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Resources: Computer Software |
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Written by Richard Barrow
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Thursday, 28 August 2008 |
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These are two interactive programmes for the computer which can help in learning English.
Volume 1 - A-Z, Verb and Adjective Volume 2 - Verb, Vocabulary and Sentence You can buy them at shops like Se-ed and B2S. They cost about 195 baht each. When buying CDs and computer games made in Thailand there is always the worry that you will have a Thai speaker instead of a Westerner speaking English. But, these CD-ROMs are good and there is no need to worry. The only problem is that it quickly goes to games where you have to read English in order to play. However, there is verbal Thai instructions throughout. At least she can keep coming back to these games over the years. Plus, it gives her motives to learn to read so that she will be able to play more games. I already tell her that if she can understand English she will be able to watch more cartoons and read more books than her friends. That is already paying off for her.

Fun English: Learn & Play Volumes 1-3
This is another series of computer games which Nong Grace likes to play. These are more expensive at 250 baht each but you get value for your money. One feature I really like is that the voiceover guide is bilingual. At the start you can choose to have instruction in English or Thai. Naturally Nong Grace chose Thai to start with, but now uses English. Volume 1 is still her favourite and she likes playing the games. It introduces the alphabet, numbers and other basic vocabulary like parts of the body. The karaoke songs are also really good.
She also plays Volumes 2 and 3 a lot but they rely more on you being able to read English. But, she keeps playing them. Although the questions are random, she surprises me sometimes when she is able to answer complicated grammar questions correctly. I guess it helps that there are explanations in Thai of the grammar rules before each game. The latter two are good ones to come back to after watching the English cartoons. It kind of compliments the cartoons and helps her understand things like pronouns and present continuous tense.
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