Is it difficult to learn Thai?

Is it difficult to learn Thai? It really depends on the language that you normally use on the day-to-day basis. Many words in the Thai language are derived from Chinese and Sanskrit so people who use these languages may find Thai not that difficult to learn. On the other hand if the language you speak share very little or no resemblance with the Thai language i.e. French, Dutch, German; then learning Thai might be a bit challenging (though not impossible to master). Practice doesn’t necessary make perfect, but it can help you get better. Thai is a tonal language and one word may have a high or low tone with two completely different meanings. Let’s take the word “ma” as an example. This Thai word when pronounced with a neutral tone means “to come”. When pronounced with a high tone, ma means “horse”.

There are countless language schools in Thailand for teaching Thai to foreigners. In Bangkok, there are many English language schools for Thai students where Thai course for foreigners is usually offered there as well. The Internet can be your best friend when searching for the school that will best suit your needs. Points to consider when selecting a language school: location, hours, price, and the teacher. Sometimes it’s not always possible to pick your own teacher, but there are language schools which offer a free trial lesson for you to see if you like the class.

Apart from enrolling in a language school, there are many resources that can teach you Thai ranging from free online video tutorials to books and CDs. Are these alternative options effective when learning the new language? If you practice every day, these resources can be really beneficial. Problem is, without an actual teacher, people might lose interest, motivation, or discipline to study. A crucial point to consider when using the self-taught method for learning Thai (or any other language) is to have discipline. This means, learner should learn to manage their time and set up an environment that encourages learning. Lying on a couch with music blasting in the background might not be a good way to do it. Set up a study space—the way it would be if you were to attend a real classroom. It doesn’t have to be that formal, but try to study in an undisturbed place sitting upright. Reclining on a comfy sofa with a Thai tutorial book might send you to snoozy land so please try not to lie down while studying. Watching Thai programs and listening to news on the radio also help. Don’t worry if you cannot grasp every single word, the point of this method is to familiarize yourself with hearing the language being spoken.

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