Thai language learners often struggle to find solid resources for learning the language. You'd think a language with over 50 million native speakers would have more language courses available, but with Thai that's just not the case.
Other Asian languages such as Mandarin, Japanese, and Korean get the lion's share of resources, while Thai students often have to look high and low for a good learning app.
Best apps for learning Thai
In this post our goal is to save you some of the trouble and give you the best apps for learning the Thai language. Here we go!
1) Thaipod101
Price
From $4+ per month
Time commitment
15+ minutes a day
Summary:
Thaipod101 features audio lessons in a podcast format. Lessons are great for grammar and vocabulary. Each lesson is designed around a Thai conversation between native speakers, and the teachers do a great job of keeping things engaging.
The podcast lessons are available with full transcripts in English as well as Thai. There's even a slow playback feature that lets you listen to individual words in phrases at a slower pace so you can pinpoint correct intonation and pronunciation.
Thaipod101l a substantial Thai learning tool (which is hard to come by). The site provides transcripts, an in-site flashcard system, and many other useful features.
2) Italki
Price
$6+ per hour (varies between teachers)
Time commitment
30 minute or 1 hour lessons
An intro video from one of Italki's Thai teachers.
Summary:
Italki is an online market place that connects language learners with language teachers for one-on-one language classes via video or audio chat. There are over 40+ Thai teachers on Italki.
In addition to paid lessons Italki supplies some cool free features. You can also connect with language speakers from around the world and practice your speaking skills, as well as ask questions and submit written journal entries to native Thai speakers for correction.
The app works seamlessly on mobile and allows you to schedule lessons and take advantage of all of the sites free features. The video lessons themselves are usally done over Skype.
*with a purchase of $20 or more. After your first purchased lesson is completed a credit of $10 will be added to your account
3) Learn Thai Phrasebook
Price
Free
Time commitment
Up to you
Summary:
As the name implies this app is a bonafide phrasebook for your smart phone. Phrases are sorted by category, and center around basic conversations, that a beginning student or travel is likely to have.
Each word or phase is accompanied by audio as well as an english translation.
This is a free resource for anyone learning Thai (though beginners stand the most to gain from it). It's great place to start if you're new to the language!
4) Nemo Thai
Price
Free
Time commitment
Up to you
Summary:
Nemo Thai is an English to Thai phrasebook that allows you to record yourself and compare your accent to the recorded audio of a native speaker. The app includes English translations as well as English transliterations with accent marks.
Phrases on Nemo are sorted by how often you're likely to use them in everyday speech. The app puts emphasis on learning vocabulary that is applicable to daily business and travel conversations.
5) Anki
Price
Free
Time commitment
Up to you
Summary:
Anki is a free spaced repetition flashcard system. It was designed to help students learn and retain information as effectively as possible. While the app isn't explicitly a language learning app, it's still a powerful resource for anyone learning the Thai language.
Anki allows users to create their own flashcards using text, images, and audio. The app also allows users to share their flashcard decks so others can use them. As of the time of writing this article there are a ton of community Thai decks available for download.
Final thoughts
Unfortunately Thai learners down't have their pick of the litter when it comes to language learning apps. However there still are some great apps available to help you learn Thai.
Hopefully this article helped you narrow the field and find the app that is right for you!
