Easy Ways to Learn Another Language and Why You Should

As an American tourist traveling abroad, there aren’t many things more embarrassing than listening to a fellow citizen complain, in loud, rude disbelief, when someone in a service position in the destination country, doesn’t speak English. It happens far more often than you think.

If you’re planning to travel abroad, please take the time to learn a few basic phrases in the language spoken in the countries on your itinerary. You don’t have to be fluent, but making the effort to say “Hello” “Please” “Thank-You” “Excuse me” and “Goodbye” as a courtesy to your hosting citizenry is just good manners. And you’d be surprised at how much appreciation your efforts will receive.

Everyone Else is Multilingual

This is pretty much true. Most European school systems teach the native language along with English beginning in primary grades. But kids also usually are conversational in least one and likely two or more other languages as a matter of course. While traveling in Africa, Russia and Southeast Asia and China, I have often been approached by teens who want to practice their English language by striking up a simple conversation. Adults as well. It’s a multicultural, multi-lingual mindset that’s not encouraged or supported in the US. Conversely, when I make the effort to speak in the host country’s language, however elementary the attempt, that person is much more invested in trying to understand me. I’ve also had some really great experiences in learning local slang by asking how something is pronounced. Or the best way to phrase something. And honestly, it’s fun!

15 minutes a Day

Start with fifteen minutes a day. Download one of the following apps on your phone. Some are free but the better ones charge a small fee. Billing plans vary and some offer an unlimited number of language programs.

“Speaking and understanding another language, or several, opens doors to worlds beyond and also deep within oneself. Knowing only a single language is not only a cultural limitation, but even more, a lack of access to other ways of thought and perception.”

New York Times

I researched the Top Language Learning Apps for 2022 and according to a CNN Report in August, these are the rankings based on ease of installation and setup, ease of use, design and features offered. In at #1 is Rosetta Stone, followed by Babbel, Memrise and Super Duolingo.

My personal experience has been with Duolingo which I find easy to use and easy to add languages based on where I am traveling. I’ve polished my French, added Spanish, Italian and German, flirted with Gaelic, Hebrew, Vietnamese and am now concentrating on Portuguese in advance of a month long trip to South America. I enjoy reading their stories, practicing speaking the language and listening to podcasts while hiking or on long walks.

Whichever app you choose, you can set your personal goals and mark your progress. A daily effort will yield results, I promise. And your travel experience will be made so much richer by the conversations you’re able to share in another person’s language.