Anyone Here Learning Thai

[Neeranam]

If you are using/have used a Thai language teacher, what do/did you look for.

I'm looking for a teacher now, preferably who has lived in the UK.

I want one with very good English skills.

Do you think it is important that English teachers can speak Thai?

Would make sense to me. I have met hundreds of English teacher that go on about their level of Thai not making any difference but when they want a Thai teacher they want an English speaker - I'm confused

[meadish_sweetball]

I have met hundreds of English teacher that go on about their level of Thai not making any difference but when they want a Thai teacher they want an English speaker - I'm confused

Good point.

Personally, all other things equal, I would opt for a person who has learned the other language - communication of ideas will be that much smoother, and the teacher's understanding for the problems the student might face will also be greater.

If I planned to live and teach here for more than 1 or 2 years, I would seriously consider learning Thai.

Then again, some people just hate school and think immersion learning is the best (only) way. My personal view is that a basis of thorough theoretical learning as a start (1-2 years) followed by as long a period of immersion as you can get probably will provide the best results.

[OxfordWill]

I had a series of female teachers and I have to be honest, the male ones after were all much better. The females usually wanted to be more chatty and less serious about work...the way I've done things with learning has always been quite serious, so it didn't work too well with me. The male teachers demanded some measure of respect and I rised to their challenge alot better and wasted very little time/money.

[Jim 50]

If you are using/have used a Thai language teacher, what do/did you look for.

I'm looking for a teacher now, preferably who has lived in the UK.

I want one with very good English skills.

Do you think it is important that English teachers can speak Thai?

Would make sense to me. I have met hundreds of English teacher that go on about their level of Thai not making any difference but when they want a Thai teacher they want an English speaker - I'm confused

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have been learning Thai for 5 years.

Not sure it was worth it to be honest. The language is of very little use.

[Neeranam]

I have been learning Thai for 5 years.

Not sure it was worth it to be honest. The language is of very little use.

I've been learning Thai for 14 years and I find it very very useful when in Thailand. Communicating with the wife is probably the best use!

The females usually wanted to be more chatty and less serious about work

In Thai I hope. I've met a few female teachers who want to talk in English.

My personal view is that a basis of thorough theoretical learning as a start (1-2 years) followed by as long a period of immersion as you can get probably will provide the best results.

I agree, although it am doing it the other way around.

Now I am looking to learn some finer nuances, which I think is best with a teacher who has lived in the UK.

N N

[mrbojangles]

Neeranam, when you say Thai language. Is it written or spoken that you wish to learn? I would presume from your posts that you have got a good handle on spoken and now want to learn to read and write. Is this so? Or do you just want to improve your spoken?

[Ice Maiden]

My teacher is great she knows enough english for me to discuss problems within the language I face and to communicate with me but there is always that little bit of english she dosen't know that urges me to speak thai which is a good balance.

She has left to visit her parents for the next few weeks and I'm stuck with a male teacher that knows very little english. It's very fustrating. But he says "Never mind this will help you learn thai I don't need to speak english"...... More like give me a headache

I'd find a teacher that can speak enough english regards to helping you with your learning. After all a very good english speaking one wouldn't learn you much as you'd be speaking and discussing in english all the time.

How about having some kind of a trial period too? Because after a few weeks you may decide you have chosen the wrong teacher and most language schools ask for payment in advance

[orchidexpert]

The concept of any languages learning no need formal studying. If you ask for Thai teacher to teach the Thai language for you as the same as lots of Thai people who try to learn english from English native speakers. But not successful because it's not in natural. Let you see the baby learn how to communicate with their parents like to be the copyist. In fact. in Thailand many Thai people who study English language in school more than 10 years but can't speak english or communicate with the foreigner.

Many Thai people try to study English language in English Language School aslo but seem to be waste time and loose their money for that. Why? Because in real life not use just the sentences in an English conversation book.

I teach Thai language for the foreigner at my office by using the holiday or lunch time. Talk in any topics and don't care it's right or wrong sentences but just in the polite way. That's ok.

If you wanna learn Thai language in the correct way. Should to find some good and educated Thai friend to teach you. You can spend time with them for travelling and ask them to speak Thai with you. This is the easy way to study Thai language faster than you learn from Thai teacher.

[Neeranam]

Neeranam, when you say Thai language. Is it written or spoken that you wish to learn? I would presume from your posts that you have got a good handle on spoken and now want to learn to read and write. Is this so? Or do you just want to improve your spoken

Spoken Thai really, I can already read.

[robitusson]

If you are using/have used a Thai language teacher, what do/did you look for.

I'm looking for a teacher now, preferably who has lived in the UK.

I want one with very good English skills.

Do you think it is important that English teachers can speak Thai?

Would make sense to me. I have met hundreds of English teacher that go on about their level of Thai not making any difference but when they want a Thai teacher they want an English speaker - I'm confused

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have been learning Thai for 5 years.

Not sure it was worth it to be honest. The language is of very little use.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Agreed. Whatever about the spoken language I definitely wouldn't bother learning to read and write.

[otherstuff1957]

I've been too busy/lazy to take any formal classes, though I keep saying that I will take some classes in the future. I do think that a bilingual teacher can teach more effectively, as they will understand the differences between the two languages and can also effectively explain usage and grammar.

I taught myself to read Thai after living here for a few months. I've found that being able to read makes a huge difference for me. The Thai alphabet, with it's 44 consonants and 32 vowels and 5 tone markers is very regular and lets you know exactly how a word should be pronounced.

[mr-chris]

Here's a story for you.

I lived in BKK back in 95-96. I learned of a guy who learned to speak Thai so fluently, he was often mistaken for a Thai when calling people on the phone or from behind.

He learned for free.

He sat outside the universities at 'kick out' time and aimed straight at the learners who specialised in learning English.

He helped them and in doing so, learned in only a couple of years from nothing to a full fledged writer of Thai.

I also learned a lot in the same way, by asking and trying with students and other folk. I was only there 18 months but I sure impressed the ladies when I got back, being able to order food in Thai restaurants in the UK in Thai.

The amazing thing is, the waiters all understood me first time.

[Ijustwannateach]

Good story...

But wouldn't "students" who "majored in English" be a bit more idiomatic than "learners who specialized in learning English?"

[mittheimp]

When I arrived in Thailand I had a couple of offers from people offering to teach me thai in exchange for English. The one I chose was really enthusiastic, extremely friendly and good fun, alas she was a hopeless teacher so i never learnt much (although i did end up marrying her!). Better to get someone with professional experience if you are really serious about learning Thai! I'm still very limited 5 years later!

[Neeranam]

QUOTE(Jim 50 @ 2005-10-26 14:47:54)

QUOTE(Neeranam @ 2005-10-25 22:03:35)

If you are using/have used a Thai language teacher, what do/did you look for.

I'm looking for a teacher now, preferably who has lived in the UK.

I want one with very good English skills.

Do you think it is important that English teachers can speak Thai?

Would make sense to me. I have met hundreds of English teacher that go on about their level of Thai not making any difference but when they want a Thai teacher they want an English speaker - I'm confused blink.gif

*

I have been learning Thai for 5 years.

Not sure it was worth it to be honest. The language is of very little use.

*

Agreed. Whatever about the spoken language I definitely wouldn't bother learning to read and write.

What do you guys do in Thailand?

Are you short time visitors?

Don't you want to watch the news on tv? Read a newspaper?

Chat up the girls/boys? Reading traffic signs.

Although I'm not yet fluent, I find my Thai gives me countless more opportunities to enjoy it here.