If you’re traveling and haven’t had the time to sit down with your language practice software yet, you can make the most of it by trying to pick up some of the language during your daily interactions. Think of it like a mini-immersion, of sorts.
Here are some ways to learn bits and pieces of the language while you’re on the road:
- Read the signs. Provided the country doesn’t use its own alphabet system (e.g. Japan), you can read what those signs say. Right from the airport, you can probably figure out the local translations for male, female and restroom. Do this every place you visit.
- Learn the food. Food is a common denominator across every culture. When you hit a grocery or a market, point at stuff, trying to get vendors and staff to tell you the word for each. Keep them in mind – they’ll be useful the next time you enter a restaurant.
- Play with children. Little tykes love teaching foreigners what they know of a language. They won’t treat you like an idiot either (they’ll just assume you are – just kidding).
- Haggle. Don’t buy stuff at the first price you’re told. Always haggle. It opens up the interaction and you’ll learn plenty of words in the process (such as numbers, amounts and, if you’re lucky, numerous cuss words).
- Be open to foreigners who want to learn English. A lot of people the world over want to learn English. Chances are, you’ll meet some of them during your trips. Arranging for a “language exchange meeting” is common practice among English speakers traveling abroad.