Learning a new language instantly makes you less of a stranger in an otherwise foreign culture. It may inspire you to better understand its history and people, which in turn can give you newfound appreciation for when you experience it firsthand. Sure, you can get by with translation apps or rely on a tour guide to be your interpreter, but nothing enriches a trip more than being able to mingle with the locals in their own language.

There is a Chinese proverb that says, “To learn a language is to have one more window from which to look at the world.” If you have long been fascinated by the culture of a country where you have an upcoming trip planned, perhaps it’s time to acquire some of its lingo before you go.

It’s never too late to learn another language

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You may have come across the common belief that the older you get, the more difficult it is to learn a new language. Fortunately, this is a myth that has been debunked by numerous studies, many of which observe that adult language learners are just as capable of reaching native-level fluency as those who started acquiring a language as children.

As with learning any new skill, children have the propensity for it as they are exposed to new knowledge more organically and intuitively. However, being an adult learner has its advantages. Adults learn more strategically by employing systemic learning techniques. Unlike a child who absorbs information indiscriminately like a sponge, adults have the capability to intellectually discern information, understand their own strengths and weaknesses, and structure their learning to better suit themselves.

Not to mention, there are plenty of documented cognitive and social benefits from learning a new language, from improved memory to better cultural understanding. The adage is true; the day you stop learning is the day you stop living.

Get to know your target language

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If the prospect of learning a new language still feels daunting, start by acquiring a working knowledge of your target language. Find out the language’s features and see how it differs from your first language—in basic sentence construction, unique grammatical features, writing system, and pronunciation rules.

For instance, Japanese and Korean sentences are constructed in the order of subject-object-verb instead of the subject-verb-object structure English speakers are familiar with.

Does your target language require learning a new writing system? Languages like Malay and Tagalog use the Roman alphabet, whereas Greek and Arabic have their own script. Romance languages like French, Italian, and Spanish have gendered nouns and strict pronunciation rules based on consonant and vowel combinations. Languages like Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thai are tone-based, which means the same syllable can have different meanings based on intonation.

Also note that different parts of the world may speak variations of the same language due to historical, geographical, and cultural factors. For example, Brazilian Portuguese is not quite the same as Portugal Portuguese.

Having a firm understanding of a language’s fundamental characteristics demystifies it and mentally primes you for the learning endeavour.

Stop thinking, start speaking

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When children first learn to speak, they do not start by being taught grammar and how to read and write. Instead, children have language imparted to them through constant exposure. As adult learners, we can consciously incorporate this method into our own learning.

Get your feet wet right away by practising common useful phrases. Watch programs and listen to audio in your target language as much as possible to familiarise yourself with proper pronunciation. Then, gradually build up your vocabulary before diving into the more technical aspects of a language like grammar and its writing system.

In this age of information, all the tools and resources you need to get started are at your fingertips. Language learning apps like Duolingo, Memrise, and Babbel can get you started. There are also plenty of self-learning books, online content, and communities of language learners that can come in handy.

An accent is a sign of bravery

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There is, of course, no better way to become proficient in a language than to be in an environment where you are required to speak it. Once you feel confident enough to hold simple interactions in your new language, set small goals of conducting yourself entirely in that language for just one situation, such as greeting a stranger, ordering a meal, or haggling at a market.

Prepare ahead by arming yourself with common phrases and vocabulary. Don’t worry too much about sounding perfect, just as long as you can be understood. More often than not, native speakers will be impressed with your effort to speak their language. You may just make some new friends along the way who’ll help you on your language learning journey.

If you do decide to take your language skills to the next level, perhaps consider enrolling in a language school at your next travel destination. Such schools normally offer travellers short-term language courses that cover the duration of a tourist visa.

Learning a new language is by no means an easy feat and becoming a fluent speaker is going to take time, patience, and consistent practice. Even so, it won’t take long to feel a sense of accomplishment for having taken up such a challenge. So, pick a language you’ve been curious about, dive right in and enjoy the process.