Let’s admit it, we all have more free time on our hands than we used to. Have you considered using a little of it to learn or brush up on your foreign language skills before that next overseas trip?
Whenever I visit a non-English speaking country, I always try to master at least the most important words and phrases:
- “Hello”
- “Thank you”
- “Excuse Me”
- “How Much?”
- “Yes, I will have another please.”
And… it never hurts to be able to count to ten in any language. When you’re making a purchase or trying to find an address, it’s more adult to speak than to hold up fingers.
Ultralingua dual-language dictionaries for German, French and Spanish have been my “go to” apps on my phone for years. They also have similar versions Portuguese, Dutch, Italian, Latin, and Esperanto.
Google Translate is fast and easy and offers its own downloadable mobile app. Another service I like to use is from Vocre, with a free and Premium option. They translate speech right from your phone – very useful when you have to ask directions!
However, there is a huge difference between just translating words and phrases and being able to actually speak in another language. Both are important and useful for travelers in different situations, but there’s no real comparison to being able to communicate “device free”.
If you’re willing to make the commitment to learn a little bit about another language, the following are my picks as the three best options to get you going. You don’t have to get fluent but it sure would be nice to be able to order a beer without having to point, wouldn’t it?
Rosetta Stone
Number of languages offered for English Speakers: 21
Rosetta Stone has long been the leader for language learners. Their interface is easy to use and their lessons incorporate reading, writing, speaking, and listening all in one lesson.
Commitment – Rosetta Stone offers subscriptions for 3 or 12-month access or you can purchase an unlimited lifetime license which is a great deal for serious students.
Duolingo
Number of languages offered for English Speakers: 36
Duolingo has become a major player in the language learning business over the past several years and is the only service I have included that is available completely free of charge. It is best known for its mobile apps which makes it easy to practice without having to make a serious commitment and offers the largest number of languages.
Commitment – As I said, Duolingo is free! They also offer a “premium option” for a monthly fee which gives users ad-free lessons and offline access.
Babbel
Number of languages offered for English Speakers: 13
Babbel is excellent at teaching words and phrases that you will actually use in real life situations. The service is also relatively inexpensive and starts with a minimum 1-month subscription. If you’re unsure of your commitment to learning a new language, you won’t have to make a huge investment of time or money.
Commitment – Babble offers 1, 3, 6 and 12-month access subscriptions.
