Khmer Language Classes for Adults
You can learn to read, write & speak Khmer.
Offering a slow and gentle approach toward learning the Khmer language, our courses focus on building a strong foundation in the reading/writing of Khmer consonants, vowels, and stories related to Cambodia’s culture and history.
This course aims to get you to start reading at a basic level by the end of Level II.
Once you are reading, you will continue to expand your Khmer vocabularies and read original material written specifically for the class.
In the intermediate Level we will start engaging by practicing speaking Khmer with each other in class.
🇰🇭📝 Class Details
Khmer Language Art: Level I (Intensive)
When: January 06th – March 12th
Location: Virtual (Google Meet)
Facilitated by: ជេត ដួងដាវិឌ/Daveth Cheth, native Khmer speaker
Inquiries: ddcheth@khmeridentity.com
Level: Beginner (Intensive)
Price: Suggested donation of $250, but no one will be turned away if they are unable to pay. Please reach out to me if you want to take the class and need financial assistance. If you are able to pay more, please pay more to offset those that need financial assistance.
Class Description: រៀនភាសាខ្មែរ/Khmer Language Class (Beginner) is a fast paced and engaging 8 week intensive course for anyone who wants to develop a strong foundation in the Khmer language. This course will focus on the Khmer reading & writing system starting with the alphabets, basic grammar, and vocabulary. Students will leave this course with a strong understanding of the first and second series consonants, vowels, subscripts and the ability to read simple Khmer sentences.
Textbook: សៀវភៅរៀនអាន និពន្ធ ដោយ ប៉ែន សេដ្ធារិន / “Learning To Read and Write” by Pen Setharin. PDF is available at http://www.elibraryofcambodia.org/seavphov-rean-arn-ebook/
Class model
• 15 students per class max
• This is a safe, respectful space. Everyone is here to learn from each other, including myself.
• We respect everyone’s self-identification and pronouns.
• Because this is an interactive model, students are strongly encouraged to make it to class and be prepared to engage with read exercises.
• When you miss a class, please let me know ASAP so that I can get the material to you.
សូមអរគុណ/Thank you!
Online Khmer Class Offerings
Khmer Language Art (Monday 3:30pm PT)
January 6, 2025, 3:30 pmKhmer Language Art (Monday 5:30 pm PT)
January 6, 2025, 5:30 pmKhmer Language Art (Wednesday 3:30pm PT)
January 8, 2025, 3:30 pmKhmer Language Art (Wednesday 5:30pm PT)
January 8, 2025, 5:30 pmPrivate Classes Available — 1-on-1 or Small Groups
Stay updated on future offerings by Khmer Identity!
Class Details
Class is held in a 75 mins session once a week, and each week we review material covered from previous weeks.
There is optional homework for you to do at home after every class.
How much you want to get out of this class depends on how much time you are able to give to learning.
- Consonants
- Vowels
- Reading
- Writing
- Stories related to Cambodia's culture & history
Khmer can be difficult to learn... so let's make it easy for ourselves 🥰
Khmer can be difficult because there are sounds in the language that we don’t typically use in English.
However, my approach to teaching Khmer is at a gentle, safe and comfortable pace.
While the course is for adults, the material and methodology focus on catering to the specific needs of our own individual inner child.
This is a safe learning space where you succeed and grow with the materials. You are not measured by tests, but by how fulfilled you are by the end of it.
Testimonials
Fast forward to now, I have been wanting to get back into learning how to read, write, and speak Khmer. I am so happy that I came across Daveth's class because he is incredibly inclusive and patient with all of his students. Daveth expects us to make mistakes and to lean on his support if we are confused about a particular sound, word, or sentence."
I have taken many Khmer lessons through my life but it never stuck nor was I disciplined to continue practicing.
Since I have been taking Daveth’s class, it’s been a whirlwind of so much gratitude, growth, and a lot of self reflection. His lessons are at a great pace and thoughtfully planned out for beginners and all levels. I am never overwhelmed nor anxious. Now, I am able to perfect my pronunciation and read short sentences. I would totally recommend and giving it a try. You won’t be disappointed."
This class is led by Daveth Cheth, a native Khmer speaker.
Daveth was born in Cambodia and moved to the US at the age of 10 where he learned English as his second language, understanding what Khmer people living in diaspora need in their reconnection to the Khmer language.
Language shapes the world that we live in. There are so many stories and customs in Khmer that will be forgotten if we don’t preserve our Khmer language skill. Take this course and pass this skill down to children in your family.