LETTER OF THE WEEK

CLASS COLUMNS

My nickname is Aoko, I'm 12 years old, and I'm in Matayom 1.This is my first letter to Student Weekly.

I want to be good at English, so I I've read Student Weekly since I was 11 years old. I like it very much! My favourite columns are Horoscope and Chatroom.

Horoscope helps me to solve the problems in my daily life. I like to read Chatroom because it makes me relax. It's like talking with someone.

Student Weekly helps me to improve my English. I'm glad I could write a letter to you.

Sirisopit Anancheunsuk,
Chiang Mai

I'm glad you like those columns, Aoko. They are two of the most popular in the magazine, to be sure. I really enjoy hearing from our readers, and writing responses to the letters is one of the highlights of my week — right up there with heading home on Friday afternoon. Thanks for sending in your very first letter, and drop us a line anytime you have something to say. — Editor

SPLIT PERSONALITY

This is my first letter to Student Weekly, but I have read you for a while.

I am a sophomore at Chiang Mai University, studying Education. My hometown is Chiang Rai. Chiang Mai now is almost like a farang town because there are lots of foreigners who live here.

On my campus, there are foreign teachers, too. One of my classes is taught by an American. I think he's more like an actor than a teacher. I'm surprised by him in class — he really enjoys teaching, and looks confident.

Sure, the class is marvelous. But when class isn't in session, everything shuts down. There's no conversation between the teacher and students — only silence. I usually go to class early, and he doesn't speak if class hasn't started yet.

When I see him on campus, I always say hello, but he gives no reaction. He's so shy when he's out of class.

My friends and I think he's like actor in a soap opera. I'm wondering why there is such a contrast in his character between when he is in class and out. It's so amazing.

Rattana Kabjok,
Chiang Rai

That's an interesting situation, Rattana. I don't know your teacher, so I wouldn't hazard a guess as to why he is so different inside and outside the classroom. There could be lots of reasons for that. Some people like to keep their personal and professional lives very separate. Some have difficulty making the kind of small talk required in social situations. There are also lots of teachers who feel that it's inappropriate for students and teachers to become too friendly with each other. Whatever the reason, your teacher has a comfort zone, and you need to respect that. He sounds like he's a good educator, so just enjoy being in his class and learning from him. — Editor

SUBMISSION TO THE UNKNOWN

I am an English teacher and would like more information on student submissions. I am encouraging my students to write letters to the editor, but are there also opportunities for students to write their own articles?

Kimberly Harris,
via email

We always love to get letters to the editor from readers, so I'd encourage that. We would also be happy to look at anything that your students would like to submit for articles. When we run stories from readers, they are from a personal point of view. We won't run just general essays, reports or research projects. But if your students would like to write about their personal experiences from an angle that other kids might find interesting, we'd be interested and can work with you on the editorial and editing process. Previous articles by kids have been about life as a hill tribe villager and experiences living in a border refugee camp. Now get those kids writing. — Editor

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