Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia. It’s easy to see why. From the natural resources—thriving jungles, mountains, and pristine beaches, just to name a few—to exciting cities like Bangkok, the beautiful arts, history and culture, Thailand has a lot to offer the curious student traveler. So it’s not hard to imagine pursuing your language education in Thailand could be a rewarding experience.
Learning another language could help you throughout your life, in a variety of ways. You could communicate with people from other cultures around the world. You’d have a useful skill to list on your resume. And once you build fluency in a second language, learning new ones could be a little easier down the road! Plus, by knowing and using multiple languages, you’ll exercise your mind, learn a new perspective, and hone your mental discipline.
But why learn a language in Thailand? For one, if you’ve always been curious about what it’s like to live in Thailand, studying language could be a great way to find out. Language is in many ways tied to culture and experiences, so living in a Thailand while studying a new language could also lend a fascinating perspective to your studies. Also, Thailand could be an exciting place to explore, with bountiful natural resources, pristine landscapes, and thriving international cities. As a result, Thailand could be a great place to pursue your passions for learning and travel.
Thai Language Programs in Thailand
If you want to learn Thai, what better place to do it than where the language originated? If you study Thai in Thailand, you won’t just have the support of a formal language program. You could also get that immersive experience you need to advance as quickly and effectively as possible. You might practice your Thai while running errands, socializing, and even traveling. This could be especially useful, as Thai is a tonal language, making it important to hear it in action as you learn.
On top of the many opportunities to practice your Thai in real life, you could also learn about the history and culture that informs how people use it. You may learn all about the different ways people speak Thai in different social situations, and develop deeper understanding of the unique perspective of people living in Thai communities. You might even make some new friends in the process.
Another benefit of learning Thai is that the language is somewhat mutually intelligible with Lao, depending on the dialects in question. In other words, if you choose, you could develop skills to communicate with people in several different languages, from a variety of cultures and backgrounds. They are two different languages, however, with unique alphabets, so you might want to pursue further study for more complete understanding, if this interests you.
You may choose to spend a few weeks in Thailand to study the basics, or even spend a whole year there learning all you can. Either way, learning Thai in Thailand, you could focus on learning in the classroom and practicing outside of it, all while exploring everything Thailand has to offer!
Study English in Thai Language Schools
Learn English without leaving Asia! In an intensive English program in Thailand, you could learn English in small classes from fluent or native English speakers. If you’re a beginner English speaker, you could learn the basics in a full or partially immersive program. If you’re more experienced, hone your fluency with intensive study in more advanced immersion courses. And best of all, you’ll be studying in beautiful Thailand, surrounded by your teachers and fellow students, giving you opportunities to practice your English skills, and explore what your program’s local community has to offer in your free time.
Living in Thailand: What to Expect
Situated in Southeast Asia, Thailand is famous for its world-class beaches, fascinating culture, and beautiful, Buddhism-influenced arts and architecture. But that’s just the start! If you attend language programs in Thailand, you’ll likely learn more than just Thai or English. You may learn all about what it’s like to live there every day, and even learn about yourself through your new experiences. You could travel to exciting places, and see and learn things you may never have been exposed to if you had stayed closer to home.
In fact, there might be no better way to learn about Thai culture than to live there. You might learn everything from dining etiquette to social conventions to how Thai people choose to have fun. Have an adventurous palate? Exploring the Thai gastronomy scene might be up your alley. If you love city life, exploring a city like Bangkok might be an exciting opportunity. Or if you’re more for the outdoors, visit the rainforest, climb a mountain, or check out one of Thailand’s many gorgeous coastlines!
Another great aspect of living in Thailand is being able to experience Thai culture. Mainstream Thai culture is heavily influenced by Buddhism. In fact, over 93% of Thai people practice it. As such, you’ll see its influence—and traditional animist practices, many of which have been incorporated into Buddhist practices in the region—evident from ornate arts and architecture, all the way to daily customs in your community. If you’re from a Western country, that could be a pretty big change from what you’re used to, making your stay there truly educational in more ways than you might expect.
Most of all, living and studying language in Thailand could be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Living in a new culture across the world, studying a new language, and exploring new places isn’t just fun and exciting (though that’s definitely part of it). It could also broaden your horizons, helping you to understand the world and your place in it a little better than you did before.
Search for Language Programs in Thailand Today!
Ready to set off on an exciting adventure, learning a new language and exploring Thailand? The sponsored program listings here contain a variety of potential language programs in Thailand for you to consider. You can narrow these down by selecting your preferred language, program duration, or city. If you want to reach out to a program for more information or to start enrolling, click on the program you’re interested in. Don’t wait too long! Start your search for language programs in Thailand today.