Cactus Language Blog

Why it’s worth learning just the basics of a language

Posted by Sarah under Cactus Languages Abroad, Learning a language

Tedious verb tables, repetitive text-book exercises with Xavier et Nicole, embarrassing mistakes in front of your mates on a day-trip to Boulogne…the average Brit does not have fond memories of learning a language at school, and picking one up many years later can seem hugely daunting. You’re never going to be fluent, so what’s the point…and anyway, everyone speaks English now, right?

Not necessarily. Not everyone does speak English and, even if they did, there’s no underestimating the power of a few foreign words when you set foot on foreign soil. You don’t have to beat yourself up that you’re not fluent – even the basics can go a long way in winning a smile from the waiter, endearing yourself to the locals and distancing yourself from that stereotypical image of linguistically-challenged Brit abroad.

So what exactly do you need to know to take you from ignorant to cute foreigner? To be honest, the basic niceties of “hello”, “please”, “thank you” and “goodbye” make a great start. Chances are, however, that if this is all you know of a language then you may be rumbled and rewarded with a reply in perfect English. But you will have made your point: you may not be fluent in the language, but you’re willing to give it a go, and that counts for a lot. And you may actually be secretly relieved that your foreign target chooses to practise his or her English at this point as, erm, it’s not like you really expected them to reel off a lengthy reply. You were just being nice. And that is exactly how it will seem.

Others of you, though, may have more time and desire to learn the language. For you, investing just a little more effort will reap huge rewards. Take things further by adding simple phrases and questions like ordering food, booking a room and asking directions, and your whole experience of being abroad will be transformed. You’ll be interacting with the locals, understanding things you otherwise may not, and feel a certain spring in your step as you realise you just made sense in another language. Speaking even just some of the language will open doors and hearts and, quite simply, just make you feel great.

As for how you pick up the basics, there are many choices, probably more than you think. If you’re really motivated but don’t like learning in a classroom environment, then why not try a book or CD…if you want to get a good grip of the language before going on holiday then how about an evening language course…and if you really just need to be surrounded by the language for anything to sink in, then a language course abroad is the way to go. And that’s without even mentioning online, telephone and or tailor-made tuition. The important thing is that you choose the right method, or combination of methods, for you, as this way you’ll see the greatest benefit. 

So there we go – no matter how much (or little) you learn of a language, it’s definitely worth it. You don’t need to set your sights too high - but be warned, you may just catch the bug and find yourself learning more than you meant to…

Tags:French, German, Italian, language, learn, Spanish