SPECIAL FROM Next Avenue
By Stephanie Oswald
You could study in a classroom, but why not get immersed in the culture as well?
Old joke: What do you call a person who speaks several languages? Polyglot. Somebody who speaks two languages? Bilingual. How about someone who speaks only one language? American.
It’s a cringe-worthy stereotype: the “ugly American” tourist shouting in English thinking the added decibels will help the local person understand him. There’s a much better way to communicate with the global community: Learn another language. While you can always take an online crash course or listen to audiobooks, a much more rewarding way to learn -- and satisfy your wanderlust -- is to do it on location.
Would-be students tend to fall into one of two camps: people who want to learn a language from scratch or improve their proficiency with a fairly common one, and those seeking an adventure, where the language is a bonus. Knowing what you want to get out of the experience will help determine whether you should go on, say, a monthlong trip to Europe or a shorter one to a more exotic place like Africa.
(MORE: Tips on Packing Right for a Trip to Europe)
More Than Just Language Lessons
“A culturally immersive program, where it is not possible to speak English is the only way to learn a new language, in my opinion,” says Irene Lane, founder of the eco-adventure company Greenloons.
Lane’s company specializes in immersion escapes around the world, with a mission to protect the environment of a destination and, whenever possible, preserve its culture -- like the Masai tribe in Kenya. Granted, there’s less of a demand to learn the Masai language than Italian or French, but Lane notes that it’s an immensely popular option for the well-traveled person looking to do something new and make a difference.
And the lessons learned aren’t just linguistic. Observing family life, going to the local market, interacting with shopkeepers help to round out and deepen the overall experience. For travelers with less time, there are great “quickie” language-learning options, like lessons in conversational Hebrew at a Tel Aviv coffee house or privates lessons in business Spanish at the San Miguel language academy, Academia Hispano Americana.
(MORE: The Key to an Authentic Vacation: A Sense of Place)
Maximize Your Immersion
Your greatest souvenir from a language-learning adventure will be the ability to communicate in a foreign tongue. But you're also likely to make lasting friendships and find inspiration for future international escapes. Following these suggestions can help you get even more out of your once-in-a-lifetime experience.
- Practice, practice, practice Professor Carol Dimopoulos of Perillo’s Learning Journeys reminds people, “Don’t be afraid to ask the locals to speak with you.” She also recommends getting involved in a community project when time allows, so that you can refine your skills as well as teach your native language.
- Journal your progress Document your adventure with photographs and add captions in your new language. The more you learn, the more fun your story will become to write. While an eight- to 10-day vacation won’t result in fluency, your skills -- and confidence -- should rise dramatically.
- Be patient with yourself Don’t be discouraged if you have trouble communicating. Ask people to speak more slowly if you are feeling overwhelmed. (That’s a great phrase to learn right away, by the way.) Set reasonable goals and be sure to allow time to enjoy the whole experience. You made a conscious decision to take a learning journey, so go easy on yourself.
- Keep it going Hatch a plan to keep or expand your skills once you’re home. Join a local language club, take an evening course, find a native speaker who’d like to improve his or her English, or make a habit of watching films or subscribing to a magazine in your “new” language.
Read more on Next Avenue
My Quest to Learn French
Pursuing Passions in New Places
10 Travel Apps to Make Your Trip Easier, Safer and More Fun
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