Mastering the basics of foreign language conversation is easier than you think. In this course, you will learn how to ask simple questions, talk about yourself, make enquiries and socialise. By the end of the course, with proper application and home practise, you should be able to make yourself understood by a native speaker.

Course Description

Planning a trip to Thailand or simply interested in the language and culture? 

Thai for Fun and Travel is a beginner-friendly course designed to help you speak and understand basic Thai in everyday situations. 

Through interactive lessons and cultural insights, you'll learn how to greet people, introduce yourself, ask for directions, order food, shop at local markets, and navigate travel scenarios, all in a relaxed and supportive learning environment. 

This course is ideal for travellers, culture enthusiasts, or anyone curious about this beautiful and expressive language.

You'll build essential vocabulary, practise pronunciation (with a focus on Thai's tonal system), and take part in practical dialogues and role-play. 

With topics ranging from family and food to shopping and health, the course offers a well-rounded introduction to real-life Thai communication. 

By the end, you’ll have the confidence to use Thai in practical ways and gain a deeper appreciation of Thai customs and language use.

Course Structure

The course will work through the following topics:

• Introduction to Thai as a tonal language, pronunciation rules, and cultural insights
• Basic greetings, polite language, introductions, and simple conversation
• Vocabulary for family, occupations, and understanding social terms
• Numbers and currency; asking about prices and amounts
• Shopping-related vocabulary, colours, sizes, and negotiation phrases
• Ordering food and drinks; describing dishes, flavours, and dietary needs
• Talking about days, dates, telling time, and making appointments
• Vocabulary for places, transportation, and asking for directions
• Describing symptoms, seeking help at a hospital, and handling emergencies.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Communicate basic information in Thai in common travel situations
• Understand and pronounce Thai words with correct tone marks
• Read simple signs, menus, and numbers in Thai
• Engage in practical conversations, including greetings, shopping, and asking for help
• Use essential Thai vocabulary related to food, transport, health, and accommodation
• Apply polite language and cultural etiquette appropriate to Thai social settings
• Travel in Thailand with more confidence and cultural understanding

Your Tutor is Chonticha Srichay

Chonticha commenced at the WEA in 2024.

Chonticha Srichay (B.Eng.), is originally from Bangkok, Thailand. She began teaching Thai for fun and travel at WEA and then expanded her teaching to include Thai cuisine classes. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Bangkok, but her passion has always been sharing Thai language ,food and culture with others. To prepare for her students, Chonticha undertook training in teaching Thai as a second language, focusing on practical communication and cultural understanding.

For many years Chonticha helped her mother in her restaurant in Bangkok. Between 2022 and 2025, she worked part-time in Thai restaurants around Adelaide, where she gained hands-on experience in traditional Thai cooking. These experiences inspired her to bring Thai food into the classroom as a delicious and meaningful way to explore Thai culture. 

Chonticha truly believes that both language and food reflect the heart of a culture, and she loves being able to share both with her students in a warm and welcoming environment. Through her classes, she hopes to help learners build confidence, enjoy the learning process, and discover the joy of Thai culture.