The Rise of Thai Language Learning: Hibiscus Academy Featured Again
📢 Hibiscus Academy’s Thai Courses Highlighted in Nanyang Siang Pao
Following yesterday’s article, Nanyang Siang Pao has published another feature on the growing popularity of Thai language learning in Malaysia. Titled "Entertainment, Business, and Tourism Drive the Rise of Thai as a Youth Favorite," the article dives into how Thai pop culture, booming tourism, and business opportunities have made Thai a sought-after language among Malaysians.
Key Insights from the Article
The Dual Impact of Thai Pop Culture and Tourism
Malaysia was ranked as the second-largest source of tourists to Thailand last year, with over 4.93 million Malaysians visiting the country. The frequent travel and growing economic exchanges between the two nations have led many Malaysians to start learning Thai. This trend is not only enhancing their travel experiences but also fostering meaningful cultural exchanges.
Insights from Hibiscus Academy’s Academic Director
As the Academic Director and Thai language teacher at Hibiscus Academy, Lew Voon Khong shared his observations on why Thai is becoming so popular:
1️⃣ The Rise of Thai Entertainment:Thai dramas and celebrities have captivated young Malaysians, sparking their interest in learning the language to better engage with Thai pop culture.
2️⃣ Tourism and Business Needs:Thailand’s reputation as a top tourist destination and the increasing economic collaborations between Malaysia and Thailand have driven demand for Thai language skills.
Lew shared that many of his students are professionals from various industries, such as agriculture, tourism, finance, and construction, who use Thai to enhance their business communications. Others are driven purely by a love for the language and culture.
Student Stories: Why Learn Thai?
1️⃣ Khor Kian Yung’s Perspective
44-year-old Khor was drawn to Thai because it reminded her of a blend of Teochew, Hokkien, and Cantonese. Working in Bangkok, she found Thai invaluable for communicating with clients and even making travel more enjoyable.
“Speaking Thai helps me build stronger connections with clients, and it’s incredibly practical during travel,” she said. Khor also shared a fun story about negotiating prices in Thai during her trip to Koh Samui, which impressed locals and earned her significant discounts.
2️⃣ Liew Seen Hooi’s Perspective
Digital marketing manager Liew has been studying Thai for nine months and finds offline classes the most effective. She overcame pronunciation challenges by repeatedly practicing and teaching family members, which deepened her understanding.
“I want to speak Thai fluently and fully integrate into Thai culture someday,” Liew said, adding that her growing language skills have already helped her communicate better during her frequent trips to Thailand.
Why Choose Hibiscus Academy for Thai?
At Hibiscus Academy, our Thai courses are designed to:
Build proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing Thai.
Offer deeper insights into Thai culture.
Support personal and professional growth through language learning.
Whether you’re inspired by Thai pop culture, tourism, or business needs, learning Thai opens up a world of possibilities!
Start Your Thai Language Journey Today
📧 Contact us: hibiscus.academy.kl@gmail.com📱 Whatsapp: +60122111642
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Full article (in Chinese): 马来西亚是第二大入境泰国的游客来源国，热门旅游景点都成“小大马”了，... - 南洋商报 Nanyang Siang Pau | Facebook
English translation:
Thailand’s Latest Data Shows Malaysia as the Second Largest Source of Tourists
With frequent tourism and business exchanges between the two countries, more Malaysians are beginning to learn Thai. Once considered a difficult and unfamiliar language, Thai has now become one of the most popular languages among Malaysian youth.
According to the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports, between January 1 and December 29, 2024, over 35 million international tourists visited Thailand, spending more than 1.6 trillion baht (approximately RM 210 billion). Malaysia was the second largest source of tourists, after China.
The data revealed that the largest number of tourists came from China (6.7 million), followed by Malaysia (4.93 million), India (2.12 million), South Korea (1.86 million), and Russia (1.72 million).
During the recent Christmas and New Year holidays alone, over 500,000 Malaysians visited Thailand. Popular destinations such as Hat Yai have even been nicknamed "Little Malaysia" due to the influx of Malaysian tourists.
Cross-Cultural Exchanges
The growing tourism wave has inspired more Malaysians to learn Thai, enabling better communication with locals and a more authentic cultural experience.
Today, let’s explore how Malaysian Thai teachers promote the language and culture, helping young Malaysians connect with Thailand through language.
Insights from Thai Language Teacher Lew Voon Khong
Thai language teacher Lew Voon Khong attributes the current surge in learning Thai to multiple factors:
“Beyond the rising influence of Thai entertainment in the past two to three years, tourism and business exchanges are also driving forces. Thailand, as a top tourist destination in Asia, attracts many Malaysian visitors with its captivating sights and culture. Learning Thai enhances their travel experience,” he explained.
Lew also emphasized the growing importance of Thai in cross-border communication due to the increasing trade between Malaysia and Thailand.
He mentioned that some of his students are business professionals learning Thai to expand operations in sectors such as agriculture, food, tourism, real estate, construction, and finance.
“Of course, there are also students who simply love the Thai language and culture, studying it to broaden their horizons and gain knowledge,” he added.
The Challenges of Learning Thai
When discussing the challenges of learning Thai, Lew explained that difficulties vary based on a student’s language background.
For Malay speakers, challenges include differences in grammar structures, unfamiliar tonal systems, and specific pronunciation hurdles.
“Thai is an analytical language where verbs don’t change based on time or quantity, whereas Malay relies on prefixes or suffixes to alter meanings. Thai’s five tones can be challenging for Malay speakers, as tone is not a feature in Malay, and some Thai phonemes don’t exist in Malay,” Lew said.
For Chinese-speaking Malaysians, challenges include subtle pronunciation nuances, underestimated grammatical differences, and vocabulary confusion.
“Mandarin and Thai share some similar pronunciations, but the tone systems differ—Mandarin has four tones, while Thai has five. Differences in word order and the use of particles can also lead to inaccuracies in meaning,” he explained.
For Chinese Malaysians who lack tonal language experience, mastering Thai tones requires more practice. Additionally, the complexity of the Thai writing system can be daunting for beginners.
Thai as a “Tonal Language”
Lew explained that Thai is a “tonal language,” where the pitch pattern of a syllable determines its meaning. In contrast, “intonation” refers to pitch changes without altering word meaning, such as a rising tone in English questions.
“I thoroughly explain Thai tone values and compare them to Standard Mandarin, Malaysian Mandarin, and Cantonese. This approach is particularly effective for Chinese-speaking students, enabling them to grasp the concept quickly,” he said.
For non-Chinese students, he simplifies tone explanations to focus on pitch changes. However, students often struggle with distinguishing and accurately producing tones, even after understanding the concept.
“To help them overcome these challenges, I encourage repetitive practice, mimicking native speakers, and using professional phonetic tools or data to correct errors, ensuring more accurate and natural pronunciation,” he shared.
Language Connectivity and Opportunities
Given the geographical proximity of Malaysia and Thailand, the value of language connectivity cannot be underestimated. Greater proficiency in Thai can unlock significant opportunities for collaboration.
Lew shared the story of a male student who built trust with Thai suppliers after learning Thai, reducing costs and securing exclusive products, leading to substantial business growth.
“Another female student improved communication with the Thai branch of her company, resulting in a promotion and responsibility for more regional projects, showcasing the practical benefits of learning Thai in the workplace,” he said.
Teaching Thai to Corporate Employees
As a language specialist, Lew brings a professional perspective to analyzing Thai grammar, characteristics, and teaching methods.
“More than a decade ago, I worked at a private college that offered Thai courses to employees of a Chinese state-owned enterprise. Initially, we hired several native Thai teachers, and I served as an assistant,” he explained.
However, due to the “native speaker blind spot,” where Thai teachers struggled to explain linguistic concepts in a way non-native speakers could understand, students’ progress was limited.
Recognizing Lew’s ability to clarify language points effectively, the college assigned him to lead the course. He officially became a Thai teacher and found immense satisfaction in sharing his passion for the language.
“This work brings me great fulfillment—helping students overcome challenges and seeing them successfully use Thai in their businesses and lives is incredibly rewarding,” he said.
Student Stories: The Value of Learning Thai
Khor Kian Yung’s Story
“I find Thai fascinating, like a blend of Teochew, Hokkien, and Cantonese, which inspired me to learn the language,” said 44-year-old Khor.
Working in Bangkok, she needed to handle many Thai documents and communications. Some partner companies preferred Thai over English emails, motivating her to learn the language.
Khor shared that learning Thai made her work smoother and her travels more enjoyable. On one occasion, she even negotiated a significant discount using Thai while shopping in Koh Samui.
Liew Seen Hooi’s Story
31-year-old digital marketing manager Liew Seen Hooi has been studying Thai for nine months and dreams of settling in Thailand someday.
“Thai is fascinating. I wanted to try communicating with locals because Thai culture and festivals are both intriguing and sacred,” she shared.
Liew’s company has expanded to Bangkok, making Thai an essential skill for her. She mentioned that offline classes were the most effective way to learn and that constant practice and interaction with her family helped her overcome the challenges of tones and pronunciation.
“Now, I can engage in simple conversations, and my goal is to speak fluently like a Thai native and fully integrate into local life,” she said.
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