In short, the answer is no. This is especially true if your native language uses the Latin alphabet and isn’t tonal. Seeing as Thai ranks as a Category III “hard language” by the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), this means it will be challenging and take at least 1,100 hours to become proficient. But, remember that language learning is a process and you can achieve your proficiency when taking Thai language lessons once you find a strategy that works for you.

One of the most difficult components of the Thai language is its five tones, classified as low, mid, high, falling, and rising. Some other challenging parts of learning the Thai language for the first time can be:

• 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 greater abugida alphabets

When you talk about learning a language, be sure to include all four language skills. Those skills are listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Learning by yourself takes time and commitment, but you can start learning Thai by remembering these tips.

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

Second, don’t forget to turn on the CC (Closed Captions) when watching Thai movies or Thai tv series’. This will help you put all the language skills together. You’ll be listening to the pronunciation of the actors while reading the captions, and you can even stop the program in the middle to write down or practice speaking any important words you learn.

Lastly, use the Ling App to help you learn Thai and pronounce Thai words correctly. With the app’s built-in AI chatbot, you can practice having conversations in Thai and get direct feedback on your pronunciation. This way, it won’t seem so scary when you go out and talk to locals in real-life.

If you want to learn Thai by yourself, don’t worry. Ling features comprehensive online Thai language courses to help you learn the language in no time!

According to the Foreign Services Institute (FSI), it can take the average person 1,100 hours to become proficient in Thai. There is no perfect formula or magic stick to wave for learning Thai faster, but there are some changes you can make and goals you can set to make things seem a little easier.

Like with learning any language, you need to immerse yourself in your studies. Find a Thai language course that works for you and focus on the most important phrases and frequently used words. 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 of the Thai names on objects you see and use every day
• Change your phone’s language settings to Thai
• Study with native speakers online or through online chatting platforms
• Use the Ling App to remember essential Thai phrases
• Get feedback from online Thai language tutors

The Thai alphabet is referred to as aksorn Thai’ (อักษรไทย), which is based on the Old Khmer script dating back to 1283. Nowadays, the Thai alphabet consists of 44 consonants and 28 vowels.

There are three consonant classes, twelve long vowels, and sixteen short vowels. The Thai alphabet is also written from left to right but doesn’t include any spaces.

Learning the Thai alphabet is essential for improving your reading and writing skills. It can also help you improve your speaking skills. Think about it, how are you going to be able to use your Thai speaking skills if you can’t even read road signs?

If you’re serious about learning how to read and write in Thai, the Ling app has some of the best features to help you. Including a finger tracing feature where you can first see how the alphabet is written and then replicate what you saw by tracing the letter with your finger on the screen.