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Remembering and Forgetting
…hopefully our students don’t do much of the latter!
In our intermediate class we have been learning about ‘memory’.
Have you ever thought about how our minds create new memories, store them, and then are able to recall them when they are needed? The fact that we can do this is pretty spectacular. It’s this process which allows us to learn about the things around us and interact with the world.
Think about how many times we rely on our memory to help us in everyday life, from remembering the pin to your phone to recognising the person you met in the supermarket last week.
The study of human memory is a major topic of interest within science, specifically cognitive psychology. But what is memory? How are memories made? Let’s find out…
The Stage Model of Memory
Many models of memory have been proposed over the years, but we like ‘the stage model of memory’ (Atkinson and Shiffrin, 1968) due to it’s simplistic approach to the basic structure and function of memory. The theory proposes three separate stages of memory: sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory.
Sensory Memory
Sensory memory is the earliest stage of memory. We take in information from around us through visual and auditory senses and store it for a short period of time, only around 0.5 seconds for visual information and 4 seconds for auditory information. This initial interaction between our senses and our brains leads to short-term memory.
Short-Term Memory
Our most active memory is the short-term memory. This is the information we are currently experiencing and thinking about. The sensory information generates information in short-term memory. Most of this information which is stored in short-term memory is only kept for around 30 seconds. Most of our short-term memories are forgotten quickly, but if we give more attention to this information, then we can convert it in to a long-term memory.
Long-Term Memory
Long-term memory is the ability to continually store information. We are not aware of this information being stored, but it can be called into working memory and used when we need it. Some of this information is easily accessible, while some are more difficult. This is because of how our brains organise information which is stored.
How can we remember better?
We want you to ‘have a memory like an elephant’ not ‘like a sieve’. Here are some tips and tricks to help you store all the information we throw at you during class.
Talking about personal memories
‘Take a walk down memory lane’. What kind of event was it and why do you remember it? When did it happen? Where were you? What was the background to the event? What were the main things that happened? How did it end?
Our intermediate class answered these questions in class. Here is some of their work…
For a link to the idioms used in this blog, click on the button below.
Weekday English Classes
Our native English speaking teachers are here for your every need. We guide students through a fun and educational English course that encourages them to build competence and confidence as learners. Our course includes an excellent variety of creative activities that encourage children to develop academic, personal, and social skills.
Whether your child needs support with school homework, exam preparation, or just need some extra one-on-one English attention, we are here for you.
We offer a comprehensive course for after school classes, which are inline with the internationally accredited Oxford curriculum. We also have more advanced and specialist courses available. Should you require them, please ask.
Get Set Go 1
Our level 1 classes are designed with a smooth, fun, and interactive introduction to English in mind. We begin by introducing key sections of the vocabulary, such as colours and ‘hellos & goodbyes’ to help improve students’ listening and speaking. We also provide an introduction to phonics, reading and writing.
Due to our long term experience running language classes for children, we know how hard it can be to have a child focus on a whiteboard or textbooks, so we design our classes with fun and interactivity in mind. We make each lesson as stimulating as possible and we even organise field trips just to keep things interesting for them.
The textbook we use is ‘Get Set Go’ volume 1, published by Oxford University Press. The textbook creates a rounded syllabus specially designed for children.
Get Set Go 2
These classes are a slight step up from their younger counterpart. In this class we aim to once again widen the student’s vocabulary and to introduce more descriptive words so the child can speak about different subjects with a base level of understanding. We work heavily on phonics, aiming to help the child to pronounce possibly difficult sounds in a clearer way. The child’s writing will also be worked on to a higher degree, as we attempt to have the child writing short concrete pieces on their own.
Just like the other classes we still aim to make these classes as fun and stimulating for the child as possible. Trying to learn a new language can be a massive strain even for the most experienced adult, so as a child we know they can lose interest if the classes aren’t engaging enough. So, we do our best to make them interesting as well as educational for the student.
Oxford University Press published ‘Get Set Go’ volume 2 are used in the class, combining a firm mixture of reading, writing, listening, and speaking tasks.
Get Set Go 3
This is designed for children up to roughly 16 years old, depending on ability. In these classes we aim to teach the child short, spoken pieces describing hobbies, places, wishes, etc. Their reading and writing will match their speech and they’ll be able to understand simple texts as well as being able to write short descriptive and concrete pieces.
In these classes the children are often more mature then their younger counterparts, therefore we try to create an educational environment while still including the fun and interactivity of the younger ages. We feel learning to speak a language should be a group activity and so the students are encouraged to engage in group work, enabling them to use their English in a comfortable and safe setting.
‘Get Set Go’ volume 3, published by Oxford University Press are the official textbooks for this class, giving the children different tasks focusing on speaking an reading, presented in an enjoyable way.
When?
Every weekday
4pm – 6pm
How much?
Private class per hour
600B
Learning can and should be fun
This isn’t a statement said simply from a moral standing, but out of scientific research too.
When you learn something new, a chemical called dopamine shoot through your brain. It’s what makes us feel happy. Our body feels rewarded, which gives us motivation to repeat whatever caused it.
The reason for this electro-chemical connection between learning and reward is that our brains have obviously been designed to have fun through learning!
Even the most boring grammar point can be exciting. Today, we learnt about commas in our advanced class. Take a look at how much fun we had (and learn the rules about commas at the same time)!
Do you want to have fun and learn English? Contact us for information about our classes.
Saturday School
Reading, writing, speaking, listening, and lots of FUN!
Our Children’s Saturday School offers students the best learning experience possible! We provide interactive, engaging learning experiences that give students the opportunity to make friends, have fun, and learn something new!
We offer small groups with highly qualified teachers. Our native English speaking teachers guide students through a fun and educational English course that encourages them to build competence and confidence as learners. Our course includes an excellent variety of creative activities that encourage children to develop academic, personal, and social skills.
Students from 3 to 18 years old are welcome to join us!
View our flyers for more information.
NEW SCHOOL
English and Thai classes
K
oh Samui Language School are proud to present our sister-school, Krabi Language School, which will be opening soon!
Our new language school provides up to date, affordable courses in Thai & English for both children & adults, using a combination of conversational and textbook teaching.
Due to our excellent relationship with the Ministry of Education we can help you attain an Education Visa, also known as a ‘non-immigrant ED visa’, which can allow you to live in this beautiful country for up to 5 years.
Having both Thai and English owners, we get the best out of both mentalities in their approaches to school management. Which can be felt in our style, values and interaction with our students.Thai and English Partnership
Unlike our competitors, having both Thai and English management & staff makes dealing with us that much easier. Have your pick of a native Thai or English speaker to help you through the enrollment process.Easy Enrollment
At our school we keep our resources up to date by using the latest Longmans, Oxford and Cambridge textbooks, while following the official European recommended language course framework.Relevant Courses
More information coming soon. Watch this space!
Visa Information
Everything you need to know about Education Visas
We have put together some handy notes so you know exactly what you need for your education visa, how much it will cost, and how to get it.
If you would like more information, please contact us.
Courses
- Confirmation of New Education visa immigration RulesNovember 28, 2014 - 7:07 am
- New KSTVS websiteOctober 18, 2013 - 12:37 pm
- 5/12/14 – Crackdown in Phuket and BangkokDecember 5, 2014 - 7:45 am
Transform Your Thailand Experience with Thai Language Learning...May 13, 2023 - 9:27 am
Children’s English ClassesAugust 3, 2017 - 9:01 am
Transform Your Thailand Experience with Thai Language Learning...May 13, 2023 - 9:27 am
Education Visa Rules Updated April 2023April 26, 2023 - 3:50 am
Learn English in Koh SamuiJanuary 29, 2023 - 6:57 am
Thailand travel restriction as of May 5, 2022June 25, 2022 - 7:55 am
General Hours
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm. Saturday 8am to 4pm.
Adult group classes run from 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm weekdays
Child group classes are run from 4pm to 6pm weekdays. And 9 am to 12pm OR 1pm to 4pm Saturdays
Location
We are located on the central north coast of Koh Samui, near Mae Nam:
11/8 Moo 1, Maenam
Koh Samui, Surat Thani, 84330, Thailand