จดจำไทย

My Thai is starting to improve. For the longest time I thought I would never really speak Thai however, we recently switched language schools. When the school, Phil and I are having one-on-one lessons. Our teacher is fantastic. I am starting to remember speak some Thai, remember it when I see it, and practice it easier than when I had been at the previous school.  One pleasant surprise I’ve had is that when I see Thai, I am fairly decent at guessing how to pronounce what I see, as long as I’m looking at a short phrase or a word.  Longer sentences are still hard because in Thai, there aren’t really spaces between words.  I’m learning grammatical rules from the new teacher, so I’m beginning to understand the logic of the language, too.  We are writing, not just speaking, listening, and reading.  Both Phil and I are finding that by writing in Thai, we are really absorbing the material.  I’m also hearing and remembering some of the tones.  I forget some of what I’ve learned but we review it enough that I am not feeling like I am getting behind.

Perhaps in another year I’ll be able to have conversations and read basic items like newspapers. Overall, the experience with this new school very good. I am really enjoying these lessons.  In fact, a few days ago I actually had my 1st dream with some Thai in it.  Of course, since I don’t know much Thai yet, the dream was mostly in English. I’m very pleased with the progress that my husband and I have made with this new school.  Finally, I feel confident in my ability to learn another language.  For the past several months, when I was attending the previous school, I was very frustrated since I wasn’t understanding or remembering.  I also had no idea how to study.  Our teacher gives us homework and has given us some advice on how to study.

One silly goal Phil and I have is to know enough Thai that, when we are visiting in the United States, we can have conversations in front of people, like having our own “secret” language.  Of course, it’s not like we really want to confuse anyone.  It just sounds fun to be able to discuss a few things in another language.

 

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