: Khmer grammar is relatively straightforward (no verb conjugations or genders), but the sentence structure is unique. Assimil teaches this through context rather than dry charts.

: The book introduces the Khmer alphabet (the longest alphabet in the world) progressively, so you aren't overwhelmed by all 74 characters at once.

If you do that, you’ll actually speak Khmer. And in a country where foreigners rarely learn the language, that makes you a legend.

Most courses teach you textbook phrases like, “The pen is on the table.” Assimil teaches you things like, “ញ៉ាំបាយហើយឬនៅ?” (Have you eaten rice yet?)—which is literally how Cambodians say “How are you?”