Students about to embark on a life-changing Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme adventure have a lot to contend with – but it’s all so very worthwhile! There’s the obvious nervous stage – especially for first-time travellers. There’s also the thought of being away from home for a period of time, it can be daunting. Making new friends will happen but often, students arrive knowing one or two people, possibly none at all and then of course, there’s the language barrier. Not knowing a language inside out can seem like it will pose obstacles, but it doesn’t have to feel like that! You don’t have to be fluent either so don’t panic, it’s not as overwhelming and intimidating as you might think.
So, if you’re about to go off on a Turing Scheme or Erasmus+ work or study placement abroad and you’re concerned about your language knowledge – we’re here to support you with some brilliant tips!
- Get yourself a “language partner”. This could be another student for example, who’s a native, or before you go, find someone who speaks the language of the destination country and practice your language skills. If you’re sharing a student dormitory, there’s bound to be someone who speaks your new language, don’t be shy, most people want to help.
- Watch TV and go to the movies! Watching TV (with subtitles) can help too. You might think you don’t know what’s going on, but even through actions you’ll find you can make some headway with the storyline. Persevere and you’ll notice certain words matching with certain actions. They stick in mind and before you know it, you’ve added to your vocabulary. Start with subtitles if you like, and then be brave and switch them off. Some people learn entire languages just by watching TV or YouTube! The other beauty of TV and platforms like YouTube is that during those moments when you’re wondering what to do with downtime (maybe you’ve already done some cultural visits or the weather is bad), it keeps you occupied!
- Go to clubs and do activities. The more you get involved, the more you’ll pick up new languages. Plus, you’ll meet other people and they will help you overcome barriers. You’ll also learn colloquial language, which is really helpful if you’re planning to live or work in your destination city at a later date. Joining a sporting club is a really good idea, you’ll get to play your favourite sport and as you’ll already know the rules and moves, matching the language shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
Final Words
So, don’t feel that language will hinder you. Actually, one of the main purposes of a study or work experience abroad is to improve your language skills and you’ll be absolutely amazed at how much you learn. Travelling for an extended period is exactly what you need to learn – so don’t be frightened of it, embrace the challenge and you’ll come through it with flying colours, guaranteed.