Learning Thai: Facts and Tips

If you have plans to move and live in Thailand, it would be best for you to learn Thai first here in Singapore. Learning how to speak and write in Thai will not only help you communicate with the locals. But it also gives more career opportunities. 

So, before enrolling to a Thai class in Singapore, take note of these facts and tips. 

Facts:

1. Thai is Tonal Language

Just like what you have learned in your Mandarin classes in Singapore, Thai has several consonants and vowels. To be specific, there are 32 vowels and 44 consonant. Aside from Thai numeral, it also uses Arabic numerals.

2. Thai is Similar to Laotian

The overall writing system of Thai is slightly different yet similar to Laotian. So, make sure to listen to your Thai class teacher in Singapore to know the difference.  

3. Over 40 Million Thai Speakers Across the World

That’s the number of people who can speak Thai as their second language. In Thailand alone, there are 20 million native Thai speakers.

Tips:

1. Keep a Pocket Vocabulary Notebook

Even after graduating from your Thai class in Singapore, you should have this. That way you can note down some new slang words your teachers have not taught you. 

2. Have a Conversation Partner

The best way to be naturally fluent in Thai is to converse with one. That will help you fix your pronunciation and accent too. 

3. Read, Write, and Watch in Thai

If you were not able to find someone, that is okay. You can still learn Thai in Singapore just by reading, writing and even watching movies.  Doing this at least an hour a day will help you a lot.

If you are still looking for a Thai class in Singapore, check out Standford Language Centre. They also have another foreign language course like Mandarin classes. So, feel free to apply if ever you are interested in learning another language aside from Thai.

Resource:
https://visual.ly/community/Infographics/education/learning-thai-facts-and-tips