Breaking the Language Barrier: What to Do to Help You Parlez-Vous

March 22, 2009 | admin

By Michelle Smith

Michelle in Paris.

You are about to embark on an adventure of a lifetime–a European voyage. Regardless of your specific country destination, having the ability to communicate with the population you visit will undoubtedly enhance your experience. Fortunately, a number of programs utilize technology to make language learning easy and convenient.

While I’ve been speaking French for about 8 years now, I used some of the following resources to learn Italian. Because of my French education, for the most part, I concentrated on learning the way that letters are pronounced (phonetics), and then on building vocabulary, so I could read or attempt to say things to the local people when traveling

Rapid Italian, from Earworms Learning is available as a book, CD, series of mp3 files, or even a small rechargeable Mp3 playing device. The Rapid learning system gives users an intensive but quick lesson of the target language. What sets the Rapid language learning device apart from its competitors is its incorporation of music and language. While using the Rapid series, listeners hear two people having a language lesson. One speaks English while the other speaks the target language. As they speak to one another, the listener also hears music. This background sound gives rhythm to the phrases being presented. The rhythm of the phrases makes them easier to remember and retain. Mp3 files can be downloaded to your computer and imported to iTunes so that you can take your language lesson on the go. By the end of the first volume, you’ll find yourself asking friends for directions, coffee, and the location of the nearest hotel in a new language.

The Rapid language series can be found at libraries, purchased online from the Earworms Learning website or other online vendors such as Amazon.com. The series includes Rapid Spanish, French, Italian, Greek, German, Russian, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese and Japanese. Check out Earworms Learning’s website and download a trial mp3 of your target language to learn more about this revolutionary product.

Another popular language learning program is Rosetta Stone. This computer-based program allows users to combine audio, photos, and video to learn a language. The program starts with word recognition and then advances to include phrases and eventually full sentences. Although Rosetta Stone has received raving reviews, its high price may render the program unattainable for a college student on a budget.

There are many less expensive options from major publishers such as the Random House “Living Language” series and the “Take Off In” series from Oxford University Press, a CD and print series that combines activities with grammar and vocabulary builders and has additional lessons available on the website askoxford.com. I would also suggest the Barrons series of 501 verb books. These books offer 501 verbs in the target language as well as explanations on pronunciation, verb tenses, and pronoun usage. The books are very in depth but offer a lot of information even for beginners or travelers who just want to pick up some phrases. There are puzzles, quizzes and other learning devices within the book; most books include a CD-ROM that emphasizes listening and speaking skills.

For other inexpensive and even free options, look no further than the Internet. Many online sites are available to introduce and teach foreign languages to travelers with little or no prior knowledge. Be sure to visit wordreference.com. This site offers an extensive dictionary in multiple languages that can get you on the right track for your trip. Wordreference.com also features forums that allow users to post questions for native speakers to answer. This is a great source when trying to find out about cultural traditions, beliefs, and sayings.

Another free teaching site can be found in the education resources of About.com which offers beginning classes in French, German, Italian and Spanish as well as Japanese and Mandarin.

An online resource packed full of excellent tips and information to help you learn your new language with ease is language-learning-advisor.com. This convenient site offers reviews, articles and information about the science of learning language. And the website how-to-learn-any-language.com provides advice on how to navigate through the myriad of language learning programs available to find the ones that will best suit you, from preferred learning methods to best for the buck.

For more helpful (and free!) resources, check out your library. Using a combination of audio CDs and books can help train your mind for recognition of the target language. By listening and reading, your brain will retain more of the language information so that when you’re on your trip to Europe, you will be able to respond to questions with ease. At the library, you can also check out books of important phrases or tips for traveling abroad. Try making flash cards to study during down time on a plane, train or bus during travel.

Whether you decide to purchase a language learning software program or you take up the language on your own, getting a grasp of even basic phrases will go a long way to helping you in your travels. Even with butchered pronunciation, the locals will appreciate your effort and extend their best efforts to help you and ensure you’re not taking the wrong bus or having to hold it when the toilets are just around the corner!

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Here are some important phrases to know in the language of the country you are visiting.

Hello

Good Morning/Afternoon

Good Evening

Goodbye

My name is…

One, two, three, four, five…

Thank you

Please

Excuse me

How much?