Welcome to our guide to the best resources for learning Thai from scratch. This guide covers everything from basic vocabulary to grammar and will give you a strong foundation in the language.
The first step in learning Thai is to learn the alphabet. This may seem a daunting task but there are some great resources that make it easy. When you start learning the Thai alphabet, it’s important to find a method that works best for you and sticking with it.
Some ways to learn may be:
- Visually
- Getting Thai copybooks (to draw over)
- Creating your own worksheets
- Using flashcards (whether paper or online)
- Writing out Thai words repeatedly hundreds of times to get used to them.
- Using colours for different letters to try and remember them this way.
Once you know the alphabet you can begin to learn basic vocabulary and grammar. Learning some basic phrases is really important to start with, then sentence patterns.
One of the best ways to learn Thai is by using a combination of resources. So it may be starting with a basic phrase book, as a way of giving you a solid foundation in the language. In addition to a phrase book, a dictionary is very helpful. This can be an app, online dictionary or print dictionary. All dictionaries should have Thai script and some form of transliteration. If you don’t opt for using a paper-based method, you can find lots of online learning courses and learn Thai podcasts to help you learn Thai from scratch.
If you are not self-learning, you can find a Thai tutor or course to follow. Some e-learning platforms also have the option to have a teacher schedule regular meetings to check on your Thai progress. Ultimately, there are many factors to consider including how you best learn foreign languages as well as your time and budget constraints.
Good luck in your Thai learning journey!