Here are some tips expats can use to develop their communication skills and immerse in the local culture:
1. Smile and Say Hello
This is the first step to communicating with the locals. Let them know you are friendly and approachable. The locals are really flattered by your presence and when you give a smile and attempt to speak the language you are demonstrating that you are a good ambassador for your country/race.
2. Develop a Positive Language Mindset
The language mindset is your belief about the language you are seeking to learn. Is it
worth it? Is it too difficult? Is it too time consuming? Will I be good at it? Will I look
foolish if I make a mistake? Will I sound funny and people laugh at me? Yes, language learning takes work, effort, planning, and commitment. However, if you go into the process with a positive language mindset, an ‘I can do it’ attitude, you have won half the battle.
3. Focus on learning the language/dialect of the country where you are living
Have laser focus learning.For example, the Spanish of Spain (Castellano) is not like the Spanish of Costa Rica. It differs not only in pronunciation but word usage as well. Be careful of this if you are taking classes online. You could be learning phrases that are not practical or meaningful for the country for which you are living. This leads me to my next tip below.
3. Customize Your Learning Program and Invest in a Proper Tutor
Did you know that not every learner should be learning the same content or vocabulary? Foreign language learners should customize your vocabulary to suit their needs. I suggest investing in a tutor who can customize/personalize your lessons based on what you want to learn, ie., needs. Your average language school can’t do this. For instance, you may be a restaurant owner so therefore food vocabulary, business vocabulary, etc (business related vocabulary) will be a must. If you take classes at a language school, for example, the lessons are too broad, impractical for your immediate needs and may not give you what you need. You will be a more effective language learner and have a better sense of accomplishment. This approach will save you time and money. Additionally, Don’t find a tutor from Spain and plan on living in the DR (wrong) You need to get your ears used to the sounds of that language.
4. Choose a Tutor or Language Program That Teaches the Dialect in Which You Live.
In other words, don’t make the mistake of hiring a tutor from Argentina but you live in Puerto Rico. The Spanish of Spain and Latin America are very diverse in terms of word usage and pronunciation. For example, in Spain, the word torta means ‘cake’ but in Mexico it means ‘sandwich’. Or, the word yo is pronounced with a soft y (sounding like the yo in ‘yoyo’ in English) while in Argentina it is pronounced with a hard sound (sounding like jo, or ‘Joe’ in English). In fact there are literally hundreds of Spanish dialects.
Choosing the proper dialect to study is especially true for online tutors, textbooks, language programs, etc. Do you want to learn castellano or español? In other words, do you want to learn the Spanish of Spain or the Spanish of Latin America? The word for ‘you guys’ is ustedes in most parts of Latin America; however, in Spain it is vosotros. Therefore, please be careful with the type of Spanish you are learning. You may be wasting time and money on learning a language that no one understands in your host nation.
5. Use Flashcards and Recorder Apps to Build Your Vocabulary
Write the most essential phrases and your favorite phrases on flashcards, notecards or smartphone to carry with you. record the phrases on your phone using a recorder app. I call this your toolbox. Before you go out, have it stocked and ready to use. The toolbox should include common greetings, weather phrases, shopping phrases, and any other phrases you will need to ‘get by’.
6. Always Keep a Notebook Handy
You never know when you are going to want to jot down a word or expression. Also, you may see signs while shopping or walking that you want to know the meaning or. This is why it is a good idea to always take a notebook with you. This notebook is like your collection of words and phrases that you can refer to again, and again.
7. Practice Makes Perfect
The essential phrases you have created now need to be put to the test. Now, go out and use them. Practice, practice, practice with anybody, anywhere, at the bus stop, on the beach, at the mall, and even in line at the supermarket. This practice will not only help build your vocabulary but your confidence as well. Test them out in stores, with neighbors, strangers, etc.
8. Repeat the words and phrases you here
When shopping, etc. repeat the words you hear. For example, when the cashier tells you how much you owe, repeat these words and count your money out in the target language. This is how you learn the target language in context. Even if you don’t know the meaning of the word. If possible write it down or record it because one day you will hear it again and this time you will have a better idea of its meaning
9. Keep A Language Journal
Chronicle your language progress in a log book. Highlight your strengths and weaknesses. What new phrases have you learned and would like to learn? Talk about a time when you were brave and used your skills to get what you wanted. This will allow you to see your growth.
10. Write It Down/ Label Your Home With Vocabulary Words
If you keep seeing a certain sign or hearing an expression, write it down and research its translation. You may not ever learn it in the classroom. It is such a good feeling to finally know what that sign says that you walk past every day or what that traffic sign really says. Also, label the items in your home with post its. I have been doing this for years. posting my favorite phrases and labeling articles in my home and find it very effective, especially if you are a visual learner like me. If you are writing it down you will be in the dark about your surroundings
11. Diversify Your Language Learning Tools
Don’t rely on just your tutor, or language school to give you everything you need to become fluent. There are other language learning tools you can use such as literature, watching TV, learning the lyrics of songs, etc. In fact, reading literature (on your level, which may be the level of a second grade local) is a great way to apply what you are learning in the classroom. For certain languages such as French and Spanish, they are called Easy Readers and can be found online at Amazon.com.
12. Learn grammar.
It is misleading when people say that they “picked up” a language. This means that perhaps they know some common phrases they can get by on. However, these people have limitations in what they can say in the target language because they never learned the foundations of the language. In order to really know the language, you want to become fluent in, you must study its grammar. Otherwise, you will get stuck and never develop linguistically.
13. Be Patient
Don’t worry if you don’t understand the local accent right away. It is necessary to spend some time (perhaps a month or two) to get an ear for the accent and dialect of your city. Remember too that each language has its slang and even though you may have learned how to say or use one particular word in our Spanish class it may not be the case on the streets. You are not going to understand all varieties of Spanish and you are not going to understand all – Don’t put pressure on yourself because realistically with slang, dialects, etc, you will not understand. Remember, the important thing is to be able to express yourself and get the jist
14. Speak Up. Don’t be shy. Challenge yourself.
Someone once said ‘you don’t learn a language you experience a language. Look at it this way. If you have found the courage to move abroad, perhaps you can go a little deeper and find the same courage and learn the local language. Expats are fearless, risk takers, and courageous. Use any excuse to strike up a conversation even if you are nervous and feel intimidated. The more you initiate a conversation by talking about:
– asking name (Hi, what’s your name)
– the weather (It’s windy today, isn’t it) – Talking about the weather is a great opportunity to break the ice
– the local’s pet (Oh, he’s so cute)
– the local’s children (I like your hair, shoes, etc.)
– food (This is delicious. Is this sweet?)
– shopping (This is expensive)
Also, greet your neighbors even if they don’t greet you or like you. Remember, you are in their country and they don’t have to make you feel comfortable or accommodate you. In other words, don’t let fear get in the way of you becoming fluent. The important thing is to start and don’t give up and don’t give in to the fear. This is your survival. Be fearless and take charge.
15. Prepare the Words and Expressions You’ll need Ahead of time
Before leaving your home to run errands, make sure you have the phrases you need written on a note card, post it, or on an app on your cell phone. This way when you go into a butcher shop and ask for a scaled and filleted fish you can ask for it in words and not in gestures.
16. Lose Your Ego and Don’t be Afraid to Make Mistakes
Your ego is not your amigo. You will struggle to learn the language if you are afraid to make pronunciation mistakes and sound ‘funny’ Talk anyway. Mistakes are a natural part of language learning. In fact, this is how babies learn. Often the locals will smile and appreciate your efforts and try to accommodate you. Let go of your ego If you are arrogant, you will always have an accent and never reach your full linguistic potential.
17. Don’t rely on Google Translate or Any Other Translation App.
They have their limitations and can be unreliable. I believe expats should download the app but don’t use it as a crutch. I know sometimes it is absolutely necessary to use, however don’t use it as a crunch. GT can be a lifesaver and even an educational tool. Sometimes I am saying to myself thank goodness for GT as I don’t read kanji hiragana or katakana. My shopping experience is enhanced when I use it as many Japanese do not speak English, so this is my go- to savior. However, GT won’t always work and you will have to be able to fiend for yourself. In my experience using GT , I have some really bizarre translations, even curse words. In other words, for reading labels, specialized situations, vocabulary, at the mechanics, or hospital vocabulary but when ordering food and talking to the locals I would avoid it as it makes you look unnatural, helpless and foolish. I should know because this is exactly how I feel when I have to use GT
18. Hang Out With the Locals
The cultural and language exchange is invaluable. If your goal is to really develop your language skills , increase your fluence, you will have to put yourself in sometimes uncomfortable situations/unfamiliar situations and step outside of the expat bubble. This can be intimidating but remember, you signed up for this expat experience. Make an effort to frequent establishments that are local. The more you are in these places the chances are you will use the language. There is nothing like moving to a foreign country and having an expat community waiting for you. However, hanging out with the locals has its place. if you are serious about learning the language and culture. In fact, your language skills and knowledge of the country will be greater if you had more contact with the locals and less with other expats.
Hanging out with the locals have privileges that other expats may not experience. The more local friends you have the more authentic experiences you will have. For example. I have been invited to quinceanera, weddings, birthday parties, and building ceremonies. The locals can show you places only a local can. The locals can tell you where the best shopping is, special events, foods and places you should avoid; and more importantly what is going on in the country politically. If invited into their homes you can really experience the culture in an authentic and natural way. You really don’t want to miss out on these experiences. If you want to have the intel on what is going on in your new country make sure you have local friends.
Someone once said that you don’t learn a language, you experience it. Additionally, you can join Meetup Groups
19. Practice the Target Language With Your Pet
You can warm up to speaking to the locals by first practicing on your pets, if you have them. They will not judge you. Practice your top expressions and pronunciation.
20. Start or Become a Member of a Language Cafe or Meetup.com Language Group
Find other like- minded expats (or locals) and create a language group such as a language cafe group where members meet on a regular basis at a local cafe or establishment to practice their language or discuss current events. In Spanish, cafes are called tertulia. Additionally, some major cities have foreign language Meetups. Go to meetup.com and search for the foreign language you are interested in learning. These meetings are not only a great way to meet other like-minded expats 9and locals) but something to look forward to to practice your target language.
21. Watch movies in the Target Language or put on Netflix subtitles,
To help you learn the language, watch the movies and shows, the news and telenovelas of your host nation in the target language and try to turn on the English or French, for example subtitles feature. Additionally, watch Youtube videos and turn on the English and/or French subtitles.
22. Use Google Translate to Any Website,
Find a website in the target language and translate into English. There are news websites, classified ads, businesses, etc. Google Translate allows you to translate the entire website or individual texts on the page.
23. Learn the Lyrics of Songs in the Target Language
Learn the lyrics of popular songs of your host nation. Remember, repetition is key.
24. Volunteer
Take advantage of the many volunteer opportunities your city has to offer. Volunteering at an institution or organization will give you many opportunities to speak the language. As an expat in Japan, I have been able to work with volunteer organizations such as Second Harvest soup kitchen where I have taken my high school students and my children to participate where we would prep, cook, and serve the homeless of Tokyo. Hands on Tokyo Tennis for the Blind and the Tokyo Special Olympics basketball
What volunteer opportunities will you take advantage of while living in your host nation?
25. Learn the 100 Most Common Words of the Language
In order to have basic conversational skills such as greetings and ordering at a restaurant, you will need to know at least 200-300 words (Including verbs, nouns, and adjectives). Do a Google search, “ 100 Most Commonly Used Words in French” of Top 200 German Words to learn which words are high frequency words. This way you are covering your bases.
26. Participate in Local Cultural Events and Activities
I highly recommend you participate in cultural programs in your local area. Learning culture gives you a window into the culture and helps you assimilate faster. One day, we noticed an event taking place in our neighborhood in Yokosuka, Japan. We stopped by and were graciously offered to help in the annual tradition of mochitsuki (餅つき), the pounding of rice to make mochi.mochi making activity which was beating rice with a huge wooden hammer
Participating in local cultural events is a great way to not only learn the language but the culture as well. You don’t have to wait for events to pop up. You can attend a local place of worship service, hang out at your favorite cafe or park and you are bound to start meeting locals and making friends. Don’t forget to smile and say hello.
What will you get out of living in your new country? How long will your list be? Brag about it to your friends and family.
26. Repeat What You Hear
When babies are learning language, they are like parrots. They repeat what they hear in their environment and overtime become conversant. This is a strategy that expats can utilize. For example, when I am making a purchase, I count the money in Japanese and I repeat the change given to me after the cashier gives it to me. When I ask a question, I often repeat the response I get in Japanese. This really helps with internalizing the language as well as learning vocabulary and pronunciation. Remember, you learn by doing and practice makes perfect. The method of ‘talking out loud is illustrated in the below chart from psychiatrist William Glasser who created the Learning Pyramid.
