How To Learn a Language For Fun In The Sun!
The holiday season is here again! If you are jetting off somewhere nice, you'll get more from your time away if you learn a bit of the local language.
There is still time to pick up the essentials before you head off - even if you've never studied the language before. You can download a language learning app or audio course onto your smart phone and be sure to have Google Translate at your fingertips.
You can then dip in and out and absorb your new language on the plane... on the beach... or at the bar! If you dedicate at least 10-minutes a day to learning a language, these courses really do work.
While you're on holiday, make the effort to seek out local people and try to talk to them to learn a little more about the life they lead, their culture and customs. You really will get more out of your holiday if you learn a little bit of the local language. Even if you just say hello, goodbye, please and thank you - locals will really appreciate it. A little goes a long way, as they say. Don't just speak English!
Here are some tips to help you quickly learn a language before you head off on holiday:
Start early: The earlier you start, the more time you will have to practice and learn.
Immerse yourself in the language: Listen to music, watch movies, and read books in the target language. The more exposure you have to the language, the more quickly you will learn.
Focus on practical, useful phrases: Learn the phrases and vocabulary that will be most useful for your trip, such as asking for directions, ordering food, and making basic conversation.
Use flashcards: Create flashcards with key vocabulary and phrases, and review them regularly to help them stick in your memory. You can take them with you or add them to a memo on your phone.
Make use of your time: Take advantage of any spare moments you have to practice, whether it's during your commute or while you're waiting in line.
Once you get to your destination, here’s a few more hints and tips!
Practice speaking: Speak as much as you can when you get there, whether it be with a language partner, in a language class or with a language learning app that focuses on speaking practice.
Turn on the TV in your hotel room, villa or AirBnB: Tune in to the national news, a favourite sitcom or the local music channel and see how many words you can recognise, either because they are similar to your own language or because you’ve already learnt them. But don’t just sit watching TV all holiday - get out and practice!
Join an activity or class with local people: Sign up for a yoga or sailing course where there are going to be local people attending or where you are going to be instructed in the local language. It will be literally being thrown in the deep end, but it’s the quickest way to learn!
Keep in mind that learning a language takes time and practice, and even with all these tips, it is unlikely you will become fluent in a short amount of time (this would take months and years of dedicated learning and practice). However, by focusing on practical, useful phrases, and immersing yourself in the language as much as possible, you can greatly improve your ability to communicate while on holiday.
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