The Value In Learning Latin: How To Learn Languages As You Travel
Learning Latin is not only fun, but it’s a way of preserving Western civilization. When you want to learn the Romance languages, Latin should be your foundation. This is because Latin is the language that the Romans used when codifying, synthesizing, and summarizing Hebrew and Greek literature.
Nowadays, even in law, the sciences, and the English language, Latin still exists. So when you want to learn other words quickly, start with Latin. It’s not even hard to learn Latin and other languages because you can do it anytime and anywhere.
Even when you’re traveling, learning a new language is not that hard. Here’s how to keep learning a language while you’re in a trip:
1. Enroll In An Online Class
When you’re learning Latin traditionally, you might have to sacrifice your travel plans. But if traveling is part of your job or is a leisure activity you can’t sacrifice, learning Latin online is the solution.
As long as you have internet connection, you can access the necessary learning materials in your device. For some online Latin educators, they even offer a mobile app for easier access.
Just open the app, click on your lessons, then you can listen, record, and even practice speaking the language. Most Latin language educators also offer a free trial, so you can assess whether their teaching strategies suit you.
But generally, online Latin courses allow you to learn through various ways like webcams, instant messaging, phone, chat boards, audio, and video. That way, you can save or download the learning materials in your device so you can access it anytime.
2. Travel To A Foreign Land
Now that you can bring your learning materials anywhere, it’s time to choose the best places to learn Latin. Especially when you’re traveling out of leisure, you must visit places that have a touch of Latin in them. For instance, Italy, Rome, France, and Portugal may inspire you more.
Visiting places where the Latin language has developed in the old days can immerse you in the language itself, especially when you’re traveling solo. So while having coffee in those beautiful ruins, you can practice speaking Latin.
But if you’re traveling for business matters, you can visit churches that conduct Latin masses. That way, you can practice listening and gauging your understanding of the Latin language. When you hear Latin words you’ve learned or you remember phrases, you’ll definitely feel accomplished.
3. Talk To The Locals
While you’re out there, strike up a conversation with the locals. It’s best when you visit rural locations or towns as tourist spots have more English-speaking people.
But when you talk and stay in local places, you’ll be able to practice the language you’re learning or the locals’ own language. By practicing in real-life situations, you can understand the language better. Thus, you can memorize and remember it easily.
Not only that, but it’s also best to learn from the locals as they’ll be willing to share their language. And in return, you can also teach them English or other languages you know.
4. Teach The Language
By teaching the language you’re learning, it’ll also become easier for you to apply it. Not only are you learning, but teaching other people Latin also helps you retain what you’ve learned.
You can either teach your friends back home when you’re calling them overseas, or you can also join volunteer programs. For instance, organizations that cater to locals will need someone with a background in Latin. That way, you can also practically use the phrases you’ve learned.
Not only will the locals be happy with the help the organization offers, but they’ll also feel at ease when you talk to them using their own language.
5. Write A Journal
Lastly, writing a journal using Latin can strengthen your memory with the new words you’ve learned. Aside from speaking and listening, it would be best if you also learn to write the language.
By documenting your day during your travels, you can use the words and phrases you’ve learned so you won’t easily forget them. To make it more exciting, translate what you’ve written in the English language or another language you’re learning. By doing this, you can memorize the language better, even when you’re learning Latin on your own.
Not only can you write in a journal, but you can also write in Latin when you’re messaging your friends back home. Of course, they’ll raise their eyebrows when they receive your Latin messages, but you can always translate what they mean. That way, you can also check whether you’ve used the right words or phrases.
Conclusion
Now that you’re ready to embark on your journey, learning Latin along the way will certainly give your travels an interesting twist. Moreover, you’re learning Latin in an extraordinary way so you won’t forget it easily. Lastly, you can make your memories unforgettable when you write in Latin to record every detail of your journey. To maximize your time when you travel, enrol yourself in online Latin classes.