I understand that many people in the U.S. do not feel confident about taking a vacation to a destination where English is not the official language. Of course English is widely spoken throughout the world, but it definitely influences overseas destination choices. This worry is certainly normal and quite common when one envisions a visit to another country for the first time and feels (slightly) unprepared for the challenges ahead.
When it comes to communicating in a foreign language, my advice has always been and still is, a little goes a long way. In other words, taking the time to learn a few words of Italian, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Turkish, Arabic, etc… brings with it huge rewards for you and your entire trip.
No one expects you to become fluent in a foreign language in a matter or weeks or even months, so the VacationCounts goal is to focus on studying just the basics. Your result is a feeling of confidence that you will be able to greet a local person in their native tongue (without using a phrase book). It should come as no surprise that your effort to speak a few words of the local language will be met with appreciation, friendliness, and mutual respect, even if you must switchto English to continue the conversation.
For leisure travel of a week or two in length, I recommend that you focus on the following areas and only the most simplest of phrases all in the present tense:
- Hello (Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening), Goodbye, Yes, No, Thank You, Excuse Me, Sorry, Good, Bad, Help
- Do you speak English? (clearly a key phrase)
- Numbers from 1 to 100 (and the rules for going beyond that)
- How to check-in to a hotel
- Words for common forms of transportation (applicable to your trip)
- How to ask for a table at a restaurant and order a meal from the menu (at least be able to say “I would like…”)
- How to greet a shopkeeper and ask how much does an item cost (pointing to the object is perfectly fine)
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There are many options for learning foreign language basics from classes offered at your local language school or community college to travel guidebooks, language software, and many helpful websites. On the web the first place I turn to is the popular BBC Languages (audio/video courses and Quick Fix) site which currently offers at-your-pace language lessons online and by email in French, Spanish, Greek, Chinese, German, Italian, and Portuguese. It also teaches essential phrases in a total of 36 languages so you have the opportunity to learn most of the words from my list above and even hear them spoken by a native speaker.
As with many online travel resources the site is free to use so start here and if you want to go further, pick up a few books at Amazon.com – Foreign Language Phrase Books
Consider signing up for a language course if your learning style requires regularly scheduled motivation (you’ve paid for the classes so you must go) and to be able to practice with others in a more formal setting. Either way you are taking a step that many travelers skip or avoid and by doing so you will enjoy a more fulfilling and rewarding vacation away from work.
1. Immerse yourself in a new culture by greeting others in the local language, and increase overall trip satisfaction
2. Feel confident when navigating the streets, using transportation, staying in hotels, and visiting shops and restaurants
3. Save time by studying common words and phrases and practicing correct pronunciation well in advance of your trip
Happy Traveling…
-Scott
