Learning Thai? Start here

Most Language Education does it wrong

Feel like picking up some Thai but not sure where to start?

Learning a new language can often feel like a daunting task, but it doesn’t need to be.

Learning a new language can be a fun experience that helps you connect with the world around you and the locals in your foreign adventure.

Once you understand the basics of how to learn a language effectively, you can begin your journey.

So what’s the basics of how to learn a language?

Well, most language education programs around the world get this wrong.

First off is the method. Second is the goal.

The basic method of learning a language is:
•Listen
•Speak
•Read
•Write
•Grammar

Often in schools we learn the other way around. Read and write going first.

Now, there’s a logic to this.

If we start the wrong way, most of us fail to learn to communicate in the language.

Writing helps reinforce your reading. But listening and speaking do not reinforce your reading and writing.

But, if we start the right way, you’ll realize:
•Speaking solidifies listening
•Reading solidifies listening and speaking
•Writing solidifies listening, speaking and reading

Why do most education programs teach languages the wrong way around?

Because they have the wrong goal: To pass a test.

In language learning, the number 1 thing is communication.

And communication requires listening and speaking.

Reading and Writing are useful, but aren’t essential. Whereas, in tests, they usually make up the core of the curriculum.

When you’re learning in a foreign language, especially Thai which has a foreign alphabet, only learn the needed words and spelling to aid your speaking and pronunciation. If seeing the word written in some form of roman letters (unfortunately there’s no 1 standard for thai with roman letters), you can write them — but don’t get hung up on the spelling, get hung up on using the word in a real-life situation.

A little context on Thai, and then 4 videos I recommend to get started on your Thai journey.

Thai is a tonal language, but don’t let that throw you off…

In fact, Thai is a friendly tonal language that doesn’t need you to focus on the tone to get by.

Most words in Thai are understandable, even if you get the word with the wrong tone pronunciation. On a few instances, you might come across words where the tone makes the word different — those particular examples are the only ones you need to focus on.

Instead, learn from these youtube videos and start implementing them into your daily life in Thailand.

The 3 videos are all by the same woman. I chose her because she doesn’t focus on tone and has some energy with her teaching.

My order of learning topics deviates from her episode numbers. The reason is I’m choosing topics I can use right away. And build up on top of the last topic.

So, the main thing you do when you travel in Asia is —- EAT!

Every. Single. Day.

Learning initial greetings, numbers, and ordering phrases and objects, helps you comfortably navigate the language in a useful way, and enjoying an extra smile with your meal.

I simply wrote down the words in:
•The Thai roman letter spelling she has
•And English

If it’s a phrase, I like to dissect the phrase into words to understand how the phrase is put together — I’ll explore this in a later email.

So here’s the task:
Learn video 1, go practice using the phrases every time you interact with locals
Learn video 2, go practice using the numbers every time you buy things
Learn video 3, go practice using the phrases when you eat
Learn video 4, go practice using the phrases when you’re thirsty

And I promise, you’ll have decent Thai fundamentals to learn your next interest in Thai.

Video 1) First 10 Thai words (ways to greet, say thanks, and be polite) — Learn all phrases and use

Video 2) Counting in Thai (Use every day when you buy things) — Learn all the numbers and use

Video 3) Ordering food in Thai (Use every day when you order food) — ONLY Learn phrases useful to you, and use.

Video 4) Ordering Drinks in Thai (Use every day when you order drinks) — ONLY learn phrases useful to you, and use.

The reason to learn only useful phrases with 3 and 4 is to save mental energy with words —- remembers, communication — and we communicate things we want or need first.

This is the first newsletter of my learning language journey where I share language learning insights and resources that help me do one of my favorite things in life — connect with people in their native language.

Let me know how you get on and what else you’d like me to share in this new venture of mine.