What do you mean there’s no Thai on Babbel? If you’ve searched Babbel hoping to find a Thai course, you’ve probably already noticed the problem. Thai isn’t part of Babbel’s current language selection, so you’ll have to use another app if you want to start learning it today.
Luckily, there’s a great alternative that covers everything you need to learn Thai. Ling gives you a complete Thai course with lessons for the script, vocabulary, grammar, reading, writing, listening, and speaking, so you can learn the language without having to piece together different resources.
Let’s explore why Thai deserves a spot on apps like Babbel and why Ling is your best choice today.
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Why Is Thai Missing From Babbel?
Babbel is a high-quality platform, but its strengths lie in European languages like Spanish, German, French, and Italian. In fact, Indonesian is the only Asian language available, and even that course only goes up to level A2.
Why the delay?
Here are a few likely reasons:
- Infrastructure gaps: Thai requires script-learning tools and tone training that Babbel doesn’t yet support.
- Content development complexity: Thai grammar, particles, and cultural context need deep expertise to teach effectively.
- Limited linguistic staffing: Babbel has over 150 experts, but most specialize in CEFR-aligned languages.
- Prioritization: Babbel is refining and expanding existing European courses, making less room for new ones.
It’s not that Thai isn’t worthy; it’s just not in Babbel’s current wheelhouse.
Why Thai Deserves A Spot On Babbel
First of all, Thai is the official language of Thailand, and it has around 37 million native speakers, but that is not the only reason.
- Thailand is one of the most visited countries in the world, ranking 11th on World Population Review’s list of most visited countries in 2024.
- Thailand’s cultural influence is on the rise. Thai entertainment has won the hearts of countless fans worldwide, particularly in niche genres attracting massive international fan bases. In an effort to support that, Thailand’s government has launched a massive cultural investment aimed at training millions of people in creative industries, generating trillions in economic value and solidifying Thailand’s position as a cultural leader on the global stage.
Sound familiar? It’s the same playbook that helped Korea ride the Hallyu Wave, and we all saw how that triggered a boom in Korean language learners.
Yet, despite this growing influence, Thai remains absent from major language learning platforms like Babbel.
So why is such a globally relevant language still being left out?
Is Thai A Hard Language To Learn?
Thai has a reputation for being “hard”, but in reality, it’s just different. Yes, Thai is a tonal language (with five tones), and it uses its own Brahmic-inspired script. That can feel intimidating at first glance. But let’s break it down.
Unique Features Of Thai:
- The first thing that can make Thai a bit challenging is that it’s a tonal language. In English, tone is used mostly for emphasis or intonation, but in Thai, it affects meaning. For instance, the word gài (ไก่) means “chicken” when said with a mid tone, but gâi (ไข่) with a low tone, which sounds similar, means “egg.” So you’ll have to train your ears!
- Another aspect of the Thai language that differs from English is its use of particles. For example, particles like khráp (ครับ – male) and khâ (ค่ะ – female) are used at the end of sentences to show politeness. And there are several other particles with different functions.
- As for writing, the Thai script has 44 consonants and 32 vowels; it’s written from left to right, and it’s an abugida, which means that consonants have an inherent vowel sound that’s modified with diacritics. This is quite different from the Latin alphabet English speakers are used to, but trust me, with the right tools and some perseverance, you can master it.
Now, let’s see what can make Thai less challenging.
Beginner-Friendly Aspects Of The Thai Language:
Let’s start with the best news: Thai is an analytic language, so there’s no conjugation. This means there are no changes in verbs when it comes to tense, gender, or number. So much less to memorize!
- There are also no plurals. You’ll know when something is plural either by context or additional words. And there are no articles either, so one less thing to worry about.
- Thai sentence structure is quite logical and consistent, and it follows the same word order as English: Subject-Verb-Object (SVO), so it shouldn’t give you any headaches.
- Spoken Thai is more flexible than written Thai, so if you’re having a conversation, you can relax a little.
So, as you can see, even if some things in Thai might give you a bit of trouble, a lot of it is quite manageable. So if you rely on good resources and put your mind to it, you’ll master the language in no time.
Babbel Vs Ling: Which One Supports Thai?
You know by now that there’s no Thai on Babbel, but let’s quickly compare both apps so you can get to know their main features:
| Features | Babbel | Ling |
|---|---|---|
| Thai course | ❌ No Thai course. | ✅ Complete Thai course. |
| Thai script support | ❌ No support. | ✅ Supports Thai script and teaches it with the finger-tracing method. |
| Pronunciation Practice | ❌ Not available for Thai. | ✅ Voice recognition and native speaker audio to ensure perfect pronunciation. |
| Grammar & Culture Notes | ❌ Not available for Thai. | ✅ Thai Grammar Notes to explain concepts and Culture Notes about Thai traditions, etiquette, and real-life situations. |
| Interactive Features | ✅ AI conversations, grammar guides, guided dialogues, podcasts, and audio recaps. | ✅ Gamified lessons, points and leaderboards, dialogs with real-world scenarios, and more. |
| Platform Availability | ✅ Android, iOS, and web. | ✅ Android and iOS. |
| Best For | Learning European languages with strong grammar foundations and structured progression. | Mastering Thai (and 70+ other languages) with engaging lessons that focus on pronunciation, grammar, writing, and cultural immersion. |
The Best Alternative To Babbel For Learning Thai
No Thai on Babbel? No problem. Here’s why thousands of learners are turning to Ling as the ultimate app for learning Thai authentically and effectively.
Why Ling Stands Out As The Best Thai Learning App
Ling is one of the best apps to learn Thai due to its gamified lessons, native-speaker audio, Thai grammar and culture notes, and more. Let’s see some of its main features:
- Bite-sized, gamified lessons that keep learning Thai engaging and consistent.
- Crystal-clear audio recorded by native Thai speakers for accurate listening and pronunciation.
- Interactive stroke-tracing to help you confidently write all 44 Thai consonants.
- Easy-to-digest grammar tips covering essentials like Thai particles and sentence structure.
- Cultural insights woven into lessons so you connect beyond just words.
- The Dialog feature shows real-life conversations.
- Smart voice recognition to sharpen your speaking skills and boost confidence.
The best part? Ling offers a 7-day free trial, so you can try everything risk-free!
Who Is The Ling App Best For?
Ling is a great choice if you want to learn Thai in one place instead of jumping between different apps, videos, and websites. It is ideal for:
- Beginners who are starting Thai from scratch and want to learn the basics step by step.
- Travelers who want to pick up useful everyday Thai vocabulary before a trip and feel more comfortable talking to locals.
- Language lovers who enjoy learning languages that aren’t always easy to find on mainstream language apps, including Thai and other regional languages.
- Heritage learners who want to reconnect with their Thai roots or communicate more easily with family members.
- People in relationships with Thai speakers who want to learn their partner’s native language and use Thai in everyday conversations and affectionate moments.
Why Dedicated Thai Learners Trust Ling
Ling is trusted by over 10M+ learners worldwide with a 4.7/5 rating, so let’s see some reviews from Ling’s users:
“Thai is tough – new script, sounds, and vocab – but Ling makes it manageable. I started with basic words, and now I’m learning to read. It’s amazing!”
– Cathy C., Hong Kong
“I first downloaded Ling to prepare for a trip to Thailand; it was the only app with Thai back then! Still highly recommend it, especially for Southeast Asian languages.👏”
– Auberon A., Chicago
What You’ll Learn In Just A Week With Ling
Since Ling offers a 7-day free trial, let’s explore what you can learn by using it for a week.
| Day | Achievement | Examples From Ling Thai Course |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Learn greetings and introductions | Hello – Sawasdee khráp (สวัสดีครับ) |
| Day 2 | Introduce yourself and ask simple questions | What’s your name? – Khun chue arai kha? (คุณชื่ออะไรคะ?) |
| Day 3 | Master numbers | One cup of coffee, please. – Ka-fae neung gaeo khráp (กาแฟหนึ่งแก้วครับ) |
| Day 4 | Learn useful travel phrases | Where is the bathroom? – Hong nam yu thi nai? (ห้องน้ำอยู่ที่ไหน?) |
| Day 5 | Learn words and phrases for common activities | I go to work. – Chan pai tham-ngan (ฉันไปทำงาน) |
| Day 6 | Explore food and dining vocabulary | I’d like one Pad Thai, please. – Kho pad thai neung jan khráp (ขอผัดไทยหนึ่งจานครับ) |
| Day 7 | Learn common expressions | How are you? – Sabai dee mai? (สบายดีไหม?) |
No Thai On Babbel: Frequently Asked Questions
Is There Thai On Babbel?
No. Babbel doesn’t offer a Thai language course yet. If you’re serious about learning Thai, you can try alternatives such as the Ling app. It offers a complete and structured Thai course, including speaking and writing practice.
What Is The Best Alternative To Babbel For Thai?
The best alternative to Babbel for learning Thai is Ling. It offers gamified lessons, native-speaker audio, Thai grammar explanations, and Thai culture notes, all in one place to help you learn Thai from the basics to everyday conversations.
Does Duolingo Work For Thai?
No, there’s no Thai course on Duolingo either. Luckily, the Ling app is an excellent alternative to learn the language.
Is Ling Good For Learning Thai?
Of course! Ling offers you a complete Thai course with lessons that cover the Thai script, vocabulary, grammar, reading, writing, listening, and speaking practice.
Is Thai Worth Learning?
With millions of speakers, a huge presence in pop culture, and Thailand attracting travelers from around the world, learning Thai gives you a chance to connect with the language and culture on a much deeper level. It can also be useful if you plan to travel, work, live, or build relationships in Thailand.
Start Learning Thai With Ling!
Even if there’s no Thai on Babbel, you don’t have to put your language journey on hold. You can still learn the Thai language today!
With a 4.7/5 rating on the App Store and Google Play, along with over 10M+ downloads, millions of users worldwide have chosen Ling as their go-to language-learning tool.
Gamified lessons, Thai grammar and culture notes, dialogs that show conversations in context, and several other useful features make Ling an excellent option for learning not just Thai but other Asian and Eastern European languages.
You don’t even have to decide now; you can try the app for free for seven days, see how you like it, and cancel anytime if it’s not for you.
So, ready to begin? Download the Ling app on the App Store or Google Play and start your Thai language journey!
