Learn some lingo before you go

These days you can pretty much work your way around the world without knowing a local language, either because English is the mother tongue or because the local people have made an effort to learn it.

But even a basic grasp of the native lingo can set you strides ahead in terms of experiencing the real culture of a country, making new friends and navigating your way more easily around practicalities such as transport, accommodation, eating out and shopping.

We Brits can be very complacent when it comes to languages. While many countries have learnt English to converse with us, it’s well worth remembering that Chinese (Mandarin) is actually the world’s most widely spoken language. English follows in second place but Spanish is not far behind — it’s not just the first language of Spain but is spoken in many popular travel destinations in South and Central America as well. Knowing another language can also put you in pole position for many jobs abroad.

The good news is, whether you want to be fluent or get by with a few phrases, that there are lots of learning opportunities both in the UK and abroad.

Going by the book

Check on websites like Amazon for books and audiobooks designed to help you learn a language at home and in your own time. Bestsellers include the Michel Thomas range (published by Hodder Arnold) for French, Spanish, Italian, German, Chinese (Mandarin) and Arabic. Linguaphone (www.linguaphone.co.uk) also covers everything from Thai and Turkish to Russian in its PDQ holiday/entry level range. You can use these methods to learn at home or even take them with you for a quick refresher.

Audio online

If you don’t want to cart heavy books around, then the new wave of online audio technology makes it easier to download language files directly onto your MP3 player. Visit www.bbc.co.uk/languages/other/quickfix and you can access quick fix holiday phrases as MP3 files and print outs in 36 languages, from Albanian to Ukrainian. It’s amazing how being able to blurt out ‘Më vjen keq, nuk flas shqip’ (‘I'm sorry, I don't speak Albanian’) can help if you’re struggling to communicate! The BBC language site is great for introducing and testing your level of commonplace languages such as French and Chinese.

The right course of action

For those who want to take their language skills to a more conversational or fluent level, a course can be a motivational way to learn. You can locate and book a Cactus Language Course through www.languagecoursesuk.co.uk
Cactus is a well-known language provider that runs 10-week evening classes in 21 languages across 17 locations in London and other major cities in the UK. This includes mainstream French and Spanish but also Japanese, Serbian and Brazilian Portuguese. You can also find an Association for Language Learning affiliated course at www.all-languages.org.uk. For courses near you, check your local paper, council website and higher education college guides.

Language holidays

Most language professionals agree that there’s no better way to learn a language than when you’re abroad, where you can practise your skills on the locals. It’s also a great way to make friends who’ll be able to converse with you in your new language – you never know, you might even want to stay in the country for longer when you can speak the lingo.

Whether you want to learn Italian in Rome, French in Biarritz, Spanish in Seville or South America, or combine language learning with a volunteer, work placement or holiday www.languagesabroad.co.uk can help. Contact them to speak to a Language Travel Advisor and they can assess which level, location and type of course would be best for you.

Phrase by phrase

For short breaks, many people don’t think about needing to speak the language. But it can make even a weekend break more exciting, when eating out, for example – just think about all the times you’ve gone for the same boring dish just because you don’t want to ask what something means on the menu. In this case a simple phrasebook can help. Both Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.co.uk) and Rough Guides (www.roughguides.com) publish simple pocket-sized guides to help you on your way. Team up with one of their comprehensive guidebooks and you can read about the culture while you’re there too.

Whether you’re taking a weekend break or heading off for a longer stay, learning the lingo is not the only wise move. With Direct Line travel insurance you can be fully covered for the duration of your trip with any of our policies - single trip, annual or Discoverer travel insurance. It’s simple and easy to arrange – just apply for a travel insurance quote today.

Related information:

Hidden treasures – learn more about finding holiday destinations off the beaten track

Last minute travel – what to remember to organise when you pack up and head off on holiday at the last minute

Advice on activity holidays – read up on what is and isn’t covered under your travel insurance policy