How to Master Key Phrases, Build Confidence, and Connect Deeper on Your Next Adventure
Written by Kaelie Piscitello
Part of traveling to different countries involves language learning to immerse oneself into the local culture. Traveling as a monolingual person can make some parts of a trip more challenging than fun. However, taking the time to learn parts of a culture’s language can make the journey more friendly and fun, even if with the hiccups.
While no one can learn every single language, most cultures appreciate the effort travelers put into practicing at least a small amount of their language. Please don’t become the American tourists who expect everyone to speak English for them the whole time.
Start with the Most Important Words
For travel purposes, polite words remain the most important ones to priortize. Start by practicing basic greetings, including “hello,” goodbye,” and “good morning” to show friendliness towards people in restaurants, hotels, and other hospitality services. Of course, a “please” and “thank you” will also go a long way.
Travelers often forget to learn the words for “excuse me” and “I’m sorry,” but they become essential in a new place where the industry expects travelers to make mistakes. Bumping into someone by accident and needing to apologize is a common occurrence.
Language Learning Apps
Language learning apps, such as Duolingo and Rosetta Stone, provide an easy and reliable way to learn a language before any trip. They introduce their customers to useful words and phrases that will go a long way during any vacation.
That said, language learning apps do not always provide avenues for deeper language learning with connections and strong memorization of words and grammar. Often, language apps will display a language pattern to help users understand it.
Utilize language apps to enhance language learning in a classroom setting, such as a high school Spanish class. However, do not expect to walk away fluent like the advertising suggests.
Watch Movies or TV Shows in that Language
If no one speaks the language, practicing speaking becomes a challenging. Instead, watch a television show or movie in the new language for an excellent opportunity to practice listening and understanding skills.
According to the language acquisition process, people must first learn to listen to and understand a language before they can speak with fluency. Watching a fun TV show (with or without subtitles) will help travelers pick up new words and phrases. They help with learning the intricacies of language and the slang people use in day-to-day life. A class might not provide that.
Walk Around and Label Items or Try to Describe them in Your Head
Take a walk around the neighborhood and practice describing random objects. Describe something’s color, texture, size, and the direction it faces.
While talking to oneself may seem unusual, it can help rewire the brain to think in a different language and prepare a person to speak with confidence. If one can think of a word off the top of their head, then they can say it just as well.
Read Kids’ Books
For visual learners, practicing reading can help them remember language constructs. Reading, in general, introduces people to all kinds of new words and concepts, so practicing reading will help language learners see the words in their heads.
Just memorizing words does not do the trick. Seeing words and phrases used across contexts helps people understand words better and the many ways a language can use them.
Practice Speaking with Your Travel Companion
Of course, one will never improve their fluency in a language if they do not practice speaking it. Practice speaking the new language with travel partners during trip preparations.
Go out to dinner and create a challenge to speak in the language for as much of the meal as possible. Translate packing lists into the other language together. All practice is good practice, and it all makes for a fun bonding activity that will make everyone more excited for the upcoming vacation.
Expect Mistakes, but Stay Confident
Mistakes happen during language learning. Don’t worry about messing up, and expect it will happen. Ask locals for help to learn new words or clarify their meaning. They appreciate the effort more often than not and will guide the person asking in the right direction.
With all of that, be confident. No one knows everything, but fake it until you make it! Confident people often appear to know more than they do, and this can make them seem more approachable and friendly to locals, which is beneficial when seeking to establish connections.
