Learn the language of your holiday destination: how to get started on your own

Learning a new language often does not start with a book. It starts with a question. What does that word mean that you keep seeing everywhere? How does someone ask for the bill? Why does the baker keep saying the same sentence to customers? What exactly does that packaging say?

When you look and listen with curiosity, you naturally start learning in a more focused way. You begin to recognise patterns. You see words come back. You hear set phrases. And because you connect the language straight away to a place, person or experience, it is easier to remember.

Start with words that help you straight away

When you are just starting with a language, you do not need to begin with grammar or long sentences. Start with words that help you connect with other people.

Think of greetings, saying thank you, asking something or showing appreciation. You can use these often during your holiday. You show that you are making an effort, and many people really appreciate that.

For example, first learn how to say:

• good morning
• thank you
• please
• sorry
• goodbye
• it was delicious
• what a beautiful place
• do you speak English?

Your pronunciation does not have to be perfect. The fact that you try already means a lot.

Do not try to pick up everything at once during your holiday. It is better to choose one clear situation that you will face today.
Are you going out for dinner? Learn how to order something, ask what someone recommends and ask for the bill. Are you going to the market? Learn how to ask what something costs or what something is called. Are you travelling by train? Learn words such as platform, departure, arrival and delay.

When you learn what you can use straight away, the language sticks better. You connect words to an experience. And that is much stronger than learning loose words by heart.

Use your surroundings as a living dictionary

Your holiday destination is actually one big dictionary. You do not even have to open it. Information signs, leaflets, menus, receipts, text in a shop window... They are all small language lessons.

The context often helps you guess what something means. A sign on a shop door usually means open or closed.

A translation app can be very useful on holiday. You can quickly check a word, listen to the pronunciation or understand a sign or menu better. But it is best to use the app as a safety net, not as autopilot.

First try to discover what you recognise yourself. Does the word look like something from English, your own language or another language you know? Does the situation help you guess the meaning? Maybe you do not understand every word, but you do understand the main idea.

Only then check it with a translation app. This keeps your brain active. You learn more than when you have everything translated straight away.

Useful ways to use a translation app:

• listen to the pronunciation and repeat the word out loud;
• check a word that you see several times;
• translate a short sentence that you really want to use;
• use the camera function to understand a sign or menu better;
• save words that you want to practise again later.

Take a small phrasebook with you

A small phrasebook may seem old-fashioned, but it can be very practical on holiday. It is clear, calm and often divided by situation: restaurant, hotel, travel, shopping and emergencies.

Do not use it as a textbook that you have to read from beginning to end. Use it to prepare for what you want to dare to say that day.
Are you going for lunch? Look at the restaurant phrases. Are you taking the bus? Look up the most important travel words. Do you want to buy something at the market? Learn one or two sentences that you can use straight away.

The advantage of a phrasebook is that you often see complete sentences, not only loose words. This helps you learn faster how people really say something.

One of the best ways to learn a language is simply to listen to people who speak it. How does the baker greet customers? How does someone order coffee? What does someone say when they pay? How do people thank each other?

On holiday, you hear these kinds of sentences all day. Pick one now and then, and try to use it yourself later.

Speak simply and see what happens

Many people wait to speak until they are sure they can say it correctly. On holiday, it is better to start small. Do you make a mistake? That is fine. Most people appreciate it when you try to speak their language. Often, they will naturally help you with the right word or pronunciation.

Learning a language is mainly about having the courage to try.

You do not need a fixed study programme to notice progress. It is better to turn it into a small habit.

For example, choose one language moment every day:

• order your first drink in the local language
• learn three words from the menu
• read an information sign before you look at the translation
• ask someone how to pronounce a word
• give a compliment in the language of the country
• listen carefully to a conversation around you
• write down one sentence you learned that day

Would you like more short exercises? Also take a look at our 7 five-minute language challenges for your holiday.

With languages that use a familiar alphabet, such as Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese or German, you can often recognise words quite quickly on signs and menus. With languages that use a different script, such as Greek or Arabic, the first step is more difficult.

But that does not mean you cannot do anything with the language. Start by visually recognising a few words. For example, the words for entrance, exit, restaurant, toilet, thank you or hello.