5 Ways To Learn A Language At Home (For Your Next Trip)

Languages on chalkboard

2.55min read

Published 3 August 2021


Share


Have you always wanted to be that traveller who can converse effortlessly in the local language?  Well, with all of this isolated lockdown time, you’ve got an ideal opportunity to transform yourself into that person.
 

Here are 5  ways to start conversing in a new language in preparation for your next trip:

  • Get the Duolingo app

  • Watch Foreign Films And TV Series

  • Podcasts

  • Translate your life

  • Start An Online Course

 


First up, set realistic goals 

 
Let’s be honest, you’re not going to be able to fluently order a bento box in Japanese if you set yourself too big of a goal that you lose hope and fall off the train on day two. The key to learning a new language is consistency. If you set aside a small manageable task each day, and stick to it, you’ll be much further in three weeks than if you spend all day on it today and never pick it up again.  
 
 
Couple reading next to country flags

Our top tips: 

 
  • Break it down into small tasks, one step at a time 
  • Be consistent, do it every day. Setting aside some time in your calendar is a great way to stick to this 
  • Set yourself a goal - like reading a magazine article in the new language 
  • Get friend or family on board - just like exercise it’s easier when you’re in it together 
  • Focus on structure, not vocabulary. “The dog is brown” was one of the first things I learned in French, and I’ve never used it… but learning phrases like “This is my croissant, it is your croissant, it is his croissant” will be much more useful in everyday conversations.  
 
 
Street signs

Duolingo 

 
There’s no doubt you’ve heard of it, but have you tried it? It’s a language app and to be honest, gets a little addictive once you get started. There are simple tasks that teach you the meanings of words, pronunciation lessons, and games to play. If you’ve got a single competitive bone in your body, you’ll want to speed through to get to the next level. It also features daily tasks that you need to  complete to keep your learning regular, which really pays off and, with all this time on your hands you’ll be a pro before you know it! 

 


 

Watch Foreign Films And TV Series 

 
This is a great activity to compliment your Duolingo lessons. You’re exposing yourself to the language, learning a bit about the culture and, enjoying a relaxing movie at the same time! Plus, in big news, Netflix even has a language learning tool that allows you to view subtitles in both the original language and English, pausing automatically to allow you to absorb the language in certain places. You can find our list of travel films to watch - many of which are foreign here.  
 
 

Podcasts 

 
A great podcast to keep up your skills (when used frequently) is called News in slow French. There are different skill levels, so once you’ve got some basics downpat you can start on the beginner one, then work your way up. This podcast does grammar drills, sayings, and you get to hear the week’s news in slow, digestible French. There are News in slow… podcasts in Spanish, German, Finnish, Japanese, Romanian, Arabic, Portuguese… the list goes on!  
 
Coffee Break is another podcast that gives a language lesson that feels more like a coffee date, covering cultural knowledge and basic language skills. 
 
 
 
Woman laying on the coach with headphones and laptop
 

Translate your life 

 
Say what? Well, you can change the language on many things you use day to day - such as your phone or your computer. You can label items in your house in the language you’re trying to learn, and even start speaking to your pet in the new language. (I only ever spoke to my cat in French during university, and now, I speak to my dog in Spanish.)   
 

Start An Online Course 

 
There’s no better way to learn than with a native, right? There are a heap of sites that run online courses, but if you’re more into face to face learning, there are websites like italki.com where you can link up with a native language teacher over a Skype, Facetime or Zoom call.  

Chin up! The days of lockdowns and travel retrictions won't last forever. Check out some sweet holiday offerings that will be there to greet you on the other side

 

What can I help you with?
...loading
Flight Centre

© Flight Centre (NZ) Limited.

Lowest Airfare Guarantee is no longer valid at Flight Centre stores in New Zealand as of Thursday 14 July 2022. Click here for more information.

*Travel restrictions & conditions apply. Prices & taxes are in NZD and are correct as at the date of publication & are subject to availability and change without notice. Prices quoted are on sale until the dates specified unless otherwise stated or sold out prior. Prices are per person. We charge a Travel Expert Service Fee for bookings made with our travel experts in store, via email or over the phone and an Online Booking Fee for flight bookings made online. These fees are charged in addition to the advertised price and displayed fares. Merchant fees apply and depend on your chosen payment method. View Booking Terms and Conditions for more information.