When starting your Thai learning journey, a common question is whether to begin with reading Thai or focus solely on conversation. The answer lies in your individual needs and preferences. Let's explore both paths and help you decide.
1. Do You Need to Read Thai?
For basic communication: If your goal is to navigate daily life in Thailand, have casual conversations, or travel with ease, reading Thai may not be essential. Many tourists and expats get by without mastering the Thai script by focusing purely on speaking and listening.
For fluency: If you want to achieve a higher level of fluency, reading and writing are essential. Learning the Thai script helps you:
Memorize vocabulary better.
Use Thai scripts and avoid the complicated English transliteration
Pronounce words more accurately.
Engage with written materials like menus, signs, or official documents.
Broaden your learning channels by engaging with both written and spoken language, making your overall learning experience more immersive.
2. Should You Start with Reading or Speaking First?
This largely depends on your personal circumstances and goals. Consider the following:
If you're in Thailand or an environment where you can practice speaking regularly, or if you need to start speaking as soon as possible (e.g., for work or daily life), start with conversation and foundational Thai. Build basic communication skills first. Once you’re comfortable in everyday situations, you can then shift focus to reading and writing.
If you're not in a rush to speak or want to avoid pronunciation errors, starting with reading and writing can be more beneficial. Mastering the Thai script first allows you to learn words in their original form, without relying on English transliteration. This can prevent mispronunciations and build a strong foundation for accurate speaking later on.
3. How Much Time Does It Take?
To read and write Thai:
Expect around 3-4 months to learn the basics of the Thai script and start reading simple words and sentences. BananaThai’s Ultimate Guide to Thai Reading Course is designed to help you master the basics within this timeframe.
You can continue to improve your reading skills with practice for another 2-3 months, using the Thai Reading Exercise Bundle to enhance your speed and comprehension.
Estimate time to gain competence: 6-10 months
To converse in Thai:
You’ll need around 10-12 months to build a solid foundation in speaking, grammar, and everyday conversations with programs like the Intensive Thai Series (4 volumes).
After building a base, you can continue expanding your vocabulary and comprehension through immersive listening practices with Pocket Thai Podcasts, which take about 4-5 months.
Estimate time to gain competence: 12-15 months
Ultimately, whether you start with reading or conversation depends on your goals and how quickly you need to start speaking. If you’re living in Thailand or eager to use the language in daily interactions, starting with conversation makes sense. But if accuracy and deeper understanding are priorities, learning the Thai script first can set a strong foundation.
Explore BananaThai's structured Online Courses, Discounted Bundles, or Private Lessons to help you achieve your goals in learning Thai.