How to study and learn a language even when you are traveling
Imagine yourself in a luxurious 5-star hotel in Mexico, sipping a glass of pina colada as you soak up the sun on a beach under a palm tree. The perfect way of spending your day, but only one thing is missing- a book, precisely a learning language book.
Have you ever thought of combining leisure with productivity? Can you study a language while vacationing? The answer is yes!
Learning a language while on vacation can be a beneficial and enriching experience. You are truly immersed in the foreign country’s culture, surrounded by locals, traditions, and language. Learning while on vacation, not only are you accelerating the language process, but also learning the language most authentically and naturally.
Here is how you can best maximize your stay while learning.
1 - Find the right routine
If you are at the beach or staying at a resort, consider creating a schedule and sticking to it. Usually, the mornings are quieter and less crowded, so they are ideal for revising grammar, learning new vocabulary, or even reading a book.
By dedicating your morning to learning, you can check it off from your daily to-do list and be stress-free for the rest of the day.
2 - Converse with the locals
If you're at a beach destination where the language is spoken, engage with locals. Order your food or drinks in the local language, ask for recommendations, and initiate a casual conversation. Most people appreciate it when you make an effort to speak their language.
Be persistent and firm in speaking the local language even when people revert to English. It's only through this route, that you can get valuable practical speaking experience.
“Cross-cultural learning and studying abroad can be transformative” – Amal Clooney
3 - Sign up for local cultural activities
Learning a language is not just about grammar or vocabulary, but it's also about history, culture, cuisine, and traditions. If the country you are visiting has local cultural activities such as cooking classes, dance classes, or even excursions, sign up for them. Understanding the culture is the base of deepening and appreciating the language itself.
4 - Enroll in local language classes
Some beach resorts offer language classes to their tourists. When you go to an all-inclusive resort, you have the option of signing up for language courses offered in the local language. It is a great way of getting a taste of what real life is about and getting a richer cultural immersion. It's an experience that transcends textbooks as it allows you to connect more profoundly with the local community.
5 - Make learning digital
If you are reading physical books and often feel stuck in not understanding a word, and don't have a dictionary handy, then buy a Kindle.
Kindle allows you to get prompt translations of unfamiliar words without the need to waste your time searching for a word. It is an automatic, fast, and efficient way of learning.
Say goodbye to physical books and say hello to Kindle.
6 - Keep a language journal
Write down every word you hear that you are unfamiliar with whether it is an expression, a new word, or a phrase. Before the end of the day, use 30 minutes to find out the meaning of the words, and the contexts they are used and start incorporating them into your vocabulary.
To conclude, your dream vacation can be transformed into an amazing opportunity for language learning.
By combining relaxation and pursuing language goals, you are getting a 2-for-1 deal.
You will feel a deeper connection to the language you are learning, appreciate more the culture, and as a result, make your experience much more meaningful.
Your vacation becomes not just a memory, but a pivotal milestone in your language-learning journey.
“Study abroad is the single most effective way of changing the way we view the world.”
– Chantal Mitchell
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