Before you set off to your new holiday destination you will research what you want to do and where you want to go, but what about the local language? You can get so much more out of your holiday when you can have a simple conversation in the native tongue.
Here are five reasons you should get some daily conversational skills for your next trip.
1. Travel Better and More Safely
It’s much easier to get around when you know a bit of the lingo. From reading road and street signs to listening to announcements on trains and buses. Understanding how to get around will save you both time and money and keep you safe. You won’t feel like such a tourist when you are asking for directions either! You are also less likely to be taken advantage of as a traveller if you can speak to shop owners, taxi drivers and others in the language they speak.
2. Make New Connections
You will only be able to speak to new people, follow advice and make new friends if you know a little of the local language. Even knowing just a few local phrases, customs or gestures can go a long way. This is why it is best to learn from a local as they can give you an idea of how to hold proper conversations. One way to do this is to visit Preply, which is an online platform to find language teachers and tutors.
3. Order Your Own Food and Know What You Are Getting
We have all done it, well most of us, ordered a dish from the menu and not really known what to expect on your plate. Well by learning beforehand you can make the most of mealtimes. Speaking to waiters and asking about the menu in the local language will impress the staff and give you a good idea about what is best to try. It can also help when reading menus before you enter or at the table. Sometimes translated menus are not always accurate. Order like a pro and enjoy your new culinary experiences.
4. Visit Lesser Known Attractions
You’ll probably be able to get by without knowing any of the language at tourist hotspots and famous sights. However, being able to have a native conversation will mean you can venture out of the tourist areas. You will feel more confident in the country too knowing you can get by. Discover some hidden gems by veering off the beaten track and make some unforgettable memories.
5. Learn about the local culture
Having language skills will mean your knowledge of the country will grow. You will unlock a new world of daily lives and culture by being able to understand what is going on around you. Feel more accepted and like you belong where you are visiting rather than a foreigner looking from the outside in. Immerse yourself in the local way of life and return from your holiday with an experience to remember.
Most of all you’ll have so much fun! It might even reduce the stress of travelling too. Just joining in the local cheers, or saying good morning or goodbye can add to your holiday experience. You don’t have to be fluent but just knowing a few words and phrases will go a long way. Do you learn the language before you go on holiday? Has this made you think differently?
