If you've landed on this page and missed the first 2 lessons, here are the links you need to complete those first; although you could start with this lesson and work backwards, I suppose.
This last lesson is something a little more interactive and fun, and will help you to identify some of the words you've learned already by listening to popular songs with phonetic subtitles.
The idea in this lesson is to see if you can follow along and cherry-pick words you know, and of course to learn new phrases and words as you go.
I regularly use songs as a learning tool. Hearing words sung is a little different to hearing them spoken, but you must get used to hearing Thai words in different situations in order to obtain a better command of the language.
I found that songs are far easier to get to grips with than films or TV shows – I must admit, I still struggle to understand a lot of the radio and Thai lakorn (soap operas).
Songs are cool because you can replay them in quick repetition, easy to listen to on the go, and kinda fun, too.
Moreover, you'll learn a bit about Thai music, the golden oldies and the newer stuff in the charts. Up to date songs also contain “trendy” terms you won't learn unless you're mixing with young Thai people.
I've chosen songs with English subtitles, and songs that are easy to follow along with. So it's time to get your karaoke on!
If you haven't done so already, register a free account at Thaipod101.
I have been using this program for yonks no, and I can genuinely say it put me on the fast track to conversational level with locals. If you'd like to read my review of this program, you can so by clicking here.
If you're up for more learning then check out my 100 Thai Words That’ll Improve Your Grammar 101% post,
I have to say that learning Thai really has enhanced my experience of living in LOS.
It opens up an entirely new world. Suddenly you can chat with the local shop owner, the cute girl at the restaurant, hotel staff when you have a problem, and give a taxi proper directions.
When you learn Thai you start to gain a higher level of awareness for what's said around you, making you feel part of society and part of the wider conversation in social situations. It enables you to make more friends, expanding your circle beyond just other expats, too.
If you need some more reasons to start learning, here's my six of the best!
I hope you have enjoyed my lesson mini-series.
Happy learning…!
Last Updated on
tom says
Aug 01, 2011 at 6:49 am
Bifftastic says
It's a long road to understanding this language, but lots of fun can be had along the way!
Enjoy!
Jul 23, 2011 at 8:39 pm
TheThailandLife says
Jul 24, 2011 at 10:49 am
Bifftastic says
I just thought I'd add my 2 baht's worth to your language section!
I think it's important to try and get you head around tones as soon as possible. At first it might seem hard, but if you persevere, it's not that difficult. Also, if you get the tones wrong, you're saying a completely different word.
Also worthy of note I believe, is that lots of Thai people use a lot of interjections, or 'particles' which don't really have any specific meaning as such, but they are liberally sprinkled around conversations. One of them that I hear a lot is 'ah' a short clipped sound added to phrases like 'Bpai nai?' making it 'Bpai nai ah?' 'tam arai ah?'
I think you'll also find that, once you start to make acquaintances beyond the regular tourist interactions, you will notice that a lot of the 'khap/krap/ka' polite words are often replaced by more familiar terms like 'ja' or 'jaa?' (I've used a ? to show a rising tone, like we use in English when we pose a question) So you might hear someone you are quite friendly with say something like 'yaak ja bpai nai na ja' (where do you want to go?) or 'tam arai ah? (what're you doing?)
Here's a great youtube channel for some good tips http://www.youtube.com/user/alifshinobi#p/u/0/7OFhfvdphfE
Jul 23, 2011 at 8:34 pm
TheThailandLife says
Jul 24, 2011 at 10:55 am
Lawrence Michaels says
Jul 21, 2011 at 1:25 pm
TheThailandLife says
Jul 22, 2011 at 9:58 pm