Learning a new language before traveling can significantly enhance the quality of your travel experience. It enables us to bond with strangers and explore the richness of diverse cultures, encouraging self-reflection and introspection. Traveling and wandering new places becomes even more delightful and captivating when you can communicate or share laughs with the witty shop vendor, other travelers you meet, or the talented musician on the street. Each language learned offers limitless exploration opportunities.
While it is not always necessary to master a new language before traveling, doing so can profoundly elevate your travel adventure. At a minimum, you can at least familiarize yourself with a handful of key phrases and expressions. By doing that you can greet others and display politeness.
Hopefully, we have highlighted the value and advantage of learning the native language before your journey there, but now what is the best practical way forward? It might feel tough initially, but the more you expose yourself to the new language, the faster you will grasp the language. There are plenty of effective ways to do this. In our opinion, employing a mix of methods that challenge you in various ways is the most optimal language learning approach.
Here are the best and most creative ways to learn a new language with ease. Implementing this will help you to quickly pick up a language, at least enough to comfortably get around and enjoy your vacation.
Language Learning Applications
Apps for language learning are tailored to assist in acquiring and developing language fluency. They are a great place to start as they encourage you to complete brief language exercises every day. It is a convenient way to learn; offering a wide variety of features and tools to fit every individual’s learning styles and goals.
Numerous language learning apps are available for free, eliminating the need to spend too much. We have mentioned a few apps that you will find useful for learning.
Memrise
The app employs spaced repetition and memory tricks to assist you in vocabulary learning. With its innovative approach, it helps you to remember new words and learn language effectively.
Duolingo
Provides interactive sessions that use game-like technology, focusing on a variety of topics, including vocabulary, grammar, and speaking exercises.
Babbel
Focuses on everyday conversation skills. It helps you speak in real-life situations. Through engaging tasks, personalized feedback, and self-paced learning, the app makes the whole process enjoyable and easy.
Language Exchange Platforms
The idea behind the concept of language exchange is to practice the language you are learning with native speakers, who in return communicate with you in your native language, thus helping to learn each other’s language. This form of learning provides prompt feedback, but in relaxed and informal settings, so you can learn routine conversations quickly. By participating in language exchange on various platforms learners are exposed to authentic language usage, cultural perspectives, and diverse viewpoints.
One such app is Hello Talk, where you can connect and interact with native speakers. You can easily practice languages using text voice, and video calls.
Overall, platforms like these are great for learners who want to learn a language by practicing with native speakers.
Books and Study Guides
Books and textbooks usually contain structured material including teaching sessions, explanations, practice tasks, and other learning tools. All this helps you to understand and learn something. Language learning books generally cover topics like grammar, writing practice, vocabulary reading and other aspects relevant to the language learned.
Following are some books that we find useful and recommend for language skill development :
Lonely Planet Phrasebook-
Various authors contribute to the series of the Lonely Planet Phrasebook. It features volumes such as Burmese Phrasebook, India Phrasebook, Fijian Phrasebook, Italian Phrasebook, Spanish Phrasebook, and many more. These are Compact-sized language guides specially designed for travelers. Within these phrasebooks, you will discover vital vocabulary, expressions, and phrases specifically tailored for various travel situations. For instance greetings, asking for directions, dining, and many more. While not as detailed as full language courses, Lonely Planet Phrasebook provides practical language support to travelers to communicate effectively during their journey.
“Teach Yourself “Series-
Currently managed by Hodder Education Teach Yourself is a series of books focusing on self-instruction. It is known for its systematic approach, which supports learners in mastering progressively more challenging language learning concepts and skills. The main purpose of these courses is to teach learners a new language from scratch. Textbooks consist of lessons on grammar and vocabulary, accompanied by audio, CDs, or digital downloads enabling learners to practice pronunciation and improve listening skills.
Podcasts
Podcasts are digital content available in audio form that can also help you in language learning. Nowadays, podcasts are extensively used for both educational and learning purposes. They are available in a wide range of topics and languages, no matter what you are into. There is a podcast for every imaginable subject and you will easily find something that you enjoy. Podcasts are easily accessible on your smartphones or other devices, and many of them are free to listen to.
They provide a wealth of authentic language and cultural understanding, along with the added advantage of flexibility. There is no restriction of time and place when listening to a podcast, whether you are traveling, exercising, or doing household tasks, you can easily listen to one and incorporate language learning into your daily routine effortlessly. Some of the best podcast platforms available include Coffee Break Languages and Spotify.
Overall, it is a convenient useful source of learning language due to its easy accessibility and enriching content.
Films or TV Shows
Movies, TV shows or any video serves as a valuable source for learning any language in everyday context. They help you become familiar with various accents, and also when you watch and observe facial expressions, body language, and gestures, you automatically develop an understanding of the real-world situation and learn when and how to use any particular word.
As a beginner, you can start by watching films and shows in your language of interest with subtitles. This way you can familiarize yourself with pronunciation and modulation. Always choose genres or content of your choice. this will make the whole process of learning more immersive and enjoyable.
As you advance, ensure the subtitles are on, make notes of all the important and useful words or phrases you hear, and then verify them using Google Translate or a dictionary.
Once you have attained a decent grasp and feel confident, challenge yourself by watching it without subtitles, to check your progress. With regular practice and exposure, you can greatly advance your language learning process.
Language Immersion Courses
Language immersion programs are structured educational endeavors, well crafted to immerse participants in a specific language and its associated culture. Such programs enhance every element related to a language. The advantages of the immersion program are vast, positively influencing speaking, vocabulary grammar, writing, reading, listening, and pronunciation abilities. Such a setting promotes quick language learning by placing learners in real-life situations that require them to use language to communicate effectively and efficiently. When you are surrounded by the language and culture you start understanding it and you feel confident in using the language in various situations.
In short, this type of learning is suitable for all the different kinds of learners and at all levels, from beginners to advanced speakers, plus this is not the usual way of learning, it will surely give you a fun experience that is different from traditional methods of learning.
Online Platforms
The internet is full of valuable learning resources. If you are on a quest for the finest methods to learn a foreign language, then your quest concludes here. There are numerous platforms you will find on the internet that contribute to creating a rich and engaging language learning experience. These resources provide a range of options for practicing and enhancing your language skills. Whether you enjoy watching videos, using flashcards, or reading articles, there is something for everyone’s preference. Following are some platforms that we highly recommend :
BBC Language-
BBC Language is a website that provides courses in several languages. Here, you will find a variety of free useful tools such as classes, videos, and audio recordings to master multiple languages. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner seeking to enhance your skills, the platform has resources to meet everyone’s needs at all levels. With its user-friendly interface and broad selection of content, the website promises to deliver an enriching and interactive learning environment.
BBC language learning materials also cover essential words and expressions in over 40 languages including Russian, Swedish Mandarin, French, and a lot more.
Fluent U-
Fluent U is another amazing language training platform that is famous for its creative approach of using authentic videos such as movie trailers or music videos to educate languages within their true context. Unlike the regular ways of teaching, Fluent U teaches its learners how language is used in everyday situations which ultimately helps them develop a deeper understanding of vocabulary, grammar, and culture specifics.
Through dynamic activities and feedback, the platform inspires learners to actively participate in learning, making it both effective and enjoyable.
Language Meet-up Clubs–
Language meet-up groups offer beneficial opportunities for learners to practice and refine their language skills through real-world engagements. These groups are usually composed of language lovers, native speakers and individuals seeking language advancement. Structured activities, cultural events, and various conversation practice sessions are conducted in these types of clubs. Overall, they create a nurturing environment for individuals to come together, connect, bond, and fully engage themselves in the whole learning process. Below is a list of a few platforms that we recommend
Meetup.com-
The platform serves as a valuable place for exploring local language exchange groups, conversation societies, and cultural events happening in your area. It helps connect individuals with like-minded interests in language and culture. You should consider using this for your language goals.
Facebook Events-
It is a feature of the Facebook platform, using which you can create or find events, whether they are occurring in your local area or virtually. There is a wide range of events available, including language exchange sessions, conversational meet-ups, educational workshops, and more. You can easily search for upcoming events and engage with other event attendees, making it a handy and straightforward platform.
Conclusion
Now, having acquired the knowledge of mastering a new language, you should make an informed decision about selecting the type of method that best suits you. Also remember that no matter which method you choose to learn a new language, consistency is the key to success. It may seem difficult at first and you may face challenges, but do not let that get you down, push yourself now and then and eventually it will stop feeling like a hard job to you. Try to make learning fun and enjoyable. Best of luck!
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