Lesson one: Learn Thai from a White guy

I focused on learning to read Thai before I could speak it. The real benefit is being able to learn on your own from books and such. If you don’t know how to read the script, you must rely on the phonetic version of words to pronounce things correctly which really has huge limitations. Being able to properly read the Thai script will allow you to pronounce words 100% correctly, at least most of the time.

Lawrence is correct. Transliteration can only get you so far…and their are too many different variations anyway. Good to see you’re getting a head start. Learning menu/food items for me, was/is foremost on my reading list, because you have to eat and menus/market signs are everywhere Apart from the structured part of my learning, I carry a note book around and write words down, to investigate further. I also learn on a need to know basis…when I need to go and say something (like please don’t iron my clothes), I learn it.

Good luck learning Thai! It really seems a matter of motivation. I’ve seen motivated individuals go from zero to speaking, reading, and writing to an impressive beginners level in a year. I’ve also met people who’ve lived here for ten years and say they can’t speak a word. Tip: learn Thai however you can: from white people, definitely from Thai people, from books, online tutorials, and always have your eyes and ears open for new stuff . . . be wary of the know-it-alls though, they will probably give you bad information. Ultimately, the native speakers know best, never listen to a foreigner who claims to know all the correct tones, it’s like the blind leading the blind . . .

How well can you read Thai? Can you read newspapers? Have you stopped walking into doors that have a sign saying pull?

It’s still early days and difficult to remember what each character sounds like but practice makes perfect right!

mmmmmm….. it’s all about the food, that and music for me. I’d love to understand the songs and potentially sign in Thai at some point.

Good tip with the notebook, I’ll carry one with me!

Once in Thailand I will have teachers all around me, I’ll just have to strike up a conversation with the Thai local next to me. Lets hope I don’t scare them off. Looking forward to getting to know people through the language.

I run into doors on a pretty consistent basis, I chalk that more to eyesight then lack of Thai reading.

I can read newspaper’s okay (I’m much better at comic books), but I have no idea what the words are. I can pronounce the words, but then I have to ask, what did that just mean?

Learning to read Thai before you arrive is a fabulous idea. People are often overwhelmed so put it off until they get here… and then the distraction of Thailand hits them and… whoooh… that’s that….

Well right now seems like the perfect time, I’m getting ready to leave and I’m spending the last week with my parents so lets just say I could do with the distraction as I forgot how irritatingly boring it is living with the folks. Lovely bunch, but after 10 years away from home I remember why I left. Learning to read Thai is a welcome activity right now!

Well right now seems like the perfect time, I’m getting ready to leave and I’m spending the last week with my parents so lets just say I could do with the distraction as I forgot how irritatingly boring it is living with the folks. Don’t get me weong they’re a lovely bunch, but after 10 years away from home I remember why I left. Learning to read Thai is a welcome activity right now!

OK….I AM AT YOUR BLOG AND I SEE LESSON#1, #2 ,#3…ARE THEY DOWN-LOADABLE? I WANT TO LEARN THAI AS FAST AS POSSIBLE. I HAVE PURCHASE 2-COURSES: 1-FROM A WHITE INSTRUCTOR AND 2-FROM A THAI UNIVERSITY INSTRUCTOR….2-CDs AND EACH HAVE A BOOK OF LESSONS AS WELL….BOTH SAY-”LEARN THE ALPHABET AND NUMBERS FIRST AND LEARN READING WHILE YOU ARE LEARNING LANGUAGE…..SO…WHERE CAN I LEARN THE FASTEST OR IS THERE A FAST WAY…..
SIGNED:
2-HOURS-A-NIGHT……DHLS1@YAHOO.COM