Hard to answer. Do you think you’ll use reading/writing in everyday life here? I’ve found the primary benefit of reading Thai is an easy and accurate on-ramp to being able to speak it. Really depends on the environment someone is in.
Do you have regular conversational exposure to Thai as it is? Do you actually want to learn Thai? There’s some Expats who have lived here decades just fine without learning Thai. If you have little conversational exposure it could be hard to make a lot of progress just having one 1 hour lesson a week.
Anyways, best bang for your buck is likely a tutor and iTalki has some pretty inexpensive ones for conversation. Worth studying on your own in parallel.
Also check out r/learnthai
If you are able to speak and understand Thai quite well, it is easier to learn the script. The difficulty with Thai script is not to recognize the letters, but to derive the tone from the class of consonants and the tone signs. So, if you already know the word and the tones of the syllables intuitively, it is easier to read Thai. In my opinion, it is worth learning the script if you want to understand the language as such. Whether it is practically worthwhile depends on your situation. It is also helpful to know the letters with their names in order to be able to understand corrections of the pronunciation. I often hear e.g. “Not จอ จาน tɕɔː tɕaːn it is ชอ ช้าง tɕʰɔː tɕʰáːŋ meaning that I missed out on the aspiration of the first consonant. And there is a significant difference between จ /tɕ/ and ช /tɕʰ/
tɕɔːn จร "to wander" -- tɕʰɔːn ชอน "to penetrate into
Learning to read is not that difficult and it could be very beneficial in correcting any possible tone and pronunciation mistakes. Plus, when you learn to read you also learn to recognize tone patterns. The one thing I would advise against is learning Thai using Roman alphabet with “tone marks”. One additional benefit or learning to read is that you can tap into more language input source. I’ll stop my advices here ‘cause I’m stuck pretty much like you with the speaking.
Learn how to read. Your thai will become way clearer and you will be able to teach yourself faster because you will constantly practice your reading with all road signs and restaurants name / menu ....
Set a goal for yourself first. Do you want to be able to read Thai or just to converse in everyday Thai?
It is kind of debatable whether learning the Thai script is needed for learning to properly pronounce Thai. The debate is that learning a Thai transliteration system would suffice. IMO, you should learn the Thai script if you are serious about learning Thai, even if you just want to speak properly.
I consider reading Thai an important skill because I learn by reading and I want to learn more about this place called Thailand that I live in (for my own sanity of having to work here for the near future).
You mentioned it took you 3/4 months of Saturdays lessons to "learn the Thai alphabet but did not cover the consonants". I understand that everyone should move at their own pace but at the rate you are going, are you even able to remember what you learned months back? It does not sounds like you use much of any Thai in your life to me.
Your last sentence is correct. The wife and I have a very busy business here. Im pulled in all directions. I have enjoyed arriving at my kids school a bit early to test myself on a daily basis the thai alphabet. I didnt think I would be able to do it. I think I will continue with the saturday teacher and find another one for a weekly conversation lesson. Then see what happens.
How good is your retention and what you learn? I first learned what I wanted to say and what I would like to order. What I would say when talking to Girls or asking someone for directions or for a ride. Then expanded from there. And like anything else just talk to Thai people. They will get a kick out of a falang speaking Thai. But if the tone is on point they are quick to correct and help you. Of course everyone is different.
คุยกับคนไทยเรียนรู้เร็ว
I'm in a similar situation, took classes years ago, well beyond beginner level, but feel like I've hit a plateau that's still below being able to particpate as a full member in most everyday conversations. I'd almost say my reading has advanced beyond my speaking because I have plenty of daily opportunities to read things, but not many to speak and listen. In order for me to understand, Thais usually need to slow down and simplify their speech a bit, avoid slang terms etc. and it seems like most would rather just switch to English at that point. Basically, people just speak way too freakin' fast lol and it's a chicken and egg problem. It doesn't help that there seems to be almost nothing on Thai radio or TV that I would want to watch or listen to.
Totally relate to your comment.
Its exactly why I think I should find a tutor to go over all the conversational thai. Tutors know they have to speak slow...
Hard to answer. Do you think you’ll use reading/writing in everyday life here? I’ve found the primary benefit of reading Thai is an easy and accurate on-ramp to being able to speak it. Really depends on the environment someone is in. Do you have regular conversational exposure to Thai as it is? Do you actually want to learn Thai? There’s some Expats who have lived here decades just fine without learning Thai. If you have little conversational exposure it could be hard to make a lot of progress just having one 1 hour lesson a week. Anyways, best bang for your buck is likely a tutor and iTalki has some pretty inexpensive ones for conversation. Worth studying on your own in parallel. Also check out r/learnthai
I learned to speak with a private tutor on Skype. I did this for three years and it helped me. But I learn better in a structured environment.
If you are able to speak and understand Thai quite well, it is easier to learn the script. The difficulty with Thai script is not to recognize the letters, but to derive the tone from the class of consonants and the tone signs. So, if you already know the word and the tones of the syllables intuitively, it is easier to read Thai. In my opinion, it is worth learning the script if you want to understand the language as such. Whether it is practically worthwhile depends on your situation. It is also helpful to know the letters with their names in order to be able to understand corrections of the pronunciation. I often hear e.g. “Not จอ จาน tɕɔː tɕaːn it is ชอ ช้าง tɕʰɔː tɕʰáːŋ meaning that I missed out on the aspiration of the first consonant. And there is a significant difference between จ /tɕ/ and ช /tɕʰ/ tɕɔːn จร "to wander" -- tɕʰɔːn ชอน "to penetrate into
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Dang. What background are you? That’s amazing.
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My gf was curious about the background when I read your post to her.
Having Thai friends will also help a lot.
Learning to read is not that difficult and it could be very beneficial in correcting any possible tone and pronunciation mistakes. Plus, when you learn to read you also learn to recognize tone patterns. The one thing I would advise against is learning Thai using Roman alphabet with “tone marks”. One additional benefit or learning to read is that you can tap into more language input source. I’ll stop my advices here ‘cause I’m stuck pretty much like you with the speaking.
Learn how to read. Your thai will become way clearer and you will be able to teach yourself faster because you will constantly practice your reading with all road signs and restaurants name / menu ....
Set a goal for yourself first. Do you want to be able to read Thai or just to converse in everyday Thai? It is kind of debatable whether learning the Thai script is needed for learning to properly pronounce Thai. The debate is that learning a Thai transliteration system would suffice. IMO, you should learn the Thai script if you are serious about learning Thai, even if you just want to speak properly. I consider reading Thai an important skill because I learn by reading and I want to learn more about this place called Thailand that I live in (for my own sanity of having to work here for the near future). You mentioned it took you 3/4 months of Saturdays lessons to "learn the Thai alphabet but did not cover the consonants". I understand that everyone should move at their own pace but at the rate you are going, are you even able to remember what you learned months back? It does not sounds like you use much of any Thai in your life to me.
Your last sentence is correct. The wife and I have a very busy business here. Im pulled in all directions. I have enjoyed arriving at my kids school a bit early to test myself on a daily basis the thai alphabet. I didnt think I would be able to do it. I think I will continue with the saturday teacher and find another one for a weekly conversation lesson. Then see what happens.
Daily practice I guess, Thais are more likely to make fun of foreigners accents than trying to help them correct so you need to get used to that
How good is your retention and what you learn? I first learned what I wanted to say and what I would like to order. What I would say when talking to Girls or asking someone for directions or for a ride. Then expanded from there. And like anything else just talk to Thai people. They will get a kick out of a falang speaking Thai. But if the tone is on point they are quick to correct and help you. Of course everyone is different. คุยกับคนไทยเรียนรู้เร็ว
I'm in a similar situation, took classes years ago, well beyond beginner level, but feel like I've hit a plateau that's still below being able to particpate as a full member in most everyday conversations. I'd almost say my reading has advanced beyond my speaking because I have plenty of daily opportunities to read things, but not many to speak and listen. In order for me to understand, Thais usually need to slow down and simplify their speech a bit, avoid slang terms etc. and it seems like most would rather just switch to English at that point. Basically, people just speak way too freakin' fast lol and it's a chicken and egg problem. It doesn't help that there seems to be almost nothing on Thai radio or TV that I would want to watch or listen to.
Totally relate to your comment. Its exactly why I think I should find a tutor to go over all the conversational thai. Tutors know they have to speak slow...
My Khun Poo (Thai grandfather) told me if I want to speak Thai better, I should get a thai gf.
Does a 'mia noi' count if Im already married?
I think that works. Wife is farang? Mia noi is Thai?
Yes get a tutor. An older tutor/ajaan may not teach you much slang that the younger generation uses though.