English conversation lessons based on short newspaper items.

This column is for self-study or classroom use and gives guided help with reading the wide variety of writing styles and topics that appear as feature articles in the Bangkok Post. The lessons include background information, skill-building practice and vocabulary explanations.

March 11, 2003

Getting around by subway

INTRODUCTION

Do you sometimes stay home in the evenings because the thought of spending an hour in traffic to get to a concert or go to a party across town is too much? Bangkok traffic is still bad.

Hua Lamphong train station
But when places like the Thailand Cultural Centre, Sirikit Convention Centre and major shopping areas are accessible from the air-conditioned subway next year – that just might change things for many of us. Going on a weekend for an early morning jog in Lumphini Park will be possible. Getting to Central Lad Phrao for a special sale will be more attractive.

The Outlook article in feature focus included the picture of a subway entrance and the list of stations. That kind of information makes a good lesson and can help us see what will be possible once the subway is open.

Teachers: This lesson combines map reading and writing of directions.

Chatuchak weekend market
Have students bring to class the maps and brochures described in the student notes below. Once the materials have been assembled, make sure the activities are clearly understood. The first activity involves plotting the route of the subway on the map.

You will be able to monitor and help students work together to complete the tasks. As they work in small groups, each student should have one brochure to link to the map. Help them to identify places on the map and talk about stations and routes in English. This is good practice for giving instructions. Each group will make a display consisting of a map and their brochures. Each student should also write one set of directions.

Note: If you are not teaching in Bangkok, or, indeed, not in Thailand, this lesson can still serve as a template for a lesson in your class. Your local transportation system can serve as the basis for your students. Map reading, project work and giving directions are all necessary skills.

Central Ladprao shopping centre
Students: Here’s what to do: You will be working in a small group. Each group will need a map of Bangkok. Try to find one that shows bus and skytrain routes and has pictures or graphics of entertainment and shopping places.

Activity 1: Working in your group, use the list of stations to plot the route of the subway on the map. If you know exactly where the stations are, show those locations on your map. If you have Internet access, there is a full description of station locations at http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/Subway/index.shtml#complete

Activity 2: What are your favourite entertainment and shopping places in the city? Where do you like to go on family outings or with friends? Are those places all easy to get to? Are there places you would go if getting there were quick and inexpensive? Bring brochures of those places to class.

Make a display with your brochures around the map. Then locate the closest subway or skytrain station and mark out the route to get from there to your chosen entertainment or shopping spot.

Plan an outing and write directions starting from close to your home or school. Include directions, the approximate time and costs of each stage of the trip.

Does it seem like the trip will take less time and cost less than going this weekend? Will the subway make a difference for you?

There will be 18 stations on the 20km route opening for Songkran next year:

1. Hua Lamphong
2. Sam Yan
3. Silom
4. Lumphini
5. Klong Toey
6. Sirikit Convention Centre
7. Sukhumvit
8. Phetchaburi
9. Rama IX

10. Thailand Cultural Centre
11. Pracharat Banpen (Huay Kwang)
12. Sutthisan
13. Rachada (Rachadapisek)
14. Lat Phrao
15. Phaholythin
16. Morchit (Chatuchak Park)
17. Kamphaeng Phet
18. Bang Sue

There will be one parking facility, at Lat Phrao, with the capacity to serve about 2,000 cars.

•This lesson was prepared by Maureen Paetkau, a professional teacher of English as a second and foreign language and Assistant Manager and Webmaster for Learning Post at the Bangkok Post.

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