Greetings from Thailand!

[Miss Wendy]

Hello Everyone:

My name is Miss Wendy or at least my students call me that. I am an ESL teacher from Thailand.

Graduating a master's from the U.S., I have been trying to maximize my language knowledge by learning it more and teaching it to my Thai students. However, I consider myself as an amateur teacher because none of my backgrounds has nothing to do with English education. But at least, I have faith and I love improving my English every Single day of my life. I used to volunteer to teach English at an orphanage. Last year I started a career as a full-time teacher for a large public school. It turned out that it was not my cup of tea. I mean I am passionate with teaching still but I think I might be better off working as an independent teacher.

So please enlighten me for the sake of this Third World teacher.

Thank you for all the people who put this website together. You have greatly brought the world smaller and created the world a better place to live. So thanks.

Regards,
Miss Wendy

[Torsten]

Hello Miss Wendy,

Thank you for joining our forum -- we really look forward to exchanging ideas with you. Where in Thailand do you live and who are your students/clients? I understand you want to start a career as a self-employed English teacher. Please tell us more about your plans.

Talk to you soon,
Torsten
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Miss Wendy]

Hi Torsten:

Thanks for your welcome. I live in Rayong, near Bangkok and often travel back and forth. Currently, I teach ESL for corporate people and young learners, my former students from the school I worked for last year. Teaching has become my pleasure for my free time. I have some supports and I am thinking to put up a language school, a small one. However, I do know that I need to learn even more to enhance my modest teaching skills and knowledge.

I'be been trying to post my picture in my profile. But it didn't work. It keeps saying that the picture must be less than 10 kb and it is smaller than that. But still it didn't allow me to do so. Do you have any suggestion?

And who are you, Torsten? Where are you from and what do you do? Apologies. I am new to this.

Have a good weekend.

Wendy

[Torsten]

Hi Wendy,

How are things with you today? I've read you latest post with great interest because I'm currently preparing for a meeting with a business delegation from Thailand. Have you ever heard of the CP Group? If you like, you can take a look at how to deal with business people from Thailand. Please let me know what you think.

Regards,
Torsten
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Miss Wendy]

Dear Torsten:

I'm glad that you'll be coming to Thailand. Of course, I've heard of the CP Group. I believe their headquarter is at Silom, Bangkok. Is that where you will have the meeting with them? I'll try my best to give you the advice on this subject. BUt keep in mind that I'm not a businessperson.
Well, that link is a helpful source for a quick glimse. Always end the sentence with the word "Crub/ Krub" if you want to be polite and or treat your partner in that way. Shaking hands is acceptable but not commonly. You can always do a little bit more to impress the locals by doing our customary greeting, "wai". Wai is a symbol of showing respect. You simply press your palms together near your chests and bow your head. Just like you see in the movie The process should be graceful and slow.

For pronouncing people's names correctly, it's a little tricky. Because Thai language perhaps has different ways to speak from your language. For example, there are five pitches for one word. If you transliterate them to English, they all will have the same form with different pronunciations and meanings. Suay (high tone) is an adjective meaning beautiful (good-looking) while suay (low tone) means unlucky. Anyway, people's names might be a lot easier than these adjectives. So if you exchange namecards, you can read the names to them to make sure you're doing it right.

I hope you'd find this advice somewhat useful.

Good luck.

[Torsten]

Hi Wendy,

Many thanks for your suggestions. Could you please tell me what the following names mean if anything:
Naowarat
Bumrungchit
Somyot
Viriyatharangkurn
Chumpol
Thiengtham

Also, how do you pronounce "crub" -- like "hub" or like "butcher"?

Regards,
Torsten
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Miss Wendy]

Hi Torsten:

I must tell you I'm not that great with translation but I'll do my best.

Naowarat = 9 gems (usually female name)
Bumrungchit = mind and soul prosperity
Somyot = Be honored and prestigious
Viriyatharangkurn ... I guess this is someone's last name. = family of diligence
Chumpol = troops or force concentration/ gathering
Thiengtham = justice

I hope it helps.

'Crub' or Krab could be pronounced as 'craab'.
A butcher hun, not hub,. But yes, they are similar in ways of pronunciation.

Regards,

[Torsten]

Hi Wendy,

Thanks a lot for your immediate response. We met with the Thai delegation in Germany today and they were pleasantly surprised when we told them we knew what their names meant in English.
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Miss Wendy]

Hi Torsten:

You're very welcome. Have a good time in Thailand.