If lockdowns have left you wanting to learn a new skill, learning a foreign language is a great option for those who love to travel. From ordering meals to getting the lowdown from locals, being able to speak the native language of your favourite holiday destination can come in really handy.
Here, we take a look at some of the benefits of learning a foreign language, and share some tips which can help you to achieve your language goals.
Learning a foreign language is good for your brain
Challenging your brain is the best way to keep it sharp, active, and healthy, and learning a new language is a great way to do this. Languages are full of complex patterns and plenty of details that you need to remember, and learning a new one will help you to improve your cognitive thinking and problem solving abilities, both of which can be very handy during day to day life. In addition to sharpening your mind, learning a language can help your brain to spot misleading information, multitask, and recall information – such as dates and figures.
Learning a foreign language makes holidays even better
Understanding the language of the country you’re travelling to will give your holiday a whole new dimension. Of course, getting around touristy places is usually perfectly simple when you speak English, but knowing the local language will make it easier to head off the beaten track and discover hidden gems. Learning a language can help you to fully appreciate the traditions and culture of a place too, as you’ll be able to fully immerse yourself into what’s going on around you. Plus, chatting to the locals could uncover places to eat or visit that you might not have known about before, and you’re bound to please them by making the effort to speak their language – even if you make mistakes!
Learning one foreign language makes learning another one easier
Learning a new language takes plenty of time and dedication, and it certainly can’t be described as being easy. However, once you’ve mastered one, you’ll actually find that learning a second comes much more naturally. This is because your brain will be able to use the techniques that you developed when tackling your first new language, so it doesn’t feel like you’re starting from scratch. Learning a foreign language helps you to understand sentence structure, the arrangement of words and phrases, and grammar in more detail, and once you’ve got this extra knowledge you’ll be able to apply it to learning as many languages as you like. We suggest starting with French and Dutch which will come in handy on your P&O Ferries holidays!
Tips for learning a foreign language
Once you’ve decided which foreign language you’d like to learn it can be difficult to know where to start. Thankfully, there are a few great tips that can help. Firstly, you need to secure in your mind why it is that you want to learn a new language as this will motivate you to put the effort in. Whether you want to be able to read the menu in your favourite Parisian restaurant or converse with Amsterdam locals in their native language, keeping this in mind will drive you to succeed.
Setting yourself short-term goals offers another great way to learn a new language. Start off with aiming for the basics, like greetings and ordering your drink of choice, and when you’ve accomplished this perhaps move onto something like asking for directions – which will be really helpful when exploring new places. Remember to keep going over the words and phrases you’ve already learnt in order to keep these fresh in your mind too, as repeating information will really help it to stick.
Of course, the best way to learn a new language is to actually use it in real life, which means conversing with people that speak your chosen language natively. Be confident in what you’re doing and be prepared to make mistakes – you are learning after all. Having someone who can correct your errors or help you when you get stuck finding a particular word is really useful, and you’ll find that most people have plenty of patience when it comes to assisting someone who’s trying to tackle a new language.
Need some motivation? Book a ferry crossing with us today and start learning the language of your destination!
