Learning Thai as a complete beginner.

[Glasseye]

On 11/17/2023 at 8:45 AM, Yessongs said:

@Lemondropkid Hey LDK, this gal at the gym and I were just talking about this subject a few weeks back. She tells me that you really need someone in a "one on one" situation to really learn. She was asking me about how I was doing learning? I told her I struggle, and she also told me and my wife told me the same, that is NOT to try to learn Thai using English characters. I find You Tube videos to help me. I can run and re-run them and I do. Wifey tells me that she is convinced I could learn to be fluent, as what I do speak, I speak well she tells me. 

This gal "Fa" told me she worked with a guy from Germany that lives in her neighborhood for 2 years. He is married to a Thai gal. He would come over every Sat for 2 hours, she would give him assignments to work on during the week that his wife helped him with and he now speaks, reads and writes fluently. She showed me a video of him, I am impressed. Fa speaks perfect English, has a Bachelors Degree in Engineering and works as a Design Engineer at a company called "Control Logic" here. She is nice to look at too. If you ever re-locate here, she might be able to help you?? 

 

 

Excellent post Yes. Requires a lot of concentration and effort. 

I have some confidence issues when it comes to learning it. That can lead to frustration which I try to limit (frustration = stress). 

I hope to give it another go at some point. Need to get caught up with some other things first (I keep using that excuse).

I pick up words from time to time. Learned the word(s) for lottery yesterday at 7/11 - loi loi.    lol

I almost always find a way to communicate well with folks, even those who can't understand a word of what I am saying. Patience and respectfull body language is a huge factor. Google translate helps greatly also. It took me a while to use that app effectively, but now use it often (still can be a pain in the ass at times).

[fygjam]

 

[roomark]

On 11/15/2023 at 9:02 PM, tommy dee said:

ok so i will fess up.  my wife is a language teacher, thai, english and german.  she is a partner in the I Pasa school near Big C

its a great idea to learn in a classroom, 1 on 1,  you will be surprised what you can do in a week or so

decide if you want to learn to read,talk  or both,  Ideally both.  if talk only its faster but you will always have issues with words, as I do.

here is a link to my 1200 thai lessons, free, I am a crap student.  so you will always be better than me

  but its one minute a day, or as many times as you want.  Its a taster really, as classroom is the way to go

 

all the best and never give up

The lady sounds very good , but the fella sounds like a Thai Tony Blackburn 🤣🤣

[tommy dee]

my wife is a language teacher, thai, English and German with qualifications.  she is a partner in the IPASA language school, north pattaya.  i think one on one is 500 baht an hour.  and she does online too.

 

 

 

[Lemondropkid]

On 1/4/2024 at 12:58 PM, Glasseye said:

Started it here twice once in classroom with a group. The sounds of twenty people trying to pronounce words at the same time was mind numbing

Had lesson 1 today and was thinking of this post, precisely 20 people replying to the teacher at once.

Began with Thai vowels , consonants and tones. Some in the class were either extremely bright or had learnt these before.

I struggled but enjoyed more towards the end as I was starting to get some of the basics on repetition.

So plenty of home study coming up for me 

As one of your fellow countrymen said on leaving, "well this is going to be challenge!" 😁

[Glasseye]

25 minutes ago, Lemondropkid said:

Had lesson 1 today and was thinking of this post, precisely 20 people replying to the teacher at once.

Began with Thai vowels , consonants and tones. Some in the class were either extremely bright or had learnt these before.

I struggled but enjoyed more towards the end as I was starting to get some of the basics on repetition.

So plenty of home study coming up for me 

As one of your fellow countrymen said on leaving, "well this is going to be challenge!" 😁

 

Ineed. A challenge I am not currently up to as I am juggling many other responsibilities which require my full attention. When I feel those are reasonably completed I will again take another stab it. 

[fygjam]

These keep popping up in my YouTube suggestions.

 

There might be some duplicates so maybe not 1,400 words.

They have phrases as well.

 

[Lemondropkid]

On 1/18/2024 at 3:07 PM, Daveo said:

Thanks again. Now I'm learning basic vocabulary have realised how recall is aided by an image rather than trying to remember written text with no pictures!!

Baby stuff but it works for me😀

 

[Phantom51red]

On 1/22/2024 at 1:54 PM, fygjam said:

These keep popping up in my YouTube suggestions.

 

There might be some duplicates so maybe not 1,400 words.

They have phrases as well.

 

She s very nice,subscribed a few years ago but didn't really watch,still pops on suggestions.

[Lemondropkid]

Found a site that offers online tutors for around 400 baht and up for a 50 minutes online lesson.

You get a decent mini resume of each teacher and the real bonus of being able to book a free trial lesson.

https://preply.com/en/online/thai-tutors

[Stillearly]

1 hour ago, Lemondropkid said:

Found a site that offers online tutors for around 400 baht and up for a 50 minutes online lesson.

You get a decent mini resume of each teacher and the real bonus of being able to book a free trial lesson.

https://preply.com/en/online/thai-tutors

So , did you pick the cheapest or cutest.... ? 😜

[Zambo]

On 1/17/2024 at 3:36 PM, tommy dee said:

my wife is a language teacher, thai, English and German with qualifications.  she is a partner in the IPASA language school, north pattaya.  i think one on one is 500 baht an hour.  and she does online too.

 

 

 

The best option. One to one tuition in person, but also available online if cannot make it to the language centre.

[Lemondropkid]

3 hours ago, Stillearly said:

So , did you pick the cheapest or cutest.... ? 😜

The intersection- large field to filter out🙂

[ChiFlyer]

For me - the key to learning any language is continual repetition unless one has some kind of intrinsic language ability. I certainly do not. It took me 5 years to become decent at Spanish and I had a patient native speaker girl friend during those 5 years. I also took 4 years of Spanish at the local JC and read books on the train into downtown Chicago from the burbs where I lived.

Being retired in Thailand now with myself reaching the end of the early part of the year US activities (tax season, FBAR, etc.), I am in need of a new hobby. I am thinking about taking another run (5th time now?) at getting better at pasathai. 

Game plan to start is to use Google Translate to hear the sounds of the expressions that I already know. -> (Teim h̄ı̂ tĕm).

From there drill vocabulary making sure to hear the phonetics properly. From there practice with the Mrs and possibly take a course. 

[Lemondropkid]

On 2/12/2024 at 7:03 PM, Zambo said:

The best option. One to one tuition in person, but also available online if cannot make it to the language centre.

Very wise words about one to one tution in person.

Discovered today in an attempt at an online class that the camera on my laptop no longer works 😭.

Was so frazzled by it, forgot I also have a relatively new but basic tablet that works just fine!!!

 

[Lemondropkid]

On 2/13/2024 at 11:45 PM, ChiFlyer said:

Game plan to start is to use Google Translate to hear the sounds of the expressions that I already know. -> (Teim h̄ı̂ tĕm).

From there drill vocabulary making sure to hear the phonetics properly. From there practice with the Mrs and possibly take a course. 

That sounds like a great plan.

I'm struggling a little with my Thai, but must say the most enjoyable part are the lessons. Met some great people, picked up learning tips/resources off them and feel more motivated.

With your strategy you will be more than capable of comfortably doing a beginners course- you'll probably be one of the better students in there.

Good luck- 5th times a charm😁

[ThaiTim]

On 11/15/2023 at 11:19 AM, Zambo said:

If this was 15 years ago i would say forget about getting any books or other learning resources to make a start before starting. Better to meet the teacher and use the resources she provides. You could start by using what you do know of the Thai language already at every opportunity and try a few simple exercises like counting to 10.

But in these days of apps i do wonder if there is a good tool out there that could help with simple phrases.

My technique was to speak a few simple words, looking to see if there is any reaction. If just a blur look then adjust the pronunciation a bit until a smile of understanding appears.

I have to admit that as a farang I try to order my coffee in fluent Thai. Mrs TT says it is correct but the look on the face of ghe girls face tells me she has no clue. They generally turn to Mrs TT and try to converse with her which irritates me greatly.

I have on occasion asked the girls colleagues if she is Thai and understands Thai, in Thai.

Seems to do the trick.

[Stillearly]

I just watched a reel .... on Thai words for things in a hotel ...

the following were the same as English , but said in a Thai accent ... 😄

Reception 

Key card 

TV

Tissue

Remote

Air ( conditioner) 

Switch

made me chuckle and I now know more Thai words than I thought 😜

[Derek Dangleberries]

31 minutes ago, Stillearly said:

I just watched a reel .... on Thai words for things in a hotel ...

the following were the same as English , but said in a Thai accent ... 😄

Reception 

Key card 

TV

Tissue

Remote

Air ( conditioner) 

Switch

made me chuckle and I now know more Thai words than I thought 😜

Short time

Joiner fee

 

[Going2Siam]

Thai Pod 101

Ling app is ok but it becomes difficult after the first chapters. 

I also watch Thairath tv even if I don't understand much but it's nice when you at least get what they are talking about.😀

 

 

[Lemondropkid]

8 hours ago, Going2Siam said:

Thai Pod 101

Ling app is ok but it becomes difficult after the first chapters. 

I also watch Thairath tv even if I don't understand much but it's nice when you at least get what they are talking about.😀

 

 

Thai pod 101 is good to dip into.

I use lingpolo occasionally, and tick over with a tutor. Looking forward to starting again in a classroom next month.

[Stillearly]

 

[Lemondropkid]

2 hours ago, Stillearly said:

 

That's sort of interesting although on extended listiening he does come over as a bit of a c**K

His points about the lack of value spending hours in a text book do resonate with me though. Have too slowly come to realise I need to get out and practice more (how obvious is that hey😜)

I've come to the realisation that  3 months in school whilst  it's equipped me with a load of vocab,  it hasn't boosted my ability to speak Thai much beyond the beginner level.

Philippines next month then after that a change of strategy.

I'm still enjoying learning, I understand more listening than I'm able to convey speaking. Not giving up yet!!

 

 

 

[boydeste]

2 hours ago, Lemondropkid said:

That's sort of interesting although on extended listiening he does come over as a bit of a c**K

His points about the lack of value spending hours in a text book do resonate with me though. Have too slowly come to realise I need to get out and practice more (how obvious is that hey😜)

I've come to the realisation that  3 months in school whilst  it's equipped me with a load of vocab,  it hasn't boosted my ability to speak Thai much beyond the beginner level.

Philippines next month then after that a change of strategy.

I'm still enjoying learning, I understand more listening than I'm able to convey speaking. Not giving up yet!!

 

 

 

There is no substitute to slowly getting involved with conversations methinks. 

Something I struggle with. 

Use it or loose it.

[galenkia]

2 hours ago, boydeste said:

There is no substitute to slowly getting involved with conversations methinks. 

Something I struggle with. 

Use it or loose it.

I used to speak a reasonable amount of Thai, but not using it I would probably have forgotten a fair bit. I actually enjoyed learning it and Thai’s appreciate you making the effort to speak their language.

When I spent 11 months there in 2001/2002 the lady living with me would teach me everyday and I would help her with her written English, which was really good. Her spoken English was excellent. Considering she had little education she was really smart.