We can't expect people to speak English everywhere in the world, it's not possible. When you learn the local language you will get less confused and it will be easier to seek help, you will also be able to adapt to your surroundings better, and you will be able to read signs, directions, labels, and warnings.
I am not saying you need to be fluent, I am saying that it is important to put a little effort to learn the basics of the local language. When I was living in Spain, I learned Spanish prior to going there and that helped me a lot, because people don't speak English in Spain, I was able to articulate myself and was good at understanding when people were speaking, and I got to practice my Spanish when I was there because I was speaking it all the time so I became fluent.
Before travelling somewhere, you need to know what the local language is and you need to learn the basics of it as well. You will look confident which is better that looking like a fool. Not convinced yet?
5 Top Reasons Why Travellers Should Learn The Local Language
1. Locals Appreciate It
Everyone loves when you show interest in them, and learning the local language is the best way to show that you care about the country and the locals.
Even if you know a few basics language, it still shows that you care and locals will appreciate it and be more friendly with you and be happy to help.
When people see that you are genuinely trying, they will be more than happy to help you find your way if you are lost, order the food you want, and they even might hang with you or invite you somewhere with them.
2. It Will Make Your Life Easier
As I mentioned, if you are travelling to a country where people don't speak English, your travel experience will be hard and not enjoyable. You won't be able to navigate day to day activities such as going to restaurants and cafes, taking transportation, reading signs, and much more.
If you go to a restaurant for example; you can't just point and hope, you need to understand the local language and be able to order specific food/meals.
When it comes to transportation, knowing the basics of the local language will help you get on and off buses, taxis, metros, and trains, you need to be able to move from point A to point B. Most importantly, you need to be able to read signs or else you might get lost, and since sings are everywhere, they are extremely important.
3. You Will Experience The Culture Better
To better experience the culture, you need to speak the local language. When you learn stories about the culture, you get to learn what the country's priorities are, and then be able to understand the culture better. You can hear and think about a culture, but to experience it; you need to speak the local language.
4. You Will Meet New People
I have met a lot of people while travelling, and you probably have as well especially if you are a solo traveller. There are some amazing people around the world, but not all of them speak English.
If you know the basics of the local language and know even a few sentences, you have given yourself the opportunity to meet new people and maybe make new friends. You will be able to speak to the taxi driver, make small talks if you're in a shop, get to know the person sitting next to you on a long bus drive, and much more. If you know the local language, the people you meet everyday might become your friends.
I know you might be thinking "Why should I learn a new language if I'm visiting the country once?". Here's the thing, there are some multi-national languages such as French, Spanish and Portuguese. You might visit Spain and then visit a lot of different countries in South America, or you might visit France and then visit Switzerland, Belgium, and countries in Africa. As a speaker of a foreign language, you are able to befriend a lot of people from around the world.
5. It Is Good For You
Learning a new language is generally good for you, it improves memory, strengthen the ability to solve problems, and enhances creativity. And as you develop these skills, your confidence will increase, and also this might help you when it comes to the business/work world. I speak multiple languages and I've only seen benefits from it.
My Favourite Language Learning Resources
YouTube — The amount of free videos that you will find there is ridiculous, you simply need to know what to look for exactly. It doesn’t matter which language you are trying to learn, you will find a video on YouTube that would suit your level.
TikTok — I ended up on Polyglot TikTok, which is not a surprise since I am a polyglot myself. Even though I am fluent in many languages, I still learn something new from TikTok everyday. You will be able to find a lot of creators depending on the language you want to learn.
Free Online Courses — Yes that is correct! There are free online courses that are actually good and helpful. I was lucky to find a Korean course that is 100% free created by an amazing teacher, with many levels from first timers, to beginners, to intermediate. You will be able to find free courses in a lot of languages which would be a great start.
Paid Online Courses — Instead of having to go to a physical class, you can find many online courses that could be self-paced or with a group. I prefer the self-paced courses, but depending on the language, you will need to do a group course because you get to practice the language. The key to maintaining a language is to practice! Anyone can learn a language. but without practice, you will forget everything you learned. This is why most people fail to become fluent.
Ling — Ling offers over 60 languages in an all-in-one application. Many languages available on Ling are not found on any other language app such as various Eastern European and Asian languages. Each language pack has more than 200 lessons that elevate reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. Users can choose from beginner to advanced skill levels.
What To Do Before Travelling Anywhere
🪪 Get Your Visa
Easily get your visa with iVisa which is simple and much less complicated than dealing with foreign governments. All documents are reviewed by a team of immigration experts. Their staff is well-trained and offers years of experience.
→ Go to iVisa
✈️ Book Tickets
Book your flights seamlessly with WayAway. Compare prices, find the best deals, and jet off to your destination with ease! — Get 10% off WayAway Plus membership with this code → TP-385219.
→ Go to WayAway
📱 Buy A Travel SIM-Card
Stay connected easily with Airalo SIM-card. Activate one before your trip and enjoy hassle-free communication during your time in your destination!
→ Go to Airalo
🔒 Choose Insurance
Ensure peace of mind during your trip to your destination by having comprehensive coverage against any unforeseen circumstances.
→ Go to VisitorsCoverage