Hi.  I'm a native English speaker and have learned to speak French, Spanish and Italian over the years.  Thai, though, is proving very difficult.  I've taken courses and know a lot of expressions and words, but listening and speaking fluency (or even much ability) is not coming at all -- I think partly because of the tones, and partly because in Bangkok it's too easy to fall back on English.

 

Based on past experience, both learning and teaching languages, I'm convinced what I need at this stage is a period of isolated total immersion.  In particular, a month-long home stay somewhere where there will be little or no opportunity to speak English.  Can anyone recommend a homestay they know of that would suit this purpose, or an ideal place to look?

 

Please don't suggest other language-learning approaches (courses, watching movies or tv, non-English speaking gf, etc.).  I know what I want at this stage and for this thread I'm only interested in homestay suggestions.

 

Thanks.

23 minutes ago, JTXR said:

Hi.  I'm a native English speaker and have learned to speak French, Spanish and Italian over the years.  Thai, though, is proving very difficult.  I've taken courses and know a lot of expressions and words, but listening and speaking fluency (or even much ability) is not coming at all -- I think partly because of the tones, and partly because in Bangkok it's too easy to fall back on English.

 

Based on past experience, both learning and teaching languages, I'm convinced what I need at this stage is a period of isolated total immersion.  In particular, a month-long home stay somewhere where there will be little or no opportunity to speak English.  Can anyone recommend a homestay they know of that would suit this purpose, or an ideal place to look?

 

Please don't suggest other language-learning approaches (courses, watching movies or tv, non-English speaking gf, etc.).  I know what I want at this stage and for this thread I'm only interested in homestay suggestions.

 

Thanks.

That's pretty much depends on where you live in Bangkok, and where & what you do.

 

If live in tourist areas or expat ghettos, then you'll be speaking English most of the time.  Go to where there are no tourist or expats, which is real easy actually.

Google shows many opportunities for homestay, a company can set everything up for you, but you'll have to pay. If you know any Thai people, you can tell them what you're looking for and ask if they have family or friends you might stay with. I would still expect to pay the family for the inconvenience, and provide for myself or contribute to family meals, etc.. Please report back, I've been curious about this also.

Removed an off-topic post about sonogram tool.

I have read quite a few posts on various thread topics where some posters appear to be doing this by living in Thai villages.

 

Not always positive experiences so be aware.

 

The first fluent Thai phrase you might learn while “immersed” is “May I borrow money “.

Congrats on your ability to learn the other languages.