Spanish phrases that actually help when you travel
The Spanish you'll really use on a trip, organised by situation, with notes on where Spain and Latin America say things differently.
Articles
Notes on learning languages through reading, the words and phrases that matter, and using them when you travel.
How to order at a French café or restaurant
Bonjour first, "je voudrais" second. A practical guide to ordering food and drinks in French, from café counters to set menus and asking for the bill.
How to order coffee in Italy (and the words behind it)
Un caffè is an espresso, the bar is a café and you often pay before you order. A short guide to Italian coffee culture and the vocabulary that goes with it.
Getting around Germany by train: the German you'll actually need
Gleis, Abfahrt, umsteigen and Verspätung. The German words on station boards and in announcements, so train travel in Germany feels less confusing.
Portuguese for a trip to Brazil: phrases for everyday situations
Tudo bem, valeu, com licença and the rest of the Brazilian Portuguese you'll use daily on a trip, from greetings and food to getting around.
How to actually practise a language while you travel
A trip is the best language class there is, if you use it. Practical ways to speak more, understand more and avoid slipping back into English.
Back home: how to keep a language alive after your trip
Languages fade fast without use. How to hold on to what you learned while travelling, with small routines that fit into ordinary weeks.
Asking for directions in Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese and German
How to ask the way and understand the answer in five European languages, with the key words for left, right, straight on and near.