Tripologist: Learn to speak like a native among the natives

I would like to enrol in a Lao language class in Vientiane, for English speakers. Do you know of anywhere I could try?

- A. Shifreen, Marrickville.

The Centre for Lao Studies (laostudies.org) is a San Francisco-based organisation that offers an eight-week Lao language course in Vientiane. It's aimed primarily at US university students but anyone can apply. This year's course is already under way but another course is likely for the same time next year. The "resources" link on the centre's website has Lao language lessons you can download, with MP3 files to help get your tongue around the tones.

My Language Exchange (mylanguageexchange.com) is an online community that puts you in touch with native speakers of other languages. The website has several Lao members who would like to improve their English in return for Lao lessons. You can exchange emails and speak to one another using voice chat.

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