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Department of the Languages and Cultures of South East Asia

Thai Language 1

Course Code:
155901366
Unit value:
1
Year of study:
Year 1
Taught in:
Full Year

Prerequisites

None

Objectives and learning outcomes of the course

The objectives of the course are to equip students with: 

  • oral/aural skills to be able to understand simple spoken Thai and converse on simple everyday topics
  • literacy skills to be able to read simple texts written in Thai and to be able to write and spell accurately in Thai
  • the ability to translate simple sentences and passages from Thai into English and English into Thai
  • knowledge and understanding about the Thai language, including grammar, phonology, the writing system and sociolinguistic aspects of the language

At the end of a course, a student should be able to demonstrate…

  • knowledge and understanding of basic Thai grammar
  • knowledge and understanding of basic Thai vocabulary
  • knowledge and understanding of basic phonology of Thai
  • knowledge and understanding of basic sociolinguistic aspects of Thai, such as polite particles, levels of vocabulary and pronominal strategies
  • knowledge and understanding of the Thai script
  • ability to understand simple spoken Thai and converse on simple everyday topics
  • ability to read and translate into English short passages and dialogues written in Thai
  • ability to translate simple sentences from English to Thai, using correct grammar and spelling

Workload

This course is taught over 22 weeks with 5 hours classroom contact per week.

Scope and syllabus

The syllabus consists of a carefully structured course which provides a systematic introduction to the basic grammar and vocabulary needed for conversing in everyday situations and to the writing system.  

This course is core for Year 1 students on the following programmes

  • BA Thai
  • BA Thai and …
  • BA South East Asian Studies (including year abroad) where Thai is the chosen language

Method of assessment

One three-hour written examination taken in May/June (70%); an oral examination of 15 minutes duration taken in May/June (20%); regular assessed homework assignments (10%).

Suggested reading

  • Teach Yourself Thai - David Smyth (2003)