Graded Readers In Thai?

[foolforlove]

I have been learning to read/write Thai....

I'd like to find something like "graded readers" in thai. similar to how we have graded readers for english learners....

i can not just get books for children .... i need something more than "see the red train go fast."

so any suggestions? thanks.

[Groongthep]

I have been learning to read/write Thai....

I'd like to find something like "graded readers" in thai. similar to how we have graded readers for english learners....

i can not just get books for children .... i need something more than "see the red train go fast."

so any suggestions? thanks.

Ask the booksellers at the Chatujak weekend market. They have lots of them from elementary to advanced. They are all used books so the prices are cheap too. Pick up one of those free maps of the market. The book section is not far from the Khampaengphet MRT exit.

[Rikker]

Are you looking for texts with English too, or just Thai?

If you don't mind no accompanying English translation, you can find scans of the actual Thai Ministry of Education primary school readers (grades 1-6) here (click on the "Basal Readers" link on the left. The format is DjVu, so you'll have to download a plug-in if you don't already have it. These are for kids, sure, but there's a lot more in these than just "see Spot run."

Or you can find the texts of the Mary Haas reader (with optional English translation) here. Choose from the dropdown menu. The Haas texts are ordered from easiest to hardest, so you can figure out where in the list you need to be reading.

If you continue scrolling down the dropdown menu there, there are many more texts, mostly more advanced, but they aren't graded. These include a large set of Western short stories and novellas translated into Thai (from Wanakam.com). Jack London, Mark Twain, George Orwell, O'Henry, and so forth.

Edited March 3, 2009 by Rikker

[foolforlove]

thai only is just fine.

thanks that Mary Haas site is very interesting.

i will also look at the MOE books, since i live near a Suksanpanit store.

[rak sa_ngop]

I've posted this before: the "Scooby-Doo" range of Thai/English books are great for reading practice (intermediate level?). 45 baht each, 24 titles (at least) but not so easy to find now as generally sold out in many bookshops.

[ianh68]

Are you looking for texts with English too, or just Thai?

If you don't mind no accompanying English translation, you can find scans of the actual Thai Ministry of Education primary school readers (grades 1-6) here (click on the "Basal Readers" link on the left. The format is DjVu, so you'll have to download a plug-in if you don't already have it. These are for kids, sure, but there's a lot more in these than just "see Spot run."

Or you can find the texts of the Mary Haas reader (with optional English translation) here. Choose from the dropdown menu. The Haas texts are ordered from easiest to hardest, so you can figure out where in the list you need to be reading.

If you continue scrolling down the dropdown menu there, there are many more texts, mostly more advanced, but they aren't graded. These include a large set of Western short stories and novellas translated into Thai (from Wanakam.com). Jack London, Mark Twain, George Orwell, O'Henry, and so forth.

I'm very interested in this but have run into some problems. Both of your links take me to the same website and when I click on one of the basal readers I get the message that it can't be opened. Any ideas?

[Rikker]

The format is DjVu, so you'll have to download a plug-in if you don't already have it.

The basal readers are in DjVu format (a type of image compression). Here's the plug-in you need to install for your browser. Works in any common browser, so far as I know.

The second link ("Just Read") requires you to choose a story from the drop-down menu. The story will display in both English and Thai. You can use the other drop-down menu to choose to show only Thai or only English, or change how the two are displayed together.

Hope that helps.

Edited March 8, 2009 by Rikker

[kokesaat]

The format is DjVu, so you'll have to download a plug-in if you don't already have it.

The basal readers are in DjVu format (a type of image compression). Here's the plug-in you need to install for your browser. Works in any common browser, so far as I know.

The second link ("Just Read") requires you to choose a story from the drop-down menu. The story will display in both English and Thai. You can use the other drop-down menu to choose to show only Thai or only English, or change how the two are displayed together.

Hope that helps.

I downloaded the plug-in from lizardtech.com (above) and executed the file to install on my computer. I tried opening a basal reader file, but nothing happens. I suspect I'm missing a step somewhere. The downloaded basal files are only 700-900 bytes (that's not kilobytes!) which seem awfully small to hold any substantial information.

Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong??

Thanks from Udon

[Rikker]

Hmm. Sounds like it didn't install correctly. Did you restart your browser? And failing that, try rebooting your computer? Always first lines of defense. Second line of defense: try it in a different browser.

The file you are seeing is actually just an index file. The way DjVu works is you download a page at a time, using an index file that links each separate page (each with its own file on the server). The benefit is that it makes them quick to load and navigate on the web. The opposite of PDF, which are not well suited for web viewing. Also, the compression is often better.

Let me know if you get it to work.

[kokesaat]

Hmm. Sounds like it didn't install correctly. Did you restart your browser? And failing that, try rebooting your computer? Always first lines of defense. Second line of defense: try it in a different browser.

The file you are seeing is actually just an index file. The way DjVu works is you download a page at a time, using an index file that links each separate page (each with its own file on the server). The benefit is that it makes them quick to load and navigate on the web. The opposite of PDF, which are not well suited for web viewing. Also, the compression is often better.

Let me know if you get it to work.

I downloaded and reinstalled the add-on three times. Then tried opening the Basal readers with IE 8, Maxthon, Opera, and Firefox. When I click on one of the readers, I'm prompted to either open or save the file. No matter whether I open or save, I get a blank screen.

Am I possibly doing something wrong in the install process (there really aren't any options given when installing). When I look at Firefox add-ons, it shows the DjVu program installed.

I'm befuddled.......any suggestions? My computer works well, haven't had any issues, and I consider myself pretty competent when it comes to things of this sort, but I've had no luck yet.

Thanks

[kokesaat]

Success. Installed, reinstalled, redownloaded, reinstalled, IE, Opera, Firefox......threatened my computer doll with pins.........it works. I can't explain why. Problem solved.