Take a trip

The Betjeman Statue
by Martin Jennings
-St. Pancras Station (London)-

First of all, I should answer to one of the questions everybody ask me when I'm talking about traveling: What should I do if I can't afford a trip? Don't worry! It is true that going away is the easiest and fastest way to learn a language but it is not the only one! In this post I will talk about how can you learn useful English going to London, USA, Australia... But you can do all this things in your  own town. Just pretend you are a tourist and that's it. When I was studying to pass the Cambridge certificates I used to go to the city centre and talk to everybo

dy in English, saying that I was from the Netherlands, Austria... It is really fun!! And free!!

I'm sure you've heard the expression "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas", my first advice is to keep that in mind when you travel. You will see hundreds of new people every day and you will not see them again, so there is no reason to be shy. Take all that bad thoughts about your English level and start talking to everybody. It is very easy to order something in a restaurant just pointing what you want and paying looking at the screen to see the price. Don't listen to these people that says they are not going to help you. Of course they will! Well, in every place you could find someone stupid but usually everybody wants to help and they will be glad to make that effort. Just learn some basic vocabulary and don't be afraid to fail.

I'm writing this post now because I just came back from England. I did the trip with a mate who is not good at English (for now) and I've seen what did she need in order to "survive". I was there to help her just in case but she did nearly everything by herself. So these are the basic tips you will need.

AIRPORT/ TRAIN/ BUS

Either if you go by train, plain or bus, they will ask you the same things. This is the worst situations you will have to manage because you could be on a hurry and because you will be talking to the police and security guards. Usually they are really nice and they are used to speak to tourists from every country every day but at least for me, it is stressful to talk to them, I don't know why but the uniform makes me feel nervous. So learn few words and sentences and if you have to speak to them try to remember that they are normal people under these uniforms. Sometimes it works. 

They will ask you for your Passport and your ID, they could ask if you travel to work or to visit the city, usually they will ask you to open your luggage to see if everything is ok... be ready to answer to this questions. Just google "Travel vocabulary", "Holiday vocabulary", "English phrases to travel"... and you will find thousands of websites with everything you could need. If you have time it could be great to watch videos about it. There are so many videos in youtube so choose one or watch as many of you want clicking on this link: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=learn+English+airport . 

If you want to avoid so many questions, try to follow every rule your company has while you are packing. Make sure you have the right amount of liquids in a plastic bag, don't go over the weight limit... Sometimes they are not very strict but maybe when you have difficulties to speak, is not the best day to try it. And in order to go calmed and relaxed, go with more time than you need. This time I've been one hour and a half passing through the control, usually it doesn't take longer than 20 minutes but you'll never know.

ORDERING: FOOD OR DRINK

These is an easier situation. It doesn't matter if you are having dinner in a nice restaurant, having lunch on a street market or ordering for few drinks in a pub; you will have the same conversation. You should start with I would like to eat/drink... Can I have...? I would like some... Then they can ask you something about your order so you could learn some extra vocabulary just in case. Usually they will ask you if you want sugar in your coffee, some sauce for your lunch or an extra ingredient. But don't worry, they want to sell you the food and they have everything in the kitchen so if every effort is not enough because your English is that bad or the question is very difficult, they could always go to the kitchen and so you the sugar, bread or whatever they are offering you. Relax. If you want to study some vocabulary an expressions about this topic to be prepared just repeat the same exercises than before but typing food or restaurant instead or airport, internet is full of resources.

Can I have the bill, please? That's the last sentence you will need. Then, in the paper you will see the price and there would be no problem. Say "keep the change" if you want to give them a tip and say "bye" or "have a nice day". Smile in your way out, you did it!

DIRECTIONS

When you are traveling try to have a map so you can move through the city nd plan your visit. But at the end maps are never very accurate so you will have to ask somebody. Great! That is the best way to learn English. Don't ask someone who is walking too quick or talking by the phone. They could answer you but maybe they will not spend the time you need to be sure that you understood everything. People walking the dog or with shopping bags are always a good option because you will know that they are no tourists so they will speak English and their directions would be more realistic. The clothes could also give you a clue but not always, I found girls visiting the city with high-heels (why? I have no idea), but if they are in a smart suit, they are probably working or living near this neighborhood. 

It could be useful to learn vocabulary about the city (buildings, traffic lights, signals, roundabouts...) and about directions (go straight, turn left or right, cross the road...). But don't worry because they will use their hands to point so if you didn't get anything, go that direction and ask someone else later. Maybe his accent was more difficult and you will be able to understand the next person.

And that's it! You will be involved in other situations, of course. But these are the basic ones. If you survive in these ones you would not have any problem during your trip. If you think I missed an important one, just write a comment below and I will add it here or write a new post. I'm always open to your feedback. Thank you for reading. Talk as much as you can and have fun!