Thread: "romanized" Thai speaking and listening course

Does anyone have the course material form one of the decent Bangkok language schools? I live in the countryside and I can’t go into BKK for lessons. I don’t want to learn to read and write at this stage but figure if I had a Romanized course I could get a local Thai teacher to teach me that. Can anyone help me out?

What are the titles of the books Ice?

Couple of weeks in England did make old MD a lot keener!!

The titles of the books are just simply the name of the school followed by the book number. The school created these books themselves I believe.

You'll do yourself a big favor by learnign the Thai script as you learn. "Ronaized you are going to have to lern a whole new trasliteration system any way, may as well learn the real deal.

Originally Posted by friscofrankie

You'll do yourself a big favor by learnign the Thai script as you learn. "Ronaized you are going to have to lern a whole new trasliteration system any way, may as well learn the real deal.

I know! it says that on the first page of both of my text books... I really should do it ... but i thought if I got to a reasonable level in spoken Thai first it would seem more worthwhile.... Sitting on you own LAW LING in' is effin boring!

Originally Posted by aging one

Couple of weeks in England did make old MD a lot keener!!

Yes, that and living in the countryside has put the spark back in my life!

If you can't get lessons an alternative is the Rosetta Stone CD's. You can get them at Panthip at a "deep discount". I have used these for a long time and I have mixed feelings about how well they work. But, they did teach me to read fairly well without my ever having to memorize the alphabet or any pronunciation rules.

But, you have to totally buy in to their system of learning and spend a lot of time at it.

And, in the end, you'll know how to say a whole lot of useless things in a style of Thai that is way more formal than most people use.

(Ms. B has a laugh riot making fun of the Rosetta Stone language like: Poo ying kamlang ki jakrayan.)

But, you will learn some Thai, some grammar fundamentals and how to read a bit all without studying or memorizing anything.

Sriwilai Ponmanee has a series of books which use both forms of writing.

45 Thai Stories by said authoress has a tape for listening exercises.

Originally Posted by Professorfart

Learning Thai without learning to read and write Thai as well is like wanking with a condom on. Pointless!

Do the whole lot. Its not rocket science!

I suppose you specialize in the bleedin'obvious then?

I specialize in wanking with a condom on.........

agree with everyone who has said learn the thai script and rules first - will make it heaps easier for you.

I like big butts.

Why even bother posting skulldickhead?

I next week I am offski to the local primary school to find a Thai teacher for 5 one hour lessons a week. How long do you reckon it will take to be able to look words up in a dictionary and read basic sentences?

This is not to encouraging, I was hoping to learn to speak a bit without learning script. but that is not the consencous here. Well back to the drawing board.

There are not a lot of resourses her in NYC, I am using Pimsluer thai, but I think it is not helping much. I go to a Thai restruant, and fail to make much of an impression. In fact, I don't think they have a clue what I am saying.

Originally Posted by Bobk_nyc

This is not to encouraging, I was hoping to learn to speak a bit without learning script. but that is not the consencous here

it's not necessary to learn to read and write.
just more desirable I suppose.
very doable with a bit of effort and for those of us living here a bit silly not to.
wouldn't want to be illiterate in your own country.

Originally Posted by Bobk_nyc

In fact, I don't think they have a clue what I am saying.

it takes time.
stick at it.

^ Thanks for the advice and incoragment.