Sabaidee Pinong. I really need to learn how to read/write in "my own" language. If anyone here can recommend a self-help book then please paste a link. My communication skills aren't too bad as I can hold a decent conversation. Even when someone says something that I don't really understand, I still somehow pickup a "notion" (good enough for me). I stay in New Zealand by the way, and the Lao Community here isn't as vast as in Australia or other western counties so we are pretty tight. This sparseness is also good, as almost every Lao here can speak fluently; but no one from the 2nd generation down seems to be able to read or write it. Ironic! :P

There are Lao language books and CD's for sale on eBay and Amazon.

There was a large earthquake down there last week. I hope all the Laotians are safe and well.

My Lao speaking is very good, but reading and writing is not the best. In some states in the US they has Lao language class. Listen and follow to Lao korokee is a good idea, but need to know the basics Lao alphabet first.
8-)

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 2^nd Mar, 2011 at 7:22am:

There are Lao language books and CD's for sale on eBay and Amazon. There was a large earthquake down there last week. I hope all the Laotians are safe and well.

Fortunately, most of the Lao diaspora in NZ live on the North Island. Although there are a few that live in the South, mainly on the fringes of Christchurch (where the aftershock occured). I too hope that they are all well. Most, if not all are Tai Luang. The big cities: Auckland & Wellington are made up of mainly Tai Vieng, by the way.

llX wrote on 2^nd Mar, 2011 at 4:51pm:

My Lao speaking is very good, but reading and writing is not the best. In some states in the US they has Lao language class. Listen and follow to Lao korokee is a good idea, but need to know the basics Lao alphabet first. 8-)

Before advancing to karaoke, I must first learn which symbol represents which sound. I must start from square one. I also heard that it is very easy to learn because it is phonetically written, unlike in English, where some letters are silent. I have already googled "learn to speak/write Lao" but I only get a few websites which give a very brief tuturial. I need more! I plan to retire in Laos, that's why I need to learn it while I am still young (23).

It's good to head that some of the second generation of Laos wanted to learn about the our language.

I live in Sydney Australia. here we have class in the weekend in Lao Temple. I am fluent in both read and write. but I don't know how to type in the key-board yet!   I am suggest you master the alphabet first and you can searcher  the Laos website to learn how to read Laos on the website. keep practice it that will make it easy for you.

Tee wrote on 3^rd Mar, 2011 at 10:34am:

It's good to head that some of the second generation of Laos wanted to learn about the our language. I live in Sydney Australia. here we have class in the weekend in Lao Temple. I am fluent in both read and write. but I don't know how to type in the key-board yet!   I am suggest you master the alphabet first and you can searcher  the Laos website to learn how to read Laos on the website. keep practice it that will make it easy for you.

In the U.S we only have some Lao class in some states. I don't think they have one where I live.

Larb Dip wrote on 3^rd Mar, 2011 at 3:17am:

llX wrote on 2nd Mar, 2011 at 4:51pm: My Lao speaking is very good, but reading and writing is not the best. In some states in the US they has Lao language class. Listen and follow to Lao korokee is a good idea, but need to know the basics Lao alphabet first. 8-) Before advancing to karaoke, I must first learn which symbol represents which sound. I must start from square one. I also heard that it is very easy to learn because it is phonetically written, unlike in English, where some letters are silent. I have already googled "learn to speak/write Lao" but I only get a few websites which give a very brief tuturial. I need more! I plan to retire in Laos, that's why I need to learn it while I am still young (23).

The more you listen the more you will understand. For me its like review. I went to school in Laos until I was 12 year old.
8-) ;) :)

I like to think that I am like a Lao Kindergartner. 55555 My wife has me help her with English and she helps me learn Lao. When we are in the kitchen, she will ask me for a jhon noy (small plate), or meet (knife) etc. It is fun and I am learning, slowly, but it is also quality time.

wrote on 8^th Mar, 2011 at 8:04am:

I like to think that I am like a Lao Kindergartner. 55555 My wife has me help her with English and she helps me learn Lao. When we are in the kitchen, she will ask me for a jhon noy (small plate), or meet (knife) etc. It is fun and I am learning, slowly, but it is also quality time.

Mate, it's jaan (not jhon).

Very Correct -  try Amazon.com- Search for 'Lao Basic' and had just bought it recently and it comes with the disc to help with pronunciation of consonants.  There are test sections as well.  I am trying to learn to but very challenging so far.


Admin Saovaluck wrote on 2^nd Mar, 2011 at 7:22am:

There are Lao language books and CD's for sale on eBay and Amazon. There was a large earthquake down there last week. I hope all the Laotians are safe and well.

Thank I also want to learn Laos. For me it's a review because I was in school in Laos until the age of 11 yrs.
8-)

Larb Dip wrote on 8^th Mar, 2011 at 8:32am:

wrote on 8th Mar, 2011 at 8:04am: I like to think that I am like a Lao Kindergartner. 55555 My wife has me help her with English and she helps me learn Lao. When we are in the kitchen, she will ask me for a jhon noy (small plate), or meet (knife) etc. It is fun and I am learning, slowly, but it is also quality time. Mate, it's jaan (not jhon).

Told you I was like Lao Kindergartner.  :)

For me it was all English school from grade 1 to grade 18 but can still speak Lao language easily and have no clue how to write Lao alphabets - look like chicken scratch to me ;D

llX wrote on 11^th Mar, 2011 at 7:57pm:

Thank I also want to learn Laos. For me it's a review because I was in school in Laos until the age of 11 yrs. 8-)

http://www.seasite.niu.edu/lao/

http://www.seasite.niu.edu/lao/LaoLanguage/Lao_language_fp.htm

http://fsi-language-courses.org/Content.php?page=Lao

These are what I used for Lao and Thai. The third link has very outdated material, but maybe it will help (it's from the 1960/70s I think when the CIA was doing all their stuff in Laos).

Thanks mate. I'll look into it.