing theory, research, or teaching is welcome. We particularly encourage proposals that seek to challenge the status quo in the field by introducing new topics as well as new theoretical and methodological approaches.
As with all previous nine Symposium iterations, we are interested in L2 writing issues in any second or foreign language, at various levels of education, and in the professions. Given the theme of the Symposium, we particularly encourage proposals that connect L2 writing with other related areas of inquiry, such as computer assisted instruction, second language acquisition, sociocultural theories, linguistics, psychological and educational sciences, language testing, or rhetoric. We welcome proposals from around the world.
To submit your proposal, please use the proposal submission form available at http://sslw.asu.edu/2010/proposal.html.
Proposals must include both an abstract (limited to 300 words) and a proposal summary (50 words). Proposals must be received by 23:59:59 November 15th, 2009 (Spanish time).
Proposals will be peer reviewed by a panel of experts. Notification of acceptance 20th December 2009.
For more information about SSLW 2010, please visit: http://sslw.asu.edu/2010/ We look forward to receiving your proposal!
Paul Kei Matsuda and Tony Silva, Chairs
Rosa Manchón, Local Chair
The 2010 Symposium Organizing Committee seeks proposals for 20-minute presentations that address various topics within the field of L2 writing broadly defined. Any topic related to second language writing theory, research, or teaching is welcome. We particularly encourage proposals that seek to challenge the status quo in the field by introducing new topics as well as new theoretical and methodological approaches.
As with all previous nine Symposium iterations, we are interested in L2 writing issues in any second or foreign language, at various levels of education, and in the professions. Given the theme of the Symposium, we particularly encourage proposals that connect L2 writing with other related areas of inquiry, such as computer assisted instruction, second language acquisition, sociocultural theories, linguistics, psychological and educational sciences, language testing, or rhetoric. We welcome proposals from around the world.
To submit your proposal, please use the proposal submission form available at http://sslw.asu.edu/2010/proposal.html.
Proposals must include both an abstract (limited to 300 words) and a proposal summary (50 words). Proposals must be received by 23:59:59 November 15th, 2009 (Spanish time).
Proposals will be peer reviewed by a panel of experts. Notification of acceptance 20th December 2009.
For more information about SSLW 2010, please visit: http://sslw.asu.edu/2010/ We look forward to receiving your proposal!
Paul Kei Matsuda and Tony Silva, Chairs
Rosa Manchón, Local Chair
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Lists of Local Publications in Thailand
As some of you may have heard about the status issue of these "expanding" circle publications comparing to those "inner" circle publications such as Applied Linguistics, TESOL Quarterly... We might have to think about publishing and using these published articles to our students so that they will also see the value of these journals as well.
ผมอยากจะแนะนำวารสารภาษาอังกฤษและการสอนภาษาอังกฤษในประเทศไทยครับ เพราะอย่างน้อยก็เป็นอีกหนึ่งทางที่คณาจารย์และนักเรียน รวมทั้งผู้ที่สนใจสามารถอ่านและค้นคว้าได้นะครับ อีกทั้งยังหาง่ายและฟรีครับ
อีกเหตุผลคือการตีพิมพ์และวารสารที่อยู่นอกประเทศมหาอำนาจนั้น จะไม่ค่อยได้รับความสนใจ และใส่ใจ ทั้งจากนักวิชาการที่อยู่ในอาณาเขตนั้น และ นักวิชาการที่อยู่ในประเทศนอกมหาอำนาจเช่นกัน ดังนั้น ถ้าเราให้ความสนใจมากขึ้น โดนใช้ความรู้ อ่านและตีพิมพ์ทั้งสองช่องทาง ก็อาจจะลดช่องว่างได้ แม้ว่าจะเล็กน้อย แต่ก็ยังดีกว่าที่จะไม่ทำอะไรเลยนะครับ
1. Asian EFL Journal (Free online articles)
2. rEFLections (KMUTT/Free online articles)
3. Thoughts (Chula)
4. Pasaa (CULI, Chula)
5. Journal of English Studies (TU/ Free online articles)
Please add more journal titles to expand the list of possible publication outlets
ถ้าอยากจะแนะนำวารสารอื่นๆ สามารถเขียนเพิ่มไว้ได้เลยนะครับ
ผมอยากจะแนะนำวารสารภาษาอังกฤษและการสอนภาษาอังกฤษในประเทศไทยครับ เพราะอย่างน้อยก็เป็นอีกหนึ่งทางที่คณาจารย์และนักเรียน รวมทั้งผู้ที่สนใจสามารถอ่านและค้นคว้าได้นะครับ อีกทั้งยังหาง่ายและฟรีครับ
อีกเหตุผลคือการตีพิมพ์และวารสารที่อยู่นอกประเทศมหาอำนาจนั้น จะไม่ค่อยได้รับความสนใจ และใส่ใจ ทั้งจากนักวิชาการที่อยู่ในอาณาเขตนั้น และ นักวิชาการที่อยู่ในประเทศนอกมหาอำนาจเช่นกัน ดังนั้น ถ้าเราให้ความสนใจมากขึ้น โดนใช้ความรู้ อ่านและตีพิมพ์ทั้งสองช่องทาง ก็อาจจะลดช่องว่างได้ แม้ว่าจะเล็กน้อย แต่ก็ยังดีกว่าที่จะไม่ทำอะไรเลยนะครับ
1. Asian EFL Journal (Free online articles)
2. rEFLections (KMUTT/Free online articles)
3. Thoughts (Chula)
4. Pasaa (CULI, Chula)
5. Journal of English Studies (TU/ Free online articles)
Please add more journal titles to expand the list of possible publication outlets
ถ้าอยากจะแนะนำวารสารอื่นๆ สามารถเขียนเพิ่มไว้ได้เลยนะครับ
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Why not newspaper articles?
You might wonder and be amazed why I do not recommend using newspaper articles in your classrooms especially in high school and first year college levels. There are several reasons of this blog.
1. It is too difficult for these students to understand.
2. It is impossible for these students to use the articles as model in their language use.
3. It might hinder students' motivation in learning English.
I know what you are thinking right now. (Yes, I know I'm crazy) You might be thinking that the theory of language learning proposes the (i+1) theory or zone of proximal development (ZPD) proposed by Vygotsky is supposed to be an ideal learning environment in which language learners to be succeeded in learning, they need to be exposed to the higher level of their language proficiencies. However, the newspaper article is not appropriate to be used in the high school and first year college levels because the language used in the newspaper articles is way too high. they might not be able to imitate language use for their own sake. Also, the difficulty might in fact hinder student's motivation.
1. It is too difficult for these students to understand.
2. It is impossible for these students to use the articles as model in their language use.
3. It might hinder students' motivation in learning English.
I know what you are thinking right now. (Yes, I know I'm crazy) You might be thinking that the theory of language learning proposes the (i+1) theory or zone of proximal development (ZPD) proposed by Vygotsky is supposed to be an ideal learning environment in which language learners to be succeeded in learning, they need to be exposed to the higher level of their language proficiencies. However, the newspaper article is not appropriate to be used in the high school and first year college levels because the language used in the newspaper articles is way too high. they might not be able to imitate language use for their own sake. Also, the difficulty might in fact hinder student's motivation.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Building the learning communities - มาสร้างเครือข่ายการเรียนรู้กันเถอะ
It has come to my attention many scholars agree on the same ground on the differences of teachers in knowledge body between college and basic education levels. This same thought is perceived by many in-service teachers in Thailand as well. Teachers always think that college teachers have more access to resources in which they can use to further their research projects or to solve teaching problems they face. Apart from that the perception on the differences in teaching loads also discussed that college professors teach lesser loads/hours than basic schooling ones. I also experience myself on this issue in which I have agreed to come and volunteer for the school if I have a chance to teach the college level in Thailand. Those basic ed teachers replied to me that everyone said the same thing, but they did not really come!
ผมได้อ่านและได้ประสบการ์ณกับตนเองเกี่ยวกับเรื่องที่กล่าวได้ว่า เป็นตัวแปรที่หลายคนพูดถึง เกี่ยวกับเส้นแบ่งบางๆของผู้สอนในระดับอุดมศึกษากับระดับประถม-มัธยม ทั้งด้านจำนวนชั่วโมงสอนที่ส่วนใหญ่มักจะบอกว่า อาจารย์ที่สอนในระดับอุดมศึกษามีชั่วโมงการสอนที่น้อยกว่า อีกทั้งยังสามารถเข้าถึงและค้นหาข้อมูลได้ง่ายกว่าอีกด้วย ซึ่งถ้าจะว่ากันตามตรง ก็คงมาบางส่วนที่มีความเป็นไปได้ วารสารและหนังสือต่างๆที่ทางห้องสมุดของทางมหาวิทยาลัยมีงบสนับสนุนในการจัดซื้อ ประสบการณ์ตรงของผมเองก็เกี่ยวกับเรื่องดังกล่าว โดยที่ผมได้สัญญากับทาง โรงเรียนระดับมัธยมแห่งหนึ่งว่า ผมจะมาช่วยสอนเด็กๆ ถ้าผมได้กลับมาสอนในประเทศไทย คำตอบที่ได้จากครูในโรงเรียนคือ ไม่เชื่อแน่นอนเพราะหลายคนก็ชอบพูดแบบนี้
I am not going to discuss the issue of accessibility of knowledge or those issues as they are related to the policy from each institution. However, I would like to promote the network building between basic education schooling and college faculty by proposing the following guidelines.
ในการเขียนครั้งนี้ ผมขอไม่พูดถึงเรื่องที่เกี่ยวกับกฏเกณฑ์และแนวการปฏิบัติของแต่ละสถานศึกษา แต่จะเขียนเพื่อเสนอความเห็นในการกระชับความสัมพันธ์ และสร้างเครือข่ายระหว่างอาจารย์ทั้งในระดับอุดมศึกษาและในระดับประถม-มัธยม
1. Arrange a one-day seminar to local schools or request the local university to hold a seminar for the school.
๑. จัดการสัมมนาระยะสั้นๆที่โรงเรียน หรือทางโรงเรียนจะขอให้ทางมหาวิทยาลัยจัดสัมมนาให้ก็ได้
2. Free/low-cost library access both physical and internet resources
๒. ให้อาจารย์ได้ใช้ห้องสมุดได้ฟรีหรือใช้ได้ในราคาถูก ทั้งการใช้หรือหยิบยืมหนังสือจากห้องสมุดและการเข้าค้นหาข้อมูลทางอินเตอร์เนต
3. Volunteering to teach in school/university a few hours per week
๓. อาสาสมัครเข้าไปสอนในโรงเรียนหรือเชิญอาจารย์จากที่โรงเรียนมาสอนในมหาวิทยาลัย
4. Creating blogs or printed newsletters about teaching and learning in exchanging ideas and teaching practices
๔. สร้างห้องการสนทนาทางอินเตอร์เนต หรือ พิมพ์จดหมายข่าวเกี่ยวกับการเรียน-การสอน เพื่อแลกเปลี่ยนความคิดเห็น
These are just my proposal, which I practice what I preach, to this issue. I will come and add more possible guidelines in the future.
ผมขอแนะนำในสิ่งที่ผมปฏิบัติแค่นี้ก่อนนะครับ ไว้คราวหน้าผมจะเข้ามาเพิ่มเติมอีกนะครับ
ผมได้อ่านและได้ประสบการ์ณกับตนเองเกี่ยวกับเรื่องที่กล่าวได้ว่า เป็นตัวแปรที่หลายคนพูดถึง เกี่ยวกับเส้นแบ่งบางๆของผู้สอนในระดับอุดมศึกษากับระดับประถม-มัธยม ทั้งด้านจำนวนชั่วโมงสอนที่ส่วนใหญ่มักจะบอกว่า อาจารย์ที่สอนในระดับอุดมศึกษามีชั่วโมงการสอนที่น้อยกว่า อีกทั้งยังสามารถเข้าถึงและค้นหาข้อมูลได้ง่ายกว่าอีกด้วย ซึ่งถ้าจะว่ากันตามตรง ก็คงมาบางส่วนที่มีความเป็นไปได้ วารสารและหนังสือต่างๆที่ทางห้องสมุดของทางมหาวิทยาลัยมีงบสนับสนุนในการจัดซื้อ ประสบการณ์ตรงของผมเองก็เกี่ยวกับเรื่องดังกล่าว โดยที่ผมได้สัญญากับทาง โรงเรียนระดับมัธยมแห่งหนึ่งว่า ผมจะมาช่วยสอนเด็กๆ ถ้าผมได้กลับมาสอนในประเทศไทย คำตอบที่ได้จากครูในโรงเรียนคือ ไม่เชื่อแน่นอนเพราะหลายคนก็ชอบพูดแบบนี้
I am not going to discuss the issue of accessibility of knowledge or those issues as they are related to the policy from each institution. However, I would like to promote the network building between basic education schooling and college faculty by proposing the following guidelines.
ในการเขียนครั้งนี้ ผมขอไม่พูดถึงเรื่องที่เกี่ยวกับกฏเกณฑ์และแนวการปฏิบัติของแต่ละสถานศึกษา แต่จะเขียนเพื่อเสนอความเห็นในการกระชับความสัมพันธ์ และสร้างเครือข่ายระหว่างอาจารย์ทั้งในระดับอุดมศึกษาและในระดับประถม-มัธยม
1. Arrange a one-day seminar to local schools or request the local university to hold a seminar for the school.
๑. จัดการสัมมนาระยะสั้นๆที่โรงเรียน หรือทางโรงเรียนจะขอให้ทางมหาวิทยาลัยจัดสัมมนาให้ก็ได้
2. Free/low-cost library access both physical and internet resources
๒. ให้อาจารย์ได้ใช้ห้องสมุดได้ฟรีหรือใช้ได้ในราคาถูก ทั้งการใช้หรือหยิบยืมหนังสือจากห้องสมุดและการเข้าค้นหาข้อมูลทางอินเตอร์เนต
3. Volunteering to teach in school/university a few hours per week
๓. อาสาสมัครเข้าไปสอนในโรงเรียนหรือเชิญอาจารย์จากที่โรงเรียนมาสอนในมหาวิทยาลัย
4. Creating blogs or printed newsletters about teaching and learning in exchanging ideas and teaching practices
๔. สร้างห้องการสนทนาทางอินเตอร์เนต หรือ พิมพ์จดหมายข่าวเกี่ยวกับการเรียน-การสอน เพื่อแลกเปลี่ยนความคิดเห็น
These are just my proposal, which I practice what I preach, to this issue. I will come and add more possible guidelines in the future.
ผมขอแนะนำในสิ่งที่ผมปฏิบัติแค่นี้ก่อนนะครับ ไว้คราวหน้าผมจะเข้ามาเพิ่มเติมอีกนะครับ
Monday, June 22, 2009
Native - Nonnative Dichotomy: Conversation continued
It has come to my attention that the issue of native (NS) and nonnative (NNS) dichotomy is an immediate topic to be discussed in Thailand. I have seen so many classified for teaching positions in Thailand specifying for "native speakers" with preferences of specific countries. This is what I believe to be the discrimination in work place.
The incentives or the payment for these native speakers are higher than local Thai language teachers. Is this really only the look with blonde hair and blue eyes? I have heard from my friend that he was in short of money while traveling in Thailand. Backpackers with maybe high school degree receive about 10 times higher than local Thai teachers. Is this the equality we are looking for in the society?
Let's start the conversation about this.
The incentives or the payment for these native speakers are higher than local Thai language teachers. Is this really only the look with blonde hair and blue eyes? I have heard from my friend that he was in short of money while traveling in Thailand. Backpackers with maybe high school degree receive about 10 times higher than local Thai teachers. Is this the equality we are looking for in the society?
Let's start the conversation about this.
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