Teaching Writing the Thai Alphabet Using Power Point as an Instructional Tool
Abstract: Thai is a tonal language with an Indic-based writing system. One of the problems found for the beginning level students of Thai is mastery of writing/drawing the letter shapes. Students often feel overwhelmed when introduced to the 44 Thai consonants and 28 vowel combinations. Existing teaching materials, although available on the web and in print, do not adequately cover the basics of how to draw and position the consonants, vowels and tonal diacritics. Interviews were conducted with three instructors who teach Thai at the university level both in and outside of the US, and also with the students’ supervisor. Existing materials such as books and students’ written homework were also examined. The results have resulted in new way to develop materials that include the consonant and vowel charts and a 5-line of sheet of paper for students to use as a reference when practicing their writing and learning Thai language.
Presider: Berhane Teclehaimanot, University of Toledo