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Archive for the 'Tips & Techniques' Category

How Long Does it Take to Learn Thai?

If you’re like most aspiring language learners, you’ve probably asked this all-too-common question at some point: How long does it take to learn Thai?  Thai is not an easy language to learn, especially for a native English speaker. You’ll have to learn a whole new reading and writing system, study a new set of grammar rules, and—most difficult of all—get the hang of Thai pronunciation. Fortunately, the grammar part is pretty simple as there’s no verb conjugation to worry about (tense, mood, and gender play no role here).   Taking the language’s difficulty into consideration, what kind of time commitment should you expect?  In this article, we’ll take a look at the three different levels of Thai fluency: beginner, intermediate, and... Show more

Must-Know Thai Business Phrases and Vocabulary

Why are you learning Thai?   One of the most common reasons people learn the language is that they’re doing business in Thailand or with Thai people. This makes a lot of sense, because knowing at least the most common business phrases in Thai is an advantage in the workplace.  In this lesson, you’ll learn all of the Thai business phrases you need to get started, as well as the grammar behind them. In addition, we’ll provide you with a list of business terms you should know, categorized by what kind of situation you’d hear them in.  Improve your Thai business language today! Table of Contents Getting Started Thai Business Phrases for a Job Interview Thai Business Phrases for Coworker Interaction Phrases for a Thai... Show more

The Best Thai YouTube Channels to Learn Thai in 2020

We think it’s safe to say that everyone has been guilty of spending hours upon hours on YouTube, going from one video to the next. Video is the most popular content format nowadays, and it’s so easy to become addicted...   So why not learn the Thai language on YouTube? If you’re like many people, you simply don’t know where to start—or if it’s even possible. We’re here to tell you that you can actually learn Thai online for free on YouTube. In this article, we’ll introduce you to the top Thai YouTube channels for learners, so you’ll know exactly where to start. We’ve provided some great channels in a variety of categories, so that you’ll definitely be able to find something you’re interested in.  One of the best options is the... Show more

Is Thai Difficult to Learn? (And Tips to Succeed!)

If you’re interested in learning the Thai language but haven’t started yet, you may be wondering: "Is Thai difficult to learn?" We’re here to tell you that learning Thai may not be as hard as you think it is!   There are certain things that make the Thai language hard to learn, and for these, you’ll need to spend some time studying and practicing. But there are also many other aspects that are pretty simple and straightforward! You may feel a little doubtful about this, as the Thai alphabet, grammar, pronunciation, and so on, are new to you. But you’ll get familiar with these things in no time once you start learning with ThaiPod101.com.   There are many foreigners who can speak and understand Thai so well, after just a few years,... Show more

The Top 10 Common Thai Mistakes for Learners to Avoid

In Thai, there’s a saying, ผิดเป็นครู (phìt-bpen-khruu), which means "learning from your mistakes."   Still, making mistakes can sometimes be embarrassing, so it’s better if you can avoid them in the first place.  Hence, this comprehensive guide on typical Thai language mistakes from ThaiPod101.com. You’ll learn about mistakes in Thai grammar, vocabulary, word choice, and the appropriate use of Thai phrases. By the end of this article, you should be able to decrease the number of common Thai-English mistakes you make, or avoid them altogether! Table of Contents Similar Consonants Short and Long Vowel Sounds A Note on Tone Marks The Correct Tone for คะ (khá) and ค่ะ (khâ) False Friends ตัวผู้ (dtuua-phûu) is... Show more

Basic Thai Questions and Answers You Should Know

As a new Thai language-learner, do you find it hard to make conversation with native speakers? Because speaking Thai as often as possible is a great way to acquire the language, knowing the most common questions and answers in Thai conversations will be very helpful for you.   In this lesson, you’ll learn about asking questions in Thai and how you can answer them yourself. Knowing these common Thai questions and answers will give you the confidence you need to practice speaking more often!  However, before we start our list of the top ten questions in Thai, there are a few things you need to know first. Table of Contents An Overview of Asking Questions in Thai Our Thai Questions and Answers List Conclusion 1.... Show more

The Best Guide for Passing a Thai Competency Test

When you’re learning something, a test is considered a part of the learning process. Taking a test shows your current skills and improvements you’ve made in that topic; at the same time, it reveals areas that still need improvement. For Thai learners, taking a Thai competency test is a good idea.   The most popular Thai language proficiency test is the CU-TFL. Thus, in this lesson, we’ll give you practical information about this Thai language competency test, including details about each part and when, where, and how to register to take the test. Of course, we’ll also provide you with some tips on how to pass this Thai exam.   Let’s get started. Table of Contents General Information About the CU-TFL A Breakdown of Each... Show more

Thai Keyboard: How to Install and Type in Thai

https://youtu.be/pXV-MzO4Acs?si=PAAn8mEY1Wm8qMWU You asked, so we provided—easy-to-follow instructions on how to set up your electronic devices to write in Thai! We’ll also give you a few excellent tips on how to use this keyboard, as well as some online and app alternatives if you prefer not to set up a Thai keyboard. Table of Contents Why it’s Important to Learn to Type in Thai Setting up Your Computer and Mobile Devices for Thai How to Activate an Onscreen Keyboard on Your Computer How to Change the Language Settings to Thai on Your Computer Activating the Thai Keyboard on Your Mobile Phone and Tablet Thai Keyboard Typing Tips How to Practice Typing Thai 1. Why it’s Important to Learn to Type in Thai Learning a... Show more

The 4 Most Difficult Aspects of Thai and How to Overcome Them

Like the culture it represents the Thai language is beautiful and multifaceted. If you’ve decided to learn Thai you’re in for a real language learning treat! However, your Thai learning journey won’t be all sunshine and roses. If you’re a native English speaker, there are some real challenges standing between you and fluency. But that’s no reason to despair or thrown in the towel. The truth is that these challenges, though they often look intimidating, are common and countless students before you have overcome them. You just need a little practice and perseverance! In this article, we look at four of the most common hurdles students face while learning Thai, and we give some practical tips on how to move past them. Enjoy! ... Show more

The Best Guide to Finding Jobs in Thailand for Foreigners

Many people love Thailand. The food here is nice, and you can find food and beverages here almost twenty-four/seven. Thai people are known to be kind and live a relaxing lifestyle. Further, the cost of living in Thailand isn’t very high and the medical service here isn’t bad for foreignersw (Thailand is also known for its medical tourism!) Knowing this, you may start to think to yourself, “This place is nice. I want to work in Thailand. I want to live here.” For those who don’t know where to start, ThaiPod101.com can help you find jobs in Thailand. For foreigners, there are a few cities in Thailand where you can live comfortably: Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Huahin, Chaingmai, and Khonkaen. These are places with good infrastructures,... Show more