You do not need to be fluent to travel well. A few dozen well-chosen phrases, said with a smile, completely change the experience: you make yourself understood, you put people at ease, and local people appreciate the effort. Here is how to prepare the essentials in a few weeks.
Polite phrases first
Hello, thank you, please, excuse me, goodbye: these are the words you will say most often. In many countries, saying them in the local language opens doors. Add "I don't speak … well" and "Do you speak English?": two phrases that will get you out of many situations.
Travel situations
Prepare a list of phrases for each moment: transport (a ticket to…, what time…), hotel (I have a booking), restaurant (the bill, I am allergic to…), directions (where is…), emergencies (I need help, call a doctor). Learn them with spaced repetition.
Numbers and prices
Understanding a price, a time, a platform number: numbers come up all the time. Practise hearing them, not just reading them, for example with videos of markets or station announcements.
Basic pronunciation
A few minutes spent understanding how the letters are read will save you many misunderstandings, especially in languages with a different writing system (Arabic, Russian, Thai, Chinese). Repeat out loud: our tips for daring to speak work perfectly for travel too.
Respect the culture
A language comes with customs: how to greet people, how to thank them, how to say no politely. Find out before you leave. This respect is often noticed, and it leads to wonderful encounters.
Once you are there
Keep a small notebook of phrases, write down the new words you hear each day, and do not be afraid of making mistakes. When they get home, many travellers want to carry on: it is the best time to learn the language online, at your own pace.
Frequently asked questions
How many phrases do I need to know to travel?
A few dozen are enough to get by: politeness, transport, hotel, restaurant, directions, numbers and emergencies.
How long does it take to prepare for a trip?
About four weeks of regular practice, around fifteen minutes a day, is enough to master the essentials.
Do I need to learn the alphabet of a language like Russian or Arabic?
It is not essential for a short stay, but recognising a few letters helps you read signs and street names.
Learning your partner's language
On the Passerelle, these tips serve a clear purpose: to better understand a supplier, a customer or a colleague in Vietnam, China, Thailand or France. A few phrases in their language build trust; for everything else, keep your writing simple: see writing to a foreign partner.
General advice, written for the Parlons Langues project and republished here by its author.
Originally published on Parlons langue.