Learning a Language Abroad

Learning a foreign language overseas offers many possibilities, from connecting through cultural or culinary experiences to socialising in centuries-old, cobblestone streets and going hard at the local karaoke bar.

There’s nothing like some good old-fashioned burying your head in the books. Learning a language abroad undoubtedly provides you with hands-on experience.

Here’s what we cover in this guide:

• My Experience Learning a Language Abroad

• Benefits of Learning a Language Overseas

• How Fast Can You Learn a Language?

• 10 Tips for Learning a Language Abroad

• What’s the Best Way to Learn a Language Abroad?

• FAQs

I moved to Spain not knowing a single word of Spanish… okay, that’s not entirely true. I knew the cuss words and a handful of other bad boys…

But after studying Italian in Australia for ten years, I thought I could pick up Spanish quite quickly… oh, how, I was wrong.

The first few months in Spain were like a big pimp slap to the face, to say the very least.

My decision to free-ball it and not brush up on some basic Spanish skills beforehand was not exactly the wisest of judgements on my part.

But hey, you live and you learn, right?

After more than five years of living in Barcelona, I can finally and proudly say that that is no longer the case.

I can converse with locals, maintain an opinion in discussions, hell, sometimes I can even sprinkle a little bit of banter into the conversation… And we all love a bit of banter, don’t we?

But the road to get was oh so long. There’s no doubt I’ve struggled a hell of a lot to get to this point.

This part of the journey has abounded in a rollercoaster of emotions, from bouncing out of bed one day eager and elated to get my Spanish on to having to drag myself out the next, trying to combat those complexly chaotic thoughts ravaging in my head. An actual myriad indeed… I’ve learnt more than I could have ever fathomed on an intellectual, emotional, mental and physical basis. And I want to help you do the same. So let’s dive into the advantages of studying abroad, shall we?

What are the Benefits of Learning a Language Overseas?

• You gain a profound understanding of cultural norms, etiquette, and tradition.

• You open yourself to further future career opportunities and a higher potential for success.

• You acquire a multitude of skills that facilitate global communication.

• You meet people of various international backgrounds.

• You learn to appreciate a different style of music, art, and literature, amongst a myriad of other things.

• You feed your brain and develop your thinking, problem-solving, memory, and reasoning skills.

• You enhance your ability to multi-task.

• You enjoy the sheer gratification of not only learning but being capable of conversing in a foreign language.

• You gain a stronger sense of appreciation for your home.

If you’re planning to move overseas, let alone learn a language during your time abroad, here’s a handful of honest advice to help you.

The general consensus states that immersing yourself in a language is the most effective way to learn a language. Shower yourself with it, eat it, sniff it up your left nostril hole… just kidding. But seriously, the most efficient way to learn is to go directly to a country where that particular language is spoken and, you guessed it, live there.

By living in a foreign country, you’re somewhat forced to put what you’ve learned into practice.

There’s a plethora of opportunities to communicate with eager, native locals who are looking for a language exchange.

But there’s one big catch: I had to learn the hard way, like always.

If you’re planning to arrive and start from scratch, picking up your desired language is going to be exceptionally more challenging than if you had at least prepared some simple phrases beforehand.

Think about it: if you have a basis of a Spanish vocabulary, to begin with, you can practice and build on what you already know. You have therefore propelled miles ahead just within the first few weeks alone.

How Fast Can You Learn a Language?

Well, to be frank, this depends entirely on you. It wavers subject to where you live, who you live with, your job, your friends, your motivation, how much effort you’re willing to pour in, and how much time you’re willing to dedicate and, sometimes, sacrifice.

For example, if your job involves talking in your native language, this unswervingly stipulates fewer learning opportunities because you’ll have to set aside separate time to practice your skills. It’s the same thing with your living situation. If you opt for a share house with others who speak your native language, you won’t kick yourself out of your comfort zone…

The best (and worst) thing about my first year in Barcelona was my job.

I had four, to be precise. (You do what you must to get by, right?) Apart from teaching, babysitting and tutoring, my primary income source was slaving away in a restaurant. In this job, the other workers hardly spoke any English. To get specific, they knew two phrases: ‘Hello, how are you?’ and ‘a shot, you want?’…

Initially, I was racked up with anxiety and sincerely dreading every shift. There were countless instances of me crying distraughtly in the bathroom (Kim Kardashian style) and pep-talking myself in the mirror to make it through the rest of the shift. But eventually, I found that by persevering and pushing through, I slowly but surely improved.

I observed body language, facial expressions, and mannerisms during various conversations.

And even if I weren’t involved in a conversation, I’d stand there and watch and absolve everything. Just like a fat kid lurking in the bushes, waiting for his mum to leave so he can pounce and demolish that last bit of chocolate cake sitting on the left-hand corner of the table…

I went from smiling, nodding, and saying ‘si’ to everything (even though I didn’t know what I agreed to) to eventually knowing when to whip out a fake laugh (even though I didn’t understand what was so funny…)

This doesn’t sound like much, but it was a big deal. I felt more comfortable in discussions and less silenced, and there was a prevalent, less amount of sweat perspiring down my forehead. The sweaty life! Looking back now, I can laugh at myself. At the very least.

When you move to a new country, you should strive for more than just the basic nitty gritty. Sure, you might be able to order the bill, ask for directions, and figure out what the weather will be like the following day…

But settling for the fundamentals limits you in terms of social interaction and, on a larger scale, understanding the depths of the culture and the reality of local life.

Another essential thing to remember is that although you may learn a language abroad, you’ll essentially be learning the dialect and slang of your location. It’s more than likely that what you learn in one place can completely differ from how they speak, let alone pronounce things in another country.

The best example: Catalonia’s capital city, Barcelona.

I arrived thinking I was going to learn some simple Spanish. Little did I know that in Barcelona, there’s the local language, Catalan, then the national language, Castellano. In addition, Spain is sprinkled with even more dialects, such as Galician and Basque, just to name a few.

Don’t even start on the Central and South American dialects. Living with a Venezuelan, I can say that I’ve never been more confused in my entire life.

Picture this: you walk out onto the street, you hear locals conversing in Castellano, an Elder man asks you a question in Catalan, your South American boyfriend states something in his bizarre accent, and then you go to Spanish class, where your Argentinian teacher leaves you left short of words.

A quadruple whammy is what that right there is called. And it was experienced on a daily.

So in all that being said, it’s always so important to humbly note that while you might think you’ve got a language down pat, you’ll also eventually have to learn how to differentiate between and then understand the abundance of accents and diverse dialects.

But don’t be discouraged; these things eventually get easier with time. I wouldn’t trade anything to have had it any other way.

Tips for Learning a Language Abroad:

Find friends who only speak the language you’re trying to learn

Opt for a destination where you won’t feel enticed to merge with ex-pats and others who speak your language. Don’t mould yourself into an English-speaking bubble.

Stick to a strict study timetable

When you first arrive, bury your balls in the books and invest in an intensive course. Hold yourself accountable and assume responsibility for your progress! Try putting up colourful sticky notes around your room with vocabulary notes.

And if you can’t afford a university course or private tutor, luckily for you, we are living in the 21st century… Thanks to technology, a tight budget is no longer an excuse. With the gift of social media, smartphone applications and the internet, the benefits of learning a new language don’t have to sit at a hefty price tag. Of course, there’s an overwhelming number of options out there, but I’d recommend trying out Duolingo, Coursera, Live Lingua, or Learn a Language.

Before you embark on your journey, try to nail a few essential words, structures, and phrases

Having a handful of vocabulary up your sleeve will make a world of difference. Basics like greetings, numbers, questions, and introductions should be prioritised. Aim to have your name, where you’re from, how to order a specific drink or meal, and how to ask for directions down pat.

Make an effort to learn about local culture and customs

Just remember that what’s acceptable in your country won’t necessarily be the same in another. Get an idea of basic concepts like gestures, etiquette, customs, a general historical background, etc.

Strive to interact with locals from day one

Language is a social tool! This is one of the best methods to boost your understanding and pronunciation of the language. Speaking was what catapulted me from gringo to local.

Brace yourself to learn all of the time

Everything you do, everywhere you go, and every single person you speak to has something to offer in terms of learning. Each experience provides invaluable insight and exposure to your desired language.

Pay attention to the small details. Take notice of street signs, listen out for the metro announcements, get a glimpse of people passing by on the phone, skim through the newspaper headlines… Everything is an opportunity!

Pimp yourself out with a notebook

Yep. You read that correctly. Carry a little notebook with you, and write down new words and phrases you come across when you’re frolicking through the streets of your newfound hometown. This will make a remarkable difference in avoiding forgetting things and retaining useful knowledge. Don’t forget to look back over your notes in your spare time!

My trick is quickly revising for 5 minutes every night before bed. Then, the following day, try to use the words you learned in a real-life conversation. Skim over your notes, and highlight the most essential stuff. If that doesn’t work, try 5 minutes in the morning.

Read anything and everything you can get your grubby little hands on

I’m talking books. I’m talking about magazines. Hell, I’m even talking about flyers, menus and brochures. This will aid in expanding your vocabulary.

Find an apartment with native speakers

Living under the same roof will significantly impact your fluency, as well as your fundamental communication skills. You’ll be obliged to speak even if you don’t feel like it, and this is a great way to build up your confidence. Sure, you’ll stutter a bit at the start. But who cares! These people have seen you in your fluffy kangaroo pyjamas. ¡No pasa nada!

Change the language and subtitles on your TV

This, along with music and local TV news, was one of my best decisions. There’s nothing wrong with burying yourself in bed and smashing through a Netflix series. But if you’re going to do that, do it right. Change the language and subtitles to the local dialect.

What’s The Best Way to Learn a Language Abroad?

I’m here to tell you flat out that no magical pill liberates you from having to allocate the time and put in the effort. You have to hold yourself fully accountable for the progress of your acquired knowledge. You need to be the one to bust your balls because if you don’t stay on top of it all, there won’t be anyone else there to push you.

Pursuing and engaging in many activities will ensure your skills continually and consistently improve.

Join a weekend beach volleyball team, take a cooking class, get nerdy in a book club, put your social cap on in the coffee shop, enjoy a language exchange over a beer…

There might even be a poetry slam night wherever you’re located… Living overseas proffers possibilities of expanding and evolving, both on an intellectual and mental basis.

Concentrate on cultivating flexibility, staying mindful, and changing your attitude and overall approach to the learning process, for god's sake.

Learning a language abroad is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. Conquering the language barrier is not easy, but it’s worth it. And, like all good things in life, nothing comes easy.

FAQS

Can I study abroad to learn a language?

You can learn a language abroad at a school, university or language program. Online classes are available, but physical attendance is the best way to immerse in the culture fully.

Which language is best to learn abroad?

English, Spanish and German are some of the best languages to learn abroad. Chinese (Mandarin) is also in high demand, so if you want to bump up your CV, this could be a great option.

How long does it take to learn a language in a foreign country?

That depends on you. If you fully immerse yourself in the culture, study daily and practice communicating with locals, you can learn a language anywhere between three months to two years.

Why is it better to learn a language abroad?

Learning a language abroad allows you to immerse yourself in the language fully. You’ll see real-life examples of your textbook on street signs, menus and dialogues in the street.