KOREA FOUNDATION

REVIEW

ASEAN Language Courses for First Half of 2021

The ASEAN Language Courses, a foreign language program that is in its fourth run thisyear, was held for 12 weeks from March to June. The basic curriculum was offered for Cambodian, Indonesian Malay, the Myanmar language (Burmese), Thai, and Vietnamese, while the elementary curriculum was not only offered for Thai and Vietnamese butalso, starting from 2021, for Indonesian Malay. While these eight basic and elementary classes were held at the ACH, four intermediate-level courses for Indonesian Malay, the Myanmar language, Thai, and Vietnamese were held at Busan University of Foreign Studies (BUFS). 

Bae Su-gyeong, the instructor for the Thai curricula, stressed the importance of teaching language along with its culture. “If you are studying a foreign language and come across a topic of interest, search for it online. The format doesn’t matter—news articles, videos, etc. This is important because what you learn in this way will not only give you a better understanding of the language you are studying but also make you want to learn more about the country and its culture. Another good strategy is to watch a TV series or movie that was produced in an ASEAN language, because, evenif you don’t understand everything, you can get a solid grasp of the language without forcing yourself to memorize, simply by following the dialogue and situational elements. Such media will help with understanding local culture because they reflect the atmosphere and mood of the times.”

Students engaged very proactively in their classes, there by significantly improving their ASEAN language skills. Many stated that the classes were an invaluable opportunity to learn not only a language but also the respective culture. The ACH is consistently broadening its pool of offered courses to allow students to learn at the level that best fits their needs. In July, the ASEAN Language Courses will be hosting conversation classes in three languages (Indonesian Malay, Thai, and Vietnamese). The conversation classes will be a wonderful opportunity for those interested in learning an ASEAN language to also have an in depth cultural experience.

Mini-Interview: Bae Su-gyeong, Thai curricula instructor

You have taught Thai for the ACH’s ASEAN Language Courses since 2019. Please tell us a bit about your work.

I prepare classes a bit differently each semester. The basic content stays the same, but I change the sample dialogues, illustrations, and cultural information to be up-to-date. I try to structure curricula differently, such as by writing my own textbook or combining material from several textbooks. It is thanks to the passion of my students, who range from elementary-aged children to senior citizens, about learning Thai that I am slowly but surely becoming a better teacher.

What is your advice for people who wish to learn Thai or any other ASEAN language?

The most important factor is your motive. Everyone has a reason for wanting to learn a particular language. The stronger and more concrete the motive, the easier it is to enjoy the learning process. When studying, start by reading the textbook’s table of contents, and then skim the entire book from start to finish without missing a single line. Do not try to memorize anything at this stage. You can skip over parts that you do not understand: the important thing is to make a run-through of the entire textbook. Next, use a dictionary to find the meanings of words you don’t know. Highlight the parts that you didn’t understand during the initial reading. Finally, go back to the beginning and read the textbook again, with special attention to the parts that you didn’t understand. Another strategy is to obtain advice, either through an online source or from a personal acquaintance, from those who are fluent in or have successfully learned the language. If you take a trip to the country where the language is spoken, every experience you have will serve as a vivid language lesson.

We heard that you spend your vacation in Thailand every year. Do you have a favorite destination to recommend to the ACH Monthly readers?

I lived in Thailand for over 10 years and love to travel. I’ve been to every region at least once: if I had to choose one place, I would recommend Nan, which is a city in northern Thailand. It is a very elegant city that prioritizes the preservation of Lanna traditions and culture. I love the wall paintings of Wat Phumin so much that I’ve spent all day at the temple—from dawn to dusk—multiple times. The khao soi sold at the night market that you can enjoy on your way back from the temple is incredible! You can rent a car and go on a drive along a forest road or spend a half-day at an art gallery that you happen to come across. Nan is a small city that you can take in in one day, but it is also a city that requires much more than one month to be fully explored.