Nationality: Thai
Native language: Thai
Location: Ladphrao, Bangkok, Thailand
Birthday: July 9th, 1986
Education: Thammasat University
(Economics major/ Accounting minor)
Ramkamhaeng University
(Finance major/ Money and Banking minor)
Demonstration School, Prince of Songkla University
(Math – Science Program)
Work Experience:
Private Thai tutor, PickupThai
Private tutor of Thai, English, Math and
Business Subjects, Best Tutor Thailand
Financial analyst, Provincial Electricity Authority
Economist, Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperative
Math and Physics tutor for student pilot recruitment, Edu-tutors
Math tutor and lecture note producer, YU Academy
Years of Thai Teaching Experience: 2019-Present
Foreign Language Abilities: English (Fluent), Arabic (Beginner), Chinese (Beginner)
Hobbies: Running, reading books, listening to music, watching movies, collecting coins and playing the piano.
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Interview
Tell me about yourself.
Hello, everyone. My name is Thaniya, but you can call me “Kwan.” I was born and raised in southern Thailand and moved to Bangkok when I was a university student. Thai is my mother tongue, and I also understand the Southern dialect since I’m from the south. I have a wide range of interests, but one of my biggest passions has always been language learning and teaching. English was the first language I taught, along with Math.
How did you become a Thai teacher?
There were two key turning points that led me to become a Thai teacher. The first came when I worked as a math tutor for non-Thai students in Bangkok, and their parents expressed interest in learning Thai from me. The second occurred when I was asked to explain the ‘Tom Yum Kung crisis of 1997″ during a presentation at a fundraising meeting. I found it fascinating to explain and teach the Thai language and culture, and I realized this is what I truly enjoy doing. Since then, I’ve continued to teach Thai and now work as a full-time Thai teacher. Although teaching math is my specialty, teaching Thai is my passion.
What is your teaching approach?
I have a flexible teaching style that adapts to students’ paces and abilities. I don’t just teach the language; I also incorporate cultural learning through real-life media, whether it’s songs, clips, advertisements, movies, documentaries, newspapers, articles, traditions, games, and more. This approach makes learning fun and engaging. I believe that understanding not just the language, but also the culture, is crucial to communicating effectively.
My students appreciate that I encourage them to speak Thai, make mistakes, and then correct them. As the saying goes, “The more mistakes you make, the more you learn.” I also like to joke around with my students so they feel comfortable with me. Learning a new language can be challenging and frustrating for some, so I try to make the experience as enjoyable as possible.
What types of students have you taught?
I work with both children and adults. The youngest student I’ve taught is 8 years old, and the oldest is 75. The majority of my students have been adult learners, including expatriates, foreigners with Thai partners, tourists, and travelers. I teach both one-on-one and group classes, covering all levels from absolute beginners to advanced learners. My students have a variety of learning goals, so the types of language I teach are equally diverse. I’ve taught business Thai to executives at Central Retail Corporation, casual and formal Thai to United Nations officers, academic Thai to school-aged students, and everyday Thai to those who need to speak Thai in daily life.
How has your experience teaching Thai helped you improve as a teacher?
I’ve taught students who knew no Thai at all, as well as those who are already quite fluent. This wide range of experience has given me the ability to adapt and adjust to nearly any situation. Of course, there are still things that surprise me from time to time, but I can confidently say that my years of teaching in different settings have provided me with a valuable perspective that helps me develop effective teaching skills.
What do you like to do in your free time when you’re not teaching?
I love traveling and learning about different cultures. In my free time, I enjoy exploring my beautiful country by train, going hiking, relaxing at the beach, listening to music, playing the piano, watching movies, reading books, and learning new languages, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and Hindi. I have a passion for language learning, especially Arabic, because it’s written from right to left, which suits left-handed people like me. I believe language is the key to connecting the world, and I always have fun interacting with people who speak different languages and come from different cultures.
What benefits will students gain from knowing Thai, apart from being able to interact with local people?
Learning Thai can be both challenging and rewarding. The Thai language and culture are deeply intertwined, and the more you learn, the better you’ll understand the meaning behind idioms, nuances, expressions, and vocabulary. Learning Thai opens the door to a richer understanding of our cultural heritage, unique customs, and deep-rooted traditions. Thais also greatly appreciate foreigners who make the effort to learn their language and are always supportive of those who try.
How do you support your students in learning Thai?
As a professional Thai teacher, I am committed to helping my students succeed. I support them in every way I can, both during class and outside of it. I encourage my students to send me any questions they have while reviewing lessons or practicing Thai on their own. During our lessons, they can also let me know which aspects or topics they’d like to focus on. I believe there is no single best approach for all students, so it’s essential to explore different learning styles and find what works most effectively for each student. This is because I want to ensure the best possible results for all my students. Seeing their eyes light up and their confidence grow when they succeed is incredibly satisfying to me.
