Thanks for visiting, reading and sharing a comment.

I understand the psychology involved and also the state of certain education systems here. As far as me being as fluent as a native, I don’t see that happening. The investment of time and energy would far outweigh the benefits. I know I need to have basic language skills in my adopted country such as speaking, listening and reading but my situation seldom calls for fluency.

When a Thai person looks at an expat, their minds automatically switch to English, and if they hear a Thai word their brains search for that Thai word but in English!

The result? they won’t understand a word you say even if you say the word perfectly (without the tones)

The English training in Thailand isn’t really that good , I came to Thailand when I was in the 3rd grade, and I used 3rd grade english all the way to University and I always had top scores in my class!

I’d say you gotta be patient with the locals, it’s almost instinctive when they see an expat, they’ll just shut you out and avoid communication.

Keep trying and one day I’m sure you’ll be as fluent as a local.

My biggest challenge is the tone sounds. I think you might have the same challenge.

I don’t know if you have experienced this but when me and the wife go out, I often talk to the waiters, waitresses, clerks or whoever. Without fail they ignore me and look directly to my wife. When I am alone though then my Thai gets reinforced.

Darwin

The only thing I have not attempted is a course with other students. Classes with other students and I never did get on, so I know that I’d find excuses to skip.

My Thai isn’t that good, but mimicing people and sounds, learning the alphabet are two things that have helped me a lot.

Many of the guys here in BKK can speak like there is no tomorrow, but can’t read…Reading Thai is so helpful, even if you don’t know WHAT you’re reading, you can figure some words out by context!

I did the linguist thing in Korea as a Marine, but only when I went there and was fully immersed as a civilian for a year was I able to really “communicate” fully with others. So you came here in the Army right? What was your MOS or I guess what kind of ops was your unit involved in here in Thailand?

I find the fact that I teach at a school here does infact hinder my learning of the Thai language as we speak exclusively English all day. And the girlfriend thing, we speak 90% English as well, little things that she knows I’ll understand she’ll pop off in Thai.

Haven’t been home in 2 years though, so haven’t experienced the see-saw battle with language ability deteriorating…but…I guess half of zero is still zero!! hahaha!

Guy