How To Improve Your English When You're Traveling

What is the best way to improve your English? Some might say reading, others might say writing – I personally pick traveling. Traveling opens new doors of perception and can truly make a difference in the way we report to language. The more you travel, the better your English will become. That’s because most (if not all) countries rely on English as a common language. As you might already know, travelers use English to understand each other. So, if you really want to improve your English, this is where you should start.

1. Meet up with foreigners
The coolest thing you could do is set up a meeting with strangers. You could download the app Meetup and browse for English-speaking meetings all over the city you’re currently in. I’m pretty sure you’ll find many options available since most travelers use this app for this purpose exactly – to practice their English.

Another common option is Couchsurfing, which can be valuable if you’re looking for free accommodation. However, you can also use it to hang out with other couchsurfers, grab beers, sightsee the surroundings, or go clubbing. You can pick your interests before looking for people around you.

2. Couchsurf
As I said, Couchsurfing offers free accommodation for people from all over the world. The app functions on mutual consent of common sense between parties. That being said, travelers using this app open their homes to other travelers who would rather stay with a host than pay for a hotel room. This is another great way to meet people from all over the world, have eye-opening talks, and practice your English.

Tip: take precautions before signing up for Couchsurfing. Better safe than sorry! writes John, writer at bestessays.com and world traveler. Always let your family/friends back home know where you are and who you’re living with for the time being.

3. Listen to podcasts while riding the bus
Conversations in English are easier if you’ve got some practice behind. This is why you could also listen to English podcasts while riding the bus/taxi to the beach/mountains/etc. Pick your favorite topic you usually like discussing and then, look up podcasts debating that specific topic. You will not only practice listening to English but also get more knowledge on the subject at hand.

Some ideas are NPR for international news and the latest world events, Business English Pod for entrepreneur-minded people, or Culip’s ESL podcast for those interested in fun conversations streaming from Canada.

4. Read a book
If you’re into reading, then switch from listening to podcasts to reading interesting books. Look up the closest library to you and pick the best book you could find. Some easy-to-find books that you might find interesting are Harry Potter, Tuesdays with Morrie, or The Tipping Point. The first one is a must-read regardless of your age, the second can be easily empathized with, and the third is mostly recommended for sociology students. If you don’t like browsing for English books at random libraries, you could also pack a book with you before leaving.

If you don’t like reading at all, you could pick up a journal and start writing. This is another option that could help your English improve.

5. Watch a movie
Another great idea that could help you practice English is watching a movie at the cinema. Foreign movies are pretty cool to watch – plus, you’ve got subtitles in English, so this is double-productive. You will be listening to a new language while improving your written English abilities. You never know how cool an activity truly is until you go ahead and do it. Watching a movie by yourself might seem sad but it’s not at all. It’s actually quite amazing.

6. Attend a workshop
If you’re in a city such as Madrid, Paris, New York, etc., there must be plenty of workshops around you. You will be surprised by how many new skills you can learn by attending such an event – so, look for one online (or on Meetup) and go! Be brave to try something new each day, live your life to the maximum.

7. Take a free walking tour
No trip is complete without taking a free walking tour. Walking tours are sooo much fun! Plus, you really get to practice your English while on a tour. You’ll get the chance to talk to people from all over the world, make new friends, and see the world through different eyes. Do it!

Wrapping Up
To improve your English when abroad, try some of the activities mentioned above. You could try Couchsurfing and meet up with people from all over the world or listen to your favorite podcasts on the beach. You could also read books in English, watch movies with subtitles, or attend English-speaking workshops. Don’t forget to take a free walking tour in English – not only will it help you practice the language, but it’ll also teach you interesting facts about the country you’re visiting.

About the author: Justin Osborne is a writer at bestessays.com, he loves to share his thoughts and opinions about education, writing and blogging with other people on different blogs and forums. Currently, he is working as a content marketer.