Learning Thai

[sirineou]

So here I am, Finally made it back to Thailand, Have been coming to Thailand for the past 14 years, married to a lovely Thai lady for about twelve years, but we were stuck in the west for the past two years with the pandemic. In the mean time I also retired and now have plenty of time in my hands. 

   If I am going to stay here long term I need to learn Thai. I know a few phrases but that's the extend of it. 

So what's my best way to go about doing that? We live just outside the ring road in Khon kaen  5-10 minutes from the University.  

Are there any classes geared toward adult foreigners? or perhaps private lessons?

[1FinickyOne]

one word at a time...

 

It is an issue you will get many different answers to... we all learn differently and different methods work for different people... the general answer is repetition - make some flash cards... I am guessing you want to learn for practical, getting along, purposes... not as a scholarly pursuit... 

 

There are lots of decent tools out there, translation apps for your phone etc.. they are not always correct but a place to start... pm me if you want a brief phonetic guide to help you get started... 

 

[EricTh]

Sadly, most language schools just don't know how to teach Thai to adult foreigners. They teach the language like Thai school kids.

 

They have online group and private lessons, their lessons are short and easy to understand unlike a lot of Thai language schools like YMCA, AUA . They also speak excellent English unlike a lot of Thai language teachers.

 

https://learnthaiwithmod.com/online-group-lessons/

 

Yes, you can learn online.

Edited May 25, 2021 by EricTh

[sirineou]

12 minutes ago, 1FinickyOne said:

one word at a time...

 

It is an issue you will get many different answers to... we all learn differently and different methods work for different people... the general answer is repetition - make some flash cards... I am guessing you want to learn for practical, getting along, purposes... not as a scholarly pursuit... 

 

There are lots of decent tools out there, translation apps for your phone etc.. they are not always correct but a place to start... pm me if you want a brief phonetic guide to help you get started... 

 

My purpose as you said is for practical reasons. I hate having my wife translate everything I say, or hope that she is translating everything I say. 

I have a background in engineering and are very technically minded.  It is very frustrating to me when I know what the solution to an Issue is , but having to explained it to my wife, who as wonderful as she is,  is the least technically minded person in the world , hope she understood, and translated what I said correctly. Also I would like to connect with Thais at a better level than a baby. 

I feel that not being able to communicate  is depriving Thais of my wisdom  ???? LOL (only kidding)

Edited May 25, 2021 by sirineou

[bojo]

My way is not text book, but it sure was fun...................................

Get a small pocket note book and write down all the useful words that you think you would like to learn for general day to day use. (I also bought the phrase book and small dictionary, Practical Thai, see below) .....................

Write English on the left side and to the right, write down the Thai translation in English phonetically (as it sounds to you). I decided to learn 3 words a day, no more no less, without missing any days, which after 3 months was 270 words (enough in my books for quite a few basics and the ability to communicate very simply in most day to day situations and encounters. Each day I tested myself on all the previous days and weeks words until I really didn't need to anymore. I kept this pocket book with me at all times, on the beach, everywhere..it was soooh handy.......................... I then used this vocabulary to launch me further and I think key for me, was making an effort to engage with locals who were really helpful and not to be worried about making mistakes.............................I had alot of fun....................................Good luck....................

[Mister T]

I would absolutely recommend learning to read first. First week is scary and mind boggling but you will work out a simple system of your own to pick up the little nuances. It will teach you the correct tones and pronunciation, I quite often correct my daughter as they learn the lazy spoken language at school and from their peers. Reading Thai will get you totally immersed rather than struggling with trying to understand their lazy spoken language and slang.

[OneMoreFarang]

Find an innocent Thai girl who knows no English. And then meet her and talk to her. ???? 

[sirineou]

2 minutes ago, bojo said:

My way is not text book, but it sure was fun...................................

Get a small pocket note book and write down all the useful words that you think you would like to learn for general day to day use. (I also bought the phrase book and small dictionary, Practical Thai, see below) .....................

Write English on the left side and to the right, write down the Thai translation in English phonetically (as it sounds to you). I decided to learn 3 words a day, no more no less, without missing any days, which after 3 months was 270 words (enough in my books for quite a few basics and the ability to communicate very simply in most day to day situations and encounters. Each day I tested myself on all the previous days and weeks words until I really didn't need to anymore. I kept this pocket book with me at all times, on the beach, everywhere..it was soooh handy.......................... I then used this vocabulary to launch me further and I think key for me, was making an effort to engage with locals who were really helpful and not to be worried about making mistakes.............................I had alot of fun....................................Good luck....................

Writing down , is not a bad idea, When I was in University (yes written language was invented back then) . I used to write down passages I wanted to remember, because when you do so, you use a different part of your brain and it helps to reinforce memory.

But aside from  remembering words and fraises with out context, I like to learn some of the basics so that I understand rather than just remembering sounds that help me get things. 

[sirineou]

1 minute ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Find an innocent Thai girl who knows no English. And then meet her and talk to her. ???? 

Yea, my wife would love this.

Lucky for me my medical insurance covers me in Thailand LOL

[bojo]

6 minutes ago, sirineou said:

Writing down , is not a bad idea, When I was in University (yes written language was invented back then) . I used to write down passages I wanted to remember, because when you do so, you use a different part of your brain and it helps to reinforce memory.

But aside from  remembering words and fraises with out context, I like to learn some of the basics so that I understand rather than just remembering sounds that help me get things. 

That Practical Thai book (unassuming front cover) was key for me........it was so basic, yet everything was at a glance and uncomlicated.............I looked at the vocab and noticed that some of the language was very descriptive in formation, eg 'Ice' is formed by the words 'water' and 'hard', so you learn 2 words but actually learn 3 in the process....... I also noticed that the tenses were soooooh simple in formation with 'ja' denoting future in front of the verb and laeow after the verb denoting 'past' etc etc......Just easy stuff from this little phrase book..It was only available in one chain of bookshops last time I checked in 2016 and that was either Sabaai books, Asia books or the other place I forget.

[KeeTua]

I agree with what Mister T posted above, learn to read as soon as possible. I used flash cards each with a Thai consonant on front and the English equivalent on back. I'd carry a few at a time until I had them all memorized. Then worked through the vowels. It will help immensely to build up your vocabulary and good exercise for your brain. And you won't need to rely on the various transliteration schemes that are all lacking.

[sirineou]

41 minutes ago, bojo said:

That Practical Thai book (unassuming front cover) was key for me........it was so basic, yet everything was at a glance and uncomlicated.............I looked at the vocab and noticed that some of the language was very descriptive in formation, eg 'Ice' is formed by the words 'water' and 'hard', so you learn 2 words but actually learn 3 in the process....... I also noticed that the tenses were soooooh simple in formation with 'ja' denoting future in front of the verb and laeow after the verb denoting 'past' etc etc......Just easy stuff from this little phrase book..It was only available in one chain of bookshops last time I checked in 2016 and that was either Sabaai books, Asia books or the other place I forget.

I looked at Amazon for it but it was not available.

I took a picture of it, and will show it at different book stores here in Thailand to see if I can find it. 

Thank you for the recommendation. 

[sirineou]

1 hour ago, bojo said:

My way is not text book, but it sure was fun...................................

Get a small pocket note book and write down all the useful words that you think you would like to learn for general day to day use. (I also bought the phrase book and small dictionary, Practical Thai, see below) .....................

Write English on the left side and to the right, write down the Thai translation in English phonetically (as it sounds to you). I decided to learn 3 words a day, no more no less, without missing any days, which after 3 months was 270 words (enough in my books for quite a few basics and the ability to communicate very simply in most day to day situations and encounters. Each day I tested myself on all the previous days and weeks words until I really didn't need to anymore. I kept this pocket book with me at all times, on the beach, everywhere..it was soooh handy.......................... I then used this vocabulary to launch me further and I think key for me, was making an effort to engage with locals who were really helpful and not to be worried about making mistakes.............................I had alot of fun....................................Good luck....................

Found it on Lavada and order it????

[Damrongsak]

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Find an innocent Thai girl who knows no English. And then meet her and talk to her. ???? 

That's what I did, more or less.  Been married 42 years now. 

[sirineou]

7 minutes ago, Damrongsak said:

That's what I did, more or less.  Been married 42 years now. 

Me too, 12 years ago,

unfortunately still not a word of Thai for me, and the missus cant  shut Up in English. ,

Oh yea !! and not so innocent anymore ., now that I think about it, I am beginning to suspect that she never was. LOL

[Simple Jack]

I learned alot from Thai songs with subtitles. Also movies. Untill i met my wife who taught me the more complex stuff.

 

Repetition,repetition & more repetition. I had a weird system that worked for me. Where i would write stuff down in Eng. As it sounded to me in Thai. Being a jock that was easy.

 

All i would say is don't be discouraged. If i can do it. So can you! They say it takes 10,000 hours to master a craft. 30 mins a day you will be well on you're way.

 

Grettings from Khon kaen. ????

 

[1FinickyOne]

2 hours ago, bojo said:

'Ice' is formed by the words 'water' and 'hard', so you learn 2 words but actually learn 3 in the process....... I also noticed that the tenses were soooooh simple in formation with 'ja' denoting future in front of the verb and laeow after the verb denoting 'past' etc etc.....

great method to use... there are so many phrases like that...

 

nam = water

dtah = eye

nam dtah = tear

horm = good smelling

nam horm = perfume

som = orange

nam som = orange juice

nam soda = soda water or seltzer

 

and the tenses are simple and it seems my wife and niece have stopped using them entirely... I guess that is a nice aspect of country culture - there is no time... everything is of the moment... 

[EricTh]

1 hour ago, 1FinickyOne said:

great method to use... there are so many phrases like that...

 

nam = water

dtah = eye

nam dtah = tear

horm = good smelling

nam horm = perfume

som = orange

nam som = orange juice

nam soda = soda water or seltzer

 

and the tenses are simple and it seems my wife and niece have stopped using them entirely... I guess that is a nice aspect of country culture - there is no time... everything is of the moment... 

 

Sorry to burst your bubble but these are just beginner Thai.

 

I've seen many westerners use English grammar to speak Thai instead of Thai grammar.

 

Thai grammar is completely different from English grammar. Once you reach intermediate Thai, then you will know Thai grammar isn't that 'simple', they are just completely different from English grammar.

 

 

Edited May 25, 2021 by EricTh

[Randell jones]

2 hours ago, sirineou said:

Me too, 12 years ago,

unfortunately still not a word of Thai for me, and the missus cant  shut Up in English. ,

Oh yea !! and not so innocent anymore ., now that I think about it, I am beginning to suspect that she never was. LOL

Possibly your Mrs doesn't want you to learn thai, she may be worried incase you embarrass her by saying thing the wrong way round, very easy, or she might want that little hold on you that you have to rely on her to communicate. 

[Chris.B]

"If I am going to stay here long term I need to learn Thai. I know a few phrases but that's the extend of it. 

So what's my best way to go about doing that?"

 

Do yourself a favour and book into these classes....

 

https://learnthaiwithmod.com/online-group-lessons/

 

I am doing their courses now and I am happy with them. ???? I can concur with a previous poster, their English is excellent which is very important.

 

Edited May 25, 2021 by Chris.B

[1FinickyOne]

7 hours ago, EricTh said:

Sorry to burst your bubble but these are just beginner Thai.

Burst what bubble - ??

 

My post is written to beginner Thai's who are learning their first words... read the post I am responding to... 

 

 

[DavidH555]

Best way (for me) is to learn 2 words per day.

 

[Lacessit]

How one learns Thai depends on whether one is aural or visual. Aural involves listening to and repeating Thai words, Visual is writing them down and memorizing.

I only speak Thai with my GF, it's my way of reinforcing my use of the language on a daily basis. I can't read or write Thai, the alphabet defeats me.

While I'll never be fluent in Thai ( too old ) I do enjoy the occasional triumph of explaining to a complete stranger what I want, being understood, and getting it.

[bunnydrops]

Youtube

There is so much there. There are the pretties, Mod and Speak Thai Easy, and there are some from some Thai brick and mortar schools. My fav at the moment is Learn Thai by New

 

[Chris.B]

17 hours ago, sirineou said:

Found it on Lavada and order it????

 

 

I use this book to supplement my studies. Very useful as a reference and very cheap. The pages are quality produced as well.

 

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/learn-thai-quick-guide-for-beginners-2-i368968579-s720958004.html?spm=a2o4m.searchlist.list.35.6e05ace2ckdBgM&search=1

 

[youreavinalaff]

Learning by doing. Get out and speak Thai. Try to avoid speaking English if you can. Go shopping alone, avoid places where there are many expats and integrate into your local community.

 

That's how I did it. You should be quite good within 6 months.

[Chris.B]

11 hours ago, DavidH555 said:

Best way (for me) is to learn 2 words per day.

 

What two words would those be then? ????????

[RobMuir]

22 hours ago, KeeTua said:

agree with what Mister T posted above, learn to read as soon as possible.

It is a must.

 

Takes about 2 weeks and you will waste your time if you don't. 

 

 

[Damrongsak]

I was fortunate to have about 6 weeks of intensive language training in the Peace Corps.  Then I was posted to Loei and worked in the Land Development office.  Way back then (1977) there were very few English speakers in Loei, so it was speak Thai or keep quiet.  I never did learn much of the local Isaan/Lao dialect. 

 

"What do you call this in Thai language?" proved to be very useful. 

Edited May 26, 2021 by Damrongsak

[ThaiPauly]

On 5/26/2021 at 6:30 PM, Chris.B said:

What two words would those be then? ????????

It's funny, when you say..name two words only 2 spring to  mind that compliment other  and you know what they are of course ????????????????