6 Easy Language Learning Tips for When Your on Holiday
Language connects us, and learning a new language while you’re on holiday is a fantastic way to not only acquire a skill but, more importantly, to get to know the local community and place you are visiting. So, whether you’re looking to improve on existing language skills or are a complete newbie, check out these helpful language learning tips.
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1. Engage
Exposure to a foreign language is a necessary part of language learning. However, the real benefit of this is unlikely to be achieved unless you intentionally engage with it. So, what do we mean by engaging?
Well, to engage is to step out. Not simply remaining an observer, but being willing to get out of your comfort zone and participate. The how of this tip is expanded over our next points, so stick with us.
2. Ask
Not sure how to say something? Then why not ask. It may seem super simple, but it is a great way to learn from local native speakers. Plus, sometimes this more relaxed way of learning can be more memorable as you build friendships with people.
Although granted, this tip may be more applicable if you ask a person who can speak good/some English or another shared language. However, it may be helpful in situations where you are asking someone for the correct pronunciation. For example, if you are unfamiliar with the language and are using Google Translate. It also may be an opportune time to receive some correction, like a better way to say something.
So, perhaps you are thinking, who could I ask? Good question! It could be as simple as the cashier at the supermarket or the waiter or waitress serving you at a local restaurant. There are plenty of opportunities!
3. Be bold
Perhaps one of the biggest obstacles of language learning isn’t just about getting your head around its technicalities like grammar, but rather overcoming fear and insecurities.
Age is not a barrier to language learning, but what we can as adults learners glean from child learners is child-like boldness. Now child-like ‘boldness’ is not the same as childishness. So, what do we mean by this? And what’s its connection to overcoming fear and insecurities?
Child-like boldness with speaking a foreign language is about being willing to go for it even if you get it wrong. Perhaps as adults, we can become overly self-conscious, which hinders us from giving it a go. It helps to shift the perspective away from speaking right to connecting with the person in front of us.
4. Pick out and learn some helpful phrases
If you have got a bit of spare time before you leave, why not jot down and make a note of a few key phrases. Whether it is basic conversational phrases (“Hi” and “How are you?”), simple responses (“Yes” and “No”) or questions (“Where is_?), why not do a bit of research beforehand and note it down or buy a pocket phrasebook.
If you’re a bit more advanced in the language already, you can still make use of this tip, but perhaps there are specific words or phrases in certain contexts you would like to know.
5. Do the swap
You may find this tip more helpful if you already have some knowledge of the foreign language. Yes, a simple way to improve your language skills on holiday is to do a simple swap.
Perhaps you’re visiting an attraction that provides a written guide in multiple languages, then why not go for the language you’re learning instead of your native language. You could also do a similar thing for a tour.
6. Make use of apps like Google Translate when you need
Apps like Google Translate are helpful if you need to communicate with someone and have little knowledge of the speaker’s language or the vocabulary for the context. It also means you have a helping hand when you are on the go!
In spoken scenarios like these, accuracy or perfect grammar is not the primary goal, but rather to communicate a clear message the person receiving understands.
Plus, even if your accuracy is a little off, sometimes you may have the opportunity to ask for corrections or perhaps even a more natural way to express something. So, even if you didn’t get it right, it’s helpful to know when you need it next!
As well as help speaking, apps such as Google Translate now come with some fun quirks. Did you know you can translate a restaurant menu using the camera on your smartphone? How cool! Although it might not be guaranteed accuracy, it at least gives you a bit more of an idea of meaning. It’s also pretty cool!
Top Tip: You may not want to use apps like Google Translate for long messages or text, but it may work better if you use it for looking up words or short sentences.
