Learn Thai With Us

Sawatdee krap and welcome to the Learn Thai With Us podcast.  I’m so glad you can join us for this study session in the Thai Language.  My name is Joe Copeland.  I will be your host and fellow student.  We will learn the Thai Language together.  Like you, I am learning how to read, write, and speak Thai.  And like you, I am having a hard time learning and staying motivated.

I’m developing a series of website blogs and podcasts to keep us both motivated.  I believe the hardest part of learning Thai is simply staying motivated to study regularly.  I’ve dabbled a couple times in the past five years to learn Thai.  I’ll usually do very well for a few months then fall off the wagon for years without studying.  When it comes time to resuming my Thai studies, I have to start all over again.  I have to repeat my learning of the alphabet, vowels, tone rules, vocabulary, grammar, etc . . . .  This is now my third attempt to become proficient in Thai and I’m taking things to the next level to stay motivated.  How is that?  I’m taking you along for the ride!

As I learn new language subjects of value, I’ll share them with you on my website, podcast, and YouTube channel.  There are several good resources out there to learn Thai.  However, as excellent as they are, I still find it difficult to stay motivated and study consistently.  I believe that’s because I lack a study partner. 

My goal here is to not only impart educational value, but also motivational value.  I believe motivation is the key to learning a new language.

It’s difficult to stay motivated when I’m living in the USA and Thailand is thousands of miles away.  I don’t use Thai on a daily basis so it’s not on the forefront of my mind.  Although my wife is Thai, she speaks English well enough for us to communicate.  Furthermore, she is not a Thai language teacher, so it’s difficult for her to explain things she instinctively knows about the Thai language and culture, having been born and raised in the Land of Smiles.  It’s difficult for her to translate Thai concepts into English, especially when there is no English equivalent.

I don’t profess any expertise in teaching Thai.  Therefore, I cannot claim to be your Thai teacher.  I am your fellow student and study partner. 

I personally prefer learning in a class setting with other students, I enjoy interacting with others and I feel I learn as much from fellow students as I do from the instructor.  I hope you’ve had the same experience in classes you’ve taken at University or High School.  I’ve always felt that small study groups kept me motivated to excel by helping others, listening and answering questions and seeing a particular topic from another point of view.

With that said, welcome to Learn Thai With Us and let’s study some Thai.