外語學習攻略：你學到的不僅僅是語言

06-30

You could study in a classroom, but why not get immersed in the culture as well?既然你會在教室里學習，那為什麼不到自己融入到文化中去學習呢？

Old joke: What do you call a person who speaks several languages? Polyglot. Somebody who speaks two languages? Bilingual. How about someone who speaks only one language? American.有一個陳年的玩笑：你如何稱呼會說幾國語言的人？通曉多種語言者。那會說兩種語言的人呢？雙語者。那隻會說一種語言的人呢？美國人。

It』s a cringe-worthy stereotype: the 「ugly American」 tourist shouting in English thinking the added decibels will help the local person understand him. There』s a much better way to communicate with the global community: Learn another language. While you can always take an online crash course or listen to audiobooks, a much more rewarding way to learn -- and satisfy your wanderlust -- is to do it on ocation.這是一種值得炫耀的固有形象：「醜陋的美國」遊客大聲地說著英語，自以為高分貝就能讓當地人理解他講什麼。一種與地球村進行溝通的更好的方式是：學習另一種語言。雖然你總能在線參加速成課程或是聽有聲電子書，但更有效的學習方式（同時滿足你的旅遊慾望）是在本土國家學習這種語言。

Would-be students tend to fall into one of two camps: people who want to learn a language from scratch or improve their proficiency with a fairly common one, and those seeking an adventure, where the language is a bonus. Knowing what you want to get out of the experience will help determine whether you should go on, say, a monthlong trip to Europe or a shorter one to a more exotic place like Africa.學習新語言的學生往往分為兩類：一類是從零開始學習一門新語言的人，或是與水平相當的人一起提升熟練度；另一類是尋求體驗並把語言學習作為激勵的人。明了自己想從這段經歷中獲得什麼，這將幫助你應該做出什麼樣的決定，比如說是選擇為期一個月的歐洲之旅，還是選擇到非洲這樣更有異國情調的地方來一次短期旅遊。

More Than Just Language Lessons不僅僅是語言課程

「A culturally immersive program, where it is not possible to speak English is the only way to learn a new language, in my opinion,」 says Irene Lane, founder of the eco-adventure company Greenloons.生態探險公司Greenloons的創始人艾琳-萊恩說：「我的觀點是，把一個人放在說不了英語的文化沉浸式項目里，這是學習新語言的唯一方法。」

And the lessons learned aren』t just linguistic. Observing family life, going to the local market, interacting with shopkeepers help to round out and deepen the overall experience. For travelers with less time, there are great 「quickie」 language-learning options, like lessons in conversational Hebrew at a Tel Aviv coffee house or privates lessons in business Spanish at the San Miguel language academy, Academia Hispano Americana.學到的不僅僅是語言。觀察家庭生活、到當地市場去、和店主交流，這些將幫助你完善和加深整個體驗。對於只有短暫時間旅行的人來說，這些都算是不錯的語言「速成」學習選擇，像在特拉維夫咖啡館裡的希伯來語對話交流，或在聖米格爾語言學院的商務西班牙語私人課程。

Maximize Your Immersion讓你的沉浸式學習最大化

Your greatest souvenir from a language-learning adventure will be the ability to communicate in a foreign tongue. But you"re also likely to make lasting friendships and find inspiration for future international escapes. Following these suggestions can help you get even more out of your once-in-a-lifetime experience.在語言學習的經歷中，你得到的最大禮物是用外國語進行溝通的能力。此外你還能建立一段長久的友誼，並找到在未來全球範圍內語言沉浸學習的靈感。遵循以下建議，你將從人生中僅此一次的經歷中受益更多。

1. Practice, practice, practice練習，練習，再練習

Don』t be afraid to ask the locals to speak with you. Getting involved in a community project when time allows, so that the can refine your skills as well as teach your native language.不要害怕，勇敢地邀請當地人和你荻花。如果時間允許，要參與到社區項目中，這樣你不僅可以教授他們你的母語，而且你還改進了你的技能。

2. Journal your progress 記錄進步

Document your adventure with photographs and add captions in your new language. The more you learn, the more fun your story will become to write. While an eight- to 10-day vacation won』t result in fluency, your skills -- and confidence -- should rise dramatically.用圖片記錄你的經歷，用你新學到的語言來備註標題。你學的越多，你寫的故事就越有趣。雖然在8到10天的假期里你不能練就流利的口語，但你的技能（和信心）會得到極大的提升。

3. Be patient with yourself 要有耐心

Don』t be discouraged if you have trouble communicating. Ask people to speak more slowly if you are feeling overwhelmed. (That』s a great phrase to learn right away, by the way.) Set reasonable goals and be sure to allow time to enjoy the whole experience. You made a conscious decision to take a learning journey, so go easy on yourself.如果在溝通上遇到困難，不要灰心。如果你感到不知所措，就請對方說得慢一點（順便說一句，這是一條要馬上學習的極好表達用語）。設立合理的目標，一定要有時間享受整個過程。你做出了要參加學習旅程的慎重決定，所以慢慢來。

4. Keep it going 保持狀態

Hatch a plan to keep or expand your skills once you』re home. Join a local language club, take an evening course, find a native speaker, or make a habit of watching films or subscribing to a magazine in your 「new」 language.等你回到家，就制定一個計劃來保持或拓展你的技能。加入當地的語言俱樂部，參加夜校課程，找一個以該語言為母語的人，培養看電影的習慣，或訂閱一份「新」語言的雜誌。