Steve's Blog - 7th January 2010
Learning Thai
How difficult is it really?
The language barrier, however, can be maddeningly difficult. The Thais are nervous users of English, and often avoid chatting to a foreigner just in case they get it wrong. Taxi drivers take you to the wrong place, sales-assistants in shops run away when you approach for help. The answer is to learn to speak Thai! Over the years, I have heard a lot of people say “I’m not good at learning languages.” Well, it may not be easy, but I don’t believe any of us can’t learn a language if we really want to. Learning to speak Thai opens up opportunities to meet locals and experience Thailand in ways that you cannot dream is possible. And it’s really not that difficult!
Thai language is constructed in a different way to the way in which English is. A lot of meaning in Thai is carried by the ‘tone’ of your voice. This means that pronunciation is crucial in learning Thai. Here are a few tips for getting the most out of your language learning while you are in Thailand.
Buy a book
But just one! All the books on Thai use slightly different ways to write Thai words using the English alphabet, so trying to use more than one book is simply confusing. Get one book, get to know how it works, and stick to it.Get a routine
Work on your language learning bit by bit. Our brains get ‘full’ quite quickly with language, so study a little every day rather than a lot on the weekends. Perhaps a page from your book every morning will be good enough. Find a system that works well for you and go with it!
Be bold
Being shy is against all the laws of language learning. Anyway, Thais love it when foreigners like us use their language. They will tell you how wonderful your Thai is even if you only say three words. So don’t be afraid of making mistakes, and speak to everyone who will listen to you – taxi drivers, the maid, the person next to you on a bus. Some will be afraid, but on the whole you’ll be amazed at the positive response you get!
Use your new words
If you have learnt a new word, use it as much as you can. Put it into every sentence you possibly can, and your brain will remember it. Have you seen young children who point to a light, for example, and say ‘light’. It’s the same principle here. If you have a whole bunch of new words to remember, write them onto strips of paper and tie them onto your key ring, so that when you are free or sitting on a bus you can review them. Throw away the word once you feel you know it well and can use it.
Listen to Thais
Try to hear words you already know and also make guesses about the meaning of those you don't. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you will start to identify words, and what they mean just by the predictability of the context. You will quickly identify 'Do you want to go over the bridge?' after just two or three taxi rides.
Listen to yourself
Pronunciation is the key to success at Thai. Be very strict with yourself and try to find a way to force yourself to say Thai words exactly like the Thais do, even if it seems silly or strange. Record yourself saying the word if you can’t hear what’s wrong with your pronunciation, and compare yourself to a Thai saying the same word.
Invest in a teacher
Getting a teacher will help you to master the sounds, and she will help with getting your focus on pronunciation. If your teacher isn’t strict with pronunciation, tell her to be so you can get it right. Even one lesson a week with a teacher will help to accelerate your learning. The cost is worth it.
Reward yourself
Learning a language is hard work and a skill that not many English speaking people are willing to put an effort into. If you are succeeding, reward yourself by being proud of what you have achieved. There is always more to learn, but acknowledging your success is motivating.
Knowing even a little Thai will make your life in Thailand a great deal more fun, interesting and rewarding. You’ll meet wonderful people that you otherwise wouldn’t have been able to speak to, you will get to go places that others can’t, and you’ll learn for yourself that language learning is only a matter of discipline. You’ll also be a lot more sympathetic to your students as they battle through the confusion that is the English language. But remember, keep your Thai language out of the classroom!!
Other recent articles in Steve's Blog:
Essential Classroom Kit
5th May 2010
Things I have to have in my lesson
16th March 2010
Can I really become a teacher in 4 weeks?
10th February 2010
What accent should a teacher have?
14th November 2009
Teaching English - in English!
16th October 2009
That ominous and inevitable question we all have to face