Best Way To Continue Studying Thai

[KMM84]

Hi to all the forum users,

I've been a lurker here for a while and gleaned lots of really helpful information from the forum so thank you for all your input.

I have a bit of a problem. I have already completed months 1-4 at TLA (Thai Language Achievement) School. For those not familiar with the school they run an intensive Thai language programme based on the original Union text book (same as Piamittr, Unity, and several others I can't recall the names of). The course is split into 6 month long stages where study takes place 5 days a week for approx 3.5 hours. At this stage I can already read and write and don't speak too badly thanks to having Thai friends to practice with, and being blessed with a good memory for vocab. Of course like most people I'm not satisfied with this and I want to continue my studies. However, due to my current training schedule (I am currently running and boxing in the morning from 7.00 - 9.30, and boxing again in the afternoon from 3.00 - 5.30), it's impossible for me to get to any classes, and would be even more difficult for me to put in the hours for homework and revision.

So what I am hoping for is some advice as to where to go from here. I am going to be training with a similar schedule for the near future so I really need some recommendations for self study materials. For instance would the Becker series worth looking at for someone of my level? If so at which level would someone that has completed level 1-4 at Union etc be at? Or do people think that perhaps it would be best to just revise what I have already done, and practice as much as possible, until I am able to go back to school to finish the final two levels.

Just out of interest, has anyone achieved, or know of anyone that has achieved, a high level of Thai language ability through self study? I know of several near fluent speakers that have never studied formally, but they have all lived in with a Thai partner for several years which I'm sure has helped and I'm not in that situation.

Thanks for any advice in advance,

Kieran

Edited September 22, 2010 by KMM84

[singa-traz]

Read, Watch TV, Listen to Radio and Talk to your Thai Friends.

[kokesaat]

If you can "read, write, and don't speak too badly", I'd think the Becker books would be too easy for you.

If scheduling time is your enemy but time itself isn't, go out and buy a book that's in your reading range. For example, นิทานพื้นบ้านอีสาน has a series of short stories that are enjoyable (for me) to read. I have a handicapped neighbor read them into a small mp3 player for me......I can read the story on my own, listen to the mp3 as I get comfortable with the text, and then I return to the neighbor to have him ask me questions about the story and dictate vocabulary words for me to write. Because he's handicapped, he's available 24/7, happy to help, and I reciprocate in a variety of ways that makes me sleep well at night. No traveling to class, no scheduling conflicts, and an hour of one-on-one with my neighbor is easily worth a few in a class.

I supplement my vocabulary building with anki flashcards. I can clip short segments (or long) of my mp3 files into anki, type in the thai/english, and review the cards at my leisure while I'm on the can, waiting for my wife at the hairdresser, or otherwise have a few minutes to kill.

Good luck with your studies.

[KMM84]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I think I will just do what I can until I am able to go back to school to complete the final two months of the course and then a few advanced modules too.

[SoftWater]

How far have you got with your reading? Have you started reading whole texts yet, or still sentences? If you've progressed from simple sentences to short paragraphs you might try the Ghetting reader, that will prepare you for the next Union level I think. You can also enjoy the audio as you try and read along, its all free here

http://siamwestdc.com/thaireader-UH/index.htm