Travels. Do I need to learn the language by going on a trip?

The most important thing to take with you on a trip is not a suitcase filled with clothes, but knowledge. Especially it concerns an independent journey through Europe (say). Because, whenever you buy a ready tour tour for several wonderful vacation days in a travel agency - it frees you from all questions and preparations.

All you need for a trip is to pay a tidy sum and others will think for you: how to buy air tickets, arrange transfer, hotel check-in, excursions, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, some communications with local residents. But it's not interesting, is it?

Of course, someone with me can disagree and say: on vacation, I do not want to think about anything. And you have this right. However, in my opinion, going to a foreign country, it is absolutely necessary to know at least the basics of the language. At least as a greeting to the interlocutor and say goodbye. You do not need to fully learn the language. However, do not doubt, if you make attempts to communicate with the local population in their language - the attempts will undoubtedly be appreciated and will help with greater willingness.

We all teach (well, or 80%) English at school. However, to think that everyone in Europe knows and speaks English is completely mistaken. Yes, you will be able to understand in large tourist cities such as Paris or Rome - (it's not all and not all quarters), however, suppose, if you go to some Italian Sicilian wilderness - your English will be useless: the locals Do not understand, even though you speak them in English, even in Russian, even in Chinese. But if you try to explain yourself in Italian, and even add sign language, then somehow explain yourself for sure.

Therefore, before any trip, I advise you to buy, download a phrase book and dictionary on the phone. So that you can at any time translate the desired phrase into the desired language. There are many opportunities to take with you a phrase book - for example, buy a book (paper version) in a bookstore, however, it can take a place in the luggage. And not the fact that all the words you need. After all, we do not aim to learn the language - our goal is to understand us, and of course, to understand ourselves what is being tried to convey to us. There are many applications for smartphones, tablets - you can download them and install on your device. So it will be much easier. You can also visit sites with tourist phrasebooks, which lists the main phrases that will be needed in this or that situation. You can print them out and take them with you. This is very convenient: the book is too large, the tablet or phone can be discharged, and a couple of printed pages will fit even into a small women's handbag.

Or just make a list of phrases that you might find useful (in the store, at the train station, in the restaurant, questions about how to find directions to the place of interest). Print it and put it in a suitcase. In that case, you definitely should not be afraid of misunderstanding, you will be insured against what is called misunderstanding in English.