Why not learn Thai?

More sales copy used in the promotion of QuarantineThai (no longer in operation), but worth reading for those interested in learning Thai or any other foreign language.

Have you ever really considered the purpose of learning Thai or any language of the country you’re in? Have you ever really thought through the benefits of knowing the language?

The most fundamental use of learning any language has to do with getting what you want. Yes, it also serves to share information, express feelings, develop relationships, influence others, but language is, by and large, a tool used for the purpose of communicating wants and needs.

Language is not the only tool of communication -- we also use gestures, body movement, tone, facial expressions, shrugs, nods, smiles, frowns -- and these often communicate more than our words, but language is the most sophisticated, precise and often easiest form of expressing what we are trying to communicate.

And we’re most often communicating to get what we want: a meal, directions, a discount, a way out of trouble, etc. So try to think of language as a tool to better navigate your world.
Now on Thai.

Don’t enough Thai people speak English for me to get around? Yeah. Absolutely. You can get by without. But here are a couple things to consider…

Ease and convenience

I don’t want every interaction to be an ordeal. I’ll never blend in here, but I do want each of my interactions to be as seamless as possible.

Ordering lunch should be as effortless as it is in my own country. I say what I want, they understand, I get what I want, I’m on my way. No big ordeal, no hassle. No assistance necessary.

Independence

I want to make it clear that I really like Thai people. Most are incredibly charming, funny, gentle-natured and kind. But Thai ways are often different than my own, what may seem like a simple request can quickly become complicated.

With Thai language skills, I handle it and it’s done.

Social status

It’s about commanding some respect and equity from the people of this country. I don’t strive to be Thai, but it’s nice to be perceived as fairly savvy and not needing special assistance.

Most Thai’s assume you ‘speak no Thai which makes sense for a couple reasons:

Huge amounts of tourism.

Most expats never learn Thai.

Using Thai in any given interaction, changes the interaction quite a bit. You’re no longer a clueless foreigner in their eyes. You’re treated better for it. Your interactions are smoother. And you have an easier time in your day-to-day life.

So now about actually trying to learn Thai.

It’s worth noting from the onset that you cannot learn Thai through osmosis. There are countless expats that have spent years and years here that can confirm this. Here’s a couple reasons why not:

You don’t see the words written out regularly (unless you learn to read the Thai script).

The language is tonal, composed of one-syllable words and too easily blends together.

There’s really no option other than to study. But not just casually watching videos or sitting in a class a couple times a week. The most important thing is that you practice speaking with consistent 1-1 instruction.

You can study vocabulary all day, but until you actually use the words in real sentences with another real human being, they won’t stick.

When you learn a word, forget it and then review it a few days later; you never gave your brain the chance to commit to your long-term memory. Consistency allows for constant repetition of new vocabulary so it stays in your short-term memory long enough to move into your long-term memory.

Self-paced courses are great supplements, but they can never engage you the way another real human being can. More importantly, there is no substitute for actually speaking the language and communicating in real-life. 1-1 instruction gives you that opportunity.

Below are some different things to consider for learners at different stages in their endeavor.

For those moving to Thailand for their first time…

You may have plans to enroll in a course through one of the schools. These are a fine supplement to your learning, but don’t expect to gain any sort of real fluency from it. Most classes are lectures with a few exercises where you maybe ask your classmate if he took the bus to class today….

One of the biggest things to look out for is creating a habit of relying on broken English while in the process of learning Thai. Unfortunately, your Thai likely won’t progress fast enough to keep you from falling into the ‘Tinglish trap’. Even if you’re taking private lessons, you still run this risk.

The best strategy to learn any language abroad is to hit the ground running. That means having your language ability to a point that you can rely on it (however painful it may still be to do so) and establish the habit of relying on it from day one in the country.

If you do have ties here and have lived here before, but have yet to get your Thai to a level that you’re satisfied with.

Maybe you plan to get your Thai up to speed one of these days, but here’s the issue: you’ve already grown accustomed to conversing in broken English AND the people around you have as well. Your efforts to speak Thai at this point will often be dismissed. You or the people you associate with will revert back to broken English as you both know it’s an easier way to communicate. The dominant language will always win in any given exchange.

Your best option, hands down, is to get your Thai up to speed BEFORE you return to your established life here, and then establish a new normal in which you speak some Thai.

For those who already do speak Thai and would like to advance or have plateaued at the basic level…

Once you’re functional in the country... even if your Thai isn’t great... it’s quite challenging to break into the next level. Some of this is given to the often simple nature of most of the dialogue and communication here.  Much of it is due to the fact that you already have a working paradigm.

You really can’t expect much progression in your day-to-day. You may continue to increase fluency, but increasing vocabulary requires 1) studying 2) new types of interactions that demand progress.

A structured course of study is the most simple solution.

And for those just on a long holiday thinking of learning some Thai…

A little bit goes a long way in this country. Knowing how to order your meals, ask for prices, give some directions, answer a few questions about yourself…is enough to wow people. Seriously. They actually say wow. Followed by “geng maak!” (Very good).

Now you really don’t have to learn Thai… even if you live here long term, but do consider:  3-6 months is really not a vacation. You will be living here for all intents and purposes. Why not make your day-to-day more seamless?

Language will allow you to get by here with some know-how: navigate the country with some competency, make each of your interactions less of an ordeal and be treated with a little more respect -- like an expat and not a tourist.

So if you’ll be traveling to Thailand soon, consider a short-term intensive program while you quarantine.

10+ days locked in a hotel room while keeping your sanity in check is no small task. You can only entertain yourself for so long. A clear goal could make the time more worthwhile. And if you don’t have a clear plan, consider QuarantineThai -- a 10-day intensive program guaranteed to get your Thai to the next level.

We match you with one of our professional teachers.

We deliver materials to your hotel room.

You meet with you teacher online 2x/ day for 1.5 hours per lesson.

You leave quarantine speaking Thai.

Make the most of your quarantine