Exploring a new country comes with so many wonderful experiences. New culture, new food, and new languages! It can absolutely be difficult though, if you don’t know the language in ordering meals or attempting to participate in events in the area. Personally, I’m a huge language lover! I studied French for 8 years through college and I graduated with an Italian Language and Literature degree. I even attempted 4 semesters of Japanese. Real talk, I decided to try Japanese because I have an interest in music from Japan, and Korea. I definitely would have tried Korean as well if it was an option at the time.
I’ve put my French to use in traveling to Haiti in 2012, and my Italian during my travels across Italy over the years. I really didn’t use much of my (beginner level) Japanese when I went to visit my bestie in Nagano Prefecture. She’s lived there for a few years so I completely lucked out having her as my guide and translator. When you travel, you don’t have a best friend in every country that speaks the language, so what do you do? It can be difficult to get around in those instances so I do a bit of prep time beforehand. These are my top 7 ways to learn a language to prep for your next trip.
*Disclaimer*: This post may contain affiliate links. If you use these links to make a purchase we may earn a commission. Thank you for your purchase!
Duolingo
Duolingo is a free language learning option that I love. I definitely go through phases of not using it but when I’m in the game, its so helpful. You learn phrases, great vocab words, and it sends you emails when you’ve forgotten a day. You can send individual goals for yourself, and it’s a great tool to work in tandem with traditional learning avenues. I wouldn’t necessarily use it for officially trying to learn a language but it’s great for travel learning.
Italki
Italki is a website to find language tutors. I’ve used it a few times to work on my Italian. There are some tutors that offer free trial sessions, and then after the trial ends if you want to continue you do pay per hour. It’s great because you can find the right tutor to suit your learning needs. The prices range quite a bit, some as low as $6. I’m a graduate of Italian Studies and Language so $6 an hour to teach you a language is a ridiculous steal.Its a great resource for those who need more personal interaction when learning a language and who can’t afford traditional classroom setting lessons.
Youtube
Youtube is actually a pretty great option as well. You just type in what you want to learn and there are plenty of videos to choose from. You can also use this method if you need explanation from a teacher, the only thing is you can’t ask questions as the video progresses. Unfortunately, it’s not live.
Pocket Dictionary
Some great pocket dictionaries now have more than just definitions in them. Some have grammar rules including conjugations, syntax, pronouns, and more in some small sections in the book. It’ll come in handy when you’re sitting waiting for your car to get fixed, or hanging out at home with some time. My favorite large dictionary is a conjugation book called 501 Italian Verbs. Replace the Italian with another language like French, Spanish, etc… and they have those too. It lists… you guessed it… 501 verbs and their conjugations. It also shows you how the words are used in sentences, and it does go over some grammar rules too! Dictionaries and grammar books are a helpful resource.
Online classes
There are some online courses where you can take language courses as well. They will more than likely include some video conversations with your teachers and possibly group work with peers virtually. This was you can take your courses along with others so if you need assistance on any assignments you can chat with your peers for help, and you get more opportunity to actually speak with each other or practice.
In person tutor
In person tutors is a great option as well. You’ll get 1:1 help, and personalized lessons to your learning style (if the tutor is the right fit). You’ll be using the language much more each session and someone who can set their pace to you instead of a curriculum.
Traditional classroom setting
This is more of an option if you’re serious about continuing your language learning. I wouldn’t recommend this for those who just want to know enough to get around on vacation. This is for those who want to become advanced speakers. It’s just not cost effective for vacation language learners. But hey, do you boo. I took the traditional route, I have a BA in Italian Studies and Language. Then I moved there for five months. So if you’re REAL dedicated, go move to your country of choice
These are all great resources to learn a language for travel, and I hope they’re useful to you! I can’t wait to see what language you choose to check out next! See you next week Sea Babes <3
PS: If these inspired you to be brave and travel, check out my post on Countries Accessible to US Passport Holders and we’ll get you on your way!
Great ideas! I would love to connect on Duolingo with you: famtravelfolio
My husband speaks Spanish so the girls and I are learning. We also all love learning at least a little of whatever language is spoken where we are traveling to.
Awesome! I’ll have to add you!
Great tips! It’s definitely hard traveling when you don’t know the language. I’ve used Duolingo a couple of times, but I need to try Italki.
Yeah give it a shot!
I love Duolingo!! I use the free version of it and at the beginning of the pandemic, Rosetta Stone was giving 4 months free access so took advantage of that too! I’ll have to grab a little pocket book for my next trip!
Aw man! I wish I knew that. Dang. I need to check into that to see if it’s still happening!
I love picking up pieces of languages when I travel. I’ve picked up on quite a bit of Spanish and French. Other languages I really strugglewith!
That’s great! I did great picking up more Italian when I was there too.
I love Duolingo, although I do find myself falling in and out of it quite a lot. I went through a phase of being really dedicated to it but I’m now neglecting it… I should really get back to it!
Maybe I should get a tutor for some accountability 🙂
100% I fall in and out of it too. I need to get back to it!
I really enjoyed your post. I agree there is value in learning basic language skills for travel. I haven’t really pit that into practice because I already speak Spanish and English and always think it’s good enough. But the reality is that it’s not and it will not help you much in Asian countries or Russia. I tried to learn some Russian on duolingo but it wasn’t enough, I guess i should have started earlier 😅.
Oh! By the way! I would like to recommend another language learning app called Memrise. I found it a few years ago when I wanted to learn Mongolian (duolingo doesn‘t offer that language). Now it has become a bit pricier if you want to do a whole lesson, but they’re so good paid for it. It even comes with videos of locals saying phrases.
That’s a great resource thank you!
I think pocket dictionaries are great for preparing and while you’re in that other country! Thanks for the other help!
Of course!