How to pick up the local language before you go

Speaking a language will help open doors on your next trip, and achieving a 'survival level' might be easier than you think

- RUFFIN PREVOST

There are plenty of reasons to learn a foreign language before you travel. Perhaps you are venturing beyond major tourist centers, or you want to be prepared for emergencies. Whatever the reason, speaking even a few words of the local language with residents can quickly elevate you from tourist to empathetic traveler. "This tiny interaction instantly connects you," said Maryellen, vice president & executive editor of Coursier Language Programs, in an email.

"That's the feeling travelers are chasing. You're not just passing through, but engaging and connecting." Fortunately, there are lots of ways to learn languages, and getting started is affordable, or even free.