Pre-Travel Language Tips and Resources
Language capabilities are critical to ensuring a productive trip. Global Affairs is committed to providing language-related travel tips and resources to assist you in trip planning.
Travel Language Tips
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Begin language training as early as possible
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Set realistic and specific goals
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Make the time to learn a new language and remind yourself why you are learning it
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Remember:
- Consistency and repetition are critical to mastering a different language
- Language skills are “depreciating assets”–i.e., they degrade over time if they are not used on a regular basis
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Watch or read news, books, or films in your new language
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Listen to podcasts or discussions in your new language while doing daily activities
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Consider times such as:
- Commuting to work, cooking, exercising or traveling
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Practice with a native speaker
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Establish regular discussion times
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Watch how native speakers speak and form words
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Challenge yourself to think in the new language
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Immerse yourself in the language
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However and whenever possible when traveling
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Try to avoid speaking in your native language when abroad
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Keep a pocket dictionary handy or download a translation app on your mobile device(s)
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Don’t be discouraged when making grammatical mistakes or errors in vocabulary
- These are normal (and important!) components of the language learning process
Language Resources at UC Davis
More Information
UC Davis travelers with general travel security questions are encouraged to contact Global Affairs at (530) 752-4129 or travelsecurity@ucdavis.edu.