I know it sounds random, but one of my goals in 2025 is to improve my teaching skills.

In the second half of 2024, I took on a side mission from Dr. 李鎮宇 (Lee Chen Yu) to "teach Thai." This initiative was inspired by Taipei Computer Association's growing engagement with Thailand's industries and urban collaboration projects.

Beyond the commonly known "sawasdee ka" greetings, the aim was to create a cultural and language course that would enable TCA colleagues to connect more meaningfully with Thai partners during visits or collaborations — to deepen mutual understanding, build stronger partnerships, and foster enduring friendships.

The challenge

The five-session course had a straightforward yet challenging goal: "Order food in Thai by the end of the course."

This meant mastering not just greetings and expressions of gratitude, but also navigating the nuances of Thai honorifics, addressing others appropriately based on their age or rank, and understanding key vocabulary like Thai dish names, numbers, and classifiers.

By the fifth session, everyone could confidently navigate a menu and order their desired dishes in Thai.

The content also extended to practical business contexts — how to address individuals respectfully, engage in small talk before formal meetings, and observe Thai etiquette.

Why this matters

As a second-generation immigrant in Taiwan, I'm passionate about cross-cultural communication and collaboration. In today's digital age, where borders and physical distances no longer hinder communication, I'm honored to share my Thai language skills and cultural experience.

In 2025, I aim to enhance this Thai language course further.

Special thanks to my parents — seasoned multicultural educators — for their invaluable advice on lesson planning and teaching materials.