Thinking in Lao sounds like something only fluent people do. It isn't, and honestly it's one of my favourite things to get students trying early on.
You don't need a big vocabulary for it either. You just need to start using what you already have, without stopping to translate first.
Why it matters
When you think in Lao, you stop translating. That's the real difference. Instead of building a sentence in English and converting it, the Lao comes out directly, which is why it starts to feel so much faster and more natural.
It's also the point where the language becomes yours rather than something you're studying.
How you can start thinking in Lao
1. ๐ก Label things around your house
Put a label on your fridge, your TV, your sofa. Every time you walk past, you'll see the Lao word instead of the English one, and after a week or two you won't need the label at all.
2. ๐ฃ๏ธ Talk to yourself
Don't worry, nobody's listening. Say what you're doing, practise your pronunciation, or imagine a chat and answer it in Lao. It feels silly for the first few days and then it doesn't, I promise.
3. ๐ญ Think aloud whilst you're busy
Next time you're cooking or getting dressed, say what you're doing in Lao as you go. This one's my favourite, because your hands are busy so you don't have time to overthink the words.
4. ๐ถ Listen to music and podcasts
Put a Lao playlist on whilst you're doing something else. Sing along even when you don't know all the words. Your ears will get used to the sound of Lao without you really trying.
5. ๐ Write a journal
Even a few sentences a day will do. Start simple and write more as you go, and please don't worry about mistakes, they're all part of it. If you'd like feedback, ask a native speaker or your teacher to have a look.
6. ๐ Create a flashcard
Lao on one side, English on the other, and see if you can say the Lao word before you flip it. Write them by hand or use Anki or Quizlet, and go through a few whenever you have five minutes.
7. ๐ฅ Practise with native speakers
Nothing beats a real conversation, whether that's with family, a friend, or in a class. It's also how you find out which words you can actually use, and which ones you only know when you see them written down.
8. ๐ Join a Lao Community
Being around other learners keeps you going on the days you'd rather skip. And of course, it gives you somewhere to ask the small questions you wouldn't want to bother a native speaker with. Have a look for local groups near you, or see if there's something online that suits you.
You don't have to do this alone. Most of these are easier with other people around. In the LES community we practise speaking together every week, share dictionary and creator recommendations, and I'll happily correct your journal entries if you post them.
9. ๏ผ Follow Lao accounts
Follow Lao creators, news pages and organisations so you see Lao in your feed every day. Do come and follow @laoenglishschool whilst you're at it.
10. ๐ Use a dictionary
When a word comes up that you don't know, look it up straight away and write it down. Try using it the same day if you can, because that's what makes it stick.
Worth remembering your readers are learners, and some are not first-language English speakers. Plain words help them too, not just the tone.
The goal is to make it enjoyable
Like any skill, this takes a bit of practice and patience. At first it will feel like hard work, you'll hit words you don't know and sentences you can't quite finish, and honestly that's completely normal. Getting stuck is part of it. It gets easier every time!
So do give it a go. Pick one or two from the list, not all ten, and see how you get on.
...and who knows, you might just surprise yourself with how quickly you pick up the language.
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Connect with Lao learners from around the world and keep your Lao alive. LES Community offers weekly speaking sessions, personal feedback from Ginie, and a full resource library.
