CHATROOM

Photographs courtesy of Bangkok Post

Letter of The Week

LYRIC LOVER

Hi there. My name is Supaporn, I�m 15 years old and this is the first time that I�ve written a letter in English. I�ve been reading Student Weekly for a year and I always try to listen to English-language songs because I think this helps to improve my English. I�ve learned many words and idioms from the lyrics and the songs help me so much with pronunciation as well. This means I can use these in my English classes when we listen to conversations or fill in missing words on the blackboard.

I�d like to talk about songs again. My favourite singers and bands are Avril Lavigne, Eminem, Linkin Park, D12 and Evanescence. The music chart in Student Weekly is MTV Thailand�s Top 10, right? Could you please change it to include international charts? I think there are many people who would like to listen to these songs like me. What do you think, and who is your favourite singer?

Supaporn Khotnawang, Bangkok

Hello Supaporn and thanks for a great letter. We are actually trying to put in the international charts right now � perhaps we read your mind. As to my favourite music, you may not have heard of some stuff I like (I�m an ancient 34), but I do like Eminem, 50 Cent, Franz Ferdinand, Keane, Coldplay and even Robbie Williams, although I don�t tell many people about the last one! However, old as I am (to some readers) I absolutely do not like The Eagles or Scorpions. � Editor

COUNTRY QUERY

Dear Editor. I�m Malaysian and I have been travelling back and forth to Thailand for a while now. I never miss an issue of Student Weekly magazine. I�m glad you publish such a great magazine for everyone to read � it�s really interesting to read and it helps me sometimes. In fact, I wonder why you don�t publish these magazines in other countries. I�m not really excellent in Thai � I mostly communicate in English and I�m glad most Thai students and people are learning English. Before I finish this letter I would like to say some words to all the other readers: No matter how difficult English may seem, don�t be disappointed with yourself if you have small problems. Keep speaking as much as you can and it gets easier. You need to succeed at one level before you can step to another level.

Rose Mary Dass, Phangnga

Hello Rose Mary. Well, the problem with publishing in other countries is a complex one. First, we�d need to produce local content for those countries. Second, we�d need a printer to print the magazine in the new countries. Third, we�d have to get local advertisers as our Thai advertisers wouldn�t want to advertise outside Thailand. All this means a lot of work and money setting up and running operations in new countries, many of which already have English-language educational magazines for teens (competition, in other words). I think we�ll stick to Thailand for now! � Editor

BEAUTIFUL BOXER

Hello Editor. I am a female, but I look like a tomboy and my friends think that I�m fierce. When I grow up, I want be a professional boxer in Thailand. Every day, I punch and kick my friends. Please give me advice on how to be a famous Thai boxer.

Nattaporn Sarikavanich, Bangkok

Hello Nattaporn. You really should start by not hurting your friends! Seriously, as with all sports, professional coaching is the best starting point. I understand some Muay Thai schools do take female students now, but you have to be dedicated enough to live quite a hard life, which means getting up early, training, eating very little, training, then training some more. It�s not a part-time hobby. � Editor

A NOTE TO TEACHERS

Over the last year-and-a-half (has it been so long?) I�ve had the chance to meet with a lot of teachers. I hope we�ve addressed most of your needs, but I always welcome all your suggestions and comments. However, Student Weekly exists not only to assist you in the classroom (and we are constantly revamping our Teachers Notes� to meet your needs); we also aim to give English learners a complete package of entertainment and education. You will know how hard it is to teach students when they really aren�t interested in what you�re teaching. That�s where we come in: With lively stories, a splash of colour and style, and subject matter that is relevant to teen lifestyles, Student Weekly should give you plenty of lesson ideas � and your students something they can take home and read themselves. Learning English is fun; it should be fun to teach as well. Good luck!

IS YOUR DAD A SUPER-DAD?

On November 29, we will be printing a special issue of Student Weekly to commemorate His Majesty the King�s birthday and Father�s Day. So we are inviting you to send letters and photographs about your super-dad along with reasons why you think your dad is so special. However, please note that we can�t guarantee to print all letters and photographs due to space reasons, and we cannot return pictures, so please send copies.

Vocabulary

publish (v): to produce a book, magazine, CD-ROM, etc. and sell it to the public
tomboy (n): a young girl who enjoys activities and games that are traditionally considered to be for boys
fierce (adj): (especially of people or animals) angry and aggressive in a way that is frightening
coach (v): to train somebody to play a sport, to do a job better, or to improve a skill
commemorate (v): to remind people of an important person or event from the past with a special action or object; to exist to remind people

We want to hear from you!

For pen pals, letters and any general comments you have about Student Weekly, contact us at Bangkok Post Student Weekly, Bangkok Post Building, 136 Na Ranong Road, Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110. You can also email us at  [email protected]. Your words must be your own (except for quotations and well-known proverbs or sayings) and they may be edited. Letters of the Week win a prize of 150 baht!

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