[gariharrr]

Oh she seemed very good in imparting this language that i adore.... Can i be her Nak Riian ?
oh btw the way how can i say my last sentence in thai?

bpen khaawng khao nak riian dai mai? 555

khor pen nak rian kaung kao dai mai khrub? - Can I be her student?

[Stoniaanapy]

Oh she seemed very good in imparting this language that i adore.... Can i be her Nak Riian ?
oh btw the way how can i say my last sentence in thai?

bpen khaawng khao nak riian dai mai? 555

[gariharrr]

One of the liveliest personalities in the Thai-language teaching sphere reveals how she lights up her Thai classes and motivates students to excel
By: Story and photos PURICH TRIVITAYAKHUN
Published: 30/06/2009
Bangkok Post

Many students think Thai language studies is one of the most boring subjects they must face in school. But the famous Kitmanoch Rojanasupya - popularly known as Kru Lilly - is tops when it comes to bringing the topic to life.

Overcoming challenges



"Frankly speaking, I am not an ordinary teacher," says Kru Lilly. She explains that she has to make an extra effort to get everything just right.

"First, I have to make students love Thai. Next, I must get students to accept me for what I am," comments the teacher whose fun and fiery teaching style attracts students all over Thailand.

She admits that she is not a star for everyone. Many teachers and parents are hostile to her personality and teaching style and sometimes regard those attributes as inappropriate. "Sometimes when I delivered my lectures, some Thai language teachers who observed my classes just acted like this," she says as she demonstrates by crossing her arms and posing an intimidating stare.

She sometimes asks the observer-teachers: "Would you mind if I have no observation in this class, because I cannot teach while you are observing me."

When asked what has led to her tremendous success nationwide to tens of thousands of students, she answers without delay, "My speaking and acting skills."

"Acting skills complement a teaching career perfectly. Teaching is an occupation that transfers knowledge to learners. Using body language makes learners understand lessons better, plus a good teacher has to keep the lesson entertaining." She also realises that having a great deal of knowledge without proper communicative skills and an engaging way to deliver the message renders that knowledge almost useless.

Freedom to soar

"A teaching career was never my dream," says Kru Lilly, revealing her initial preferences before she took up teaching. "I never thought that I would become famous by teaching. I just do what I like and enjoy it."

After she graduated from Chulalongkorn University in 1992, she did not pursue a teaching career immediately. Instead, she worked in an office like many young graduates.

"Even when I was a child, I wanted to become a superstar. I feel that teaching to a class and having students listen to me is almost like acting before a camera," she says. "It is similar to being an actress, but the messages that I send are filled with knowledge, not just emotions."

After her office job each day, she co-lectured in communications at a commerce university. She fell in love with teaching and soon left her office job. "I don't like being tied to a desk," she says. "Once I became a teacher, I never had to sit for long. Teaching makes me feel free."

Her first full-time teaching position was as a lecturer at Siam University. But being a lecturer in a university is very restrictive and you have to teach "inside the box", she explains.

She quickly realised that being a teacher inside a controlled system would not allow her teaching passions to soar. "I want to feel free when I teach, to feel like there is a special connectivity between my students and me. I want to inspire my students to greatness and make them achieve beyond their grasp. Only then do I feel complete," she says.

To be able to achieve her goals, she established herself as an independent language tutor. At last, no more rigid rules!

Adored upcountry



Her teaching is not restricted to just Bangkok. Kru Lilly delivers lectures in many provinces, where she is adored by thousands of students.

"Upcountry students see me as a superstar," she says. "They are very attentive in my classes and are always eager to meet me. The students in a school in the northeast even pooled 50 baht each to buy a plane ticket for me to fly there to teach them. In the end, I paid for the ticket myself, but I was overwhelmed by their kind gesture," she says.

An exciting moment in her life occurred when she taught in the three restive southernmost provinces of Thailand.

"Once I taught at an institution in Yala. The next day, the auditorium in which I lectured was blown up. I don't know whether the terrorists were targeting me or not," she says as she laughs. "It might be cool if I die while performing my duty as a teacher. I might become a heroine," she quips. "I was afraid, but I don't think I was their target," she says.

"Deep inside my mind, I feel a bit hurt that the government has never given me any awards, even though I have done a lot of things for the nation," Kru Lilly says with the slightest touch of sadness.

While her value as a teacher perhaps has not been recognised by the government sector, her greatest pride is being a teacher at the Distance Education via Satellite Foundation, more popularly known as the Distance Learning Foundation, which was inaugurated to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the coronation of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The project broadcasts her lectures across Thailand.

"That is my life's reward," she says proudly. According to Kru Lilly, every teacher who takes part in the project must first be approved by HM the King. "HM the King does not look at just my appearance, but he looks at this," she says as she points to her head. "Never judge a book by its cover!" she exclaims.

Teaching Thai



"I use innovative techniques when I teach Thai. I use my personality to remove the language and its grammar from the shadows into the bright light. I make it interesting, exciting, tangible and fun for my students. Few teachers can teach as I teach, and I don't always know that what I am doing will please all my students," she explains.

"It is sad that even though Thai is our official language, many students are more interested in English," she says. "Teachers and parents have to join hands to help students see the importance of the Thai language. The public sector should see its importance too."

Thai has a life, has a spirit, has a slang Many people say that the proper use of Thai among youngsters today is deteriorating.

Kru Lilly agrees that the usage by teenagers has changed, but it is not totally in a bad way, she says. "A language has its own spirit," she believes. "I look at the changes in the way youngsters use Thai as a quickening of its spirit. Its varied uses, even its slang, help to rejuvenate the language, make it livelier!" These innovative changes can be seen when youngsters use instant messaging programs, jargon, slang, text messages, and send micro-blogging tweets on Twitter - all of which are exercised by niche groups, she explains.

"Some people look upon such specialised uses and the gentle remoulding of the Thai language as catastrophic. I view them as innovative ways for students to expand their interpersonal communications within their peer groups. These modifications are not meant to be used to deliver a public speech or a presentation to the media," she cautions.

But she admits to being a little concerned that young people often neglect some inviolable elements of Thai culture, such as always adding krub (for males) or ka (for females) to their sentences when talking to persons more senior than themselves.

Not for everyone



Kru Lilly readily admits that tutorials are not for everyone.

Some students assume that taking tutorials will increase their chances of scoring higher on entrance exams. Others believe that tutorials provide additional knowledge of material that was not covered in class, but "actually the lessons are the same", she adds. Sometimes tutorials are "for lazy students. They do not have to take the courses if they pay attention during their classes. It is also true that we are there to help the weaker and less confident ones."

When asked if it is true that many people say most tutorials simply teach students how to win in the "exam wars", she admits that "part of that is true. Yes."

"I want students to do well in the exam. I must first provide students what they need when they come to me," she explains. "Having the five basic food groups is not enough for success. Some students want extra food - like some athletes who need extra vitamins and minerals or specialised training. They need a little something extra to give them an advantage over others," she says, "and that's where I come in".

"Many students go to tutorial schools because Thailand still has a system that promotes competition among students for a very limited number of seats in prestigious universities. So, students do what they must to get what they need."

How to motivate great teachers

When asked what makes a good teacher, she emphasizes that, "First, teachers must want to teach".

"Sometimes, they are only slightly motivated. If they teach only out of a sense of duty, then the motivation is not sufficient. I have to help my students get into universities. If I can't, my students won't have confidence in me. That is my motivation. However, many teachers in a normal school system merely teach out of a sense of duty; in other words, they just 'go through the motions'."

"Second, we have to love our profession. Next, we have to feel that our students are eagerly awaiting our knowledge. Finally, every teacher must focus on his or her abilities and commitment to teach. Otherwise, they are betraying their careers."

When asked what the Ministry of Education can do to improve education in Thailand, she says: "I would like teachers to have better welfare. The success of education in Thailand depends on the teachers. If talented teachers are paid the good salaries they deserve, good people will want to become teachers and not rush into other occupations."

Thai language classes and other academic disciplines will perhaps have a brighter future if all teachers were to follow the advice and philosophy of Kru Lilly.

[BuyCheapest]

I don't know what she is like as a teacher but from this interview she appears really conceited.