You're in a foreign country and don't know the language? Tips & tricks that can help you!

Frequency dictionaries

Basically, it's not a bad idea to know a few basic phrases in the language, even if it's just hello, goodbye and thank you (from experience I know that in some countries it's very appreciated if you can at least say thank you in the local language). 🙏 Therefore it could also be really useful to dive into some frequency dictionaries! These are dictionaries which aren’t sorted by alphabet, but by how often a word occurs in a language! These frequency dictionaries can be super useful in a country where you don’t know the language yet! You can find a lot of different dictionaries on Amazon for example. 

The best apps for translation & the rise of AI

The good old translators. We all know them and all probably use them quite often! So why not use them abroad, too. If you find yourself in a situation where you are really struggling with the language (and one of the parties doesn't speak English), you can always use a translation app. There are a lot of apps in your App or Play Store, for example DeepL or PONS. Google Translate can also translate texts, speech and even images. It's free and you can choose between 100 different languages. When using DeepL, you have the choice between a free version and the premium one, but normally the free version works perfectly fine! With both DeepL and PONS it’s also possible to use the camera on your phone to translate menus, images, etc. Most of them you can use even without having an internet connection. However, it is important to note that these apps cannot guarantee a perfect translation. Furthermore, with AI rising, you can also use ChatGPT to translate your texts! You could even ask the chat to write it in a specific style for you, this way you can make your communication in a different language even more personal. 

Offline VS online language courses

Especially if you are staying longer in a new country, you can consider taking an offline language course. In my experience you simply get closer to people (mostly locals in this case), when there is no language barrier between you. Offline language courses are also a great way to meet new, like-minded people and expand your social network! Furthermore, in contrast to online language apps, which mostly focus on written communication, you can practise your verbal communication in an offline language course with a native speaker (your teacher). You can directly get feedback on your pronunciation and vocabulary usage, which makes you improve your language skills more quickly than learning online. Do you struggle with keeping motivated while using online language apps? Then an offline course can help you stay on track with your learning goals, since you would have to follow a specific schedule, do homework, take exams, etc., which can be helpful in keeping you motivated and accountable. Overall, offline language courses can offer a more immersive and engaging learning experience.

But of course, there are also many apps you can use to improve your language skills, such as Babbel or Duolingo. The biggest advantage of using apps like these, is without a doubt convenience: you can learn at your own pace, from anywhere with an internet connection, and at any time that works for you. Nowadays many learning apps also offer some interactive learning experiences which can include games, quizzes and videos. Finally, using apps to learn a new language is more cost-effective than paying for an offline course. You can often choose between free and paid versions of these apps, and even the paid versions won’t be as expensive as an offline class. Yobbers advice would be to start of learning a new language by taking an offline course for a couple of weeks, and then keeping your language skills ‘up to date’ by using online apps afterwards  - and to practise in real life of course! 

Get to know the locals

Want to practise your newly learned language skills? Try to get in touch with locals! There are several ways to meet locals. For example you could stay in hostels, where young locals often work and you will get the chance to practise the language in a casual setting. Apps like Bumble BFF can also help you to make new friends, you will notice that not only internationals are looking for new connections but that it’s also easy to get in touch with locals here. Basically, just be open with all people and try to get into conversation, whether in the supermarket, in bars, in the restaurant, etc.. Who knows, you might be fluent in no time!

Connecting with locals doesn’t only give you the advantage of getting closer to the language and culture, but it’s also a great way to get some help in situations where it’s difficult to communicate. When I lived in Bali, I made a good Indonesian friend there. In situations where local people didn't speak English, he was always able to help me out! 

Don't be too hard on yourself!

Finally, it is important not to be too hard on yourself. Learning a new language takes time and patience, and it's okay to make mistakes and feel uncomfortable. Try to stay relaxed and focus on the small progress you make each day. 💪

Overall, living in a foreign country without knowing the language can be challenging, but there are many ways to find your way around and socialise. If you're up for starting a new adventure abroad now, check out our current vacancies! 🌍