Lao for Beginners [Paperback]

Benjawan Poomsan Becker (Author), Buasawan Simmala (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1887521283 | ISBN-13: 978-1887521284 | Publication Date: July 1, 2003

Lao for Beginners is designed for either self-study or classroom use. It teaches all four language skills - speaking, listening (when used in conjunction with the audio), reading and writing ; and offers clear, easy, step-by-step instruction building on what has been previously learned. There is an audio version that follows the book. Three casettes or three CDs are available separately.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Buasawan Simmala was born and grew up in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. In March, 2000 she received a Fulbright Scholarship to study in the United States and subsequently received her Master's Degree in International Commerce and Policy from George Mason University in Virginia. She is currently working on her Ph.D. in urban education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Buasawan also works part-time as a Lao language editor, interpreter and translator. She has a lot of private students and has taught Lao to foreigners from many parts of the world at the Southeast Asian Studies Summer Institute. Buasawan is proficient in Lao, Thai and Vietnamese.

Benjawan Poomsan Becker was born in Bangkok and spent her childhood in Yasothon, a province in Northeast Thailand. Her family is ethnic Laotian, so she grew up speaking both Thai and Lao. She graduated from Khon Kaen University in Thailand in 1990, with a B.A. in English. Benjawan gained extensive experience teaching while studying for her M.A. in Japan with Berlitz Language Schools, and in the US with Thai temples, Stanford University and private students. Now she is residing in the San Francisco Bay Area where she continues to write and books on the Thai and Lao languages. Benjawan is a professional interpreter and translator in both languages. Her former Lao book includes "Lao-English English-Lao Dictionary for Non-Lao Speakers".

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Paiboon Publishing (July 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887521283
• ISBN-13: 978-1887521284
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,344,172 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Benjawan Poomsan Becker was born in Bangkok and spent her childhood in Yasothon, a small province in Northeast Thailand. Her family is ethnic Laotian, so she grew up speaking both Thai and Lao. She recevied a B.A. in English with first class honor from Khon Kaen University, Thailand. While obtaining her M.A. in Japan, she gained extensive experience teaching Thai to foreigners at the Japan Thailand Trade Association and the Berlitz Language School. In the United States, she taught Thai language at Stanford University, at several Thai temples, and in private classes. She operated a successful Thai and Lao translation business and is a registered Thai and Lao court interpreter in the state of California. She now resides in Berkeley, California where she continues to write and publish the leading learning books on the Thai and Lao languages. Her latest book, "The Interpreter's Journal" is the recipient of the 2011 Asian Book Publishing Award for Best Book / Best Writer on Asian Socio-Economic or Media scene.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Lao language materials available for self study !!!, March 16, 2004

By 

C-Four-P-O (Southeast Asia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lao for Beginners (Paperback)

I have been in search of quality Lao language study materials since my first trip to Laos seven years ago. Klaus Werner's book was, until recently, the best reference available. Ms. Simmala and Ms. Becker have now put together a comprehensive package for getting started with this beautiful language.

The book and audio program (CDs and tapes available) provide an introduction to the Lao written language (with traceable characters), contemporary essential vocabulary, practice sentences, conversations for listening comprehension and practice, and essential grammar points. An appendix also provides "useful phrases" for travel (also included in the audio program). Lao friends have verified that the recorded audio is authentic and professional.

I recommend listening to, and repeating aloud, the vocabulary recordings for each chapter as often as necessary. Also practice the useful phrases audio portion. You don't need the book in front of you to do this --perfect for time in the car or walking. Try to imagine yourself in a relevant situation as you speak the word or phrase.

At the same time, start to learn and practice the Lao characters. Then, as you learn new vocabulary, try to read & write them using the Lao alphabet. Transliteration of characters (use of roman alphabet) is difficult in Mon-Tai-Khmer languages and does not altogether capture the essential sounds and subtleties. It is a more enriching experience to tackle Lao writing from the start.

There are a few supplementary materials available. EuroTalk is supposed to produce a basic "Talk Now! Lao" software sometime in 2004. Paiboon Publishing (which has produced excellent Thai language materials) has a handy Lao-English dictionary. Lonely Planet's phrasebook is great to keep in your pocket for use anywhere/anytime you have a few minutes.

"Sook dii!" Good luck with your studies! --C4PO

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars sabaaidii, June 23, 2004

By 

me (Chitown) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lao for Beginners (Paperback)

Lao is an overlooked language. I have been studying Thai and Lao on my own for a few years. This book shares many strengths with other Paiboon language books. It is very practical and offers clear step by step introduction to Lao. This is its strength, but their are problems as well. For some reason the high tone mark 'mai dtii' is not printed anywhere in my book. On page 35 everything is in place except the symbol for 'mai dtii'. I had to browse NIU's website to see what the symbol looked like. In addition in many instances the transliterated script has contradictory pronounciations. The authors may have done this intentionaly to show the diverse range of dialects prevelant in Laos, however for a beggining text I find it confusing. On page 69 (sentence 3a) luu (or) is transliterated as having a mid tone. Then on 72 (sentence 3) the same word is transliterated as having a rising tone. Because the word occurs in the same section the same speaker is used on the tape so I think it is an error and not a change in dialect. This happened with other words throughout the book. Regardless this book is probably the best introduction to the Lao language readily available. When will the ministry of education start an online store selling educational materials???? I can't imagine that the L.D.P.R. leaders would turn down the extra revenue.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The best you can find, but in bad need of 2nd edition, February 6, 2007

By 

Benjamin Fram - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lao for Beginners (Audio CD)

This is the most comprehensive course on the Lao language that I have seen, in fact it is the only english language book on Lao language (other than dictionaries or phrasebooks) that I have ever seen.
On the other hand, the book suffers from what appears to be very little in the way of proofreading. English transliterations are inconsistant throughout the book, some of the test answers are wrong, and it is completely missing one Lao tone mark.
This being said, it is the best books on this topic you will find, so buy it anyway.