Quiz 1 ICC 2026 App

Intercultural Comm. Companion

Teaching Assistant to Asst. Prof. Dr. Janpha Thadphoothon

Sawasdee krub! Welcome to your digital study companion.

I am here to guide you through the fundamental concepts of cross-cultural communication as taught by Dr. Janpha Thadphoothon.

How to use this tool:

1. Go to the Study Topics tab.
2. Click on any of the 10 topics to reveal the details.
3. Once you have studied, try the Practice Quiz to test your understanding.

"Language is not just a system of signs... it constructs identity."

Click a topic below to expand.

This is a key theory in Dr. Janpha’s curriculum. It suggests that the language we speak influences or determines the way we think and perceive the world.

As Alan W. Watts noted, we think in terms of languages given to us by our society.

Culture is defined as a "way of life of a group of people". It includes what and how people eat, their language, and their beliefs.

It is dynamic (not static) and passed down generations. In Thailand, "Thai culture" is an umbrella term for various sub-cultures like Mon, Tai Lue, and Karen.

Language is not just signs and symbols; it is a means to construct identity and reflects a group's values.

Example: Thai proverbs like "As you sow, so you shall reap" reflect deep-seated cultural beliefs.

Thai is the national language and lingua franca.

Dr. Janpha notes relationships between regional languages, such as similarities between Thai and Lao scripts, and syntax differences between Thai (S+V+O) and Burmese (O+V).

Dr. Janpha categorizes culture into eight essential components:

1. Social Organization (Family, Schools)
2. Customs and Traditions
3. Language
4. Arts and Literature
5. Religions and Belief Systems
6. Forms of Government
7. Economic Systems
8. Environment and Geography

This refers to the exchange of information between people from different cultures.

Success requires Cross-cultural Communication Competence (CCCC): Knowledge, Skills, and Positive Attitudes.

High-context (e.g., Thailand, Japan): Meaning is in non-verbal cues, silence, and "unwritten rules". Relationships are long-term.

Low-context (e.g., USA, Germany): Meaning is explicitly stated in words to avoid misunderstanding.

Individualism (e.g., USA): Focus on personal achievement, rights, and privacy.

Collectivism (e.g., Thailand, China): Focus on group harmony. Decision-making is often a collective duty.

Habitus refers to a "feel for the game".

It is a set of acquired patterns of thought and behavior (embodied) that allow individuals to improvise, such as body language or how one crosses the street.

Culture has two parts:

• Visible (Above water): Food, dress, language.
• Invisible (Below water): The larger portion. Deep-seated values, beliefs, and worldviews.

Test your understanding of the 10 topics above.

1. Which theory compares culture to an object with visible and invisible parts?

2. According to Dr. Janpha, how many elements of culture are there?

3. "Thai Culture" is best described as:

VOCAB QUIZ 1 EL 311

EL 311 Quiz 1 Preparation

Unit 5 (Food) & Unit 6 (Extremes)

Sawasdee! This interactive lesson covers the vocabulary for Quiz 1.

Instructions: Enter your name below to start. On the vocabulary pages, if you are using a phone, scroll the table right to see the Example Sentences.

Student Name / ID

Unit 5: Food & Science

👉 Swipe table left/right to see examples

Unit 6: Extremes & Memory

👉 Swipe table left/right to see examples

Quick Check

Select the correct meaning.

Good Job!

Well done, !

You have reviewed the key vocabulary for EL 311 Quiz 1.

Conver Gen App 1

English Conversation Practice

Select a scenario below. Read Speaker A's prompt carefully, then write your response.

1. Choose a Scenario: -- Select a Role Play Topic -- Role Play 1: Extreme Animal Abilities Role Play 2: Conversing about Eating Insects Role Play 3: Technology and Progress Custom (Write your own)

Context:

Student Name

Student ID

Speaker A (The Prompt)

Speaker B (You)

Speaker A:

Speaker B (Your Answer):

Speaker A:

Speaker B:

Speaker A:

Speaker B:

Speaker A:

Speaker B:

Please fill in your Name, ID, and all Speaker B responses.

Test123456

English Conversation Practice

Select a scenario below and complete Speaker B's responses.

1. Choose a Scenario: -- Select a Role Play Topic -- Role Play 1: Extreme Animal Abilities Role Play 2: Conversing about Eating Insects Role Play 3: Technology and Progress Custom (Write your own)

Student Name

Student ID

Speaker A (The Prompt)

Speaker B (You)

Speaker A:

Speaker B (Write your response):

Speaker A:

Speaker B:

Speaker A:

Speaker B:

Speaker A:

Speaker B:

Please fill in your Name, ID, and all Speaker B responses.

Basic Pronunciation App Version 2

Fluency Mechanics

The Music of English

Fluency is not just about vocabulary; it is about the "physical beat" of the language.

The Core Difference:

[cite_start]
• Thai (Tonal): Pitch determines the meaning of a word.
[cite_start]
• English (Stress-Based): Loudness and length determine the focus.

Thai Learner Tip: In Thai, every syllable has roughly equal time (like a machine gun). In English, only important words get time. You must learn to speed up the small words!

1. The Physics of Sound

[cite_start]

To master endings, you must understand Vocal Cord Vibration[cite: 17]. Put your hand on your throat.

Voiceless (Air Only)	Voiced (Vibration)
p, t, k, s, sh, ch, f	b, d, g, v, l, m, n, r
Example: "Snake" (s)	Example: "Bee" (b)

[cite_start]

Crucial Rule: All Vowel Sounds (a, e, i, o, u) are Voiced[cite: 18].

Quiz: Place your hand on your throat. Say "ZZZZZ" (as in Zoo). Is it voiced?

Yes (It buzzes/vibrates) No (It is air only)

2. The '-ed' Past Tense Rules

Don't guess! [cite_start]The ending sound is determined strictly by the sound that comes before it[cite: 21].

Rule A: The "Extra Syllable" /id/

[cite_start]

Use this ONLY if the word ends in T or D[cite: 22].

• Want → Wanted
• Need → Needed

Rule B: The Voiceless /t/

[cite_start]

If the word ends in a voiceless sound (p, k, f, s, sh, ch), the ending is a sharp /t/[cite: 27].

• Walk → Walked (Sounds like: Walk-t)
• Wash → Washed (Sounds like: Wash-t)

Rule C: The Voiced /d/

[cite_start]

If the word ends in a voiced sound or vowel, the ending is a soft /d/[cite: 30].

• Play → Played (Sounds like: Play-d)
• Clean → Cleaned (Sounds like: Clean-d)

Quiz: How do you pronounce "Cooked"? (The root 'Cook' ends in 'k')

Cook-id (2 syllables) Cook-t (1 syllable, ending in T) Cook-d (1 syllable, ending in D)

3. The '-s' & Plural Rules

[cite_start]

Just like past tense, the plural '-s' changes based on vibration[cite: 33].

Rule A: The "Hissing" Sound /iz/

[cite_start]

If the word ends in a hissing sound (s, z, sh, ch, ge), add a syllable /iz/[cite: 39].

• Bus → Buses
• Judge → Judges

Rule B: The Voiceless /s/

[cite_start]

After voiceless consonants (p, t, k, f), pronounce as /s/[cite: 37].

• Cup → Cups
• Walk → Walks

Rule C: The Voiced /z/

[cite_start]

After voiced consonants or vowels, pronounce as /z/ (a buzzing sound)[cite: 38].

• Pen → Pens (Sounds like: Penz)
• Go → Goes (Sounds like: Goz)

Quiz: How do you pronounce "Dogs"? (The root 'Dog' ends in 'g', which vibrates)

Dog-s (hissing) Dog-z (buzzing)

4. Word Stress (The Heartbeat)

[cite_start]

The Golden Rule: One word has only ONE primary stress[cite: 49].

[cite_start]

For 2-syllable words, follow this pattern[cite: 55]:

Type	Stress Location	Examples
Nouns & Adjectives	First Syllable	CHI-na, HAP-py, TA-ble
Verbs	Last Syllable	re-CORD, pre-SENT, be-GIN

Thai Learner Tip: Do not use a high tone for the stressed syllable. [cite_start]Instead, make it LOUDER and LONGER[cite: 53].

Quiz: You are using the word "Export" as a VERB (e.g., "We will export rice"). Where is the stress?

ex-PORT (Second syllable) EX-port (First syllable)

5. Suffixes & Weak Stress

[cite_start]

Some endings act as "magnets," pulling the stress to specific syllables[cite: 73].

The "One Before" Rule

[cite_start]

For words ending in -ion, -ic, -ity, -logy, stress the syllable immediately before the suffix[cite: 74].

• Information → in-for-MA-tion
• Graphic → GRAPH-ic
• Biology → bi-OL-o-gy

The "Two Before" Rule

[cite_start]

For words ending in -ize, -ate, stress the third syllable from the end[cite: 77].

• Industrialize → in-DUS-tri-al-ize

Weak Stress (Schwa)

For the stressed syllable to shine, others must be weak. [cite_start]We often reduce vowels to a "uh" sound (Schwa)[cite: 85].

Example: Banana is not "Ba-Na-Na". It is "buh-NA-nuh".

6. Compound Words

[cite_start]

When two words join, the rhythm shifts predictably[cite: 64].

[cite_start]
• Compound Nouns: Stress the FIRST part[cite: 65].
  BED-room, NEWS-pa-per
[cite_start]
• Compound Verbs: Stress the SECOND part[cite: 66].
  over-LOOK, under-STAND

Quiz: Which is correct for "Greenhouse" (a place to grow plants)?

GREEN-house (First part) green-HOUSE (Second part)

7. Intonation & Nuance

Falling Tone (↘)

[cite_start]

Use for certainty: Statements, Commands, and Wh-Questions (Who, What, Where).

• "Stop!" ↘
• "Who is that?" ↘

Rising Tone (↗)

[cite_start]

Use for uncertainty or politeness: Yes/No Questions.

• "Are you hungry?" ↗

Lists and Tags (Advanced)

[cite_start]

Lists: Go UP on items, and DOWN on the last one.
"Lemons ↗, soup ↗, and bread ↘."

Tag Questions:

• Real Question: "You're new here, aren't you?"↗ (I don't know the answer).
• Agreement: "It's hot, isn't it?"↘ (I know it's hot, agree with me).

8. Rhythm: Machine Gun vs. Morse Code

[cite_start]

Thai is Syllable-Timed: Every syllable gets equal time (Machine Gun.

[cite_start]

English is Stress-Timed: Time depends on the number of "Content Words" (Morse Code).

Content Words (Stress these): Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives.
Grammar Words (Rush these): is, a, the, of, to.

WHALES ... are ... BIG
(big dot) ............ (tiny dots) ............ (big dot)

Practice: Don't say "Cats chase mice" and "The cats chase the mice" at different speeds. They should take the same amount of time because they have the same number of stressed words (Cats, Chase, Mice).

Basic Pronunciation App

Fluency Mechanics

The Music of English

The Challenge: Thai is a Tonal Language (pitch changes meaning). English is a Stress-Based Language (loudness and length determine focus).

To sound fluent, you must master the "physical beat" of the language. This guide breaks it down into 4 pillars based on the mechanics of fluency.

Key Principle: Listen for the music, not just the words.

1. Vibration & Initial Sounds

Understanding Vocal Cord Vibration is the key to mastering ending sounds. Place your hand on your throat to feel the difference.

Voiceless (Air Only)	Voiced (Vibration)
p, t, k, s, sh, ch, f	b, d, g, v, l, m, n, r
No vibration in throat	Vibration (Buzzing)

Note: All Vowel Sounds are Voiced.

Test Yourself: Is the sound /z/ (as in "zoo") Voiced or Voiceless?

Voiced (It vibrates/buzzes) Voiceless (Air only)

2. The '-ed' Past Tense Rules

The ending sound depends strictly on the sound that comes before it.

• /id/: If word ends in /t/ or /d/ (e.g., wanted, needed)
• /t/: If word ends in a Voiceless sound (e.g., walked, talked)
• /d/: If word ends in a Voiced sound (e.g., saved, played)

Quiz: How do you pronounce the -ed in "Stopped"?
(Hint: The sound before -ed is /p/, which is voiceless)

/t/ (Stop-t) /id/ (Stop-id) /d/ (Stop-d)

3. Word Stress: The Heartbeat

The Golden Rule: One word has only ONE primary stress.

Two-Syllable Rule:

• Nouns/Adjectives: Stress the FIRST syllable.
  Examples: CHI-na, TA-ble, HAP-py
• Verbs: Stress the LAST syllable.
  Examples: re-CORD, pre-SENT, be-GIN

Quiz: Where is the stress in the verb "Present" (to give something)?

PRE-sent (First syllable) pre-SENT (Second syllable)

4. Stress in Compound Words

When two words join, the stress moves predictably.

• Compound Nouns: Stress the FIRST part.
  POST-man, BED-room, NEWS-pa-per
• Compound Verbs: Stress the SECOND part.
  over-LOOK, under-STAND

Quiz: Which pronunciation is correct for "Greenhouse"?

GREEN-house (First part) green-HOUSE (Second part)

5. Intonation: The Melody

Intonation changes the meaning of the sentence.

Falling Tone (↘):

• Statements ("That's my book.")
• Wh-Questions ("Who is that?")
• Commands ("Stop!")

Rising Tone (↗):

• Yes/No Questions ("Did you see Peter?")
• Polite Requests ("Pass the sugar?")

Quiz: You ask "Are you hungry?" (Yes/No Question). Does your voice go up or down?

Rising Tone (↗) Falling Tone (↘)

6. Rhythm: Stress-Timed

Thai: Syllable-Timed (Machine Gun). Every syllable gets equal time.

English: Stress-Timed (Morse Code). Time is determined by the number of stressed words.

ONE and a TWO

"Content Words" represent the big beats. "Grammar Words" are spoken quickly.