Learn Thai
with Ling

Like any language, learning Thai can be challenging, especially if you are not familiar with tonal languages. Thai is a tonal language, which means that the pitch or tone of your voice can change the meaning of a word. Additionally, this Asian language has a different writing system than English, and it may take some time to become familiar with the Thai script and writing conventions.

One of the trickiest parts of mastering Thai is that it has five unique tones: low, mid, high, falling, and rising. These tones can be a real challenge for first-time learners but don't worry because practice makes perfect! Some of the other critical parts of the Thai language are the following:

• Grammar: Subject-Verb-Object

• Vocabulary: Lots of loan words with compounding vocabulary

• Speaking/Listening: Five tones cannot be found in other languages

• Reading/Writing: Uses Thai script, which is part of the Abugida alphabet
  
  

Many people find speaking and listening to Thai easier than reading and writing, so it's important to focus on all aspects of the language to become proficient. 

While learning Thai may be challenging, it's a rewarding experience that can open up new opportunities for personal and professional growth. With consistent practice and dedication, you will be able to achieve proficiency.

The Thai language has been ranked in the group of Category III Languages or “hard languages” by the Foreign Service Institute (FSI). Category III languages are those with significant differences from English, making it more challenging to learn. However, they are relatively easier than category IV languages. A Thai learner might need around 44 weeks to reach professional working proficiency.

While there is no perfect formula or magic stick to wave for learning Thai faster, there are some changes and goals you can set to ease your experience. Here are some other tips you can follow:

• Set realistic daily, weekly, and monthly goals (for example, study Thai for 3–4 hours every day).

• Place sticky notes on objects with their respective Thai word.

• Immerse yourself in the culture.

• Change your phone's language settings to Thai.

• Study with native Thai speakers or through online chatting platforms.

• Focus on using essential phrases and words in your daily conversations.

• Find a Thai language course that works for you in terms of goals and study schedule.

• Use the Ling app to remember essential Thai words and phrases.

• Get feedback from online Thai language tutors.

When learning Thai, or any other language, you must focus on all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. If you want to learn Thai online by studying on your own, you should consider that it takes time and commitment. But you can make your learning journey easier by following these tips: 

• Tackle what you can, depending on your Thai language level. If you are a beginner, read elementary and children's books. If you are intermediate, focus on finding a native Thai speaker to practice your speaking skills with, or listen to free podcasts or audiobooks.

• Turn on the CC (Closed Captions) when watching Thai movies or Thai TV series. You'll be listening to the actors' pronunciation while reading the captions. You can pause the program to write down or practice pronouncing the words as you hear them. 

• Use the Ling app to help you learn the Thai language and pronounce Thai words correctly. With the app's built-in AI chatbot, you can practice Thai conversations and get direct feedback on your pronunciation. Talking to locals in real life won't seem so scary anymore!

Learning Thai online has become increasingly popular in recent years, as it offers convenience, flexibility, and a cost-effective way to learn the language. 

Here are some of the benefits of learning Thai online:

• Convenience: Online Thai courses will allow you to learn at your own pace and schedule. 

• Learn from native speakers: Many Thai learning platforms provide materials created by Thai native speakers for you to learn Thai grammar and pronunciation accurately. 

• Cost-effective: In-person classes or private tutors are more expensive than Online learning resources. In addition, you can find many free online courses and resources or language learning app subscriptions at a lower cost than traditional learning options. 

• Wide variety of online resources: From videos and apps to podcasts and language exchange platforms, a diverse pool of resources is waiting to give you an engaging learning experience. 

• Flexibility: Online language learning platforms allow learners to customize their learning experience based on their goals, interests, and skill level. This flexibility can help learners stay motivated and engaged in the language-learning process.

• Immediate feedback: Online language learning platforms often provide immediate feedback on your progress, allowing you to track your improvement over time and adjust your learning plan accordingly.

Thai is a tonal language that belongs to the Tai-Kadai language family, while Chinese is a tonal language that belongs to the Sino-Tibetan language family. Although there are some similarities in tonality, grammar, vocabulary, and writing systems, Thai and Chinese are distinct languages.

One of the main differences is that Thai uses its own unique alphabet, which is not based on Chinese characters. Additionally, Thai has a subject-verb-object word order, while Chinese has a subject-object-verb word order.

It's worth noting that some loanwords from Chinese are used in the Thai language, especially in the areas of cuisine and culture. However, despite these borrowed terms, Thai and Chinese are considered to be quite different from each other.

If you're ready to start your journey into learning Thai online, our app offers comprehensive lessons and practice exercises to help you master this beautiful and fascinating language.

The Thai alphabet is based on the Old Khmer script known as “Aksorn Thai” (อักษรไทย). It consists of 44 consonant letters, 15 vowel symbols that combine to form 28 vowel forms, and 4 tone marks. In total, the Thai writing system has 76 characters. 

Another important fact about the Thai script is that it doesn't include spaces. Instead, people write from left to right as a continuous string of letters with no spaces between them. Although, in modern times, it has become more common to use spaces between words in Thai writing, especially for formal and printed materials.

The Thai alphabet can be difficult to get used to at first, but lucky you, the Ling app offers a whiteboard feature that will help you learn all letters! You can practice writing the Thai script by tracing the shape you see on the screen with your finger. As you advance each lesson, the app will show you how to write the vowels and consonants so that you can replicate them until you learn them. 

Practice makes perfect!