ศาลาชุมนุม

[keelbolt]

Moved to BKK because my wife took a job as a teacher here, and I've got nothing (much) keeping me in the UK. So am trying to learn Thai using High Speed Thai bought on recommendation from a Thai learning friend.

Making very slow progress, especially getting stuck over the sound of the vowels. But any progress is something, i guess. What I think I need is reading practice. Trying to fit the vowel sounds to the train station (Sapanee?) names. Some work fine, others are beyond understanding....

[Toffeeman]

Welcome Keelbolt. Hope you have fun while learning to read Thai. It does make sense after a while but can seem very confusing at the start. Keep plugging away at it and maybe a few sessions with a teacher might help with pronunciation.

[claude06thailand]

Welcome Keelbolt. Hope you have fun while learning to read Thai. It does make sense after a while but can seem very confusing at the start. Keep plugging away at it and maybe a few sessions with a teacher might help with pronunciation.

Excellent advice ! Beginning with the help of a teacher is the best way to save time and avoid bad habits.
Wish you fun and success !

[DonSena]

I would agree with Claude. Further, the teacher should either use only the Thai writing system or, better still, use transcription, either the IPA for Thai or the AUA version. Avoid any instruction that uses English phonics to explain Thai pronunciation. There are distinctive features of Thai phonology that you will miss if the teacher uses Anglicized Thai representations Transcription reveals important contrasts in vowel length, syllable tone and aspiration/unaspiration of certain voiceless initials; and the difference they will make is the entire meaning of a word.

Try also to get a good scholastically-written book, as well. If well-written, it will have organized the essential elements of the language in a systematic way that usually works well for a conscientious student. I personally used books only, never having had a teacher nor sat in a classroom devoted to the language. For that reason, I would attest to the value of good study materials.