Learning a foreign language is not really a thing for me. I never thought that I would actually have to learn one until I traveled and lived here in China. Since Mandarin is widely used by most of the population, its a real pain to talk to locals especially they think I'm a local since I look like one.
Since English speakers are hard to find here in China its a must that you learn their language before you travel. Even if its just a short visit its a must that you know the basics.
Methods of learning a foreign language.
- Reading a book. It seems easy right? But are you saying it correctly? Most words get mixed up with other meanings and they might interpret what you are saying the wrong way.
- Taking a class - Its nice to have someone that teaches you the sentence construction and how to say it correctly but most that is being taught aren't really applicable once you are out there on the field. Not only that its also expensive and time consuming. If you will just be visiting for a short period of time you cant justify the effort you put in.
- Mobile Apps - With our connected world, learning online is easier than ever. I love using mobile apps when I travel. I find it very easy, compact and useful! You can type in the word you wanted to be translated in seconds! I'm using it all the time and it actually helps me remove the big language barrier and connect with the locals and get by with my day to day life.
image from my phone screenshots
I'm currently using Hello Pal, an app that connects you to local speakers of the language you want to learn. It makes learning a lot more enjoyable and easy. Here are some of my experiences while using the app.
- I get to have live conversations with a local speaker without the hassle of being in a time bounded class.
- The app is FREE! I'm saving money instead of paying expensive classes offline.
- Very quick interface and lots of features. Not only that it will translate the words for you, you can also have the option of voice recording. The app will give a pre-recorded phrase or sentence that you can mimic and send to your friend on the line. That makes it very personal!
- The translations are available in audio format, pinyin and Chinese characters. There is no way that the other person can't understand that.
- It improved my conversational ability. Since I have been practicing online with a live person, I am now a lot more confident when i say something in their local language.
- You can learn anytime and anywhere! Whether you are at home or on the go you can learn at your own pace. No Stress!
- You get to enjoy a different language, make more friends and break the language barrier! I was able to connect to more locals and enjoy more the culture of the people I'm around with.
I'm very happy with my progress in Mandarin using the Hello Pal App. I use it to practice during my spare time and I just study topics that Im not familiar with. Learning is so much faster with this app and easy too! Even if im not a local at least i can communicate and also get by with my day to day needs!
my husband, our Chinese friend Linda and me
Have you ever experienced being in a foreign land where nobody understands you? Are you trapped in a circle of never ending search for someone that speaks your native language? I had that experience and I know for a fact that its frustrating. Give this app a try and make your next travel adventure an enjoyable one!
Download the Free App Here: http://bit.ly/1r3viY5
Check out their website for more information: www.HelloPal.com
Thanks for sharing this. I am going to check out that app. I love learning new languages - not that I travel much - but I just enjoy learning.
ReplyDeleteAmazing tool! I may give it a try, I love learning new languages!
ReplyDeleteThis would be great for me locally as we have a huge population of hispanics. I would love to learn spanish.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like an amazing app.I want to learn spanish.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of this software. It sounds like a great way to learn a language
ReplyDeleteAwesomeness!!! I really want to try the app.
ReplyDeleteI would love to learn Japanese properly.
Yay it's downloading now
Thank you so much for sharing this
Oh wow! What a great idea! This would be great for learning dialects and accents of different areas :)
ReplyDeleteThis would be a nice app to have when you're planning a trip to a country that can give you some serious issues with the language. Thanks for the detailed info as well! I'm really interested to try it.
ReplyDeleteThis is very helpful, especially that I am planning to have a vacation out of the country.
ReplyDeleteI am also not good at learning a foreign language, I am so glad there is an app like this!
ReplyDeleteThis App is very helpful for people to learn other language other than their native language. I teach my kids my own dialect especially my little girl. I speak to her half English and mixed some of my dialect which she understands.
ReplyDeleteHello Pal app sounds like a very nice thing. I would love to have this app, I travel a lot and this will help me.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an easy and effective app. I have always wanted to learn French and Chinese
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great way to pick up a second language. I want to work on my Spanish and my daughter and I could do this together.
ReplyDeleteAmazing app! Hope I can reach a good level in french!
ReplyDeleteMy, that's one awesome app, I never would've thought that there's at least a casual (or better) alternative for learning foreign languages! I wonder if it supports Japanese. Let me just try it then!
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool! I definitely will download this the next time I travel, it will make things so much easier!
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of Hello Pal but I have another app that I use to brush up on my Italian that I use to know!
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely worth looking into before an overseas trip. Thanks for the introduction!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome app! Thank you for sharing this. I am going to check it out!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like such a great way to learn another language. I need to look into it!
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool that you can learn a new language with this app. I'd want to learn Korean. My sister is fluent because she's taken a course and also went to South Korea a couple of times. She took Mandarin class last year. Going to tell her about Hello Pal!
ReplyDeleteOh, I didn't know that an app is available to learn a new language and it's for FREE. Gosh, I need to check this app. Thanks for sharing!
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How neat! I've never heard of this app before, but it's very clever and sounds extremely useful. I'll have to check it out!
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing! Tech nowadays really change one's lifestyle esp. the kids. Hope we have it here. This is super nice!
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