WRITER: DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL EDUCATION
The full moon of the twelfth month of the Thai lunar calendar is a time of profound significance in Thai culture. It heralds the enchanting and famous festival of Loy Krathong, a beautiful occasion deeply ingrained in Thai culture. This festival serves as a cultural expression of gratitude and respect for the river's Goddess, a deity believed to protect and provide for the people and the source of life. It is also a time to seek forgiveness for any misuse of water. This tradition underscores Thais' deep reverence for nature.
At Assumption University of Thailand (AU), in a room with 60 students on the left side of the SG wing, international students taking GE 1405/1409 Thai Language and Culture this semester, 2/2024, were not just learning about Loy Krathong. They were actively involved in a unique and immersive cultural tradition of Krathong-making, a hands-on learning experience that brought them closer to Thai culture. This was a rare opportunity for international students to participate in the celebrated Loy Krathong festival, which significantly deepened their understanding and appreciation of Thai culture. The course coordinator emphasized that to speak Thai well, students must understand and adopt the cultural mindset, or 'think like Thai. ' This involves understanding and respecting Thai traditions and customs, such as participating in cultural activities and festivals like Loy Krathong. Active participation in this artistic tradition made them feel more engaged and involved in learning, fostering a connection with Thai culture.
Dr. Jaruwan Paungmalee, a course coordinator of Thai Language and Culture, emphasized that one of the best ways to learn about other foreign languages and cultures is to absorb through the learning activity experiences. This hands-on approach to learning, such as making Krathong, engages students and makes them active participants in their learning process. Their curiosity about the root of culture associated with the nations they came from and how it compares and contrasts with Thai culture made them eager to know more. This type of learning helps them understand more about Thai people and culture and fosters a rich cultural exchange where they can share and learn from each other's traditions and customs. This exchange enriches their understanding of Thai culture and motivates them to desire to speak Thai.
The students' enjoyment and eagerness for future activities were palpable, adding an element of excitement to the learning process. They had fun getting to know more friends and learning to help each other while learning step-by-step Krathong-making. This enjoyment and eagerness for future activities not only added excitement to the learning process but also underscored the positive impact of the hands-on learning experience on their cultural understanding and appreciation. Their enjoyment and eagerness for future activities excited them for more cultural experiences, demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach in fostering cultural appreciation.
We hope you enjoyed our activity and look forward to seeing you at the next activity and festival. Your participation is always welcomed, and we eagerly anticipate creating more memorable experiences together. We value your presence and look forward to sharing more cultural experiences. Have a good day!
More Information about the Theodore Maria School of Arts, please visit:
Website: https://www.arts.au.edu
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Tel: (66) 0-2783-2222-2740
