by Diana Coode

Created on: March 30, 2009

Kalimera. Bonjour. Guten Morgen. Buenas dias. The natural and easiest place to start learning a new language is being able to greet people, followed closely, I believe, by Thank You and Please and Goodbye. With just these few words and plenty of smiles, it is so simple to create a friendly impression and begin the process of communication. That's fine, most of us can probably master that much but, where to go from there? The next step is important and will be different for us all, as it will depend on the individual concerned and whatever needs he, or she, has.

Perhaps I can illustrate this best with my own examples. My partner and I travel widely, both with our motor home in Europe and backpacking in Asia so, being aware of other languages has been part of our lifestyle for a long time. Shopping for food is almost a daily necessity, which means learning words early on like bread and milk, and the currency to help with prices. Phrases such as "How much" and "Have you got" need not be difficult, Yes and No can be most useful, as can Toilet, Excuse Me and Sorry. Campsites and garages and buses regularly feature in our day to day life, as do showers and drinking water and fuel.

Written language can be equally essential to recognise, especially when driving. In Greece this meant trying to remember the alphabet and, in Egypt we needed to know the numbers in order to get on the right tram. Being able to read signs such as Ladies and Gentlemen, Open or Closed and Beware or Forbidden can be helpful too.

So, having mastered some basic vocabulary, and maybe the odd phrase, what else have we found important? Days of the week and times, today, yesterday and tomorrow, dishes and drinks and how to say something is lovely - when talking about scenery or a woman, expensive - maybe in a shop, or good - perhaps a meal. Asking someone if they speak English is a very useful expression and, maybe you would like to tell them you are Canadian or from the USA. A phrase such as "I only speak a little Spanish or Greek" will hopefully ensure that any questions or conversations are kept simple and, of course " I don't understand" is a definite requirement.

Progressing from this level can be quite rapid. By learning stock questions, for example "Where is?" plus nouns like station or hospital or beach, or "Is there a..?" it can be possible to build up quite an impressive vocabulary. Other useful phrases could be "I've got." to talk about your family and "I am or I am not.."to talk about yourself. The problem is that the more fluent and confident you become, the more people will think you understand and start talking to you like a native.

When learning a new language there are many paths to take. The question you need to ask yourself is, what is the purpose for learning. Are you merely going on holiday? Is it for your work? Will you want to read or write it? What kind of vocabulary will be useful to you? And it is only once these have been answered, that you can decide the way ahead.

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