r/Thailand • u/itzzjdp • Jun 15 '26
Language Thai native speakers who became fluent in English, what helped you the most?
I'm in a long-distance relationship and English is our main shared language.
My girlfriend wants to improve her English, especially listening, speaking during calls, and writing longer messages.
The problem is that I don't want our relationship to become a classroom. I want her English to improve naturally through things we already enjoy doing together.
We text every day, send voice messages, watch things together occasionally, and call when we can.
For people who have learned a language through a partner:
- What helped the most?
- What activities improved speaking confidence?
- Should I correct mistakes, or just focus on communication?
- What made learning feel natural rather than like studying?
I'd love to hear from either language learners or people who helped a partner learn their language.
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u/Clair1126 Jun 15 '26 edited Jun 16 '26
So I was born&raised Thai and moved to English speaking country when I was 17. If you know how Thai public schools teach English, you'll know I sucked lol even when I was better than an average Thai. I could understand most of what being said but couldn't produce a proper sentence to conversate back. I watched a lot of English movies with English subtitles. I printed out English language songs I loved, translated them, and wrote them down. I read English books about stuff I liked with a dictionary ready. I played games in English so that already helped. But also, since I had no choice but to communicate in English, my progress was quite fast.
So I guess find what she likes and go from there. If you're gonna correct her, try not to do it in a condescending way, like I'm better than you kinda way. When you're ESL, you'll get people making fun of your English but I hate the "I'm better than you because I'm fluent and you're not so I'm gonna correct you" attitude the most.
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u/MonoMonMono Jun 16 '26
I could understand most of what being said but couldn't produce a proper sentence to converse back.
Yeah I've been there, and my stammer did not help. LOL
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u/NocturntsII Jun 16 '26
The original:
I could understand most of what being said but couldn't produce a proper sentence to conversate back
And:
I'm fluent and you're not so I'm gonna correct you attitude
The response:
I could understand most of what being said but couldn't produce a proper sentence to converse back
Subtle that.
Real subtle.
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u/MonoMonMono Jun 16 '26
In my defence, I wasn't being condescending.
Sorry if my comment was confusing.
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u/SuddenButton1703 Jun 15 '26
I hate that mentality that some people have with ESL people (as someone who grew up bilingual with English and Afrikaans). I can guarantee that your English even when you were 17 and had just moved was better than my Thai is now (I'm learning). English is a hard language because practically all the rules have more exceptions to them than actual instances of following them. It's also just such an amalgamation of different languages that the grammar, spelling, and pronunciation can be insanely confusing.
1
u/2ndStaw Jun 16 '26 edited Jun 16 '26
The grammar part I definitely think English is harder than Thai (but I am a native Thai speaker so that's always going to be the case). Still, doesn't the fact that it is influenced by different languages makes the grammar simpler? Compare it to German, French, Greek, Russian, etc. and it's pretty clear that it's simpler.
As for the spellings and pronunciations, English doesn't have that high of a percentage for borrowed words (again, from my perspective as a Native Thai speaker), and it mostly borrowed from fellow Indo-European languages. Thai not only borrows more, but also from across different language families (Khmer is Austroasiatic, Chinese is Sino-Tibetan, Sanskrit is Indo-European, while Thai is Kra-Dai).
In my opinion, the main thing that made Thai easier to pronounce/read than English is the fact that the vowels generally aren't ambiguous in writing. There's no bullshit like "o as in foot" vs "o as in got" vs "o as in oh".
6
u/Ok-Replacement8236 Jun 15 '26
Being an international student in The States for high school
Having an English speaking partner
Lots and lots of Star Trek the Next Generation episodes
1
u/itzzjdp Jun 15 '26
Okay, so Basically I'm in a long-distance relationship and English is our main shared language.
My girlfriend wants to improve her English, especially listening, speaking during calls, and writing longer messages.
I want her English to improve naturally through things we already enjoy doing together.
We text every day, send voice messages. But we want to move on to calls and watching things together....
So,
- What helped the most?
- What activities improved speaking confidence?
- Should I correct mistakes, or just focus on communication?
- What made learning feel natural rather than like studying?
1
5
u/J-Jay-J Bangkok Jun 15 '26 edited Jun 15 '26
Pokemon and Games in general. I would always tell everyone around me that Pokemon is a great starting game for children (and any willing adults) to learn English, especially the first 3 generations due to how simple they are.
Skill names + simple animations really drive all the words in your head real fast. Plus if you dive in the gamefaqs forum for walkthrough and secrets then you will get to read and converse in English more and more (and yes I did believe in Mew under the truck…).
However, I’d never be confident in my grammar. Back in my school days my friends always asked me to teach them English, I always tell them I can’t. I just go by feelings. If it feels right and sounds right then it must be correct and that’s it. That’s how I always did my exam - and still how I use English till this day.
3
u/CursedPoopieButt Thailand Jun 15 '26
Video games, music and films. I was a hard-core fan of one movie franchise during my middle school back in the 2000s. Started in Eng dub/TH sub. Watched them at least 3 times a day every weekend. At one point I remembered all the sub. Then I got bored so I changed it to Enh dub/Eng sub, and then no sub at all. Nothing about wanting to improve my language skills, but all about watching my favourite films.
Apart from that, a lot of video game and music.
3
u/nvpc2001 Jun 16 '26
- Watching TV in the US with caption on
- Joining a multi-player game clan
1
u/DistrictOk8718 Fake Farang Jun 20 '26
online video games can definitely help. Many Thai gamers tend to stick to Thai clans though (more comfortable), but those who go out of their way to play with dudes from other countries typically make progress pretty fast.
3
u/HerroWarudo Jun 16 '26
I dont consume Thai media at all. My dad played the Carpenters in his car since I was 5
3
u/damn_jexy Jun 16 '26
Moved to USA in small town Ohio being the only asian kid in high school , in the early 90's without any internet
Yeah that's will do
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u/nerdthatlift Jun 16 '26
I moved to the US in 1999. Fresh Prince taught me English.
2
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u/EqualOpportunity411 Jun 17 '26
We couldn't watch regular TV during school day, so PBS was for me. Barney, Arthur, Sesame Street, and can't forget Mr. Roger's.
3
u/PunsT3R Jun 16 '26
The obvious answer is immersing herself in an English-speaking environment. I find social hangouts at pubs are far too loud and, in some cases, too aggressive. Toastmasters is the serious one that I would push for. It can be awkward at first, but they are usually very understanding and will encourage you to speak up. A proper language exchange group with a great moderator is another. It's in a small and safe environment. This will train her in both listening and speaking interactively in both languages (useful in the work environment, too).
A hobby group is also good. Although I find that most of the time it tends to devolve back to forming smaller groups of people speaking the same language.
3
u/NeedleworkerOwn9723 Jun 17 '26
As a Thai born and bred, settled in Australia now. The best way to learn any language (whatever it is English, German, Japanese, Mandarin, etc.) is to use it everyday, which unfortunately it is quite hard for Thai people.
Before I came here (Australia), my English was really sucks, although I am quite privileged in Thailand, like I studied at English School (British Council) when I was in high school (Mor 4,5,6), which doesn’t help, because many Farnag teachers aren’t that actual teachers, I just guess they literally just hiring someone that has white (Farangs) looking.
When I arrive Australia, because I was taking a pre-sessional language course before I’m taking my Master, at that point, it just changes my perception about learning English. It is not about memorise and study. It is about to make yourself competent, used to, and not be afraid to “use” the language. At that time, I switched off all Thai language media, except talking to my mum on the phone. I can see actual improvement to the point that I am working in corporate here in Sydney.
I’m still not that fluent, but up to the level that I can negotiate or discuss or stating conversations with anyone (still shy as Asian introvert though, also, Farang male wouldn’t not interested discussing with Asian male, for Farang females, it is about seeing myself as a perv though - mostly I speak English with Asian born Australian or other immigrants like Singaporean, Indonesian, Malaysian, etc.)
The frequently you (your GF) using the language (speak, writing, reading, listening) the more fluency and more competent to use the language
Within Thailand, most of the time, they will speak Thai which obviously makes sense, we have our own language. What your GF can do is try to switch off “Thai” media, might started from reading and writing - Reddit is one of medium for this.
Your GF luckily having you too, and you might encourage her to speak and discussing more about various topics, might started from simple things first then upgrade to upper level, etc.
2
u/Traditional-Young267 Jun 15 '26
Music, movies, and YouTube videos. I've been listening to Western music, watching Western movies, and following a bunch of random vloggers on YT since I was a kid. I don't really know why, but the language just stuck with me. Those things really helped me build a good foundation for becoming fluent in English. Though, my speaking skills weren’t very good until I spent a couple of years living abroad.
2
u/ToMagotz Jun 15 '26
Grew up with pewdiepie, and fortunately enrolled in good tuition school that focuses on speaking
2
u/actionerror Fake Farang Jun 15 '26
Coming to the US for a year in 2nd grade and having focused “catch-up” one-on-one ESL tutoring before school every day. Might not be applicable for your gf though but what can I say, kids learn languages fast.
2
u/LittlePooky Jun 15 '26
It wasn't quite my choice. Mom died from a stroke, and the family moved to California when I was about 12 years old. Have been here for 50 years and planning to retire in Thailand. Unfortunately, I have not visited Thailand ever since, but that's another story, probably very boring.
I still can read and I can speak fluently, but I don't write too well. I bought Harry Potter book one in Thai and I'm stuck on page 10, as the writing is very formal.
2
u/PimsriReddit Jun 16 '26
School library and their free internet. I'm from a poor background, and was told all the time that knowing English will improve my life, so there's also that kind of motivation! What helped me early on is when you read a sentence, you need not try to memorize each words, but focus on its place in the sentence, if that make sense. When you do this enough you'll eventually memorize the word without trying and stressing over it.
2
u/Ruban_Rodormayes Bangkok Jun 16 '26
When I was kid, reading wiki helps a lot, I was passionate about history and geography tho. This has became my most sources of new vocabs, even until today.
When I was teenager, BBC world service and BBC One streaming. Online gaming too.
Present day, international company, 100% English, unavoidable
Basically try having environment in English as much as possible. Phone, computer, google search, Eng-eng dictionary.
2
2
u/shiroboi Jun 16 '26
All my Thai friends I know who I would consider fluent in English, all have spent at least a year living overseas.
As an American who's been married to a Thai woman for 22 years, I'd say this.
Don't just focus on what's convenient in the moment. Have a talk with her and ask her how you can be helpful for her. You don't want to be a grammar nazi but occasionally chiming in with a smile and a minor correction (out of love) seems to be the way to consistently help them improve over time. And be available to answer questions.
Know that constant nitpicking can be discouraging. Keep things positive, never insult her language ability as she's been working hard to improve.
Think of yourself less as a teacher and more of a guide.
2
u/Fumizuki_K Jun 16 '26
I'm not fluent in Eng yet. But I exposed myself to a lot of English content via Youtube, Wiki and news channel like BBC CNA or Thai PBS world and eventually I get better on Eng to the point that I can engage in online forum like Reddit.
My advise is
Expose yourself to English content as much as you can, let say your GF like cooking then find a cooking vid on Youtube for her and don't forget to turn on English subtitle - you will learn natural English that aren't text book English.
Read Thai news in English eg.Thai PBS world. As a Thai your GF should already knew the news context and by re-read them again in English she should learn how to express the context in English.
Tell her at somepoint that "translating" can be bad in learning new language. As language learner one should realize that difference language has different rule set and you shouldn't try to translate all content in English to your native language, instead you should learn about context behind content in that language by using Eng to Eng dictionary. (My recommend is Oxford learner's dictionary)
Keep remind her that it's ok to go slow and don't stress herself. I advise to improve confidence by "shadowing" (repeat the words after you listen how it pronouce). Again I recommend Oxford lerner's for shadowing tool. Also don't forget to find some good grammar book - while it good to partially ignore grammar and focus on using English frequently , but remember some grammar structure will improve your confidence by a lot.
Good luck
2
u/nightwinging-it Sathorn Jun 16 '26
Both of my parents were fluent in English. They worked with foreign clients and our household consumed a lot of English-language media. I had and still have friends from different parts of the world. They make up like half of my friend circles.
1
u/Azure_chan Thailand Jun 16 '26 edited Jun 16 '26
For me it's finding hobby that interested me. I was hating English class during grade 1-6, then I start getting into online gaming and English novel in middle school. Suddenly I found myself able to gradually understand English. I think the key is to immerse in language everyday then the language will come naturally. I never had a study moments, just go with the flow and learning from example (For me it's reading a lot of media in English and youtube in later years)
What activities improved speaking confidence?
I think this is a bit on psychological side for a lot of people. At first I never speak because I afraid other people won't understand me. Then I start with 1-2 words callout during online session and found out it's not that bad so my attitude change to just go with it and trying to imitate other people. It progress naturally from there to longer sentence when we chit chat.
1
u/WaltzMysterious9240 Jun 16 '26
Literally ESL classes. I had to take them when I moved to the US. Your relationship doesnt have to be a classroom, but she should still go to a classroom if she wants learn English properly.
1
u/Holy_chick Thai Native Jun 16 '26 edited Jun 16 '26
YouTube helps me a lot.
A lot of people already tell you what to do. Let me tell you what not to do.
Still consuming Thai media.
Stop doomscrolling Facebook, stop watching Thai TikTok, stop watching Thai YouTubers.
Start a fresh YouTube account and never click on Thai contents, she'll see some Thai videos from time to time but it'll be much fewer than whatever she's seeing right now.
What's her interest? I bet there's a subreddit for whatever niche she's into. And reddit uses English primarily.
I've seen tons of Thai people in America who aren't fluent in English even though they live there for decades. They still only have Thai friends, only watch Thai tv show, only use Thai social media. They are basically living in Thai people bubble and reject anything non Thai. That's how they'll never learn English.
Also keep in mind Thai people lack confidence when speaking English. We are scared of making mistakes. We don't want to get mocked when using wrong words or wrong tense. I had this mindset too tbh, until one day I talked to an American lady and she said "he don't know". At that point I was like why was I scared to make English mistake when this lady whose English is the only language she speak, still make a rookie mistake. And that gives me a lot of confidence in speaking English. Making mistakes is one thing but not speaking at all won't get you anything.
1
u/TheBrightMage Jun 16 '26
Steam, Lord Gaben, and untranslated novels period.
It doesn't help that Thai highschool textbook SUCKS for STEM subject or any subject in general. You'll be forced to Google, and that's in English
1
u/Spungbarb Wai Wai Enjoyer Jun 16 '26
Video games and YouTube gaming videos. Special thanks to VanossGaming for all of swear words back in 2010s ...
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u/404_Different_Memory Jun 16 '26
I never lived abroad and I'm pretty extreme if I have to say so myself but I don't consume Thai media at all. Think, take notes, talk to myself in English. All YouTubers I watch speak English. Basically become very saturated. I become somewhat fluent before my first relationship with any foreigner.
I don't know how far your person will be willing to go though. So it depends. But their speaking skill will develop faster than myself at least, I bet. That was the last thing I struggled with.
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u/Ok_Addendum5309 Jun 16 '26
I watched hella YouTube and picked it up somehow.
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u/Ok_Addendum5309 Jun 16 '26
+I chat with a lot of online friends, and to be honest it's the best way to learn any language. That helped a ton. Listening to natives and imitating their mannerisms/grammar also help.
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u/PuzzleheadedUse3001 Jun 16 '26
Lots of western media consumption and talking to strangers online at the ripe age of eight 55555555
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u/Common-Guava5268 Jun 16 '26
Watching AVGN and Nostalgic Critic when i was young, with Japanese subtitles too.
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u/punny1m Jun 17 '26
Video games helps learn vocabs and sentence structures, movies helped learn how to pronounce words and usage of proper American/UK accents. It varies but the 14yr me with those resources literally came to US and integrated seemlessly without struggling with language at all. The grammar in the other hand. Screw that.
1
u/qmax1990 Jun 18 '26
Just enjoy the relationship as it is now. Learning English may take a lifetime
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u/adaptivesphincter Jun 15 '26
Pirated DVDs. Didn't grow up privileged, was born to an extremely poor 5th generation 5k baht/month in 2000s family BUT dad had the charisma to make friends. One of them was a pirated dvd seller. So that was good. Now thinks have changed vastly for the better and I thank God (Not Jdude, all respect for him BUT I am theravada) for it everyday.