Thai Language Books By Sriwilai Ponmanee...

[desi]

Hi all, I'm too lazy to find where they are mentioned here, but earlier someone said that the books by Sriwilai Ponmanee are excellent for beginners on up to intermediate (paraphrasing).

Anyway, the whole set can now be found at DCO books here. As I was curious, I ordered a set but I haven't listened to the tape as my tape/cassette player doesn't work. As soon as I pull the cassette into my computer, if you do buy the book with the cassette, I'll give you a copy of the mp3 so you don't have to mess with it too. And if you manage to convert the cassette before I get around to it...

If anyone has any experience with Sriwilai Ponmanee's work could you jump in? The books do seem quite good and the prices are excellent.

45 Thai Stories w/Tape 490 Baht

Learning to Read Thai by Sriwilai Ponmanee 250 Baht

Reading to Learn Thai by Sriwilai Ponmanee 250 Baht

Speaking Thai 1 by Sriwilai Ponmanee 280 Baht

Speaking Thai 2 by Sriwilai Ponmanee 280 Baht

Speaking Thai for Advanced Learner 280 Baht

[kikenyoy]

Hi all, I'm too lazy to find where they are mentioned here, but earlier someone said that the books by Sriwilai Ponmanee are excellent for beginners on up to intermediate (paraphrasing).

Anyway, the whole set can now be found at DCO books here. As I was curious, I ordered a set but I haven't listened to the tape as my tape/cassette player doesn't work. As soon as I pull the cassette into my computer, if you do buy the book with the cassette, I'll give you a copy of the mp3 so you don't have to mess with it too. And if you manage to convert the cassette before I get around to it...

If anyone has any experience with Sriwilai Ponmanee's work could you jump in? The books do seem quite good and the prices are excellent.

45 Thai Stories w/Tape 490 Baht

Learning to Read Thai by Sriwilai Ponmanee 250 Baht

Reading to Learn Thai by Sriwilai Ponmanee 250 Baht

Speaking Thai 1 by Sriwilai Ponmanee 280 Baht

Speaking Thai 2 by Sriwilai Ponmanee 280 Baht

Speaking Thai for Advanced Learner 280 Baht

Nice find...thanks.

I bought Speaking Thai 2 quite a while ago and like it quite a bit. It has 40 lessons with each lesson giving vocabulary, then grammar practice, a short story with comprehension questions, and writing drills. I read the stories and answered the questions and skimmed the rest. I was impressed enough to try to track down Thai for Advanced Learners and 45 Thai Stories but found out that her books have been out of print for quite a while and couldn't be ordered. The only ones I've seen are several copies of Speaking Thai 2 and one copy of Learning to Read which I didn't buy since I can read already.

Thanks for the offer about the audio.

[desi]

I'm quite liking the books too. Them when I showed them to my Thai teacher, she jumped on them.

Maybe if there is a revived interest in the books, Sriwilai Ponmanee will push through another print run? Or come out with a revised version? I certainly like what I see.

[kikenyoy]

I ordered the two books and got an email saying there would be a slight delay because they sold out of their initial stock and are getting more from Chiang Mai so it looks like there is some interest.

[desi]

That was quick as DCO just added the books to their store. But coming from Chiang Mai, you shouldn't have too long a wait. This week I'll see if my other tape player works (my small one is totally dead). I'm especially curious to hear what the tapes are like.

[NaiGreg]

I bought Speaking Thai 2 quite a while ago and like it quite a bit. It has 40 lessons with each lesson giving vocabulary, then grammar practice, a short story with comprehension questions, and writing drills.

The instructors at the Payap University Thai Language program uses this text for hand-out materials in their classes. I know many of the students there go to one of several local bookstores (Chiang Mai) to get the full version.

[tygerstar]

Is Speaking Thai for Advanced Learners a continuation of Speaking Thai 2?

And what is Reading to Learn Thai about?

[tygerstar]

Desi

Have you received the books your ordered?

[desi]

Desi

Have you received the books your ordered?

Yes, I have the whole set. I was just hoping that someone who has already studied with them would come up and answer you in more detail than I can.

'Is Speaking Thai for Advanced Learners a continuation of Speaking Thai 2?'

From the book: I was very pleased and encouraged when the first edition of the 'Speaking Thai' attracted much more attention than expected from readers. And since the 80 lessons from 'Speaking Thai' does not completely cover every content area that should be learned and practiced in conversation, I assumed there should be 'Speaking Thai for Advanced Learners' in succession. In this book, there will be both simplified text and authentic text as well as Thai idioms and adages.

Btw - in Speaking Thai 1 and 2, there are 40 lessons in each, so she is lumping the two books together. So yes, it is a continuation of Speaking Thai 2.

'And what is Reading to Learn Thai about?'

From the book: When I started to write 'Learning to Read Thai' I realised that after this book, readers would need continued lessons in Thai to read in order to maintain the ability of reading Thai script, developing reading comprehension. The book 'Reading to learn Thai' therefor was written so as to meet these objectives.

She does go on to promise yet another book - Reading Thai Newspapers... but to my knowledge, it is not available (I'm interested, I'll ask Danny at DCO if he can inquire about it).

Note: I'm not qualified to have an expert opinion, but from looking at the books here and reading comments online, I'd say this course is certainly worthwhile. And it just feels right to me. The layout is not confusing, decent size of Thai script, it is not bogged down with unnecessary graphics or colours, nor is it too academic (like an excel spreadsheet). They are practical workbooks. They are meant to be scribbled in, used, etc,. But please remember, I have not started on the books (yet) so I can only explain what I see...

[tygerstar]

Thanks, Desi! That was the kind of info I was looking for.

I have Speaking Thai 1 and 2 and was wondering what Speaking Thai for Advanced Learners was about. Does it have the same format as Speaking Thai 1 and 2?

And Reading to Learn Thai contains reading and comprehension exercises?

How long did it take your order to arrive (within Thailand)?

Edited June 18, 2009 by tygerstar

[desi]

'Does it have the same format as Speaking Thai 1 and 2?'

No, it doesn't. I was a little disappointed with the size (for books I like small but for workbooks I prefer large). It is the same size as 45 Thai Stories and Reading to Learn Thai (larger than a typical paperback, about half the size of the before mentioned).

'And Reading to Learn Thai contains reading and comprehension exercises? '

The Units are arranged like this:

Vocabulary

Read aloud then write in Thai

Read Thai then answer the following questions

Write Thai then tell the meanings

Questions

At the end of the book is the (complete) vocabulary/dictionary, along with photos, diagrams, side by side English/Thai stories...

'How long did it take your order to arrive (within Thailand)?'

Mine might be different because after I contacted Danny at DCO, Danny had to track down the author as he couldn't find them anywhere in Bangkok, and only then did the books make their way to BKK. I'd say about a week, give or take.

Btw - Danny is now enquiring about the book on newspapers...

[tygerstar]

Thanks again, desi. How many pages in each book and who's Danny?

[kikenyoy]

I'm very interested in the Read Thai Newspapers...hopefully it's available.

What is the approximate level of Read to Learn Thai compared to her other books?

Good luck with the tapes. I haven't owned a tape player for at least 10 years so if you can't get it to work then I'll have to go shopping. Do they even make them anymore?!

[desi]

On the subject of 'Read Thai Newspapers', she hasn't finished it.

Thai for Advanced Readers does cover newspapers (Danny reminded me and I'm looking at it now). If you live in BKK, you can find it at most of the large English book stores, or DCO.

And since I'm stuck here waiting on a contractor, I guess I'll pull out my one surviving tape deck... and ditto kikenyoy, I wouldn't even know where to buy one if this one doesn't work. But at least I'll have two less pieces of stuff collecting dust...

[tygerstar]

'Thai for Advanced Readers' by B Becker?

desi, do you know where I can get Siwilai's books in Bangkok?

[tygerstar]

Does anyone know where I can get those exercise/note books for Thai writing that they use at UTL, AAA, etc other than at those schools? They've got narrow and wide lines and come in pastel colours. 10Bt a copy. I've tried B2S but they don't have them.

[kikenyoy]

I just got the 2 books and am happy with them, but I'm a bit disappointed that 45 stories doesn't include English translations, only a vocab list.

Desi,

Did your tape player work?

[desi]

I'm guessing that she intended for the 45 stories to come after the student has finished the rest?

I have two tape players. One, the tape won't go around. The other, I can't get the speakers to work (AKAII Tape and cd player). But I'm useless with VCRs too...

[desi]

I'm very interested in the Read Thai Newspapers...hopefully it's available.

I don't believe we are allowed to link to competing Thai forums, but...

If you google 'Thai Newspaper Headlines read' you will come up with pages and pages showing examples on how to read Thai newspapers..

[tygerstar]

So, which is the more advanced, Reading to Learn Thai or 45 Thai Stories?

[bapak]

Looking to buy any or all of the following:

45 Thai Stories w/Tape

Learning to Read Thai by Sriwilai Ponmanee

Reading to Learn Thai by Sriwilai Ponmanee

Speaking Thai 1 by Sriwilai Ponmanee

Speaking Thai 2 by Sriwilai Ponmanee

Speaking Thai for Advanced Learner

Suggestions welcome.

Or even to borrow for say a month.