Traveling to a new country can be both exciting and intimidating. While you’re in a new place, you might feel like a fish out of water – and not knowing the language can make things worse. Before you embark on your next journey, equip yourself with the latest language apps that will help you navigate the local culture with confidence. From pronunciation experts to phrase books, read on to discover how you can embrace the local culture like a true local.
1. Fun and Informative: An Overview of Language Apps
From Rosetta Stone to Busuu, modern language apps offer a range of features tailored to getting you speaking a new language in no time. Here’s a quick overview of some of the most recommended and popular language learning apps that could help you out on your language adventure!
Duolingo
This classic language app is renowned for its fun, bite-size learning sessions. Even if you don’t have much free time to dedicate to learning a language, Duolingo breaks the journey up into small, manageable steps. There’s also an extensive range of languages you can learn, from Spanish, French and German to Swedish, Turkish and Japanese.
Babbel
If you’re serious about learning a language, you’re likely to appreciate Babbel’s goal-based approach. There’s a range of topics to choose from, from business language to travel conversations. There are audio pronunciation lessons, conversation sessions, and quizzes to review key concepts, too.
Memrise
Memrise stands out for its focus on vocabulary. Through Memrise, you can get to grips with all the words and phrases you need to get speaking. It features a range of mnemonics and trivia related to the language you’re learning, making learning new words and phrases more engaging.
Busuu
Busuu includes a unique feature – you can have your written composition and pronunciation corrected by native speakers of your target language. There are over 150 lessons covering both the basics and more advanced topics, and you’ll get to practice using words and phrases with audio and writing exercises.
2. Mastering a New Language: The Benefits of Immersion
Achieving fluency in a foreign language is like unlocking all the secrets of a newly discovered continent – all of a sudden, new realms of thought, new cultural manifestations, and new ways of expressing oneself become available, and traversing the vast ocean of knowledge becomes exciting and almost effortless. However, how to get there might be unclear for most, and many are left wondering how to best approach the task.
Immersion: a Fast and Efficient Method
The immersion method is one of the most effective tools available for attaining fluency when learning a new language. Research has consistently proven that you learn more by doing, not just by listening. Being totally surrounded by the language you’re learning and having the opportunity to converse with a fully competent speaker is invaluable – the environment and experience letting you quickly build up a familiarity with the language you’re aiming to master.
The Benefits of Submerging in a New Language
When immersing yourself in a language, there are several unique benefits. Here’s a look at some of them:
- A sharp increase in confidence when communicating in a foreign language, removing any fear of speaking to native speakers
- Native-level cultural understanding, enabling better communication with people of the language’s origin
- Quicker comprehension, with any new concepts you learn being given context instantly after being learned
- Ease in proper grammar formation, thanks to internalizing the rules of the language’s construction through consistent exposure
Seeking Out Immersion Opportunities
There is sure to be a great opportunity for immersing oneself in another language near you. English classes abound, and there are many options for abroad-based programs that place you in the center of a culture shaped by the language you are trying to learn. If leaving the country and spending the money on a dedicated program isn’t possible, look for speaking clubs, which offer the chance to meet native speakers, to watch local films and TV shows, or to volunteer in schools. Technology can also be a valuable tool, with many online language programs available to tap into.
3. Ancient Tongues and Innovative Technology: Uncovering a Culture Through Language
Understanding the language of a culture is the key to comprehending its customs and beliefs. By looking at the ancient roots of a language, along with its modern-day equivalents, one opens a gateway to a culture’s past and present. With language comes an uncovering of more than just meanings behind words – it’s uncovering a culture’s full spectrum of knowledge.
An exploration into the ancient tongue of a country can provide a unique lens to study its history and customs. As the language evolves over the centuries, various nuances and phrases change, transforming into something new. For example, a long-used phrase which originated from an ancient language may have a completely different connotation by today’s standards. Research into understanding these changes is a wealth of knowledge.
At the same time, modern technology has enabled us to track these nuances in a way and depth never before been possible. With the combination of digital tools and native speakers of that language, linguists and researchers are able to form better and better studies of how words used, changed, and evolved in that culture. This innovation has allowed for research that can trickledown the understanding of how those words get used in different contexts and provides a look into a culture’s beliefs, values, and overall political aspect.
In order to truly understand a culture, analyzing language is a key element. Combining the exploration of its ancient roots and embracing modern tools for research, one reveals a fuller appreciation and understanding of the complexities of the culture in question.
- Through language we can gain insight into a culture’s customs, beliefs, and values
- Evolution in language reflects a culture’s development overtime
- Using modern technology, linguists have the power to track nuances and phrases over time
- Analyzing a language ties together all the keys for unlocking a culture’s full knowledge
4. Reaching Beyond the Basics: Unlock the Hidden Gems of your Destination
Discover Unique Treasures
The moment you arrive at your destination, the real adventure starts. Of course, the attractions that everyone knows and loves are enjoyable, but why not take your explorations one step further and spot the secret gems that only a local would know? Turn a corner and be surprised.
Venture off the beaten path and find unexpected places to explore. Venture into a store and see where you end up. Ask around and get some local tips – you never know where a conversation might take you! Try the small hole-in-the-wall restaurants, take the train and go walk across town or explore the nearby villages. Delightful surprises await.
Be Open to All Possibilities
Let yourself move away from the well-worn excursions. Of course, getting a sense of the place’s iconic landmarks is a must, but don’t be afraid to venture out and explore the unknown. There is nothing more rewarding than getting completely lost while discovering unique treasured finds.
A sense of discovery can be a powerful motivator and discovering something special adds to the memories of a place without having to break the bank. There are so many opportunities out there to make your holidays truly special. Here are some ideas to help you start your journey:
- Visit street markets, artisan workshops and unique stores
- Follow a secret path for a spectacular view
- Stop to enjoy a meal at an unknown cafe or diner
- Explore the area on a bike, bus, or train
Discover an Unforgettable Experience
Whatever you choose to do, don’t forget to take it all in. Let yourself be in the moment and appreciate the culture around you. Try to live like a local, as an actual resident of the place. This way, you can truly understand the culture and history of a place, and it will ultimately bring you to a richer experience.
So, go ahead, get lost and discover what awaits. With a little bit of preparation, you can easily tap into hidden gems, authentic experiences, and rewarding encounters. It doesn’t matter if you travel across the world or simply take a short weekend break nearby – it’s all part of an unforgettable journey.
No matter where you travel in the world, you’ll never feel more connected to your destination than when you can communicate in its native language. With language apps such as Memrise and Duolingo, the conversation will be easier than ever before—without sacrificing the unique experience of embracing a new culture. Bon voyage!
