Moving to a new country where you don’t speak the language can be daunting. So many things you take for granted become much harder, including grocery shopping, ordering at the restaurant, or asking for directions.
The first step to feeling more comfortable in your host country is learning simple words and phrases to help you navigate everyday situations. Here is a short list that can come in handy.
1. Greetings
The first thing to learn when moving to a new country is how to say words like Hello, Thank you, Please, You’re welcome, Excuse me, and Goodbye. These are words you use throughout the day, no matter what activity you’re doing, and it will be helpful to know how to speak them in your host language.
2. Introductions
Once you’ve mastered greetings, the next step is learning to introduce yourself. Learning to say My name is, I’m from Canada, and What is your name? are the first steps to initiate a conversation. At first, it might also be helpful to learn how to say, I don’t speak <language> to indicate to your interlocutor that you won’t be able to get much further in the conversation.
3. Numbers
Numbers are an essential part of learning a new language. While numbers are easy to sign at first, you will rapidly find yourself limited without knowing the words. The good thing about numbers is that they are often easy to learn with a built-in sequence.
4. Directions and Transportation
Your first interactions with strangers in your new host country will involve asking for directions as you learn to become familiar with your environment. Learning phrases like to the left, to the right, and straight ahead will make those interactions easier and will be helpful if you get lost. Learning the names of transportation modes, such as taxi, train, bus, etc., will also be helpful.
5. Time
Another thing you will need to navigate in your host language is setting up appointments. Learning some time-keeping phrases such as today, tomorrow, yesterday, morning, and afternoon, as well as numbers will help.
6. Food and Drink
To avoid pulling out your phone to translate menus at restaurants or ingredients at the back of a box in the grocery store, you should learn some food and drink names, especially products you use frequently. Water, coffee, and bread are good ones to start with.
7. Emergency
Finally, learn some emergency terms, including help, fire, police, hospital, and ambulance. Hopefully, you will not need to use them, but it’s always good to know them before you need them. Not being able to be understood in an emergency can have dire consequences.