Finding Connection Through Language: Thai Lecturer Chinoko Shirakura Builds Bridges at UH Mānoa

By: Tia Flores, Student Communications Assistant
Published: May 6, 2025

When Chinoko Shirakura walks into her classroom at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, she carries more than just lesson plans and textbooks—she brings with her a passion rooted in identity, heritage, and connection. As UH Mānoa’s first Thai language lecturer, Shirakura isn’t just teaching a language—she’s helping students rediscover their roots, build cultural bridges, and grow in confidence.

Born and raised in Thailand to a Thai mother and Japanese father, Shirakura grew up in a multicultural household where language was more than a means of communication, but a way of life.

“I realized early on that language wasn’t just words. It’s a way of understanding daily life, of connecting to people,” she said. “Even casual conversations carry culture.”

That understanding deepened after moving to Hawaiʻi in August of last year. Shirakura is currently pursuing a Master’s in Multicultural Education at UH Mānoa—a two-year program that she says allows her to immediately apply what she learns in the classroom to her own teaching.

Upon moving to Hawai’i, her friends and colleagues encouraged her to share casual Thai phrases. Then, it became apparent to Shirakura that her enthusiasm and natural talent for teaching could go further. “I’d see how excited they got when they understood something, even just simple phrases,” she said. “That’s when I knew I wanted to pursue this seriously.”

What started as informal language help quickly blossomed into a full-fledged course offering at UH Mānoa. The Thai program officially launched in January 2025 with Shirakura as the sole lecturer. Currently, she teaches Thai 101 and Thai 202 to students who tested into the higher level, with plans to expand to Thai 102 next semester.

To Shirakura, her work is about more than curriculum. It’s about identity. “For many students, learning Thai is a way to reconnect with their heritage. I’ve seen students light up when they realize they can now communicate with their grandparents,” she said. “That’s when I knew I wasn’t just teaching vocabulary—I was helping them find part of themselves.”

Teaching Thai at UH Mānoa hasn’t been without challenges. As a native speaker, Shirakura had to learn how to break down pronunciation and grammar for non-native learners. “There’s a gap between speaking naturally and explaining the structure behind it,” she said. “But that gap made me explore how to adapt and improve my teaching methods.”

This fall, Shirakura’s students are also launching a Thai Language Club, a student-led initiative that reflects the growing interest and enthusiasm for the program. “They’re doing it on their own. When I saw their passion, I was like—wow, this is so cool,” she said.

When asked what advice she has for students who want to connect with their Thai heritage but don’t speak the language, Shirakura offers words of encouragement that reflect her entire teaching philosophy: “Put yourself in environments that make you feel immersed—and open your heart. That’s how it starts.”

Looking ahead, Shirakura hopes to continue growing the program and fostering even deeper connections through language. “Seeing my students go from shy beginners to confident speakers—that’s the most rewarding part,” she said. “And it reminds me every day that what I do matters.”

For more information on the Thai language program, visit manoa.hawaii.edu/ipll/academic-programs/thai/.