Learning the local language — even just a bit — makes a Sabbatical better

You don’t need to be fluent to make a local connection. But knowing how to order coffee, say thank you, or explain you’re are on a Sabbatical can change the way you travel.

Learning a few key phrases — or diving deeper into a new language — makes everyday encounters smoother and often more meaningful. Whether you’re heading to Latin America, Southeast Asia, or southern Europe, this is your chance to brush up on a language you learned years ago, or start fresh with something entirely new.

Here are a few easy ways to get started — even before you leave.

1. Preply – Speak with a Native Speaker

If you want to actually speak the language (not just understand it), try Preply. You can book private video calls with a tutor who’s a native speaker — and lessons are flexible, so you can fit them into your day. It’s a great way to build confidence and get a feel for real, natural conversation. Especially useful if your sabbatical includes longer stays in one country or region.

2. Duolingo – Practice the Basics Daily

Quick lessons, a gamified app, and enough encouragement to keep you coming back — Duolingo is a simple way to start picking up vocabulary and sentence structure. It won’t make you fluent, but it’s ideal for learning numbers, directions, greetings, and basics.

3. Music – Learn Through Songs

Search YouTube or Spotify for playlists in your target language — especially pop songs or classics. Listening to music helps with pronunciation and rhythm. Add lyrics to the mix and translated subtitles and you’ll be surprised how much you pick up. Great while packing, walking, or commuting on the train.

4. Series and Films – Watch in the Target Language

Watching something familiar — a film you’ve seen or a simple animated movie — in another language is a relaxed, low-effort way to get used to sentence patterns and everyday words. Tip: Turn on subtitles in both languages.

5. AI & Apps – Practice Speaking

Alongside Preply, you can also practice conversation with AI tools (some language apps and chatbots now offer this). They won’t replace a human, but they’re a safe way to get in extra practice — especially useful if you’re shy about speaking out loud at first.