Learn to Speak Thai like a Thai

I've stumbled an easy to use application which might be good for some learners here, which guides you through the Thai language with visuals, sounds and phonetics to make learning Thai all that more easier. I shall be putting up a proper full review in the coming weeks, when my schedule quietens down a bit more. However, if you did want to check it out it's compatible with Windows XP and Windows Vista and there's a new and improved version being launched in the next couple of days for only $39. At this sort of price it's a bargain and certainly cheaper than getting private lessons or studying at a school/University. Click to start learning

Podcasts

I've recently rediscovered the joys of podcasts and how they can be instrumental in the beginnings of learning a new language, and indeed whilst your still developing your vocab. and proficiency in the language podcasts are still very useful and shouldn't be neglected. I'm posting about this, because as you know I'm starting to learn Chinese and I've found the newbie lessons from Chinesepod.com very useful indeed. I think what makes these particular podcasts perhaps more interesting and perhaps easier to digest is that you get to hear the conversations 3 times, then there's an explanation of what the dialogue means, the context is used in and perhaps on what other instances/occasions you can use particular words/phrases, and then you get to hear the conversation another 3 times - this time having a better understanding of what's going on. The onus of these podcasts, as well, are not so much on the individual words/sentences, but rather the patterns that go on in chinese. By the radio presenters not over analyzing the words, context etc. it's not too overwhelming for a beginner. I just wished I had discovered  podcasts and used them when I was learning Thai, maybe it would have helped.

Reading materials online

One of my favourite online news sites has to be Matichon Online, it's great for picking up bits of good vocab. and expressions and really challenging yourself. Although when I read it my understanding is not quite 100% it provides me with words/phrase I then need to go away and check in the Lexitron online dictionary: http://lexitron.nectec.or.th/2009_1/.

Here's a link on the Matchion site to a news story about Robbie Williams and his previous addiction to prescription drugs, after it came out the Michael Jackson died from a drug overdose from a cocktail of  prescription drugs. http://www.matichon.co.th/news_detail.php?newsid=1255336425&grpid=01&catid=

Here's some words/phrases I've picked out that might be useful:
ติดยา = drug addict
วันนั้น = on that day
ผมเล่นยาหลายประเภท = i tried many kinds of drugs
โคเคน = cocaine
เฮโรอิน = heroine
ยาบ้า = ya ba/metaamphetemine
ยาแก้ปวด = painkiller(s)
"ไมเคิล แจ๊กสัน" ราชาเพลงป็อป = "Michael  Jackson" King of Pop.
นักร้องหนุ่ม = young singer
เกี่ยวกับเรื่อง = story about

ภาษาจีน

พมกําัลงเร้นภาษาแมนดารินยากมากคร้บ
I'm learning Mandarin, it's very hard.


So it's been a couple of days into my chinese mandarin learning. I haven't found a place to study yet, just doing some traveling before I still down and find a school. I think its a better situation here, because not many people seem to speak English so I will be forced to speak chinese on a daily basis to convey what I want.


Mandarin has 5 tones, which a new learner first has to get to grips with if they're not familiar with tonal languages.
Coming from learning Thai it's not such an issue. Some of the sounds are quite hard to imitate particularly, and gonna take me a while to get a hold on. I have to say one major incentive for me learning, is that the girls here are seriously cute :) So one day would be nice having a conversation with them that extends beyond the basics.