Learning Thai - Which way is best?

[Sukhumvit]

I'd say 1) but with a caution.

You're better off with self study listening to tapes and repeating phrases before spending money on lessons.

 

 

As has been pointed out, children learn by copying what they hear. It's basic skills first then move onto reading/writing. If you need it. Many get by without. Look at tribal groups with complex oral language skills but little or no written tradition.

[Guest]

>You're better off with self study listening to tapes and repeating phrases before spending money on lessons

 

Provided that you can

- hear the difference between the tones

- tell yourself when you are pronouncing each tone correctly

 

Some people are able to do this, but not everybody. For instance, I cannot always hear the difference, and most of the time the tones that I actually pronounce are completely different from what I was trying to accomplish. When I try to pronounce a word again - differently - the teachers judgement is "no difference"...

 

Wagner