how to visit a foreign country without knowing the language

Best ways to travel without knowing the local language

Traveling in a foreign country can be daunting to begin with, but even more so if you don't speak the local language. It can be stressful to consider getting into a precarious situation -- or any situation at all -- in a country where you can't communicate.

Getting lost, not being able to find a toilet or explain food allergies to wait staff can seem insurmountable in a foreign country where you don't speak or understand the language. Even the thought of sounding silly by mispronouncing words in a different language is enough to stop people from traveling abroad.

But a possible miscommunication or the thought of discomfort shouldn't stop you from exploring the world. The below tips will ensure you can travel safely and easily to different countries around the world, even if you aren't multilingual.

Use a translation app

Luckily, technology has caught up with monolinguists and there are many excellent translation apps you can use while traveling. While you'll find a whole slew of translation app options to choose from, TPG has a few select favorites.

• iTranslate : One of the highest-rated translation apps out there, iTranslate even has a special version for Apple Watch so you can translate directly on your wrist. Choose from a basic version (free), offering things like a phrase book with pre-defined, useful phrases and translations in more than 100 languages. The Pro version ($6), features offline translation, website translation (including a Safari extension), camera translation, voice-to-voice conversations and verb conjugations.
• Google Translate : We know, you've heard of it. But are you aware of all the features you could be using, but probably aren't? This app offers typing translation in 103 languages -- and 59 of them are available offline. Handwriting translation (drawing or writing characters) is available in 95 languages, instant camera translation in 90 languages and two-way instant speech translation in 43 languages.

Besides the aforementioned apps, there are others that specialize in things like Asian languages ( Papago ), translating slang and colloquial terms ( TripLingo ) and having two-way voice conversations on the fly ( Speak & Translate ).

Have offline versions of translation and map apps

Before traveling, plan to download some of your most useful apps , such as Google Maps (especially the offline map of your destination) and any translation apps (for example, Waygo only translates between English and a few select languages, but it's available entirely offline), or even ahead of time. This will ensure that if you get lost or need a translation but are without mobile coverage, you have access to useful digital tools that can help without having to ask someone (in a language you don't speak, of course) or where to find Wi-Fi and connect.

Further reading: 9 best translation apps for travelers

Plan logistics ahead

Being a spur-of-the-moment backpacker offers the ultimate freedom, but you may want to save this type of happy-go-lucky holiday for a trip to Australia where the general population speaks English. Wandering around in an unfamiliar country late at night searching for a hostel, airport transfer or even a bar or restaurant isn't ideal if you can't speak the local language -- and not to mention it could be unsafe in some foreign destinations.

Organizing important logistical details, like a hotel, airport transfers and restaurant reservations before you travel is key. At a minimum, have the first few nights of accommodation safely secured and depending on your destination, your first airport transfer. Facing unscrupulous taxi drivers when you don't speak the language and are dealing with jet lag can be stressful -- and open you up to being cheated or scammed.

Get a business card for your hotel

Many years ago during a trip to Thailand, I hopped in one of Bangkok's pink taxis and told the driver the name of my hotel in English. He didn't understand. This occurred before the days of smartphones or ride-hailing services, and I had no way to explain where I was going in Thai. I ended up having to get out of the taxi and find the nearest local BTS Skytrain station. Needless to say, it took me quite a while to get back to my hotel.

Further reading: How to avoid the most common travel scams in Europe

If this had happened now, I could have simply put the hotel name into a translation app, or Googled the hotel to find out how to say the name in Thai.

But, an easier option is to take a business card for the hotel, which usually has the name and address in the local language as well as English. I usually snap a photo of the card on my phone, but also carry it with me in case my phone runs out of battery so I can show taxi drivers if necessary.

If you'd prefer to stay entirely digital, apps for some online travel agencies like Booking.com also show the name of the hotel in both the local language and English -- and you can download your reservations to appear offline too.

Utilize ride-hailing services

One of the most perilous language moments you can have in a foreign country may just be with a taxi driver (see above) -- and not to mention that being unfamiliar with a language and destination can open you up to scams and cheating. The best way to avoid having to explain where you're going to a taxi driver is to use a ride-hailing app instead. This way, you can enter your destination directly in the app, know ahead of time how much your trip will cost and have minimal communication with the driver.

Try to learn the language ahead of time

This one is tougher, but you can always try to learn some keywords or phrases at home before traveling. Even if it doesn't provide you with as much travel ease as you hope, it's still nice to participate in the local culture as much as possible.

And you may surprise yourself. Attempting to learn a few keywords in Spanish before a trip to Mexico years back inspired a fascination with the Spanish language that led to me seek out language classes and later move to Spain permanently, eventually becoming fluent. You never know what a bit of foreign vocabulary might lead to.

While learning a few select words won't inspire everyone to move abroad, it will still help you during your travels. Some of the most useful words/phrases to know in a foreign language are things like:

• Good morning
• How are you? I'm fine.
• You're welcome
• Where is the loo?
• How much is it?
• Numbers from 1 to10
• Beer/wine/food/water
• Can you help me?
• Do you speak English?

These phrases and more can be learned ahead of time at home with apps such as Duolingo , which offers short lessons in speaking over 30 different languages including obvious contenders such as Spanish, French, Italian and Russian as well as more obscure ones like Hungarian, Navajo and Welsh.

Speak slowly and clearly, but don't shout

When you're used to everyone around you speaking English, you don't always realize how fast you speak, or how colloquial. It's possible that the person you're speaking to in another country actually does speak a bit of English but won't understand when you quickly spout off slang.

So, make sure when speaking English to locals that you speak slowly, clearly and carefully, using easy words and phrases. For example, instead of spilling out, "Excuse me, can you please tell me the easiest and quickest way to get to the market?" instead slowly say, "Hi. Where is the market?"

And remember, shouting doesn't help. You can repeat your statement slowly and with a smile but don't raise your voice. No one enjoys getting shouted at, even if you have the best of intentions.

Consider a guide

If it's in your budget, consider hiring a guide. Not only will this likely enrich your experience from a cultural and tourism standpoint, but it will make logistics like finding attractions and navigating a new destination much easier. Instead of having to barter at the market, search for a bathroom or ask for a bottle of water in a new language, a guide can help you with those types of interactions.

The biggest hindrance you may encounter in a foreign country is yourself. You may feel silly attempting to speak a foreign language, stuttering over unfamiliar sounds, words and pronunciations. After living in Spain for 12 years, I've had numerous locals stare at me, laugh at me and even had really embarrassing moments where I've accidentally said something wildly inappropriate but didn't realize what it really meant. And don't even get me started on the language faux pas I've made in France.

Further reading: 20 best travel apps to download in 2020

You simply have to let go of any shame, panic or fear you feel and try your best. For every local that may giggle at you, seem confused or not understand you, there will be another that will smile, help you and be pleased you've made the effort.

And, pay it forward when in your home country. If someone is attempting to speak English to you, be kind, friendly and helpful toward them. Speaking a second language is harder than it looks.

Those with food allergies or intolerance can travel too

Traveling with food allergies or intolerance can be stressful -- because a mistake could actually be seriously detrimental to your health, causing illness or even death in severe cases. According to Allie Bahn of Miss Allergic Reactor , a blog for those traveling with food allergies, the most important thing is to source a chef card in the local language before traveling. Chef cards are small cards you carry with you to denote in the local language (and often with photos or pictures) the things you are unable to consume.

Bahn explained to TPG that "handing a translated chef card to the manager at a restaurant in a non-English speaking country is essential for anyone with severe food allergies or dietary restrictions that impact their health."

You can make your own cards or order them online -- just make sure to do so before you travel. Plan to show your card when dining out, flying, at hotels or anywhere else you may be eating. For more information on how to fly with food allergies, click here .

Bottom line

Don't be scared or nervous to travel to countries where you don't speak the language. By following the above tips on the best ways to travel even if you aren't multilingual (yet), you can have a safe and fun holiday -- and maybe even learn a few words of the local language while doing so.

The Partying Traveler

Survival of the littest, how to travel internationally when you don’t speak the language.

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Knowing how to travel internationally the right way makes a big difference for your trip or vacation. It is important to try and have the main things figured out before you arrive at a foreign destination. Doing so will ensure you have the most relaxing and stress-free experience possible.

You might need to take some time to explore online the area you’ll be visiting. Book your tours and creating your itinerary a few weeks in advance can be another way to make sure you need to do as little as possible once you arrive at your destination. And of course, one of the most important aspects to keep in mind is the language barrier.

If you don’t speak the language of the country you are planning to visit, then you could face some troubles upon arrival. There is a way to get around this, however. Obviously, it is not realistic to learn an entire language before a trip, but you can prepare yourself by using a few tips listed below.

Here is everything you need to know to navigate a foreign country without knowing the language!

Research Before Leaving

You shouldn’t visit a foreign place before doing some of your own research on it first. Even the most laid-back, go-with-the-flow travelers do a little research beforehand. You should take some time to find out as much as you can about the country before you arrive. What is the culture like there? What are some restaurants you want to try or activities you want to engage in? Put together an itinerary ahead of time to make navigating the country easier for you. Write down the names of the places so you can ask about them if needed.

You should also write down a few common phrases in the language . For example, be sure you know how to say the following phrases:

• No thank you
• Where is the bathroom
• How much is…

Consider writing down any medical conditions you have as well. In case of an emergency, you’ll want the doctors to know about these conditions. Keep these phrases written down on index cards and carry them with you everywhere you go.

Make Use Of Your Accommodation’s Staff 

Your hotel’s concierge or hostel receptionist can be a great resource! After all, who knows more about a place than the people who live and work there? Staff at a hotel or hostel will usually be able to speak English and are experts in hospitality and travel. If you need to know how to get to a specific place, then you can rely on the concierge to help you. They can give you directions and answer any other questions you might have as well.

If your hotel’s concierge can’t help you, then don’t hesitate to walk into a different hotel nearby and ask the concierge there for help. When you find a hotel that can help you, be sure to take a business card and keep it handy.

If you stumble across any trouble, you can contact them for more help.

Point Without Offending

Pointing to where you need to go is a good way to navigate, but pointing can be offensive in some countries. To point without offending anyone, point without using one finger.

Instead, if you need to point in a direction, you should point using your entire hand. Keep your palm flat and have your thumb out to the side to indicate which direction you’re pointing in.

Print Out Flashcards

It may also be beneficial for you to print out flashcards with pictures of popular objects on them or translations of certain words that you might need to know. As corny as it sounds, it can be very useful. After all, you definitely used flashcards in school. Why not use them in real-life applications as well?

Of course, we do live in the age of widespread technology. If you happen to have a SIM card, you could always just use your phone. When in need, you can simply pull out the picture of a certain object and show it to a native. They’ll then be able to point you in the right direction or help you find what you need.

Use Two Maps

You might feel tempted to carrying around a map of the area in your own language. This is fine to do, but be sure you have a map in the foreign country’s language as well. This is something that not many people think of, but if you are in a place like Thailand or Sri Lanka where they use different alphabets entirely, then your driver might not even be able to read the Latin alphabet. And when street names get long and tricky, the odds of you pronouncing them correctly get even more slim.

The locals will be able to help you more often and better if you show them a map in their language. You can circle on the map where you need to go and have them help you. If needed, you can always compare it to your other map in your language to help you understand it better.

Take Advantage of Google Translate

Google translate is a great tool to have when visiting a foreign country. Google translate works by allowing you to either type in what you want to say or speak it. Once you have the phrase you want to say, you can then choose the language you want it translated to.

Google will type out the translation and speak it as well. Using this tool is an easy and convenient way to communicate with the locals. One question still remains, however: can you use Google translate offline ?

You might not have any service when exploring a different country. Luckily, you can use this tool without the internet, which is a wonderful feature!

Relax, Smile, and Stay Polite 

The last thing you should keep in mind is to relax, smile, and stay positive! Don’t allow yourself to become frustrated or flustered. Take a deep breath and if one person can’t help you, someone else will.

Remember that a simple smile can go a long way. A smile is a universal sign of kindness and locals will be more willing to help someone who is kind and polite to them.

Following these tips is how to travel internationally the right way! You don’t need to be fluent in the language to navigate the country.

Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll have a great experience!

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How to live abroad without knowing the language + Tried and tested tricks

• Post published: November 16, 2019
• Post comments: 2 Comments
• Reading time: 13 mins read

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Is it possible to get by living in a foreign country without knowing the language? Yes, absolutely.

Is it going to be easy? No, not necessarily. But there is a way to make life easier for yourself.

Continue reading if learning the local language is not an option for you and you’d like to have an easier time living abroad without knowing the local language.

This post is part of a series of posts on language issues while living abroad. In Part I I talked about the question whether you should learn the local language , and what to do if learning the language is not an option for you.

Maybe you’re in the country temporarily, maybe you’ve just arrived, maybe it’s taking you a lot longer than you thought to learn the local language, or maybe it’s just difficult for you to dedicate time to learning the language. Regardless of your circumstances, as expats, we still need to get by in our day-to-day life in a foreign language country.

No matter what, it’s inevitable that you’d have to acquire some kind of vocabulary so you can at least navigate your life abroad a tiny bit better. 

But in your case, the goal is not to become fluent or even good enough. The goal is to get by in key situations.

So rather than learn to speak and understand a language across all situations, you would be targeting and prioritizing which vocabulary you would need most in order to get by.

[RELATED POST] 3 biggest myths about the benefits of learning the local language abroad

My experience with living abroad without knowing the language

I’ve moved to a country where I didn’t speak the language four times. Three of those were relatively long-term moves (German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland, and Denmark where I live today) and one was a temporary one (Portugal for 3 months).

Although I have a good head for learning languages (which is offset by my complete inability to do the most basic of calculations), there is still a considerably long period where I don’t have a damn clue about what it says on the labels in grocery stores or on public transportation notice boards.

You would think that a serial expat would feel completely at ease everywhere from the very first moment. Well, that is far from the truth.

To some extent, starting over (even in a foreign language) and navigating a foreign country does become a kind of a routine over time. But just because I have some experience doesn’t mean it is somehow easier for me than anyone else.

The truth is that the first weeks and months of living in a foreign country (sometimes even visiting!) genuinely gives me a throbbing headache.

It’s such an intense experience of too many impressions and too much information. On top of that, in a language that I may not even speak.

But it’s completely unproductive to get bogged down by feeling overwhelmed (and if that isn’t sound life advice in general, I don’t know what is).

Rather, over time I have worked out a routine which helps me get by surrounded by a foreign language and get on my feet faster.

So let me share my routine with you so you too can live in a foreign country without knowing the language.

[RELATED POST] 5 reasons why you’re not feeling at home living in a foreign country (despite giving yourself enough time to settle in)

Prepare for the ‘language scenarios’ where you can’t get by without knowing the language

Especially in the early days or months, these scenarios for me always include:

• Using public transporation (buying tickets, reading schedules and signs)
• Asking for directions (in case Google Maps somehow fails me)
• Reading street signs
• Buying groceries
• Reading documents (rental agreements etc.)
• Dealing with bureaucracy (getting a bank account, residence permit etc.)

Later on, further scenarios often come up which require a different kind of vocabulary:

• Understanding the gist of work emails that are in a foreign language
• Dealing with doctors or buying medicine from a pharmacy
• (Still) dealing with bureaucracy (paying bills, subscriptions etc.)
• Buying essentials or new products
• Reading menus in restaurants
• Giving instructions to a taxi driver
• Gym membership and following the instructions in gym classes
• Being polite to strangers or telling people to stop harassing me (sadly, welcome to the world of being a woman!)

These are the situations that I have always encountered living in foreign countries. Of course, you may have others that are more relevant for your lifestyle, but the above list does cover the basics.

Being at least somewhat prepared for these ‘language scenarios’ helps me focus my language learning in the early days and months, especially when my goal is not to become fluent or even proficient but just to get by.

In order to prepare myself for these language scenarios, I use a combination of three basic tricks.

1. Build a handy little ‘image vocabulary’ in your phone

I like to take pictures of signs, labels on food items, instructions etc.

I then translate them on the spot with Google Translate (if possible) or later in my own time. Sometimes I also ask a stranger around me for help with translation. I keep those pictures for future reference when I might need that vocabulary again (but mostly also because I have a visual memory).

Keeping an image vocabulary in my phone allows me to free up some much-needed headspace while I try to get settled in a new routine.

For instance, buying groceries is always a nightmare for me.

I always take forever the first few weeks in a grocery store. It’s partially because I’m trying to orient myself in the store (it’s amazing how differently supermarkets can be organized from country to country!).

But it’s partially also because I take my time going through the aisles. I take pictures of things I’m not entirely sure about, and of things that are familiar to me but obviously labeled in a foreign language.

On the basis of this image vocabulary, I slowly build up my vocabulary of food labels and ingredients until these new words become an active part of my basic vocabulary.

If this sounds like a strange approach, I’m actually not alone in it. Just have a look at Discover Discomfort’s handy suggestions for how to get by with a small vocabulary in key situations while traveling the world.

2. Pay attention to frequently used expressions and signs

Once you get over the first few days or months of impression overload, you’ll start to notice expressions or signs that come up over and over again.

If you really want to get by without actually learning the language, make a note of these reoccurring expressions or take pictures of these signs for your image vocabulary.

In fact, most of language learning takes place through repeated encounters with the same words and expressions. The more we see/hear them, the easier they’ll stick with us.

You can also expose yourself to more of these frequently used expressions or signs by watching shows and movies in the local language.

This probably sounds like generic advice but you’ll want to be more single-minded about what you’re looking for when you watch shows or movies in the local language.

Rather than train your ear to become used to the sound of the new language, look out for situations in the shows or movies that you are likely to encounter in your daily life. Pay most attention to:

• What do the characters say to each other in specific situations that are relevant for you?
• What words or expressions do they use in those situations?

As you’re watching, your goal is not to be able to follow everything that is being said in the show or movie. You’re looking to understand the language in the specific situations that are relevant for your life abroad.

Prioritizing learning commonly used expressions accelerates your ability to navigate basic situations because you will hear those expressions being used around you also.

As a result, you will also have an easier time recognizing what’s going on around you, even if you don’t understand every word.

In order to get by in situations that matter to you, you really don’t need to know more than the basics.

Just make sure you write your new vocabulary down in a notebook or a digital device of your choice.

3. Participate in a basic language course without the goal of becoming fluent or proficient

Many people think that taking a language course means that your aim should be becoming a competent speaker, if not fluent.

Well, I’m here to tell you that you can take a language course without having either of those as your goals.

Taking a basic language course simply gives you a bit more of a boost in understanding basic things that may be going on around you. Yes, it’s a time and money investment, but so is building an image vocabulary.

For instance, in the French-speaking Switzerland and in Portugal I only took language classes in the first two basic levels in French and Portuguese.

Even though I was by no means able to speak those languages beyond some basic expressions after finishing those classes, having this basic knowledge of the grammar and some vocabulary helped me so much in navigating certain common language scenarios and getting a sense of what was going on around me.

For me, that was enough to get by living abroad without knowing the language inside out.

What are your tips for living abroad without knowing the language? Let me know in the comments below.

Katherine is a retired world traveller and former serial expat of 15 years. Based on her professional and personal experience as well as PhD research, she now helps expats, travellers and location independents decide whether to stay or go, whether to move back home or where to settle down.

Oh, do I have stories for you about how to get along in a country without knowing the language. One was Armenia, where not only could I not speak the language, I couldn’t even read it because it has its own unique alphabet. First day there (yeah, I know) I went to get a hair cut. With sign language I indicated that I wanted about 2 centimeters cut off. I ended up with two centimeters left. Fortunately, having a sense of humor I’ve been around), I survived this crisis. Another time in a small grocery shop where everything was behind …  Read more »

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7 Essential Tips for Traveling without Speaking the Language: How to Prepare for Your Next Adventure 翻译语音到文本

Traveling without speaking the Language? Traveling to a new country can be exciting and nerve-wracking, especially if you don’t speak the language. However, that shouldn’t stop you from exploring the world. With the right preparation, you can have a fulfilling experience without the language barrier getting in the way. In this blog, we’ll share 7 essential tips for language-less travelers to help you navigate your travels with ease.

Table of Contents

Research before you go

Before you travel, it’s important to do your research. Read up on the country’s culture, customs, and social norms to understand what to expect. Additionally, familiarize yourself with some basic words and phrases in the local language. Learn how to say “hello,” “thank you,” “please,” and “excuse me,” as these can go a long way in showing respect and making connections with locals.

Curious of what that meant? The Chinese phrase “翻译语音到文本” refers to the process of using translation technology to convert spoken language into written text. This technology can be incredibly useful for language learners or for those traveling to a foreign country who may not speak the language fluently. By converting spoken language into text, it allows individuals to better understand and communicate with others who may not share the same language. This process can be achieved through a variety of tools such as translation apps or software that can transcribe audio recordings into text.

Utilize translation tools

In today’s digital age, there are countless translation tools available to travelers. Google Translate is one of the most popular, allowing you to translate words, phrases, and even entire sentences in real-time. Additionally, many smartphones have built-in translation features that can be used offline, making it easier to communicate in areas with limited internet access.

Download offline maps

Getting lost in a foreign country can be overwhelming, but it’s even worse when you can’t read the signs or ask for directions. Downloading offline maps to your smartphone can help you navigate without an internet connection. This is especially useful when using public transportation or walking in unfamiliar areas.

Carry a phrasebook

While translation tools can be helpful, they may not always be accurate or convey the exact meaning you intended. Carrying a phrasebook with essential phrases and questions can help you communicate more effectively with locals. Plus, it shows that you’re making an effort to learn their language and culture.

Stay in language-

friendly accommodations When booking accommodations, consider staying in a language-friendly hotel or hostel. These establishments often have multilingual staff who can assist you with directions, recommendations, and other questions. Additionally, they may offer language classes or cultural events to help you learn more about the local culture.

Join a tour or hire a guide

Joining a tour or hiring a guide can be a great way to experience a new culture without the language barrier getting in the way. Guides and tour operators are often multilingual and can help you communicate with locals, provide insights into local customs and traditions, and ensure that you don’t miss any must-see attractions.

Embrace the language barrier

Finally, don’t be afraid to embrace the language barrier. It’s an opportunity to step outside your comfort zone, learn more about the local culture, and connect with locals in unique ways. Even if you can’t communicate through words, a smile, a gesture, or a shared experience can create a meaningful connection.

Conclusion traveling without speaking the language

In conclusion, traveling to a foreign country without speaking the language can be intimidating, but it shouldn’t stop you from exploring the world. With these 7 essential tips for language-less travelers, you can prepare for your next adventure and navigate your travels with ease. Remember to research, utilize translation tools, download offline maps, carry a phrasebook, stay in language-friendly accommodations, join a tour or hire a guide, and embrace the language barrier. Bon voyage!

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Travel Tips

How to Get by in a Country Where You Don’t Know the Language

Not knowing the local language is no reason not to travel. Here are some tips to get by from someone who does it all the time.

By Shivani Vora

Traveling to a foreign country can be daunting if you don’t know the local language, and while François Thibault, the cellar master and co-founder of Grey Goose , speaks only French, his job requires constant travel around the world. “Over the years, I’ve learned how to navigate foreign countries with limited verbal communication,” he said.

Mr. Thibault has a number of tips to help travelers manage in a destination when they don’t speak the native tongue, based on his own experience. Here are a few of them.

Download a Language Translation App

Traveling in foreign countries has become much easier in the past few years thanks to the many foreign language apps which translate words on the spot. Mr. Thibault tends to rely on Google Translate and suggests that travelers find an app that works for them. Ideally, find one that specializes in the language you need to translate especially if the language uses a character set you’re not familiar with, or have difficulty pronouncing.

But take note: in Mr. Thibault’s experience, these apps work best when you’re trying to decipher something in writing, like a restaurant menu or a street sign, rather than in the midst of a conversation.

Speak with Your Hands and Head

Pointing with your hands and nodding or shaking your head, Mr. Thibault said, are an easy way to communicate with locals in the country you’re in. “Gestures are almost all universally understood,” he said.

There are exceptions however. In many of the countries in the Balkans, for example, nodding means “no,” and shaking your head means “yes.” Also, although a smile usually conveys friendliness, in some countries such as Russia, locals don’t smile at people they don’t know. A quick web search for the country you’re visiting and “gestures” or “body language” will turn up anything you need to be aware of before you go.

Learn a Few Key Words

Knowing basic words and phrases like “hello,” “thank you” and “I’m sorry, I don’t speak [insert the language of the country you’re visiting], do you speak English?” are a must, Mr. Thibault said. Showing that you care enough to learn some of the language before you went, and at least enough to acknowledge that you don’t know more, is a form of respect and will go a long way to endear you to locals.

He suggested going on YouTube to find a tutorial on how to spell and say basic words and phrases, ideally from native speakers eager to teach would-be visitors. “It’ll take five minutes of your time and is well worth it,” he said.

Work with a Local Travel Agent

If you feel particularly uncomfortable in the country you’re headed to, and you have to go anyway, relying on a local travel agent who knows both your and your destination’s language can be incredibly useful.

He or she can step in to help translate over the phone should any major issues arise, especially with things like flights, lodging, or other travel-related issues. Many agents also offer services 24 hours a day, so help is just a quick call away no matter what the problem may be.

Hire a Local Tour Guide

A tour guide can help you get a better grasp of the local language and is a good person to practice words and phrases with. Whenever Mr. Thibault visits a new country, he books a sightseeing tour with a guide on the first day of his trip. “I use this day to learn about my destination and get familiar with the language,” he said.

You can always search the web for local tour guides and fixers before you go, or alternatively find a guide through your hotel’s concierge a travel agent or by calling the local tourist office.

The Journey Lover

Enjoy Travel

How To Travel When You Don t Speak The Language: Perfect 8 Tips

How to travel when you don t speak the language! Many people travel to foreign countries and don’t take the necessary steps to learn the local language. This can be a big problem when traveling in a country where not everyone can speak the local language.

Despite your limited vocabulary, here are some tips to ensure you get warmer welcome while still communicating with locals.

Don’t give up. There is a reason many people travel through the country- they want to experience the culture, learn the language and meet new individuals.

If you give up before you even begin your journey, you’ll miss out on a lot of valuable, meaningful experiences.

How To Travel When You Don t Speak The Language

Traveling can be fun and adventurous if you’ve found yourself in a situation where you need to learn the local language before traveling for your destination. It seems like everyone else is doing just fine without. Here are some tips to help make the task more manageable.

Visit the local tourist information center and ask for a tourist guide. These people can often show you around, give you directions and answer any questions you have.

They will also be able to help get you the things that you need while in their country. If the tour guide is not available, try to find something else to offer similar services.

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The best place to start looking is a public library or big book store. Ask them if they have books on the country or location you are visiting.

Here are 8 tips on how to travel when you can’t speak the language:

1. Use Gestures And Body Language To Communicate

Learn some gestures and body language to communicate with others by using your hands and body movement.

Take a look at a dictionary of gestures and learn common phrases so that you can understand some people’s way of communicating without words.

Be open-minded and patient when traveling as it will get easier once you start mastering the language.

Also, remember that there are many ways of communicating, and if you are not fluent in the local language, do not worry as you can still communicate effectively.

2. Learn How To Say Yes And No

There are two ways you can communicate with others when learning the language. One is through sign languages, and the other is through speaking.

Speak slowly in a very soft tone of voice, be patient and allow others to speak. It may take a while to understand what the person is saying, but it’s best to be patient and convey your message.

3. Try To Learn The Names Of Common Items And Places

Common items and places have names in every language, so learning them will help you learn. You may not speak the language, but you can easily convey your message by showing things or pointing at them.

Showing them is a better option because pointing at someone or something can be misunderstood.

4. Download Google Translate

Google Translate is the most reliable way to communicate with others without speaking. It’s a free app that is available online and offline.

All you need to do is enter the word, and it will provide the translation right away.

Google Translate often does not give the correct answer but gives immediate answers.

5. Hire A Local Guide

If you are in a country with other languages besides the local language, hiring a guide will be a good choice.

They will speak the local language and can offer more help than a travel companion who doesn’t speak the local language.

6. Get On An App

If you are traveling alone, take advantage of getting on an app that can translate what you say into the local language.

With this, you can communicate with locals and learn the language while you travel. Please choose the language you want to use and save it to your phone.

7. Learn A Few Words

Learning a few words will make your trip easier since you can avoid misunderstandings when traveling with others.

Do not try to learn everything at once by practicing them for every conversation. Just teach them one at one, until you can communicate in the local language.

How Leaders Speak

8. If All Else Fails, Just Smile

Remember that smiling can make any language go further. It clearly shows your intention, and people will be more inclined to help if they see you need help.

If you are lost or trying to ask for directions, smile at them and ask them to explain in their language.

Can You Go To Another Country Without Knowing The Language?

Yes, you can, but it will be a lot harder, and it might also cost you more money. Why? You will have trouble communicating with them and going on fun activities with friends.

But don’t worry! It’s easy to travel around the world or the country of your choice without knowing the language.

What Kind Of Problems Can You Face If You Travel Without Knowing The Language?

You will have a difficult time getting around. You might have difficulty finding the places you want to go or looking for the things you like to eat.

Then, it would take you twice as much time and money to do all of these. That is not very practical.

Before traveling, study how to say a few essential words and phrases.

That way, even if no one is around who speaks your language, you can still communicate with others by saying basic phrases like “please” and “thank you.”

Remember that it is important to make a plan before you go to have fun while traveling, but it’s also important to be flexible and adapt to new locations or situations.

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Learn The Basic Language

Before traveling to different countries, you can master a few primary languages. The languages that people all over the world use. You will be able to get around quickly and save a lot of money.

If you know some essential words in the local language, you won’t need to worry about asking for directions or ordering food.

There are many ways to learn languages, but the best way is through a formal program and taking classes with native speakers.

I hope that what I have shared in this article will help you plan your next journey and prepare yourself for any potential difficulties.

Traveling is a lot more fun when you can communicate with others. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t travel without knowing the language, but you should never forget that there are ways for you to get around without even knowing any words or phrases.

Suppose all else fails, smile, and learn to say a few essential words or gestures. With these tips and resources I have shared in this article, you can travel safely.

If you have any questions regarding anything I have discussed or have any advice or tips of your own that you’d like to share, please let me know in the comments section below.

Have a nice travel!

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How to Communicate When You Don’t Know the Language

08/11/2015 by Kristin Addis 35 Comments

“How do you travel independently through a place when you don’t know the language?”

I am often asked this question by readers who are worried about feeling lost during their travels if there’s a language barrier. It’s a valid concern, and one that sends most travelers into tour groups (not that there’s anything wrong with that) or makes them decide not to travel altogether.

I had these concerns as well before I started traveling. I pictured walking up to every street vendor, kiosk, and taxi driver with no ability to communicate. My travels could wind up in a storm of confusion and I’d be left feeling frustrated and lost. While that did happen from time to time, it was rare, and much less stressful than I initially expected.

If you want to travel independently and don’t know the language in the countries you aim to visit, here are some easy steps to help you through:

English is a Common Second Language

In most places that receive Western tourists, someone is around who can speak English. Even in the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China — an area that is so far off the tourist trail that most tourists never end up there — I found a guesthouse that was owned by a couple of Californians!

English is the language of tourism. Given you’re reading this right now you probably speak enough English to get by in your travels. Most people who work in tourism know at least a little bit and use it to communicate with guests from every nationality.

Of course, the more off the path you head the less likely it is to find English speakers, so keep the following communication methods in mind:

There’s a lot in Context

When I walked up to the bus depot in Bondowoso on the island of Java, Indonesia, the locals hanging out there immediately asked me, “ Ijen ?”, then pointed me directly to the bus I needed. I didn’t have to explain to anyone that I needed a bus because I was in the bus depot, that much was obvious. I didn’t need to explain that I wanted to go to Ijen because that’s one of very few places tourists in the area want to go, and I was clearly a tourist. This wasn’t a one-off situation, either. It happens nearly everywhere I go.

So much is evident through context. If I walk up to a food stand or sit in a restaurant, it’s clear I want to eat. If I walk into a hostel, it’s clear I’d like a place to sleep, and if I walk into a bus station, I probably want to go somewhere. Next all I have to do is say what I want to eat or where I’d like to go — one word, maybe two — and we’ve said all that we need to say to get me fed or en route to the next place.

When in doubt, use the ‘point and shrug’ method

When I first moved to Taiwan I had to open a bank account on my own. I was a Mandarin beginner back then and couldn’t read the paperwork, so I shrugged and handed it to the lady at the desk with a meek, I’m sorry I don’t get it can you help me?, smile. She was understanding, took a pen and filled in the forms for me.

When I needed some help fixing my bicycle in rural Cambodia, I rode up to a house that had a workshop, pointed to the bike seat, and did the same shrug and smile. The man cheerfully fixed it for me (no charge) as an adorable group of kids ran over to say hello – the only English word they knew. I rode away with a functioning bike seat, no words needed.

With a few exceptions, locals are typically pretty understanding that I don’t know how to speak Khmer, Thai, or the language of whatever place I’m in.  It’s easy enough to communicate using hand gestures and facial expressions if that’s all you’ve got. That said…

Simple pleasantries can go a long way

Learning how to say at least ‘ hello ‘ and ‘ thank you ‘ makes you more likable as a foreigner. When I need something, instead of barging into a place and spouting off my needs and desires in English, I open with a greeting in the local language. It’s polite, it shows I’m trying, and it indicates respect.

I usually learn this by asking the first local I interact with. Maybe it’s a person at the guesthouse, someone selling me a SIM card , or the taxi driver from the airport. Generally they’re delighted that I asked and wanted to know, sharing the information happily.

Learn the hand gestures

In Vietnam, a local man waved me over by outstretching his arm, facing his palm down, and waving the back of his hand in my direction. He was enticing me to look at the bun cha (addictive rice noodles with tangy fish sauce, crunchy greens and pork patties) he was making. I knew that he meant, “come here,” because I’d done some research on hand gestures prior to arriving.

In the Maldives, when we ate our food we did so with our hands. I used my right while my travel buddy, a natural lefty, accidentally went in with his left. When I whispered to him to switch, he felt a bit embarrassed that he hadn’t realized it’s rude to use your left hand for eating and hand gestures there.

Locals are usually understanding that if you’re not from a place, you might not realize which hand gestures mean what, but at the risk of offending someone, it’s good to know beforehand what means what in the country you’ll be visiting. It also goes to show how much effort you’ve put into respecting the local customs and people tend to feel more helpful when they feel respected.

Help will generally find you

I know this sounds very damsel-in-distress. If all else fails, depend on outside help that isn’t guaranteed? That sounds like a solid plan!

It tends to be true, though. Once when I was the only foreigner on a bus that kept breaking down in Bali, we pulled over to the side of the road for a mechanic and a local on board who had some English ability came over to explain the situation to me. I got most of it already through context — the bus is broken, we are now off the bus, and a guy with a wrench is hammering away at it, we must wait — but it was nice that he made his way to me and ensured that I understood.

When I was standing in line to verify my address in Berlin , the lady handing out place numbers didn’t speak English (which is incredibly strange in this multicultural city, but that is neither here nor there). When I turned around and said, “can anyone bilingual help me out here?” someone immediately stepped out of line and translated.

This happens all the time, whether in Asia or Europe. Usually someone can speak at least a little bit and help out. This person is usually happy to find you and help if you take note of the pleasantries in the country, smile, remain calm and respectful, and are trying all that you can.

It’s easier than it seems to travel somewhere new without knowing the language. Put yourself out there, and you never know what you might learn and who you might meet.

READ NEXT: How to Solo Travel

Do you have tips to add? Join the discussion in the comments below. 

About Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

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Ashley says

08/11/2015 at 3:50 pm

You are so right. I always feel uncomfortable traveling to a country when I don’t speak the language because I have it in my head that I’m inconveniencing the locals. This thought is, of course, ridiculous. So long as you’re polite and well meaning, someone will help you. Hitchhiking is another story though! How do you do it when you can’t tell your story and communicate with your transportation saviors?

Kristin says

08/12/2015 at 7:11 am

In the case that I hitchhiked in Java, I could speak about 13 words by then that I had picked up through context. The guys who picked me up could speak about the same of English. We spent that ride mainly laughing over our attempts to communicate. It turned into a fun ride despite our inability to speak in full sentences to each other.

08/11/2015 at 3:56 pm

This was my biggest fear when I started travelling, my first foreign language country was Malaysia and I was so surprised to find that most of the people I asked for directions spoke fluent English and in the three weeks of (constantly) getting lost only two people didn’t speak English but were able to help me out anyway

08/12/2015 at 7:10 am

Former English colony so, yep, more likely to find English spoken in such places. Malaysia’s a good place to start out!

Amanda | Chasing My Sunshine says

08/11/2015 at 7:05 pm

I have this dream of being awesome at languages, but I have this unfortunate problem with saying every word in another language in an Italian accent. I blame it on my semester studying in Rome and focusing so intently on not sounding SO much like an American. I get anxious about speaking another language to somebody, but I love the pocket phrase books or pamphlets. Even if you can’t pronounce it, that way I can at least have it in my back pocket for desperate pointing! I always try first, but it’s a nice safety blanket.

08/12/2015 at 7:13 am

Speaking in another language is somewhat stressful in the beginning, when I’m brand new. Or, if I’ve convinced the person with my casual lingo than I know more than I do. Usually I just laugh and say, “K that’s all I know, can we switch to English now?”

If we can’t then yes, point and shrug!

Katie @ Katie Wanders says

08/12/2015 at 7:39 am

What a great post, I love the point and shrug method hah! Comforting to know you can get by with a smile 😉 Are there any apps you can recommend for traveling and language barriers? Dictionaries or translators of sorts?

08/12/2015 at 9:23 am

I usually use Google Translate but am testing out some language learning services because I have the same question. Which ones are good? Will let you know when I find a winner.

08/12/2015 at 12:03 pm

Hi I am 26 yrs old and I been reading your stories I am in the process of saving money to leave Texas and travel through Asia. I love your stories some have even made me cry *tears of joy* lol Good luck!

08/12/2015 at 1:57 pm

Hi Hilda! I was the same age when I started traveling through Asia. It’s a great way to spend your late 20s and evaluate life thus far while making goals for the future. So glad you enjoy reading and thanks so much for your kind comment!

08/15/2015 at 8:35 pm

Just so you know, the Tibetan Automanous Region refers specifially to 西藏自治区 with Lhasa as it capital, a seperate politcal entity in China from Tibetan automanous countires outside of the province of Tibet.

Made me think for a second that there actually was a hostel run by Californians in Lhasa.

08/20/2015 at 5:50 pm

The Tibetan Autonomuos Prefecture includes parts of Sichuan province, including Garze, which is what I’m referring to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_prefectures_of_China

Heather says

08/18/2015 at 8:55 pm

Yup, language barriers are far from insurmountable. If all else fails, traveler charades gets the job done!

08/20/2015 at 5:45 pm

I do love a good game of charades

Brooke of PassportCouture says

08/20/2015 at 5:42 pm

Although I agree that knowing a few phrases is helpful, but there have plenty of times where I get teased for not pronouncing it correctly. I find that just using what I know, even if I get made fun of on occasion, and finding ways to mimic things to help communicate can get me where I want to go. Traveling and not understanding the language is a good reminder to help someone else when they’re in your country and not familiar with the language spoken there. Being patient and helping others will make you feel much better about someone who helps you when you are lost!

08/20/2015 at 5:43 pm

The teasing is all the more reason to come across as endearing. Better to try and mispronounce than to not try at all, I think.

08/20/2015 at 5:47 pm

Yep – body language is a great way to communicate!

Karianne says

08/23/2015 at 10:20 am

This was a big concern for me last year, before we set off on our trip around SE Asia. We knew that some places would be fine… Thailand, Singapore…. however, we had planned on spending a month in Indonesia and visiting some quite off beat places. And I had been advised that Indonesia would be the biggest challenge for us in terms of the language barrier.

Our friends even bought us a ‘Point It’ book – so that when we (inevitably) got stuck, we could just point at pictures. We didn’t need it!

I learnt basic Indonesian. I coud say hello, goodbye, please to meet you, count to 100, ask for directions (and understand the reply), read menus and tell people a little bit about myself. There are some great online resources for language learning! This helped a lot, especially when it came to negotiating prices with taxi drivers and knowing what we were going to eat!

However, even when we didn’t speak the language, or couldn;t say what we needed to, we managed! While driving around Langkawi, Indonesia we got a puncture…. we managed to push our bike to a local cafe, where no one spoke any English and despite Bahasa Malaysia being relatively similar to Bahasa Indonesia, I had no idea how to explain it! However, as you said, context explains a lot – they knew we needed help!

The cafe owner hopped on our bike, drove it (they have experience of driving with a flat tyre on bumpy roads!!) to the local mechanic and within an hour, we had a new tyre and were on our way — having made some new friends!

There were a number of times when there were communication barriers – but this never stopped us doing anything. Next time, we wouldn’t be concerned about it at all!

08/24/2015 at 8:33 am

Malaysians are so friendly and helpful. I had the same thing happen in Borneo and the locals were happy to drop what they were doing to help out. Just amazing.

Bahasa is the language I picked up the most of during my travels, too! I found it was easier to learn as it wasn’t tonal and words are written with the alphabet. It really helps a lot to know foods.

Stephen Garone says

08/29/2015 at 12:10 pm

My first experience when I didn’t know the language was in an outdoor market in Budapest, where I ended up purchasing a chess set hand-carved by the gentleman selling it. With neither of us speaking the other’s tongue, we still managed to communicate and make an informative transaction. That was 20 years ago, and I still remember it fondly — and I still have the chess set.

09/10/2015 at 8:41 pm

What a beautiful story and memory! Sometimes those wordless interactions are the most memorable.

09/01/2015 at 11:31 pm

Love it! Just learning the simple phrases for ‘Hello’ and ‘Thankyou’ go a long way, like you said – it’s so nice when face lights up of the person you’re talking to – they really do appreciate the effort you’ve gone too. I also find at least knowing numbers 1 – 10 helps when trying to barter or pay for meals etc. When there’s a phrase I know I’m going to use lots – e.g. Can I buy a ticket to… – I look up how to say it and make sure I use it – the person then often repeats it back to me, with the correct pronunciation – so then I know how to say it properly next time! And most of the time, their English is better than your attempt at their language!

09/10/2015 at 4:19 pm

I love it when someone patiently corrects me, but clearly appreciates that I’m trying. People are like that way more often than they’re annoyed that I’ve said it wrong!

Cest La Vibe says

09/06/2015 at 10:43 pm

Get by on hand gestures and remember every single word that you learn for future use!

Jenny @ Till the Money Runs Out says

09/11/2015 at 8:42 am

Great tips! I always think that if I at least learn the word “thank you” and say it over and over while smiling and shrugging people will think, “well she may be dumb but at least she is polite!” I did have a great time in Prague a few years ago trying to use sign language to describe ‘baking soda’ in the grocery store to try and bake some cookies….Now that we travel with a smart phone and always get SIM cards in every new country we visit I sort of miss the wonderful awkward-ness of moments like that.

09/11/2015 at 5:50 pm

Haha I love that – may be dumb but at least polite! I’d rather appear that way than rude and intelligent when it comes to traveling, because that just says, “I dare you to try scamming me. I shall be your biggest and most rewarding challenge yet.”

09/29/2015 at 12:04 am

I just found your blog and I’m absolutely loving it! Got yourself a new follower here. As to the language question, I speak five languages which sounds pretty cool until you go to some weird Asian country where no one will care if you know Swedish or not 😀 I’d like to add that even people who don’t speak English might know some key words, like railway station or bus station. They also might be able to read Roman alphabet (not everyone, though), so sometimes when I’ve needed to find my hostel or something I’ve just written the address or a street name down on a piece of paper and then just shown it around. A smile goes a long way! Thanks for posting this, it would be cool to learn more about different hand gestures that vary by culture.

09/29/2015 at 6:01 am

Hi Elina. Thanks for your readership! I find ediplomat is helpful for learning gestures.

Hannah says

09/29/2015 at 12:41 pm

I love this article! I went to China in August with a friend, and neither of us spoke more than “ni hao” and “xie xie.” China is not a place where many people speak English, so it was rather difficult getting around. For the most part, it was a really great experience because it taught me all of the things mentioned in your article. The “point and shrug” method worked like a charm in most cases. We were also able to find someone who spoke at least a little English in most places. We always found someone willing to help. People who spoke English were more than willing to write down where I needed to go in Chinese characters so I could communicate with a taxi driver. I used the hotel concierge and language apps a lot too.

09/30/2015 at 1:18 am

That’s so great that you embraced the challenge of China rather than fighting it. I met two kinds of tourists there – people who loved the challenge and people who were incredibly frustrated by the lack of English and the radically different culture. I kept thinking, “yeah but that’s why you’re traveling, isn’t it?” It’s not a carefree, relaxed vacation type of place but it’s definitely special, and it’s great to know that you got by easily enough. I kept wondering to myself if China could be enjoyable for someone who can’t speak the language (I’m lucky that I’m conversational in Mandarin) so it’s great to know that the above methods worked for you there!

07/07/2016 at 8:16 am

Hi, I’m going to Sri Lanka, and I was just wondering if you could help me by giving me some tips or some websites about gestures in Sri Lanka? Thanksss 🙂

07/09/2016 at 8:30 am

Just don’t point or eat with your left hand and take a head waggle (from side to side) to mean “kind of, yes, okay”

08/21/2017 at 12:55 am

My brain does that too. It’s like, “we’re in foreign language mode now so we will just use the one we know” 😛

Daniel says

09/29/2019 at 8:54 am

Thank you so much for your amazing article.

The Awkward Traveller

How to Communicate Abroad: 8 Easy Tools to Use When You Don’t Speak the Language

I am a participant in affiliate programs, so basically I earn a small commission if you use any of the affiliate links on this post - at no extra cost to you! Dope right?

Let’s be real – unless you are a walking translator, there will be times when you visit a country and you don’t speak the language fluently. Or at all. So…what do you do? Thanks to technology, it’s perfectly possible to stay in your hotel room the entire time and order food without having to interact with strangers at all. But where’s the fun and adventure in that? If you want to learn how to communicate abroad when you don’t speak a lick of the local language, I have a few suggestions for ya!

Don’t you love when bloggers prove themselves useful?

Personally, I speak English as my primary language, and I am fluent in French. I am also learning Spanish and Japanese.

I’m equally terrible in all of them – especially speaking. So even if you technically know how to communicate abroad in your second/third/millionth language, things like accents, dialects, and slang can create a bit of a language barrier even if you are comfortable with that language at home.

So with all that said, I’ve put together this list of tools and resources that can help you communicate with others when you REALLY have no idea what anyone is saying – and they don’t know what you’re saying either.

Table of Contents

Attempt to Speak the Language

Okay, so this one might be a given, but honestly, it’s the bare minimum. If you are traveling, it definitely makes your life easier to learn the basics of the language of the country you are visiting. Even if you know NOTHING else, learning a few key phrases in the local language can help you immensely. Those phrases?

• Excuse me? (to get someone’s attention)
• Do you speak English? (or whatever language you speak)

Seriously. Just quickly look those up before you leave. Even if the local person knows your language, saying please and thank you in the local language can go a long way. People will be more open to helping you, or at least point you in the right direction to getting help.

I know it can be a little nerve-wracking to speak another language abroad, especially if you’re still in the beginning stages of learning, but trust me. The locals will not laugh or look down on you as long as you are earnest in trying.

Well, unless you’re in France. But I digress.

The Phrasebook App

If you really want to learn how to communicate abroad efficiently, you’ll have to up your app game. One of the easiest, in my opinion, is the Phrasebook App. Google Translate is a staple too, but I’ll talk about that one later.

The Phrasebook app is a great way to learn some key basics (see above), but can also be used to get your point across by having the app speak for you. You just plug in what you need it to say and it’ll spit it out what you need it to say. Easy, right?

It is available for the following languages: German, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Russian, Thai, Turkish, Vietnamese, Greek, Arabic, Indonesian, Dutch, Hindi

You just download the language package and then you can use it offline . The offline aspect is a gamechanger, truly. Very convenient for traveling or when you are planning on meeting foreigners in your own country. The downside is that it doesn’t have EVERY language, but if you happen to go to a country that speaks one of the listed above, you’re gucci!

Use Gestures

They don’t call hands your extra mouths for nothing.

Actually, I don’t know if anyone says that.

But it’s true! If you want to get better at communicating with others who don’t speak the same language, practice playing charades. Sometimes, your hands will be your only method for communicating abroad.

If you are looking for a restaurant, act like you are eating and drinking. Or if you’re looking for the airport or subway station, maybe make mimic a plane or train. Just…try not to be obscene when miming for a toilet. People usually understand basic gestures. If you know sign language, even just a bit, many words can be loosely interpreted by people who may not even know sign.

DRAW A PICTURE

And if gestures aren’t enough, draw a picture. For that reason having a pen and paper at hand can be very helpful. Using pictures to communicate abroad bysteps the language barrier part on your end, though then whoever you’re talking to will need to know how to respond, which can be tricky if they can’t just point you in the right direction. But it’s something!

However, it can be hard to always carry around a pen and paper, especially if you need something unexpectedly. So what do you do?

Use your notes app and draw in that with your finger.

If you’re terrible at gesturing, like I am, then this will be much easier. However, if you’re terrible at drawing, like I also am, then you might need a few other tools in your arsenal.

COMMUNICATE THROUGH PICTURES

If you aren’t great at drawing pictures, what about WEARING pictures? It may seem a little cheesy to just carry around a little picture book, but you won’t feel cheesy when it actually helps you find a taxi when you’re lost in the middle of downtown and your phone is dead and all the shops have closed for the day.

Probably the best little travel booklet for this is “ The Wordless Travel Book .” It’s literally just a book of common travel icons like the bank, restaurants, train stations, etc. It’s super easy to tuck into your day bag, though I wouldn’t recommend getting it as an ebook because the pictures can be hard to see on a small screen and you can’t really zoom in. Plus, yanno, aside from using it to communicate abroad, a lot of people with aphasia find it helpful as well.

The other option is to literally wear a tshirt with the same icons on it and you can just point to whatever you’re asking for! Super easy AND you don’t have to rummage through your bag to get it! The best one I’ve seen is the Iconspeak T-shirt !

Use Google Translate

When all else fails, Daddy Google will always be there.

When it comes to trying to communicate abroad, the Google Translate App will come in CLUTCH. Similar to Phrasebook, with Google Translate you are also able to download a language to use the translation feature (highly recommend). That said, I do feel as though in some languages, the wording is a bit…off? But whoever you are talking to will get the gist of what you’re trying to say or ask.

Google Translate can use 52 languages offline, but one of the best features I’ve found for this app is the camera translation! Meaning you can use the app to take a picture of something (a sign, menu, instructions, ect) written in another language and the app will translate the words for you!

IT IS MAGIC.

Well. It’s technology. BUT STILL.

I will say that the camera feature doesn’t work perfectly for ALL languages (whew, it had a ROUGH time with Chinese), buuuut it’s better than nothing!

Pocket Translators!

Similar to Google Translate, sometimes it’s easier to just say something! Plus, if you’re trying to get your point across to a taxi driver, they can’t really just take their eyes off the road to try to squint in the backseat at your tiny little phone screen to see a rough translation of what you want to say. It’s a great tool to communicate abroad.

There’s a TONNNNN of pocket translators out there, and I’m sure a lot of them are great! I personally bought the Cheetah CM Smart Instant Language Translator and it worked really well. The battery was fantastic and fully supports 42 languages with super accurate translations.

The only con is that it requires WiFi. That said, I always travel with my KeepGo pocket WiFi so that’s not really an issue because I always have access to WiFi abroad, but definitely something to keep in mind for your own situation.

Save an Album on Your Phone

Sometimes…you really won’t be able to find that perfect translation or icon to point out what you are asking when you want to communicate abroad. I usually run into this problem when I’m looking for something super specific, liiiike a certain small local business I saw on Instagram and my navigation app can’t QUITE find the correct address. Or food trucks.

It always happens with food trucks.

What I do in this instance is take a photo or screenshot of the things I want to find when I am in that country and put them into an album on my phone. That way when I randomly wandering around a neighborhood like a lost puppy, I can show someone EXACTLY what I’m asking for. This happened to me in Singapore when I was looking for a specific little restaurant in a HUGE multi-level building. Although the person spoke English, I didn’t know the NAME of the spot, so by having a picture, they could tell me exactly where to find it.

It also helps if you’re taking the subway or something and you want to know which stop to get off at for the zoo (for example). Show them a picture of the zoo and point to the stop you think it’s at. Super simple way to communicate abroad!

How to Communicate Abroad: Conclusion

Thanks for reading everyone! Hopefully you’ve found at least one or two new methods to help you communicate abroad more effectively. Do you have any tips to help others communicate abroad when they don’t speak the language? Drop your gems in the comments below!

Have you ever used one of my methods above? Let me know how it went for you!

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10 Ways to Survive Without Speaking The Local Language in Any Country

By architi batra, updated - may 9, 2024 9 min read.

Language seems to be the biggest challenge when traveling to any non-English speaking country. Though we have Google to translate in a second whatever we want, some tips are always helpful. You can't always be on your phone translating each and every line in a conversation. The problem is real and the solutions are less. There could be a lot of build up tension and stress which does not let you break the communication barrier. A potentially surprising chance could turn into an unpleasant encounter with someone just on the basis of how you put yourself forward to communicate. For any traveler, the best stories come from what is unplanned and in this case, without knowing how to work your way around any foreign country you would be stuck in your cocoon fearing to venture into the unknown. Because you never know what could happen, what you understand and what the other person means could be two entirely different things that could lead to a lot of trouble. So, to make it a little easy for you, we have discovered 10 best tips on ways to survive in any country without speaking the local language.

1. Pointing Rather Than Speaking

2. Maths Stays The Same All Over The Globe

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4. Language Translators - If You Use Them Right

5. Carry A PhraseBook

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6. Collect All the Business Cards And Brochures

7. Be Firm With What You Want And Don't Hesitate In Saying No

8. Let Your Body Do The Talking

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9. Book A Tour

10. Use Your Smartphone Camera To Record Your Route

Be polite, relax, smile and know how to use your resources properly. This would help you in a long run wherever you travel.

Q.1. Which is the most universally known language? A. The 10 most spoken languages in the world are -      1. Chinese     2. Spanish     3. English     4. Hindi     5. Arabic     6. Portugese     7. Bengali     8. Russian     9. Japanese     10. Punjabi

Q.2 Does all of India speak Hindi? A.  Most of the languages have many things in common and Hindi is no different than other languages. There are many states in Southern and North Eastern India where the majority of the population do not know Hindi. Other than Hindi they can either speak their regional language or English or both.

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9 Surprising Foreign Destinations Where You Don’t Need to Speak the Language

See recent posts by Claire Shefchik

Learning a foreign language can be a rewarding experience, allowing you to communicate and befriend folks of different cultures while you travel the globe. Trying to communicate with someone in a language you don't understand when all you want is a train ticket or an extra pillow, however, can be stressful and downright frustrating. Luckily, your options extend beyond solely England , if you don't feel like stumbling over an unfamiliar local language, but still want to sip exotic cocktails whose ingredients you can confidently inquire about. Many people -- expats and locals -- living in some of the world's most far-flung foreign destinations converse in English -- and do it well, at that. Here, nine that might just surprise you.

Home to more than one billion people, this is the second most populous country in the world. It is also (naturally) home to a mind-blowing array of native languages, including Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Bengali, and more. Given this diversity, it’s not surprising that English has become a lingua franca. Indians picked up English from the colonizing Brits and continued to use it even after India gained its independence. The country has an overwhelming amount to offer travelers, from mountains in the northeast to stunning beaches in Goa to the dizzying cityscapes in New Delhi .

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10 language immersion strategies for your next trip abroad

Language immersion benefits include being prepared for real life situations, being more aware of the culture, and being more comfortable with using the language. Keep reading for 10 ways to learn a new language through immersion without breaking the bank.

Gabrielle Budget Travel With Gabby

Sep 05, 2023

It is often said that the best way to learn a language is to visit the country where that language is spoken. From personal experience, I can say that is true.

Studying a language in school is great because you learn lots of vocabulary and grammar. You'll become proficient in reading and writing in the language with a lot of practice, and you'll eventually ace your tests.

But regardless of how well you know the language on paper, you still may struggle to apply what you know to a real-life situation.

What is immersion language learning?

Language immersion is basically just surrounding yourself with the language as much as possible . 

You can do this in a variety of ways. You can learn a language while traveling by immersing yourself in the local culture of a country where that language is spoken, you can visit a school or community where that language is spoken in your home country, or you can go to a language immersion school. 

In any of these language immersion methods, you will be constantly hearing, seeing, and speaking that language . 

Some language immersion schools make sure that their students are using and hearing the second language for at least 50% of the time during a class, so it is possible to engage in language immersion methods without traveling.

Why does immersion help you learn a foreign language?

Language immersion is a much more intense and realistic way of learning a second language. Not only are you reading and writing in that language, but you are conversing in it, listening to music, watching TV and movies, and even thinking in it.

You are completely surrounded by the language and that helps your brain adapt to the language faster than just taking a standard class. It is a more dynamic way of learning that uses many methods and allows students to be more creative with their language learning process.

Language immersion benefits include being prepared for real life situations, being more aware of the culture, and being more comfortable with using the language.

Sometimes learning complex grammar and advanced vocabulary helps students get top marks on assessments, but it doesn't always prepare them for real life. Most people's goal for learning a new language is to be able to use it in real life, so why not learn things that will actually be useful?

Immersion is good for learning a language because students can put themselves in a position that mimics that of real life . 

If you visit a new country, you are surrounded by the language but also the culture. Language immersion covers not only vocabulary and grammar, but also cultural tips, history, art, and all aspects of a language. 

Sometimes understanding the background and culture of a language helps make things seem more relatable and significant.

My language immersion experience

In my experience, I studied Spanish in high school for four years. I got really good grades and did really well in memorizing vocabulary. I could read and write very well in Spanish, so when I went to university I signed up to take Spanish again.

I thought I would be placed in an intermediate level since I studied for four years already. But to evaluate our language speaking abilities, we had to converse with a native speaker for about 10-15 minutes. Even though I could read and write in Spanish well, I really struggled when trying to carry out a conversation. I ended up being placed back in beginner level Spanish.

I was a bit confused at first. I have studied for years and worked so hard, yet I could still barely speak Spanish. Why was that?!

In high school classes, I was not immersed in the language enough. We took tests, looked at flashcards, played vocabulary games, and it was fun but it was not intense enough for me to learn how to speak in a conversation.

While I took my beginner-level Spanish class in university, I decided I needed to make more of an effort to immerse myself in the language. I took two trips to Spain that year so I could be in and around the language all day. I was amazed at how much more confident I felt speaking the language when I forced myself out of my comfort zone and into the thick of it.

I had to open my mouth and talk if I wanted to accomplish anything in Spain. I had to conjugate verbs in my head and be confident. If I didn't know the word for something, I had to describe it using other words until my point was clear. It was scary at first but once I got over the fear of putting myself out there, it got easier.

I was so happy with my progress in Spain that the next year I wanted to improve my Spanish even more. After discovering that I could learn Spanish for free while traveling the world , I booked a flight to Ecuador and spent the next two months there and in Peru doing work exchanges with Worldpackers . 

Most of the places I volunteered were with locals who didn't speak much English, so again I had to force myself to speak Spanish all the time .

My conversational skills improved exponentially during this period. I actually felt that I learned more than I did in school during these two months in South America . 

Rather than learning new complex grammar and vocabulary that I would rarely use and getting tested on it, I was practicing everyday conversation and getting more comfortable with what I already knew.

I realized that when you immerse yourself in the language and actually live with native speakers, some of the pressure to be perfect is lifted.

In a classroom, you are graded on your knowledge and expected to perform in a certain way. In real life, people don't care if you make mistakes or use basic grammar instead of advanced grammar as long as they can understand you. I have more success using the same easy verbs over and over rather than struggling to remember complicated verbs.

So the best thing I ever did for my Spanish speaking skills was travel. When I immersed myself in Ecuadorian culture  and visited Peru through a Worldpackers work exchange program , I surrounded myself with Spanish every single day, and I had no choice but to improve.

I suggest you to read these tips about learning Spanish on your own while traveling .

10 language immersion strategies to use while abroad

You don't have to enroll in one of the many expensive language immersion schools to learn a new language. Probably the best, and cheapest way to learn a language is to travel there and surround yourself with locals . 

With all the budget airfare and volunteer experiences abroad , traveling has never been cheaper. If you can live and work with locals, that is even better than staying in tourist accommodation. But as long as you are in the country, and making an effort to learn, your language skills will improve immensely.

These language immersion strategies to use while abroad are simple and straightforward . I use all of these when I practice Spanish abroad, and they can apply to any language or country. 

The best part of these language immersion hacks is that they won't break the bank . Most of these strategies are mental, and they take perseverance and practice but they don't cost any money.

10 tried-and-true language immersion methods:

1. don't be afraid to make mistakes, 2. learn about the culture, 3. listen to music and watch movies, 4. read in the language, 5. practice every day, 6. translate in your head whenever possible, 7. figure out what helps you learn, 8. keep a journal, 9. ask questions, 10. try a worldpackers experience.

This is probably the most importation language immersion strategy . 

Many people are afraid to use what they have learned in school in real life because they are afraid to make mistakes. Messing up in a classroom isn't a big deal because everyone is a beginner, but messing up in a local town can be scary. What will people say? Will they laugh at you? What will people think of you?

In reality, people do not care one bit if you make a mistake speaking in their language . 

First of all, they will be appreciative that you are even trying. It looks a bit ignorant to visit a foreign country and only use English. Locals will respect that you are attempting to use their language, and they will most likely receive your attempts at conversation with a smile.

Sometimes, people will laugh at you if you make a ridiculous mistake, such as using an incorrect word that makes the sentence comical. This has happened to me countless times, and the best thing to do is just laugh at yourself too. 

Learning a language doesn't have to be stressful ! If you mess up, laugh it off and try again. Most locals will help you locate the right words and correct you respectfully, so take the pressure off yourself to be perfect and just go for it.

Learning about the local culture is a huge part of starting a new language. Sometimes you will learn specific words about the culture, and sometimes culture will just help provide context for some words. 

History, culture and language all go hand in hand, so you want to learn about all three to truly master a new language . There are certain customs, mannerisms, and traditions that are linked to different languages, so you want to know as much as possible.

For example, I've visited five different Spanish speaking countries and there are different slang words in each one. The accents are different, and there are certain words associated with the culture that other countries might not have. 

Spaniards often say "vale" to mean "okay", Guatemalans often throw some Mayan terms in with their Spanish, and Argentinians have an extremely unique accent. The local word for "avocado" changes from country to country. 

Regardless of my Spanish speaking level, I always have to try to adapt to the local culture in different countries to really master the Spanish.

Also, you may like: How long does it take to learn a language?

Expanding your practice with a new language into the arts is a great way to continue your language learning . 

You may feel a bit burnt out practicing the language all day every day, so allowing yourself to just sit back and be entertained can give you a nice break. But although it may seem like you're not practicing, your brain will still be working to understand the lyrics of a song and the dialogue of movie characters.

While traveling, spend your long bus rides listening to music in the language you are trying to learn. Find songs that intrigue you and let them play into your ears. The first few times you listen to a song, don't bother trying to translate and just relax. Feel the music, enjoy the way it sounds, and over time you'll find that you subconsciously try to translate. 

Listening to Spanish music is one of my favorite methods of practicing the language. It is a low-pressure way to practice; it is all in your head and it is quite fun to try and understand the lyrics.

The same goes for movies and TV shows. One of the hardest parts of learning a new language is understanding the locals because sometimes that speak fast and have distinct dialects. 

Watching movies and trying to understand the dialogue is a fun challenge. You don't have the pressure of having to respond; you can just listen and take it all in. If you really want to follow the movie without missing anything, put subtitles on and just hearing the foreign language will still give your brain a bit of a work out.

Similar to listening to music and watching movies, reading in the language helps keep your mind sharp . Pick books according to your language level and just keep the practice up. Even if that means reading a children's picture book, every bit of practice counts.

Read at any chance possible. If you are on a bus or train, read all the signs and advertisements and try to translate them. Read local menus, not English menus. Read street signs and billboards.

Language is all around us, so stay alert and constantly try to understand what you see. Sometimes you can even learn new words this way by understanding a sign through context.

Learning a new language is a skill. Just like any skill, such as learning an instrument or a sport, repetition is key. If you don't practice, you will lose your skills.

This is why spending a few weeks or more in a foreign country is amazing for language learning . In school, you maybe practice a few times a week in class, but in that country, you have to practice every single day. 

Whether you are traveling or studying at home, make an effort to keep practicing even when you don't have to. Set an alarm and dedicate at least one hour every day to practicing.

You can find language tests and games online, or you can practice one of the above methods like reading, listening to music or watching movies in the language. Practicing every single day may seem extreme, but if you truly want to improve or even become fluent, you have to do it. If you just want to maintain basic skills, that is fine and you don't have to be so strict with your practice.

But for those who have higher goals for themselves, you must practice every single day. Hold yourself accountable, and know that after you complete your daily hour of practice, you'll feel good about yourself.

This language immersion method won't happen straight away when you first start learning, but it will develop over time. 

As you become more proficient in the language, you'll start to translate things in your head. When you are speaking, of course, you have to translate in your head so you can have a conversation. But the more you commit yourself to learning the language, you'll find that you translate in your head even when you don't have to.

I noticed this after spending a few weeks in South America. Because I was working so hard to speak in Spanish all the time, I started constantly translating my own thoughts into Spanish. I didn't do it on purpose, but I realized that when I translate thoughts in my head, it became easier to translate sentences out loud. It is like subtle, involuntary language practice.

So if you can remember to do so, start translating in your head whenever possible. Even if you just to yourself, "I'm hungry" or "I'm tired" or "What should I do today?", try to translate those daily thoughts into the foreign language. This will prepare you for saying those phrases out loud.

Everyone learns differently. Some people are visual learners, who learn the best through slideshows, posters, reading, and any sort of visual tool. Some people are audio learners, who learn the best through listening to a teacher explain something, listening to music and any sort of audio tool. Some people are hands-on learners, who learn the best through practicing different exercises and applying the knowledge to something hands-on.

No matter what type of skill you are learning, find out what works best for you .

Notice which type of learning method helps you absorb and retain the most information. Some learning methods may bore you to death, and some may actually stimulate your brain and get you excited to learn.

When trying to learn a new language, it is important to incorporate all different types of learning methods so you can learn how to speak, read, write, and listen to people. But if a certain method of learning makes life easier for you, focus more on that method. 

You will have an easier time absorbing new material, and you won't get as frustrated when something doesn't stick in your mind.

Keeping a record of your progress is a helpful way to stay on track with your language immersion practice . There are a few different ways that you can write down your progress so you continue to feel motivated and positive about your learning experience.

First of all, you can record how often you practice. Keeping a practice log acts as a good incentive to practice every day and not skip any sessions. If you write down your practices and how long they last, you can visualize your schedule and stay on track. Then if you miss a practice, you'll see that gap in your schedule and feel motivated to pick back up strong the next day.

A journal can also be helpful for writing down difficult grammar and vocabulary. If you learn a new word or a new phrase, it is easy to forget it quickly if you don't use it consistently. But if you write down that new word in your journal right after you first learn it, it is there forever. You can constantly look back on your journal and refresh your memory with that newfound knowledge and make a mental note to continue practicing it.

One of the most important tips for learning a language through immersion is to ask questions! 

In a classroom setting, it is very easy to just raise your hand and ask your teacher a question. But when you are trying to learn a language through traveling or living in a foreign country, you don't have just one teacher waiting around to help you. Instead, you have to look at every single native speaker as your teacher.

When learning a new language, you will have countless new questions every day. The second you master something, you'll find there is even more to learn. When you start to question something, ask. 

Ask anyone, and ask them straight away. Don't wait for the question to slip away, just be confident and voice your thoughts. Locals will always be happy to explain things to you and help you learn their language.

Something it can feel intimidating to ask questions, but don't ever be afraid of looking silly or confused. The only way to truly learn is to admit when you are feeling lost and let others guide you. Whether it is asking for the meaning of a word, or asking how to say a certain phrase, or asking for clarification that what you said is correct, always be asking native speakers for help.

This tip is especially useful for when you're traveling and you don't understand people. Even if you are proficient in a foreign language, locals tend to speak very fast and sometimes have accents that are hard to understand. 

Rather than just guessing at what they said or pretending you understood, be honest. Ask them to repeat their sentence, or ask them to speak more slowly. Most of the time, locals don't mind repeating themselves if they know you are just learning and they want to help you on your journey.

If you are looking to have an immersive language learning experience abroad , a Worldpackers travel experience is an amazing way to do that. 

It allows you to travel, to live in a new country and stay with locals. If you want to truly learn a new language, living with native speakers is about as immersive as you can get.

Volunteering with Worldpackers makes traveling and living abroad very easy and affordable . 

If there is a specific language you want to learn or practice, you can just search for volunteer opportunities in that country. Then once you start messaging some hosts, you can mention that you want to learn the language. If you're a complete beginner, you may want to live with hosts who also speak your language so you aren't totally lost.

Also when searching for hosts on Worldpackers , use the filters on the side of the page to select hosts that offer language lessons during your stay. First, select the type of volunteer experience you want to have, and then you can see which opportunities offer language lessons as well.

Here are just a few examples: working on an eco-farm in Costa Rica , bartending in a hostel in Israel , working at a guesthouse reception desk in Malaysia , doing photography at a homestay in Senegal , or doing marketing for a school in India . 

At all of these places, you can enjoy free language lessons during your stay in exchange for your work . 

So if you are looking for an incredible language immersion experience that won't break the bank, Worldpackers is here to help!  

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Gabrielle Boucher

Budget Travel With Gabby

Hello! I am a 25 year old from the USA with a knack for traveling on a budget. I fell in love with traveling while studying in Europe, and that love grew even more when I started volunteering abroad in South America. Since then, I've worked odd jobs and volunteered all over the globe while cultivating passions for hiking, wildlife photography, food, wine, animals, permaculture, and more!

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Write here your questions and greetings to the author

Mar 10, 2020

Gabrielle, I really appreciate all of your tips in the text. I've already started practicing at home, I'll travel next month.

Mar 19, 2020

I can speak and writing in English only because I did that things you just mentioned Of course it's not perfect but I can comunicate my self with anyone Next friday I'll be in my first worldpackers experience and I'm sure that all this tips are going to help me

It's a great way to see the world and experience local culture without breaking the bank. Living with a family or a group of friends who are fluent in the target language is the next best thing to being immersed in the culture 24/7.

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The Complete Beginner’s Guide to International Travel

So you’ve decided to travel internationally, have you? Traveling to another country is something I wish for everyone to experience at least once in a lifetime.

Unfortunately, not everyone has the privilege to do so. But for those of us with passports that allow us such opportunity, it’d be a shame to never explore an international destination in our great, big, beautiful world !

It might seem a bit scary to take your first international trip, but I promise it’s not that bad. To help you, I’ve put together this thorough guide on everything you need to know in order to have a successful international trip ! Let’s get straight to it.

Before You Depart for Your Trip

There’s quite a bit to get ready before your international trip. But, don’t worry. It’s all doable, and it’ll all be worth it!

Apply for a Passport

First things first. In order to travel internationally, you’ll need to have a valid, unexpired passport . On top of that, many countries require you to also have at least three or even six months validity left on your passport from your date of travel. So, if you don’t have a valid, unexpired passport or your passport is expiring in three to six months, it’s time to get a new passport before your trip. This process can take a couple months! So plan ahead, and submit your passport request early to save yourself stress and/or expediting fees closer to your departure date.

If this is your very first passport, your last passport was from when you were under 16 years old, your previous passport was lost, stolen, or damaged, or your last passport was from 15 or more years ago, you will need to apply for your passport in person. Here are the official steps for the new passport process .

If the above doesn’t apply to you, you simply have to renew your passport. You can do this via mail. Here are the official steps for the renewal process .

Choose Your International Destination

Yipee! Now that you’ve either already got your passport or have applied for a new one, you can choose your international travel destination. This is largely based on your own interests. But as this is your first trip internationally, keep in mind things like language, similarity in culture to back home, and ease of travel-related infrastructures (like trains or buses).

Apply for Any Visa(s)

Once you have chosen your destination(s), check whether you need visas or not . A visa is basically permission from a foreign government for you to be in their country. Some countries may grant you a free visa upon arrival with a simple stamp on your passport. Some countries simply require you to fill out a form online and pay a small fee before you can board your flight. And some countries require expensive visas which you must apply for months in advance. It all depends on that country you are visiting, your passport country, and how long you plan to stay. I love using Travisa ‘s free search tool to quickly and easily check what requirements exist for me before I book a flight. 

Get Any Necessary Vaccines

Before confirming your destination, you should check if any vaccines are necessary for that place. Some vaccines are simply recommended for your own health, while others are requirements before you will be allowed into the country , or even allowed into other countries afterwards (like yellow fever). The CDC website is an easy way to check this. Some vaccines, like yellow fever, are low in supply and hard to get last minute. Others, like malaria pills, require a doctor’s prescription. So don’t leave this step until the last minute !

Check Travel Restrictions

Lastly, make sure there are no travel restrictions or decision-altering political tensions for your destination. Do this by checking the Travel Department site . Simply type in your destination country’s name into the search bar on the left hand side of the screen. 

Preparing Your Finances

Now that your passport is on its way and you’ve settled on your international travel destination(s), it’s time to start thinking about finances.

Some destinations are very credit card friendly. Others operate on only cash and debit cards. And some don’t even have ATM machines! So you’ll need to do a bit of planning before departure to make sure you’re not stressing during your trip, and to save yourself transaction fees.

Get a No Fees Credit Card

Most banks charge a 3% fee every time you use your credit card to pay for a foreign transaction. As you can imagine, this adds up to a lot over the course of even a one week international trip. The good news is, many banks offer credit cards without foreign transaction fees . Do a quick internet search to see if your bank offers such a card. 

Get a No Fees Debit Card

Most banks charge a 3% fee and $5 each time you withdraw foreign currency from an ATM. Especially if you are traveling to a mostly-cash destination, this is a surefire way to rack up unnecessary travel costs. To avoid this, consider opening a free brokerage account with Charles Schwab to also receive their debit card with zero transaction fees . I first heard about this card when moving to London to study abroad, and I have to say it’s served me well. 

Get Foreign Currency Beforehand

Sometimes, but not often, it’s necessary to have cash in your destination’s currency either before you depart home or right when landing . This might be because your destination does not have ATMs, or because you just want to feel prepared.

If you need foreign cash before leaving home, head to your local bank and exchange currencies. (Just FYI, you’ll get a bad conversion rate doing this, since the bank needs to make commission.) If the currency you need isn’t a common one, your bank won’t have it on hand. In that case, you’ll have to request the exchange online with your bank. 

Many countries that don’t have ATMs also don’t allow their currency to be taken outside their country (like Cuba). In this case, you’ll need to bring enough cash with you in a common currency (like USD, GBP, or Euro). Then, when you arrive at your destination’s airport, you can exchange your cash from home for the local currency.

Sign Up for Airline Rewards Programs

You might already know this if you fly domestically, but most airlines have rewards programs. These allow you to accumulate “miles” in your rewards account each time you fly. Eventually, you might rack up enough to redeem those miles in exchange for a flight !

Consider Travel Hacking

Now, some people use airlines rewards programs and racking up miles on steroids, and this is called travel hacking. Many airlines and banks offer huge amounts of miles when you sign up for a card, or offer miles every time you use that card for a purchase. This allows you to rack up enough miles for a free flight or hotel stay more quickly (or sometimes immediately!). I personally have no energy for travel hacking, as I’m not convinced the miles rewards are worth more in dollars than my current card’s cash reward system. But I would be amiss to not mention travel hacking in a guide to international travel.

Planning Your International Trip

Phew! Now that you’ve got all the annoying administrative work out of the way, it’s time for the fun stuff; planning your trip .

I have a whole ten-step guide to planning a trip , so I won’t go into too much detail here. But this can be broken down into planning out your travel itinerary, booking your flight, and booking your accommodation.

Create Your Dream Itinerary

Decide everything you want to see in that destination. I love using Pinterest , Instagram , and travel blogs for inspiration. This is my favorite part of planning a trip , because it gets me so excited about what’s to come! Then, figure out how many days each spot deserves if you are moving around, and figure out how to get from point A to point B (train, cab, ferry?). 

Book Your Flight

After you’ve decided how many days you need, you can decide what your travel dates are and start looking for a flight. You can sometimes find good deals really close to the date, but that isn’t guaranteed. I recommend not leaving this until the last minute! I go into more detail how I search for cheap flights in my trip planning guide .

Book Your Housing

Once you have your flight booked, all that’s left is your housing. I love using Booking.com because of its interface, but any hotel search engine will suffice. Also consider AirBnB if you like the idea of staying in a local apartment, or Hostelworld if you’re looking for a social (and often budget-friendly) option. I go into more detail on different types of travel accommodation in my trip planning guide .

Here are some discounts if it’s your first time using AirBnB or Booking.com:

• Save 15% off your first booking by using this link  to sign up for AirBnB for the first time.
• Get  10% back  from your first booking when you use this link  for your first time using Booking.com.

Preparing for Departure

Woohoo! You’ve got your passport, your trip is planned, and all that’s left is to depart. There are a couple things you should do to best prepare for your upcoming international trip.

Scan the Front Page of Your Passport

Before leaving home, make a copy of the front page of your passport (the page with your picture). Either print it out or send it to yourself via email. In case your passport gets lost, stolen, or damaged during your international trip, this makes it easier to have your passport replaced abroad at an embassy.

Expect Cultural Differences

Every country or region has its own culture and norms, and that’s what makes traveling so great. In some places, like the US, it’s common to greet strangers “hello,” or for shop associates and waiters to be extra doting. In other places, like much of Europe, the slower cafe and restaurant culture means your waiter might not come to you unless beckoned. It’s almost seen as if the waiter is rushing you! Similarly, in Japan, it’s offensive to tip waiters, as it suggests their only incentive to do their job well is receiving your pocket change. No culture is right or wrong, but keep an open mind as you travel, and don’t assume something means the same as it does back home .

Prepare for Language Barriers

Many popular travel destinations have adopted English as a common language due to how many international tourists they receive. So, if you know English, chances are you’ll be fine getting around many travel destinations around the world. But it still doesn’t hurt to learn some basic words in your destination’s language .

Saying “hello” or “thank you” in a person’s mother tongue can go a long way in warming them up towards you. Learning common menu items or words on train station signs will also likely make your life easier and give you more confidence abroad. I love using the free version of Duolingo’s mobile app ( iOS and Android ) for a few weeks before I head somewhere new to learn a language’s basics. Alternatively, you could simply head to Google translate and jot down key words on a small piece of paper before you depart. Then, keep this paper handy while you’re out exploring for easy access.

What to Expect on an International Flight

Even if you’ve flown domestically before, flying internationally can be a whole different experience . Here are my top tips for flying internationally.

What to Pack in Your Carry On

Packing carry on luggage for an international trip is similar in many ways to for a domestic trip. The same rules apply with regards to liquid sizes and electronics. However, as international flights tend to naturally be longer than domestic flights, there are a few extra considerations.

Make sure you are comfortable. Bring your own favorite headphones instead of using the uncomfortable free or for sale ones on board the flight. Also bring an eye mask (and a neck pillow if you need that) so that you can try to sleep a bit. You’ll also want to pack clothing items like one pair of pajamas and one or two proper outfits, in case your luggage is lost or delayed . It would be super inconvenient to buy these things right after you land in a foreign country!

Common Flight Etiquette

No one likes flying. So to make it easier on everyone, here are some best practices for being polite while in the airport and on the plane.

• While in the airport, don’t stand up and crowd around the gate way before your boarding group is called. Everyone will get their chance to board.
• Once on the plane, the middle seat person gets dibs on the inner arm rests .
• Right after the plane lands, don’t rush to pull your luggage from the overhead before the plane doors have even opened (especially if you’re in the back of the plane!). If you’re in a rush to catch a connection you think you might miss, ask the flight attendants before landing if they can help you get off first. Sometimes they’ll make an announcement that everyone should stay seated until those about to miss a connection exit first!

Staying Healthy While Flying

The last thing you want is to get off your flight and feel unwell the first days of your epic trip! Here are precautions you should take to ensure you land in tip-top shape.

• Stay hydrated . Airplane air has less humidity (only about 10 – 20%!), so make sure you are drinking enough water, especially on long haul flights. I always bring a large, refillable water bottle when I fly. I fill it up at an airport water fountain right after passing security and finish it all before boarding. Then, I refill it again to have a full supply while on board. This is important not only for headaches and such, but also to prevent skin breakouts in the days after landing.
• Keep the blood flowing . Not only are you not moving for hours upon hours when flying internationally, but your feet are flat on the floor the entire time, too. This isn’t great for blood circulation, and can cause swelling in your ankles and feet the days after your land. (It’s also just not good for your health to not move!) So, make it a point to get up and walk around the plane. Since you’ll be drinking a lot of water anyways, maybe walk up and down the aisles for some minutes each time you finish using the toilets. Do some stretches , like pulling your feet up to your booty one at a time and holding, or lifting each knee up and holding. If you have a layover with enough time, walk around the terminal for some time before boarding your second flight.
• Stay clean . Even pre-Covid-19, planes and airports have never been the cleanest places to be. Wash your hands frequently with soap, use hand sanitizer , and consider disinfecting your food tray, screen, and arm rests right after getting on board. Make sure not to touch or pick your face too much, especially since it’s already dealing with the dehydrating air!

Flying with Dietary Restrictions

Airplane food is pretty much never great, especially if you aren’t flying first class. But if you’re on a particular diet or have dietary restrictions, you’ll need to plan ahead of time. Consider packing some of your favorite nutritious snacks instead of relying on the salty pretzels you can expect on board. If you have a specific need, like vegan meals, call the airline 24 hours before your flight to put in your request for a special meal . You might also want to double-check the meal request before take off at the gate.

Staying Safe While Traveling Internationally

While the world isn’t the big, bad, scary place we’re often made to believe, that doesn’t mean travel is free of risks.

A lot of the safety precautions and considerations you should take while traveling abroad are similar to those you take at home. But a few aren’t. Here are my main safety tips for international travel.

Solo Travel

By its very nature, traveling alone is more risky than traveling with a companion. Is it significantly more risky? I think not. But that’s not to say you shouldn’t take any extra precautions when traveling alone.

One precaution I take is to always let someone know where I am . If I have a full itinerary planned, I send my mom a summary of each city and accommodation I plan to stay at. If I’m doing something like a hike without any new friends I’ve met, I’ll let the front desk know my plans before I head out. I also try to be confident . Even if I don’t know where I’m going, I try to look like I do! If I need to look directions up on my phone, I might do it before leaving the hotel or shop or restaurant.

Another thing to remember is that traveling solo is not traveling alone . Especially if staying in hostels, you’ll meet other people traveling solo like you are, and you can do activities with them.

Solo Female Travel

Something my loved ones tell me often is how it’s so unsafe to travel alone as a woman. But the truth is, is it perfectly safe to be a woman anywhere in the world? Even when I’m in in the comfort of my home country, I rush to my car when in public garages at night, receive uncomfortable comments from strangers on the street, and face the potential of sexual harassment or even assault. Sexism exists everywhere, not just abroad. Of course, I do take extra precautions as a solo female traveler compared to a male solo traveler. But I also take extra precautions as a female in my home country, too.

These are some of the precautions I take while traveling as a woman, in addition to the precautions I take for traveling solo in general:

• I never walk alone past dark . Ever, ever. Even if I “feel” safe in a place (which is most of the time), it’s just something I’ve promised myself I wouldn’t do.
• I try to dress conservatively in certain destinations. Especially as a Californian, I’m used to super short shorts and low-cut shirts being totally normal. While these are still often acceptable abroad, they definitely cause a lot of stares that I personally have decided I’d rather avoid if I can. So, I’ll wear looser, longer shorts instead of tight short-shorts, or midi skirts and dresses instead of what I consider normal length. This isn’t so much because I feel unsafe, but because I’ve realized it decreases bothersome male comments and advances immensely.
• I haven’t actually done this yet, but it’s a trick I have in my back pocket. Bring a fake wedding ring . Depending on the destination, this can help ward off some comments (and even playful marriage proposals!).

Traveling as a Person of Color

Similar to the solar female travel issue, a lot of my family fear that I’ll stand out like a sore thumb as a black woman. Also similar to the solo female travel issue, racism is simply something that exists everywhere, not just abroad . Of course, I do take extra precautions as a black solo traveler compared to a white solo traveler. But I also take extra precautions as a black person in my home country, too.

The main extra consideration I take while traveling as a person of color is to research the experiences of other black people or black women in destinations I know less about , or that I know have few black people or tourists. I recommend you do the same for whatever race or ethnicity you might identify with, as destinations might be used to one group but not a different group. This, of course, can be difficult, as the voices in the travel sphere are mostly white men, and next white women. (This is why it’s important to have better representation.) If you can’t find the insight you need online, consider directly emailing or messaging any travel writers or influences whose experiences you’d like to hear.

Traveling with Cash and Valuables

Like you would in certain areas of your home country, don’t flash valuables while traveling. Be cognizant as you withdraw or exchange any cash . Being a tourist can make you a target already, so don’t give pickpockets any extra incentive!

Be careful not to carry all your cash and cards in one place. If you can, take some with you as you explore, and then leave back up cards, unneeded cash, and your passport back in a safe in your accommodation . That way, if anything gets stolen or lost while out exploring, you have back ups to hold you over.

Bring Locks for Hostels

If you are planning on staying in hostels, definitely purchase a lock before your trip. Hostels usually have lockers, but charge a couple bucks to rent a lock. It’s much more economical to purchase once and not pay each time.

Register with Your Country’s Embassy

This is a step I never usually did before, but one I’ll be doing every time in the future! I was “one of those” people who got stranded abroad in a foreign country when the world started closing borders in response to Covid-19. I always thought registering with the local embassy for my country was a waste of time, but this turned out to be the best way to get up-to-date information on the situation. After missing out on crucial info once, I signed up. And it’s thanks to that I was able to eventually get home!

You never know what could happen when you are abroad, whether that is a pandemic, weather-related disaster, local protests, or political tensions. It’s near-impossible to keep up with your foreign destination’s news while traveling. So registering with your embassy is an easy way to get a simple email for key things you should know . For Americans, this program to register is called the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) , but other countries have pretty much the same thing.

Get Travel Insurance

I’m not sure I believe “everyone” should “always” get travel insurance. But for a first trip abroad, it’s worth considering. I typically never purchased it when I traveled places I knew well. But these days, as I’m no longer on my parents’ good insurance, and as I travel mostly solo, I do purchase travel insurance. It often only costs a couple dollars a day , and usually covers lost baggage, medical visits for accidents or illnesses, theft, and more. Especially if you are planning adrenaline activities or traveling somewhere distant, you should consider it! 

What Do You Think About My International Travel Guide?

And there ya have it, folks! Are you feeling prepared for your international trip! I hope this guide was helpful. If you still have more questions before your trip abroad, definitely comment below and I’ll answer. Or, if you have any advice you think I missed that others should know, please also comment below!

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Further Reading...

The Beginner’s Guide to Staying in Hostels

Complete Guide to Flying RyanAir (& Not Getting Ripped-Off)

20 Trips to Take in Your 20s

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UPDATED! Japan Without Japanese: How To Travel In Japan When You Don’t Speak Japanese

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Seat reservations on shinkansen

Most shinkansen have both reserved and non-reserved seats in separate cars. Bilingual signs indicate whether a shinkansen car has reserved or non-reserved seating. Seat reservations can be made from one month before the date of travel until just before departure time.

They can be made at ticket counters at all major JR stations (any shinkansen can be reserved from any JR ticket office).

Some ticket vending machines with bilingual menus (Japanese/English) allow travellers to make seat reservations on shinkansen trains. However, Japan Rail Pass holders cannot use vending machines to make seat reservations.

Asking a policeman for assistance

Aside from their law-enforcement role , police in Japan also serve a community role. In cities especially, if you need directions then you can pop into a Koban (police box) and ask for directions , which they will gladly offer using probably using a map.

Pop your head around the door and try saying: " Sumimasen, michi o oshiete kudasai? " (" Excuse me, please can you tell me the way? ")

The police officer probably won't speak English, but they will be used to Japanese people regularly asking for directions, and they will quickly pull out a local area street map, often pasted onto a large board for ease of reference.

Pre-plan Key Travel Connections

Pre-planning key connections and booking accommodation in advance will make life a lot easier. It allows you to focus more on the experience, in the moment, instead of worrying about not knowing when your connecting train leaves.

Major train stations in Japan can be very, very, very large .

No, you think you know what a big train station looks like, but in Japan they can be massive. They sprawl underground, sometimes on multiple levels, making navigating your way around them even more challenging.

Some have grown and grown over the years, constantly being extended and added to. This can mean that they become labyrinths - even to the locals.

The best tip I can give you is to do what I do when your sense of direction fails you: use any exit to get above ground as soon as possible so you can get your bearings on local landmarks. You can then either continue to your destination exit over ground or try going back into the underworld and use your general sense of navigation to get you there.

Signs on JR Railways have station names in English

Asking locals for help

One general tip that applies particularly in the countryside is never be afraid to ask people you see on the street for help . Younger people are often good to ask as they are more likely to have a smattering of English (you'd be surprised how far you can get with them only knowing “ Yes ”, “ No ” and “ OK ”!).

Fellow Japanese travellers sympathetic to your plight will frequently come to your aid as well.

Need help planning your Japan trip? Visit my Japan Travel Store

The Japanese may generally be reserved but they can also be extremely helpful if you do ask for help or assistance. Particularly off the beaten track. Just remember to keep your tone and gestures modest. Loud voices and excessive gesticulating can alarm and put off some people.

It is possible to book activities and tours where you are guided by a local. Often by someone who does this sort of thing as a way to share their passion for local food and drink, history, culture, etc. Travel booking sites such as GetYourGuide and Viator both have a good selection of such guided tours.

Find your ideal Japan accommodation

Booking at least key accommodation in advance is advisable (unless your whole approach is to travel and see what you can find along the way.)

The large accommodation booking websites like Booking.com , Hotels.com , etc. can be great not least because of their size (and therefore the quantity of accommodation they cover), and because of their size they can often secure very favourable rates. Booking.com in particular has added a lot of more niche accommodation in Japan in recent years .

It’s also a good idea to look at some of the more specialist accommodation providers. 

This includes some that operate only in Japan, like:

• Jalan.net - for finding hotels and ryokan
• Japanese Guesthouses - a curated selection of ryokan
• HomeAway Asia for searching, exploring and booking vacation rentals in Japan

With these kinds of solutions you’re more likely to find the local, smaller and more traditional accommodation that you really should consider building into your trip. That would include staying in a ryokan (a traditional inn)  - the ultimate way to experience 'The Real Japan'.

FREE RESOURCE: My 9 Japanese Accommodation Hacks Checklist is well worth downloading. It’s free to subscribers (and can be found in the Resource Library if you’re already subscribed).

Using a Japanese phrasebook or app

If you want to make the effort to engage with the locals in their native tongue, take a trusty pocket language guide and/or phone app .

There are plenty of Japanese phrasebooks out there. The one you choose will largely depend on what you look for in a guide. Me? I still use my old Berlitz phrasebook and dictionary because it is small, well-organised and doesn't require charging or Wi-Fi.

RELATED: How To Choose The Best Japan Travel Guide Book

Depending on the program you ultimately choose , a host language course may be only one of several courses you take alongside other content courses taught in English. (That was the case for me when I studied abroad in Italy.) Just be sure to double check that the program you choose isn’t TAUGHT in the host country language -- though you most likely won’t get far in the application process without making that discovery. Having said that, here are a few tips for how to go abroad and feel both comfortable and safe in a country where you don’t speak the language:

• Take the initiative, and learn the basics It’s easy to learn a few basic phrases in order to prepare yourself for the country you’ll be calling home for the next few weeks or months. Some schools offer programs like Rosetta Stone for free, so check with your institution to determine if that option is available to you. There are also a few applications like Duolingo , that are free and can help you as you prepare to go abroad.
• Befriend locals Befriending locals is a great way to learn how to communicate in the local language! By doing so, you’ll not only make friends with people from other corners of the world, but you’ll have a real sense of where locals eat or shop for groceries, as well as learn their strategies on how to navigate the area.
• Ask previous study abroad participants or professors for tutoring recommendations If you ask around, there are likely many local tutors that can be recommended for you and some of your peers who are also hoping to gain language experience. When I moved to Japan, the program through which I taught English did not require Japanese language knowledge for its applicants. However, they offered plenty of opportunities for me to learn -- from pre-departure spoken language intensive reviews, to orientation sessions. Check with those who have gone before you to get an idea of what your options might be.
• Bring dual-language dictionaries or download language apps Once you’re on the ground, getting around can be difficult. Not only do you not speak the language, but to then try and make sense of a map, traffic signals and schedules can compound culture shock. Thankfully, there are smart phone apps like iTranslate that can help you communicate more effectively, should you choose to rely on technology. Otherwise, just go old school and pack a dictionary that’s small and easy to carry around.
• Be open minded and flexible Choosing to live in a country where you don’t speak the local language is definitely an admirable challenge. Know that your decision to pursue study abroad where you can’t communicate with others fluently may seem daunting, but embrace that decision and the community where you’ll be. If you’re staying with a host family, show them you’re interested in learning and ask to practice. If you’re in student housing, try to coordinate language exchanges with other students.

Regardless of what you ultimately choose to do, know that your efforts will only make you stronger. Not only will you develop language skills you never had before, but you’ll be enhancing your patience, cross-cultural communication, and problem-solving skills that can ultimately benefit you both personally and professionally.

Authored by: Trixie Cordova

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5 reasons why you need to speak the local language to live abroad.

Even if you’ve never lived in another country, you probably know someone — maybe a family member or friend — who decided to pack their bags and make a fresh start abroad. There are those who move for work or to study, and others who are simply looking for new opportunities. There are those who go on vacation and never come back, and others who move to be closer to loved ones. There are endless reasons to emigrate, but in the end, moving abroad (especially to a country where people don’t speak English) means being in situations that will undoubtedly test your patience. In these cases, having the ability to speak the local language will make a huge difference.

1. It’ll Make Getting A Visa Easier

Let’s start at the beginning: If you want to move permanently or live in another country for more than 6 months, you’ll constantly have to deal with consulates and visas. Even though English is spoken in many consulates, and a lot of the relevant information is often offered in English, forms and “small print” are usually exclusively in the local language. For example, in Germany, where about  60 percent of the population is proficient in English, the Foreign Office is notorious for having only German-speaking personnel. If you want to succeed in the first step of your move abroad, you’ll need to speak the local language.

Sure, you can always go to expensive agencies that take care of some of the paperwork beforehand, but once you get off the plane, you’ll have to handle things on your own (or hire an even more expensive translator). 

2. You’ll More Easily Adapt To Your New Home

Moving to another country is an experience that necessarily includes mixed feelings . On the one hand, there’s the excitement of a new place and of facing a new challenge. But on the other hand, many uncertainties have to be dealt with, as well as a nostalgia for what one left behind. Understanding and being understood is one of the best ways to adapt and cope with the first moments of change. Simple situations such as buying coffee in the morning, figuring out how to use the metro-ticket machine, or even trying to book a hotel room can be challenging. They might seem insignificant, but they will generate frustration if you don’t speak the language. Especially over time, these small irritations can build up to become a real burden.

Even in Europe (in countries such as Germany, France, Greece or Italy), English may not take you very far. To give you an everyday example: dealings with your landlord. In the nearly 8 years that I’ve been living abroad, I can tell you from personal experience that the level of English of most landlords is very low — they’re a generation that decided to invest their time in other things. They’re also the ones providing you with a service, so if you want to get a broken pipe fixed or internet installed, you’d better be able to communicate with them.

3. You’ll Be Able To Cut Through The Bureaucracy

The word “bureaucracy” refers to the set of procedures that must be followed to resolve administrative tasks — something every adult has to deal with at some point. If you already feel frustrated handling them in English, imagine talking to irritated civil servants and filling out paperwork in Russian, German or Turkish ! It’s not fun at all, and the only way you’ll get through it is by … speaking the local language.

Now, I’m not even talking about buying a house or setting up a business, but about basic things. This includes tasks like getting health insurance, registering your home address in a city, getting your tax information (and subsequently filing your taxes), acquiring license plates for your car, switching over your driver’s license, or simply opening a bank account. Pretty necessary, right? All of these will require speaking to (often bitter) locals and filling out documents in another language.

If you already feel  frustrated handling bureaucratic tasks in English, imagine talking to irritated civil servants and filling out paperwork in Russian, German or Turkish! It’s not fun at all, and the only way you’ll get through it is to speak the local language.

4. It’ll Aid You In Day-To-Day Complications

Here are two common situations that can easily make you panic when you’re in a place where you don’t speak the language. First, all those simple questions at the cash register: Do you need a bag? Will you pay with cash or by credit card? Do you have, or would you like to have a points card? Do you want to donate 1 cent to the abandoned kittens foundation? Every question adds another drop of sweat to your forehead. In the end, you pay and walk away thinking that you said everything wrong but you managed to get what you wanted. Hopefully.

Second situation: You managed to get an internet plan with unlimited calls to your country of origin for an incredible rate. When the first bill arrives, you realize that you’re being charged three times as much as you thought you would be. What now? Well, you have to call customer service to tell them the whole story of how you were so excited about the deal but now are being overcharged. While this scenario is specific, calling customer service for help or clarification is common for most people, but it’s more complicated in another country. Believe me, this scenario is one of those moments where being able to speak the local language really makes your life easier.

5. You’ll Be Able To Better Enjoy The Local Culture

Once you manage to master the local language, it’s as if your bonds with the locals are magically strengthened. Suddenly they begin to invite you to family dinners, to their uncle’s birthday or to their cousin’s wedding. It’s like they finally wanted you to experience their culture first-hand, which is just great! The only problem is that during most of these events, they tend to speak their own language. You’ll have to make an effort to understand, make yourself understood and still have a good time. It seems complicated, but when you have a command of the language, it finally flows naturally.

Planning a move to Germany? Babbel is partnered with Over the Ofek , which helps both people and companies with international employees moving to Germany with the entire relocation process. From getting a visa to registering your children in schools, Over the Ofek can help you adjust to your new home.

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How to Reach Fluency in a Foreign Language

Many language learners tend to focus on the written form first.

And don’t get me wrong: reading and writing in your target language is important!

However, you also don’t want to neglect the spoken form.

If your goal is to be more confident when conversing with native speakers of your target language, you’ll want to take note of the 10 best learning tactics to help you speak another language fluently.

1. Talk when you read and write.

2. watch movies with subtitles., 3. imitate native speakers., 4. think in your target language., 5. listen to local music and learn the lyrics., 6. read local literature., 7. find a language-learning buddy., 8. talk to a native speaker., 9. visit a place that uses your target language., 10. go further with dialects., and one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

You may have noticed that most lessons in grammar books have a review and practice section. Instead of writing out your answers as usual, you can take another approach: read them out loud.

Don’t be afraid to get silly! Try to mimic the accent of a native speaker while doing this. Once you get into an actual conversation, your knowledge of grammar and vocabulary will shine through. 

Movie subtitles may seem boring and distracting, but they can come in handy for listening to and learning native speech. 

To learn a spoken language through movie subtitles:

• Read the subtitles first. Take note of any words you don’t understand and look them up using your personal dictionary.
• Pronounce those words and try to get the accent right. If possible, use them in sentences where they make sense in context.
• Watch the movie again—without reading the subtitles this time. At this stage, you’ll want to understand as much of the speech as you can. 

Luckily, there are online programs that make these steps much easier by pairing authentic content with learning tools. Since these videos are intended for native speakers, you can listen to the way people really talk.

FluentU takes authentic videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.

You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app or Android app.

P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

Try FluentU for FREE!

Going off the last tip, you can take the “Pronounce” step a bit further. (I suggest doing this independent of the “Read/Pronounce/Watch” method, but if you can do both at the same time and it works for you, no problem!)

This time, you should:

• Pause the film frequently and imitate the speech. Listen to the way the actors pronounce the words and try to do the same.
• Once you feel confident in your pronunciation, stop pausing. Try to parrot back what the characters are saying at the same time!  This requires you to understand every word they say at each moment and spit it out quickly. 

Of course, this is going to feel awkward at first. But the more you do it, the more the sounds and syllables of a foreign tongue will start to feel natural to you.

It can be difficult to learn to speak another language fluently if you’re always mentally translating it into your native tongue. That’s why you want to train yourself to think in your target language as much as possible.

Some question prompts you can use for this exercise are:

• What are you going to buy at the grocery store?
• How do you ask the bus driver to drop you off at a certain destination?
• How do you close a business deal?

If you’re having a hard time thinking in your target language, don’t worry! Jot down what you’re having trouble with and look up some of the most common conversational phrases you should know.

If you listen closely to singers, you’ll notice how naturally their words flow. Songs are a great way to learn pronunciation and other aspects of language . Also, music is fun and helps you connect with the culture surrounding your target language.

Of course, you have to choose music with lyrics if you want to work on your fluency. Look up the lyrics online and try to sing along. Thanks to the Internet, you can find just about any song in any language—along with translations and romanized versions (if necessary).

Every country and culture has its masterful writers. Miguel de Cervantes wrote in Spanish , Italy has Dante Alighieri, Victor Hugo presented the sophistication of French expressions and the likes of Tolstoy and Dostoevsky revealed new dimensions of the Russian language.

It’s important to explore the literature written in the language you’re learning. For our purposes, though, you’ll want to circle back to Step 1 and  read these books out loud.

Even better, get into poetry because it teaches you about rhythm. However, I only recommend this if you already have an advanced grasp of your target language. Poetry is chock-full of turns of phrases, idioms and double/hidden meanings that even native speakers struggle with!

When you’re speaking out loud to yourself, it can be difficult to figure out what you’re doing wrong. You need feedback from a relatively objective third party to pinpoint exactly where you’re progressing and where you need to improve. That’s where a language-learning buddy comes in. 

If you know someone who’s also learning your target language, you can hit them up. Ideally, they should be at a more advanced level than you, but what’s important is that you have a real human being to talk to and exchange feedback with. You can also make plans and set goals together, increasing your level of accountability and keeping you on track to fluency.

Having a language-learning buddy is great, but having a native speaker to talk to can take your language learning to another level.

The best part is you don’t have to travel far (or even outside your house!) to find a native speaker. You can also check out language exchange apps such as:

Alternatively, you can download free language apps to your phone or take the best online language course that suits your level and budget . 

If you want to truly learn to speak another language, you have to understand the culture around it. You want to see and feel that culture from the inside out so that their idioms (among other things) will start to make sense.

Fortunately, most people are more than happy to help you brush up your language skills and teach you everything you need to know about navigating their geographical location and local customs.

Granted, traveling is an expensive endeavor. However, if you have the time and budget for it, the rewards can more than make up for the expensive plane tickets and accommodations. 

Once you become fluent in the standardized form of the language you’re learning, you can move on to dialects . Dig deeper into how people speak depending on where they come from. Try to learn words specific to those areas and pronounce them the way native speakers do.

All of the above methods have one thing in common: They’re really fun .

Try them all, and see which ones work best for you! With the right strategy, it’s only a matter of time before you become Fluent you.

If you dig the idea of learning on your own time from the comfort of your smart device with real-life authentic language content, you'll love using FluentU .

With FluentU, you'll learn real languages—as they're spoken by native speakers. FluentU has a wide variety of videos as you can see here:

FluentU App Browse Screen.

FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.

Didn't catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.

Interactive, dual-language subtitles.

You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentU's "learn mode." Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning.

FluentU Has Quizzes for Every Video

And FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. You get a truly personalized experience.

Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

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