The Learning Traveller

Written by: Cam

English is now spoken widely in almost every major city in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Whether it’s a restaurant, hotel, or major tourist attraction, it’s easy to find someone who can speak English well enough to answer any basic question. On a practical level that makes it easy for us.

But what if you want to go on a language learning holiday?

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has had well-meaning locals ignore attempts to speak in French or Spanish and cheerily (or not so cheerily) respond in broken English. This is helpful when we don’t speak the language and we desperately need to find the bathroom or get to the closest hospital. But what if we simply want to order a coffee in Spanish, French or Italian?

The internet, cheap air travel, and the overwhelming forces of rapid globalization have made English the de facto global language. What a shame. Because it robs us of the need to learn another language. And the odds are stacked against us.

The education system of every major country in the world includes English as a core part of their curriculum. Millions of young people in Asia, Latin America, and Europe are told by parents and teachers that learning English is their path to prosperity. Conversely if they fail to learn English the prospects for a rewarding career are dim to non-existent. So, in a world so desperate to learn our language, what is the aspiring French, Spanish, Italian, or Chinese language learner to do? Fortunately there is hope. Here are five strategies to ensure you maximize your chances to speak the target language as much as possible when traveling:

1. Enrol at a language school: Classes are generally small and your classmates are there for the same reason you are – they want to learn and speak the language! Many schools have policies that strongly encourage you to speak the language within the school. Some schools also have agreements with the local shops and restaurants to only speak with you in the local language.

2. Set the rules of verbal engagement: Preface your question or comment to a local by saying that your on a language learning holiday and you would rather not speak English. Most people will be happy to oblige!

3. Persist and resist: You face an extra challenge if you are a beginner since even the most basic conversations can be difficult. There will be a strong temptation to speak English when you hit a verbal barrier. Don’t do it! Say it again, but differently. It’s amazing how your brain will come up with simpler words and phrases when necessity calls.

4. Be realistic: Languages are learned over years in many small chunks of time. Resolve to take learn a language abroad several times over a multi-year period, even if it’s no more than a week or two at a time. It will boost your motivation to keep learning between visits!

5. Have fun: There’s no way around it. Speaking in a new language is tiring. Minimize the fatigue by promising to laugh at yourself when you make mistakes. Don’t get stressed out if you don’t pronounce “Buona sera” exactly right or if you just mistakenly told someone their mother looks like a lizard. However, be sure you know how to say “Excuse me” or “I am sorry!”

English will continue to spread across the globe for the foreseeable future. But just because someone can speak English doesn’t mean they don’t want you to speak their language. All you have to do is say so. After all you are visiting their country!