How and where do I learn the Isan language?

Learn it in Isan or from native speakers.

Sorry to correct freezacrowd, but the Isan language is not the same a the language spoken in Laos. While there are similarities, many words and expressions are distinctly different.

Thai people generally call Isan for Lao, but that is because relatively few Thai people have actually traveled to Laos, because of the (physical / cultural) similarities between Lao and Isan people, and because the Kingdom of Siam conquered Isan from the Lane Xiang kingdom.

Isan is spoken mostly in the North East and some dialects are a mixture of Thai and Isan with both languages being spoken in the same house. I hope to master my Thai a bit more before I can tackle Isan. Maybe the Udon Thani university can help you as I know they have a language department.

You will learn it best in Isan , N/E Thailand . Stay at Khon Kaen , Kalasin , Udon Thani , Nong Khai , Kranuan , Huaimek . Everyone speaks Isan . Written Isan may be more difficult to study , nearer to Lao . I think your only way of learning to speak Isan , is to spend sometime living here in Isan .

No where teach Isan Language..If you want to speak you should learn with Isan people.

Isaann is Lao. the people of NE Thailand are ethnic Lao

The Lonely Planet Lao phrase book is good.

If you learn Thai the Issan people will understand you, but you might not understand their reply..

If you learn Lao the People down south wont understand you

Issan is basically Lao language. It is the same language written and spoken in Laos. So you should look for books and audio tapes that teaches Laotian.

Guess your girlfriend comes from the region so try to improuve it with her or, if you have the possibility go to Isaan yourself.Even Isaan ladies have sometime problems to communicate between each other.