Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
🌆 How do I improve my Thai in St. Louis, MO and what does it take in terms of commitment?
Besides self-study with apps, you have four primary options for learning Thai interactively in St. Louis, MO. First, universities and community colleges are an especially good idea for in-state residents. Also, read about centers for continuing education and professional studies (they are less pricey.) Your 2nd possibility can be local private language academies that charge less and flexible in schedule and requirements. Third, not-for-profit learning centers usually offer cheaper group and more expensive in-person courses. Fourth, you can choose a private Thai tutor in St. Louis, MO. If flexibility is key, you can compare local St. Louis, MO and online Thai tutors.
🎟 Is it affordable to learn Thai and how much should Thai tutors ask?
For university and college courses you can estimate Thai course cost by dividing annual tuition by 10 (one course is usually 3 out of 30 credit hours offered) to get the price of about 50 course hours each semester. Language academies and independent Thai tutors charge $30-55 for hourly group lesson, with private classes starting around $50 or more. Some of the less pricey Thai tutors can be found online, with rates on Preply averaging 18 and tutor rates varying widely based on tutor country of residence, availability and popularity. Customer review average for Thai lessons on Preply is 4.97 out of 5 stars.
📚 What level of Thai do I need to sign up for a course?
When considering college and learning center classes be prepared pass a few pre-requisites. Predetermined curriculum classes vary widely in terms of textbook quality, homework load and tests, so research the details in advance. With personal Thai tutors you can read reviews and get a good idea for whom the tutor is effective with and which other add-ons they make available (like intermediate level practice, advanced students etc.) For more flexibility, choose a tutor from those who are teaching online.
🔥 Why is Thai so challenging and are there ways to learn it the easy way?
Formal language instruction practiced in schools is not the most effective way to learn Thai. As proven by others before, you can gain basic Thai fluency in 300 hours from zero knowledge. Studying and getting feedback 5 hours a week you will be able to understand many words, have simple conversations, do most everyday tasks in about a year. Physical language immersion is not a practical option for everyone, so online classes are a quick and enjoyable way of acquiring the basic knowledge of Thai. After gaining basic skills, online marketplaces like Preply have Thai tutors who specialize in intensive classes for intermediate and advanced learners.
🤷 How long does it take to learn Thai?
Some people brag about their natural ability and learn languages quickly, but for most to go beyond the basics and gain working fluency in Thai will require at least 600 hours of study. The length of time can differ a lot depending on your already acquired level of Thai or knowledge of other languages in the same group. As soon as you've learned the basics it is a good idea to use the language as often as possible: watch TV, write by hand and online using your new language skills, find native speakers to speak with, try more ways to think and speak in Thai out loud. If it's more difficult than you had imagined you can also take conversational Thai classes online.
🤳 Can I pick my own Thai tutor?
In learning centers, it's possible that you can choose your own tutor (from up to a dozen teachers). Online, absolutely! The largest selection of tested Thai tutors with video profiles and real student reviews is available on online language learning resources like Preply.
🗓 What's the lesson schedule like?
Colleges typically structure classes twice a week over a semester (15-week period). Language schools typically give shorter, 8-week, 12-week, and 16-week course sessions. Online, you can take as few as one lesson a year, as many as several a day - and as many (or as few) as you want during any time of day, on weekdays and/or weekends.