Tips to learn foreign languages on your travels

How do I communicate in a foreign country if I don’t speak the language?

Buy a guidebook with a brief language section, including common expressions.

And if I don’t want to lug a book?

Write a dozen basic words and expressions in the language used at your destination -- yes, no, please, thank you, my name is, how much, where etc. -- on the cover of a small notebook. Then keep the notebook with you while sightseeing as a cue card, which is more convenient than having to pull out a phrase book and leaf through it. You also might find the Kwikpoint International Translator useful; its laminated pages have symbols you can point to. Info: www.kwikpoint.com.

What’s the most useful phrase to pick up?

It’s easy to appear rude or remote to others when you don’t speak the language. You can avoid that by learning and using this phrase: “I’m sorry. I speak only a little French/Spanish/Italian/whatever, but . . .”

Should I consider language school even if it’s just a short trip?

If you’re going on a big trip, invest a little time and money in introductory language classes. Even if you take no more than two hours of instruction a week for six weeks before departure, it can make a big difference in how comfortable you feel when you reach your destination.

What if I’m staying longer?

If you have a month or more to travel, consider studying a foreign language abroad. There are lots of schools with short-term programs in such attractive places as Mexico, Italy and Thailand where you can settle in, meet interesting people and acquire a skill that will deepen the travel experience. The Institute of International Education, www.iiepassport.org, maintains an electronic database of study abroad programs worldwide.