When you travel to your foreign dream travel destination, the last thing you want to worry about is how to ask directions or understand what locals are saying when they speak. A lot of travelers shy away from traveling because they don’t know the language of a particular place. If you are someone who aspires to visit places but is apprehensive about not knowing their native language, here are some tips for you. Traveling somewhere new can be daunting no matter how many times you’ve done it before. If a trip to another country or an unfamiliar city has been on your bucket list, but you’re worried about getting around and understanding the local people, read on for some helpful advice that will ease your nerves and get your adventure underway with confidence.

1. Learn the Basics of the Local Language Before You Go

The first and most important thing you can do before you travel to a new place is to learn some of the basics of the language. Even if you are staying in touristy areas where languages are often spoken, knowing how to ask where the bathroom is, ordering dinner and simple phrases like “where is the nearest gas station” will make your life so much easier. You can get a free app like Busuu or learn some basics by watching YouTube videos. Use Rosetta Stone, which also has a free app if you want to learn a language while you travel. Going to language classes can be helpful, but they are also time-consuming and often expensive. A good way to practice at home is to find friends who speak the language and can help you out or by watching TV shows, movies or YouTube videos in the language.

2. Download Apps To Help You Communicate

There are tons of translation apps that can help you communicate with locals. These apps can be used to translate phrases and words, or even just to ask for directions. Some of the most popular apps for language translation are: Translator - Google Translate- This app can translate entire sentences and phrases, as well as food and drinks menus. You can also use it to have a conversation with someone in their native language. Word Lens- This app translates text in real time by taking a picture of a sign or menu. Lingualy- This app is great for learning new languages, as well as translating phrases. Uber or Lyft- This is a great app to have on hand while traveling. If you are in a place where few people speak English and you need to get somewhere, this app can be used to connect you to a driver who can speak English and help you navigate your trip.

3. Find Out Which Places Have English-Speaking Employees

Some businesses in touristy areas will have entire staffs that can speak English, which makes things a lot easier. If you’re visiting a major city or tourist destination, you’ll likely find that the majority of the employees at hotels, restaurants and shops speak English. It’s a great idea to contact hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions you’d like to visit and see if they have employees who can speak English. If they don’t, you can always ask for a suggestion for another place that does. When booking hotels, do some research and find out which properties are staffed by employees who speak English. If you’re traveling to a more rural or remote part of a country, you may have to rely on other ways to communicate. Be prepared to use sign language or have someone nearby who can help translate.

4. Stay At A Hotel With Staff Who Speak Your Language

If you’re staying at a hotel, it’s easy to find out which staff members speak English by calling and asking when booking the room. If you’re booking through a website, you can include this information in the comments section and request a room close to the ones that have staff who can speak English. Hotels are a great place to meet other travelers, get advice about what to do in the area and get tips on how to navigate the city. Even if you don’t plan on spending much time at the hotel, it’s a good idea to stay at one where the staff can communicate with you. Some of the best hotels in the world have staff members who speak English. If you stay at a hotel where most of the employees don’t speak English, you may feel isolated and not get the full experience of your trip.

5. Be Confident And Ask People To Repeat What They Say

Being confident and speaking slowly will help you feel more comfortable when you’re in a foreign place. Even if you’re able to understand what people are saying to you, being able to speak the language back shows that you’re confident and that you’re there to engage. Make sure to sit up straight and speak loudly, but do this without being rude or condescending. If someone is speaking to you and you don’t understand, simply smile and say “I’m sorry, I don’t understand.” Then, reposition yourself so that you can hear clearly and repeat what they said back to them. If you’re in a group and all speaking the local language, don’t hesitate to interrupt someone who is speaking in English. This will let people know that you don’t feel comfortable being spoken to in a language you don’t understand.

6. Don’t Be Afraid To Try New Food Or Watch TV Shows With Subtitles

While you should definitely try new foods while you’re traveling, don’t be afraid to eat at restaurants where you don’t see any English on the menu. If you’re with a group of people, it’s okay to ask for help with the menu or to see if anyone can translate it for you. You can also use translation apps to help you with this. If you’re by yourself, don’t be afraid to ask for help at a restaurant or cafe. Just walk in confidently and politely ask for help. If you’re traveling to a place where the TV channels are in the local language, it may be helpful to watch TV shows on your laptop with subtitles. This can help you learn some new words and see how words are used in a sentence. It can also be helpful to read pamphlets or leaflets while you’re traveling. Even maps can be helpful if they have the words written in English.

Bottom Line

Traveling to a new place can be thrilling, but it can also be incredibly intimidating if you don’t know the language. Make sure to learn the basics of the language before you go, use translation apps and apps like Uber to help you navigate and stay at hotels where the staff can speak English. Be confident and don’t be afraid to try new foods and find ways to learn new words as well. With these tips, you can make your travel experience much more enjoyable and engaging.

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