Comments on: Successful Thai Language Learner: Celia Chessin-Yudin

By: Catherine Wentworth

Catherine Wentworth — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:50:56 +0000

Amy - I agree. Immersion has to help (but I'm not sure how I'd do with it). Being able to pick up a language easier is something on my wish-list for this year. I can but hope ;-) Martyn - I've been looking into how people learn. Some, like Chris Baker, get a lot out of listening and talking. And his extraordinary approach of learning Thai via translating is one that appeals to me especially. Everyone learns with their own twists, but it is notable that there is a growing group who gravitated to schools offering a Southeast Asian Studies type of program: Celia Chessin-Yudin, Tom Parker, Jonathan Thames, and David Smyth. David teaches at the School of Oriental and African Studies where Tom Parker studied. Still others ended up with excellent Thai after working with the Peace Corps.

By: Martyn

Martyn — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:39:22 +0000

Catherine – This is probably the shortest interview so far. Short and sweet, but to the point. Celia has got to the advanced stage really quickly and a lot of her learning appears to have benefited from talking to friends and in the classroom, group sessions if you like. The benefits of such lessons are that someone always asks a question you didn’t think of yourself and any new friends you make you have at least one thing in common, learning Thai. That makes swapping ideas and solving riddles a lot easier.

Your answer to Talen’s computer programming question makes a lot of sense. It’s a language and a reminder to me of another that I have yet to grasp.
.-= Martyn´s last blog ..Bangkok’s Mafia Wars =-.

By: Amy P.

Amy P. — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:44:08 +0000

Nice interview, as usual. Celia, it seems, is one of those lucky few who grasp a new language very quickly. She hasn’t been in Thailand all that long, yet she’s advanced. I’m sure it helps that she’s living in a town that likely doesn’t have much English and she MUST speak Thai.

Wonder what her university courses were like as it seemed to accelerate her learning.
.-= Amy P.´s last blog ..When reality sets in… =-.

By: Catherine Wentworth

Catherine Wentworth — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 03:31:10 +0000

Talen, over the course of this series I noticed a trend. That many of those who are successful at learning languages are also successful at music too. After discussing this with Hugh (I believe), programming was injected into the conversation. Programming is a language, so it fits. Btw - I do have a book review on WLT: Language is Music

By: Talen

Talen — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 03:15:21 +0000

“Get a speaking partner, who will correct you.” I have one of those but sometimes she doesn’t stop at language :)

As always another fine interview, Cat. It’s nice to see where other learners are coming from as I make my journey through the language. The best advice that has shone through with every interview is to immerse yourself in a setting where the language is always there. Either through living in Thailand or having constant contact with the Thai language through a friend or lover.

I am curious though about one question you ask every interviewee..

“Are you a computer programmer, or do you have programming experience?”

I can understand the passion for music question as for me music relates to language and I think someone more musically inclined may have a better go at learning Thai or other languages.

I’m thinking maybe a computer programmer may have a more analytical mind and therefor do better at languages as well considering the various computer languages that are second nature.
.-= Talen´s last blog ..Elephant Nature Foundation & Park =-.