Europe for Visitors logo


Home Main Index Site Search About Us

"LANGUAGES FOR TRAVELERS" Page 1, 2, 3, 4

How to learn

CDs

Language CDs fall into two basic categories:

Phrasebooks on CD: The CD's tracks are arranged as groups of phrases under topics such as hotels, restaurants, transportation, and shopping. Pro: You'll quickly learn how to ask for a room, order from a menu, etc. Con: Learning phrases by rote won't teach you how to construct a sentence or carry on a conversation.

Language courses: Half a dozen or more CDs are divided into lessons that introduce concepts such as how to make sentences and how to use common verbs like "to have" and "to be." Pro: You'll learn the basics of the language, not just a collection of phrases. Con: The course may not be geared toward a traveler's immediate language needs.

Our advice: Start with a recorded language course from Simon & Schuster's Pimsleur, which uses a very effective repetition method to teach the basics. (In my experience, the "Pimsleur Method" is far more effective than competitors' audio language courses.) Supplement it with a tape of common tourist phrases. (Berlitz publishes a series of "CD Packs" that include a CD, a printed transcript of the recorded lessons, and a comprehensive pocket-size phrasebook that you can take on your trip.)

Computer courses

Language software courses are increasingly popular, because they turn any PC or Macintosh computer into a home or office language lab. Language games are included to make the learning process more fun. Pro: By harnessing the power of your computer, the course gives you a variety of learning options and review methods. Con: You're tied to your computer, the interface emphasizes flexibility over structured learning, and you may end up learning less than you would with a traditional CD course.

My advice: If you use your computer mostly for leisure, a language CD-ROM is worth trying. But you'll be happier with a recorded CD course if you work at a computer all day, or if you need lessons that you can listen to while commuting.

Next Page > More learning methods > Page 1, 2, 3, 4


In this article:
Languages for Travelers - introduction
Self-study courses
Books, classroom courses, online learning
Language links

 

"Best of the Web"
- Forbes and The Washington Post


Our most popular topics:

  • Europe (Index)
  • Paris
  • Venice
  • Rome
  • Germany
  • Cruises in Europe



(c) iStockphoto.com/Robin Ahle

Need a car in Europe?

Auto Europe guarantees the lowest rental rates for standard cars, sports cars, SUVs, luxury cars, chauffered sedans, and RVs. Its Web site also has driving information for 38 countries.

If you live outside the EU, a tax-free Renault or Peugeot tourist lease can be cheaper than renting. Minimum driver age is 18, there' s no upper age limit, and rates include insurance. See: Short-term car leasing.


European train

Traveling by train?
Rail Europe has schedules, maps, and guides for 50+ European railroads. (Residents of North and Central America can buy tickets and rail passes online.)


From Europe for Cruisers:


Travel and cruise news:


Quantcast