Learn Thai Fast!

Can We Really Have You Speaking Thai in Just Ten Days?

Hard to believe, isn't it? Till you ask yourself one simple question: How did you learn English as a child? Did you wade through text books? Did you struggle with grammar? Did you drive yourself crazy trying to get the accent right?

No. You just "picked it up." You heard adults speak, and you uttered your first word. Well, that's how the Pimsleur method works. It's the natural way to learn Thai.  

In easy half hour "bites" on CD, our scientifically sequenced lessons will have you speaking Thai the way the Thai do–or you pay nothing. Guaranteed. Just give it a try.

Why it's Important to Learn Thai

Thailand's industrialization is fairly new, and is helping the country to build a strong economy. Thailand is a major exporter of products including footwear, rubber, cars, jewelry, textiles, rice, electric appliances, and computers. On the other end, companies that coordinate the import of these goods can benefit from having Thai speakers on staff. Learning Thai can position you to become a valuable employee of any such company.

Tourism is one of Thailand's main industries. The country has a booming retail industry, as well as a desirable currency exchange rate, so visitors can enjoy all kinds of shopping while vacationing in Thailand. The ability to speak Thai will help you bargain with vendors to get the best prices, too. In addition, Thai cuisine is undoubtedly one of the most popular in the world. It offers diverse flavors, and is especially known for being spicy. You'll find all kinds of meats and seafood used in Thai recipes as well. Being able to order food in Thai will ensure you get exactly what you want, and that you get it as spicy as you like.

Conversational Thai vs. Academic Thai

The Thai language is written in a beautiful script that doesn't seem to resemble any other script- or character-based language, and is definitely different from the alphabets used in languages such as English, Spanish, and French. Thai is also comprised of five forms whose uses depend on social situations. Two of those forms differentiate between written Thai and spoken Thai. Imagine trying to learn Thai from a book. How would you know the correct spoken form? Even worse, imagine trying to communicate with someone, and using the form reserved for addressing royalty. That would not only be embarrassing, but potentially insulting to a Thai native speaker.

This is why, if you want to learn to speak Thai, Pimsleur Approach's audio lessons are the best option. There will be no need to worry about the five different forms, or whether you're going to embarrass yourself, or insult someone else. What you'll be hearing is the way Thai people speak to each other, and you'll be hearing it from a native speaker as well, so the accents and tones will be correct and easy to duplicate. Thai is a beautiful language, so learn it in a way that shows its beauty–by listening to it.

A Logical Way to Learn Thai

Only after 20 years of scientific research did Dr. Pimsleur hit upon the right method to teach language–by watching his own children. Children have the ability to pick up languages quickly and naturally. What makes Pimsleur courses so successful are the specific scientific principles that replicate the speed and ease at which children learn languages. Read more about how this unique system–which has been purchased by the FBI–works.

No matter what situation you find yourself in–making new friends at a party, in a business meeting or negotiation, or just asking the way to the railway station or a good restaurant–you will find Pimsleur has given you the right Thai words and phrases, the ones that come naturally, without thinking. Read more about what you'll learn with Pimsleur.  

Thai Facts

Thai is one of 45 Tai languages. Many of these languages are variations of Thai, or closely related dialects.

Thai and its related languages have native speakers in at least six nations. In addition to Thailand, other Tai languages and dialects are spoken in China, Vietnam, Laos, India, and Burma.

There are five forms of Thai which correspond to different social situations. They are: Formal (used in writing), Common (used for speaking), Religious (used to address monks or discuss Buddhism), Rhetorical (used in public speaking), and Royal (used only when addressing or referring to the royal family).