5 easy ways to practice your new language skills abroad

We’ll say it: there’s a limit to how much you’ll learn in class. Or on an app. Learning a language isn’t just about memorizing vocabulary or acing grammar exercises. To become fluent, you’ve got to live the language, understand the culture, and become confident actually using it in the real world.

Why language practice is essential

Of course, speaking another language outside of the classroom can be intimidating, but it’s one of the fastest ways to improve. Real-life situations, such as ordering coffee, exploring a new city, or chatting with a neighbor, will immerse you in the language. 

By encouraging you to apply your skills, these interactions (including the mistakes you make) help turn passive knowledge into active confidence. You’ll start to speak more naturally and authentically, become a better listener, adapt to different accents and slang, and build lasting language skills.

Here are five simple — but powerful — ways to practice your budding language skills in real life and make the most out of learning a language abroad.

1. Find new friends with a class or shared hobby

Regularly chatting with native speakers is like language-learning rocket fuel. So consider finding an activity that brings people together around an activity you enjoy. This could be a sports team, weekly art or cooking classes, or even a local theater group. This kind of language practice is great because it’s low-stakes and really varied: you’ll meet like-minded people in a relaxed setting, each with a different background, sense of humor, and communication style. Over time, you'll also make new friends, practice being part of social conversations, and become confident with small talk. Not sure what to say? You’ll always have your shared interest to fill any awkward gaps in conversation.

Top tip: Learn some relevant vocabulary before you begin so that you have a few basic terms for your activity ready to go. 

2. Shop at the local market

Dig in: you’re about to get bougie. Skip the supermarket and get your groceries at the farmers’ market. The produce is often better and more sustainably sourced — plus local markets are prime real estate for some serious language practice. Order a complicated beverage (an iced, dirty matcha latte with oat milk, please), then ask if there are any peaches or how much a sourdough loaf costs. Find out if the seller is also the person who grew or made the thing you’re buying, and be open to hearing about their business. Be curious, chatty, and watch your language skills and confidence grow as you get to know folks in the community.

Top tip: Give haggling a try. Negotiating good deals at the market not only helps you score a bargain but also gives you great practice with numbers. 

3. Start a regular book or movie club

Grab a group of friends or classmates, pick a book or a movie for you all to read or watch, then hang out together to chat about it. The rules? The book or movie has to be in the language you’re learning. Reading books and watching movies or TV shows are proven to help you learn a language. If you’re all students, this is a fun way to practice being part of conversations about popular culture and experiment with sharing your opinions in a friendly setting.

Top tip: Help lock in what you’ve learned by sticking to the language of the book or movie when discussing it with the group, which will add another layer of learning.

4. Ditch the device and chat face-to-face

Our mobile phones have slashed our need to communicate with people IRL. And this means we’re missing out on opportunities to practice asking questions, listening to advice, and gaining confidence using new vocab or slang. Make an effort to choose human-chat more than ChatGPT — trust us, it’ll be better for your language learning, your brain, and your carbon footprint. It might not be comfortable sometimes, but by regularly solving problems without your phone by asking people questions, you’ll quickly notice the difference it can make.

Top tip: Next time you’re in a new neighborhood looking for a restaurant or a store, ask someone for directions instead of using Google Maps. It can be as simple as, “Is there a good café nearby?” 

5. Boost your skills (and CV) with volunteer experience

This is especially useful if you’re hoping to move to or start your career abroad. You may be able to do some volunteer shifts at a local charity shop, intern part-time during your summer abroad, or gain work experience in an industry you’re interested in. You’ll meet loads of native speakers, have to solve problems and think on your feet, and it’ll look great on your CV. As well as helping you master the language, these experiences give you heaps of skills that’ll support your career. 

Top tip: Use the experience to pick up new vocabulary for your career as well as a greater understanding of the workforce culture — learning what people wear to work, eat for lunch, or how they socialize with colleagues. 

With these tips, you’ll step out of the classroom and into real-life conversations. The more you practice, the faster your new language will become a natural part of who you are.