Why learn Lao from movies

• Understanding Real-life Conversations: movies show how people talk in real life. They use everyday words and common phrases. This can help you understand how to use the Lao language in your daily life.
• Culture and Context: movies provide insight into Lao culture. They help you understand how the language and culture are linked. This can make your learning deeper and richer.
• Improve Listening Skills: movies can help improve your listening skills. By listening to the actors speak, you get used to the sounds and rhythms of the Lao language which is extremely beneficial because Lao is a tonal language. The tones play a crucial role in conveying meanings!
• Enjoyable Learning: learning doesn't have to be limited to structured lessons alone. Incorporating enjoyable activities, like watching movies, adds a sense of pleasure and excitement! 
• Improve Pronunciation: listening to native Lao speakers helps improve your pronunciation skills. This is because you get to hear the correct intonation, stress, and rhythm of spoken Lao, which textbooks may not provide.
• Expand Vocabulary: watching movies in Lao can introduce you to a wide range of vocabulary that you might not find in traditional Lao textbooks. This includes slang, colloquialisms, and regional dialects.

How to learn Lao from movies

• Note New Words: write down new words and phrases you hear. Look them up and try to use them.
• Repeat Scenes: if you come across a scene that is difficult to understand, don't worry! Take your time and watch it again. Repeating scenes allows you to focus on the details and grasp the meaning more effectively.
• Analyze the Context: pay attention to the context in which words and phrases are used. This will deepen your understanding of their meanings and usage in real-life situations.
• Discuss with Others: engage in discussions with fellow Lao learners or native speakers about the movie. Share your thoughts, ask questions, and exchange insights to gain different perspectives.
• Focus on Listening: pay close attention to the spoken dialogue and practice your listening skills. Try to follow the conversation without relying solely on subtitles.
• Listen and repeat: after understanding the story, watch the movie again. This time, pause and repeat the sentences you hear. This will help you practice pronunciation.
• Create a Movie Journal: keep a journal to record your thoughts, favorite quotes, and reflections on the movies you watch. This encourages active engagement and introspection.
• Implement Into your Daily Life: from your notes, try to use the words and phrases learnt from the movies in conversations with native speakers and surprise them!

Recommended Lao movies with English subtitles

Short Movies

• My Dearest Child - ລູກຮັກ
• Ghost (Horror) - ກ່ອງກ່ອຍ 2
• The Secret Forest - ປ່າບັງບົດ

Long Movies

• Laos Simply Beautiful - ປະເທດລາວສວຍງາມແທ້ໆ
• Unlock The National Treasure - ໄຂປິດສະໜາ ລ່າຂຸມຊັບພັນປີ
• Truly Love (Romantic, Horror and Comedy) - ຮັກອີ່ຫລີ
• Chanthaly (Horror) - ຈັນທະລີ
• Longing for Love - ຄິດຮອດຄວາມຮັກ - inspired from a true story
• Positive Life - ຊີວິດບວກ
• I Love You - ຂ້ອຍຮັກເຈົ້າ
• Want to be a Soldier - ຢາກເປັນທະຫານ

For Advanced Learners

• Ex-Lover (No eng sub) - ແຟນເກົ່າ
• Loving You All Eternity (Lao sub, No eng sub) - ຮັກເຈົ້າທຸກຊາດໄປ
• From Pakse With Love (Mix Lao-Thai) - ສະບາຍດີ 2 ບໍ່ມີຄຳຕອບຈາກປາກເຊ
• The River Flow (No eng sub) - ສາຍນ້ຳໄຫຼ
• Who is My Father (With accent) - ພໍ່ຂອ້ຍແມ່ນໃຜ - inspired from a true story
• The Doll in a Cold City - ຕຸກກະຕາໃນເມືອງໜາວ
• Buried in the Heart - ຝັງໃຈ
• The Promise - ຄຳສັນຍາ

Final Thoughts: Let the movie marathon begin

Don’t forget to have a notebook ready to jot down new vocabulary and interesting phrases when watching these movies. Pay attention to the pronunciation and try to mimic it. Over time, you'll find yourself understanding more and more of the language.

I believe learning should be fun and engaging, and what's better than watching an interesting movie while learning a new language? So, let the movie marathon begin! 

Remember, just like in the movies, every character has their own beginning. Every word you learn is a step forward in your progress.

The best way to learn Lao

When it comes to learning a language, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Each person is unique, and it takes a combination of various study techniques to succeed. However, immersing yourself in the Lao language as much as possible is an excellent starting point. The more you practice, the faster you'll progress.

While movies are a great way to learn Lao, it's important to know the fundamentals of the Lao language. This knowledge will enable you to pick up on context cues, appreciate humor, and understand cultural references portrayed in the movies. By combining these elements, you can actively engage with the material and enhance your learning experience, making it more immersive and enjoyable.

Thanks for reading! I look forward to helping you discover more fun and effective ways to learn Lao.

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