Need A Decent Vocabulary

[bobthedog]

Hi,

Anybody have any suggestions on how to get them Thai words to stick to memory? I have like 200 new words I want to learn, and I've tryed using flash cards, but that method just seems too boring. Have you any better, more effective and maybe even more fun suggestions?

Thanks.

Bob.

[freddy123]

Hi,

Anybody have any suggestions on how to get them Thai words to stick to memory? I have like 200 new words I want to learn, and I've tryed using flash cards, but that method just seems too boring. Have you any better, more effective and maybe even more fun suggestions?

Thanks.

Bob.

Yeah I'm in a similar situation, flashcards work for me in that they help me to remember, but its <deleted> boring. I have found that reading simple stories that are are almost within your vocab is quite beneficial for picking up new words and sentance structures/grammer/idioms. I recently brought a workbook for thai school kids that has a bit of a running story that is a bit above my current level of reading, but I find it good cause I have to look up 2-3 words per sentance, and once you see them in use and read the story a couple of times I find I can remember the word alot easier. However this doesn't help with a list of words as such, is there any particular reason you want to learn a list or do you just generally want to improve your vocab?

Another technique you could try is arranging the 200 word into interesting sentances, that you can memorise, might help a bit more than just learning it word by word. eg in english "The cat can eat the pig if he wants", just something that stands out in your mind. I havn't tried this technique yet but im planning to in the future. This would work aswell if you havn't learnt to read thai yet, cause you can just write it out in transliteration.

Good luck with it, ill be watching for any other ideas aswell.

[kriswillems]

I am not sure flashcards are very useful as a primary source for studying new words. In stead of studying a random list of 200 words, learning new words within their context seems to be more logical.

If you look at the text books of grade 1 to 3 that are used in Thai schools you'll see that only a few new words are introduced in every lesson. After every lesson you'll get a list with these new words.

Flashcards could be used a tool for remembering new words in a text. So flashcard might be useful as a secondary source for studying new words. When used this way the learning process also becomes more enjoyable.

[kokesaat]

If you use your computer every day, try a free flashcard program called Anki. It doesn't bore you with frequent reviews of cards that you already know. You can easily modify the cards or the period of review. You can set up reviews for Thai to English or English to Thai or both at random. I typically go through about 100 cards a day and it takes about 15-20 minutes. Google Anki.

[moe666]

What do you like to do, cook, cars, travel work on things you like to do. This may make learning easier and more fruitful.

[Wanida]

Hi

I think, learning by doing can help you remember and build up your vocabulary quickly.You can learn through cooking,gardening ,shopping ,fishing and most everyday life activities.Try and you will see the difference.

Wanida

[Rionoir]

I use BYKI 4 from Transparent Language for the flash cards... at least u can record Thai audio to the card (if your thai is good enough, otherwise have someone else pronounce for you if possible) and even a picture to each card if you are motivated enough. LoL It's still kind of boring, but it's a killer program.

There are language books out there which will have a list of words that go with an associated story... so after I am comfortable with all the words, I will work my way through the story that goes with it. And read it a few days in a row for reviewing. That usually helps me stay somewhat familiar.

Sometimes I will make up sentences in my notebook using the words too, or try to use the words in conversation when chatting on MSN that day.

I know I'm a geek... but it helps. lol

[desi]

I second Byki (paid version).

I wandered away from Byki for awhile because it is a lot of work to put your own stuff in. But there is nothing better for drilling you over and over with flash cards, games and activities. And I need the sound drills after the teacher leaves too, not just when she is here. And the games and activities make it more interesting than just flipping through card after card.

I had a collection of my own Byki but in a changeover of computers I believe I've lost them. But no matter. My former sound files were not that great.

[makescents]

I second Byki (paid version).

I wandered away from Byki for awhile because it is a lot of work to put your own stuff in. But there is nothing better for drilling you over and over with flash cards, games and activities. And I need the sound drills after the teacher leaves too, not just when she is here. And the games and activities make it more interesting than just flipping through card after card.

I had a collection of my own Byki but in a changeover of computers I believe I've lost them. But no matter. My former sound files were not that great.

There's open source versions of BYKI but they don't include sounds. You could chop sounds from Thai TV, radio etc though and make your own.

I'm gonna' do that for my Android phone.

MC

[sanook2me]

Hey,

Thanks for those programs..Anki is great i've just put the new vocab in for this weeks Thai lesson and got the misses to record the Thai words for me to practice with.

This tool works well with the pdf Thai reader and audio file as i can recall the word list using the flash card symbols during the day.. excellent

Just done Byki and playing with that but don't think i will pay for it but it looks okay but i got bored quite soon as the freeware will not let you create your own flash cards..

http://siamwestdc.com/thaireader-UH/index.htm Thai reading script with audio to practice... hope its allowed as a link offsite...

if not try siamwest thaireader

cheers..

Edited September 4, 2009 by sanook2me