Comments on: Successful Thai Language Learner: Glenn Slayden

By: Interviewing Successful Thai Language Learners: Hugh Leong | Women Learning Thai... and some men too ;-)

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 01:02:36 +0000

[...] a fantastic resource! As always, my personal thanks goes to: Hugh Leong, Terry Fredrickson, Glenn Slayden, Rikker Dockum, David Smyth, Tom Parker, David Long, Aaron Handel, and Chris [...]

By: Catherine Wentworth

Catherine Wentworth — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:10:58 +0000

Hi Keith, thanks for the explanation. I now see where you are coming from.

‘Dr. Brown seems to have been the only successful Thai language learner that has actually searched for and found a better way of learning Thai.’

I’ve been so swamped that I have not made it over to AUA to try it out for myself, so I really can’t jump in from experience (but I promise, I will make it over there). I do know that there are people who attended AUA that didn’t like the new program, and some who attend believe that there is no other way for them.

And like you mention on your blog, passive learning does work. And I can attest to the truth in that personally. When I watch Thai TV, my Thai improves. If I can’t get out and about in Bangkok for awhile and then forget to watch Thai TV as well, then my Thai comprehension slides on the little details.

Btw – not this coming Wednesday, but the Wednesday after, the person being interviewed knew Marvin Brown personally.

Ah, and you don’t need to apologise for coming in with opinions on learning languages. Especially as you’ve studied AUA’s methods more than most expats living in Thailand. So… be welcome :-)

By: Keith

Keith — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 01:57:51 +0000

I wasn’t quoting. I was just emphasizing my thought. I was referring to the line in the biggest misconception answer where it says,

native Thai speakers have learned the tone system so innately as small children that they often aren’t even aware that there are rules that adult learners must master.

Sorry to have confused you.

By: Catherine Wentworth

Catherine Wentworth — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:51:35 +0000

Keith, I reread the post and as I didn’t find what you are quoting, I’ll check through the other posts to see if I can locate the reference.

Talen, I hear you there on the frustration aspects of learning languages. I’m not a patient person at all! I was brought up watching ‘I Dream of Jeannie’, and even after growing up, I still wish for a nose that would just twiddle things into to being.

I’ve heard it said that Thai has a steep learning curve at the beginning run, but after you get through the tones and learning the Thai script, it’s more free sailing than not.

Tina’s article brought that to mind when she mentioned how the grammar structure is dead simple. In comparison, I know I’d hate to be slogging through French right about now.

In fact, it’s about time I gave my French courses away because I’m not going to take it up again. Thai is my future.

I like the sound of that. So, I guess now all we need to do is grab on to that revolving door and hang on!