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What are some effective online resources or methods for learning Thai as a beginner?
Thai language learningLearning resourcesOnline Thai classesThai pronunciationLanguage appsThai alphabetLanguage exchangeTone recognition
Jun 19, 2021
5 years ago
Ruth *******
ORIGINAL POSTERHas anyone had a good experience with learning Thai online? I'm still planning to take a class when I get to Thailand, but I'd like to get a head start. I have not been thrilled with my experience thus far. I have a bit of a hearing problem, that combined with the challenges of Thai (tone, alphabet, vowels swirling around the consonants...) have made me feel overwhelmed and not certain where to start. Any recommendations? I tried a one-on-one tutor who just read a bunch of random words and expected me to immediately be able to repeat them back. That was NOT helpful. lol. Memrise, my goto platform for language, has not tackled Thai.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses challenges in learning Thai online, particularly for those with auditory difficulties. The user seeks recommendations for effective resources and methods. Comments provide a variety of suggestions, including using apps like ThaiPod101, Memrise, and iTalki for lessons with experienced teachers who emphasize learning the Thai alphabet for better pronunciation. Additional strategies involve immersive experiences like listening to Thai media and repetitive practice with phrases. Resources such as the Ankidroid app and Linguaphone's PDQ course are also mentioned as helpful tools for learning tones and vocabulary.
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Greg ************
I purchased Linguaphone’s PDQ Thai (stands for Pretty Darned Quick!) before I came to Thailand 15 years ago and it really helped me get good start on the importance of Thai tones. Their PDQ series is targeted as a quick start on the essentials before you travel on holiday.
With regards to teachers, unless they are very experienced I’ve found many Thai ‘teachers’ don’t understand the nuances around the tones as obviously they don’t learn that way. It’s like most English natives can’t explain grammar. Unfortunately being able to speak fluent English is not enough to be a good Thai teacher, they need additional training in how to teach it as a foreign language.
Here’s a link to the course and it’s still only £30, The same price I paid when I bought it!
With regards to teachers, unless they are very experienced I’ve found many Thai ‘teachers’ don’t understand the nuances around the tones as obviously they don’t learn that way. It’s like most English natives can’t explain grammar. Unfortunately being able to speak fluent English is not enough to be a good Thai teacher, they need additional training in how to teach it as a foreign language.
Here’s a link to the course and it’s still only £30, The same price I paid when I bought it!
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Channel **********
@Greg ***********
. I believe that there is also a more comprehensive learning product available by ลิงกัวโฟน (Linguaphone) which also helps to read and write Thai about 5000 บาท. My friends used this. ❤️
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Channel **********
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Laura-Boat ***************
You could try the Ankidroid app - there are loads of flashcard decks, many with audio that you can listen to as many times as you need.
Good luck with your Thai learning journey - it's not always easy but very rewarding😁
Good luck with your Thai learning journey - it's not always easy but very rewarding😁
Daniel ************
For me, Type anything in English in Google Translate and then listen to the Thai translation as many times as you want. Besides the read aloud feature, they also have some rough phonetic translation but it's hard to figure out.
Ruth *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Daniel ***********
yeah, that helped me when I was learning and *living in* a country and could actually apply it. That hasn't really worked well in this context. However, when I get a bit further down the line and can actually use the language a bit more, I agree...it's very useful.Reply to
Ruth *******
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Channel **********
Linguaphone possibly the oldest and still the best. Many foreign friends I have now speak almost native Thai using that method
Ruth *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Channel *********
I'll check it out. ThanksReply to
Ruth *******
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Bruce **************
I struggle with languages. The best thing I did was learn to read and write Thai. It is not so difficult and will pay dividends learning the language in the long run. Also self study is easy this way
Niclas ***********
Check out
@Thai ************
I feel she is very good on teaching tones meaning I can hear the differences well. She got a tonne of content online for free so can start there. She does tutoring or classes. When I got schedule that works I plan to take her group classes myself!Larry *******
Thai Pod 101, Mondly, Pocket Thai for reading and learning tone rules , Duke language school fir zoom group classes
Jake *******
I highly recommend Khru Nok on iTalki. She's an excellent teacher who speaks fluent English. I spent a lot of time trying different teachers on iTalki and Preply before I found her.
Jake *******
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Jake *******
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Michael *********
Learn to read Thai the way Thais do, every Thai I ask knows this book from childhood.
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Michael *********
@Ruth ******
I found it very useful! 👌 Ruth *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael ********
This looks like the kind of thing I was looking for 2 months ago!!! I wanted to be able to learn the alphabet in context. I will look closer at it. Thanks.Reply to
Ruth *******
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Janny **************
TSL chiangmai might be help😊😊
Briton *********
Learn to read. The tones suddenly become clear and you can do it at your own pace
Jamie ******
Fun easy Leary Thai
Thaipod 101
Both good
Thaipod 101
Both good
Mark **********
I’ve been taking lessons with Jaime on Preply. She insisted on my learning the alphabet and to read and write. Invaluable for proper pronunciation because as an older guy it’s hard for me to hear the subtlest of the language. And with a home in Phetchabun, being able to read street signs is a big side benefit. Good luck to you.
Ruth *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mark *********
thank you. Can you link me to her profile (pm me)? I tried another teacher on preply and she could not understand at all why the alphabet was important to me. I'd like a teacher with the same line of thinking as myself.Mark **********
@Ruth ******
Here’s her full name: Achanart (Jamie) C.Thailand
Native Thai tutor with BA degree, linguistic background, fluent in English.
I think you’ll be able to find her on the website or app
Ruth *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mark *********
no tutors match that name. She must not be there any longerReply to
Ruth *******
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Josh ***********
i have found for referencing and adding to vocab,
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is really good since they have recorded sound of nearly every phrase tooMichael ********
Try learning how to read Thai first. Wish i had
Ruth *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael *******
That's sort of what I've been doing. I want to learn the alphabet first, because it seems silly to learn transliteration then learn the alphabet. Where would you recommend though?Ruth *******
ORIGINAL POSTERI am trying to at least get used to some level of listening as well though, but I'm definitely working on the reading.
Ruth *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael *******
that was the first book I picked up. I was not impressed. Maybe the online version was better, but he SAID one should learn the structure of the language before trying to learn the speech and reading, but then he kept referencing things as if you already knew how to speak the language. lolMichael ********
@Ruth ******
Stuart Jay Raj he is on the group i linked above, he also has a great book i have just started.His you tube channels are good look at the fundementals first, not learning Thai but the basics of how you can learn.
Look at them first.
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Michael ********
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Madz ******
I'm the same. I find listening to radio, watching random lives on here for cooking or beauty products, watching thai soaps and having anything thai on in the background as often as possible really helps. You start to understand some repetitive words and tones and the uses of them. It's slow but real talk rather than learning from an app. Repetition and writing phrases down phonetically works for me. If you find a great app or resource please let me know 🤩
Ruth *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Madz *****
If I were already in Thailand, I know I would have no problem. I've learned other languages that way. However, I tried finding some shows and I found them just too annoying. lol. I'll keep looking...maybe I'll find something.Reply to
Ruth *******
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