Cities to explore in Europe for a monolingual family (English)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like the idea of heading to a country that uses a language your children are studying in school. It is very motivating for them to see how useful a second language can be.

Be realistic about how much your kids will actually speak in the 2nd language. When you are traveling, you don't generally talk that much with other people, and if you are going to nice areas that tourists go to, most service people will speak some English. Your kids will probably be shy about using the language unless they are really strong in it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Literally anywhere in Europe is fine. A lot of people speak english, and if not, you have google translate. And if that doesn't work, a big smile, pointing, some charades, etc works. Learning to communicate across languages and cultures is a wonderful experience!

Literally anywhere in the world..

Exactly. If you’re friendly, willing to be confused but have a good attitude about it, flexible and willing to try to translate things yourself, you will be fine anywhere. Even if the language is in another alphabet. Even if you have no idea what’s going on a lot of the time!

[Anonymous]

My kid studies Spanish and we have been to Spain, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and planning to go to Colombia in December. It helps reinforce what kid is hearing in the classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like the idea of heading to a country that uses a language your children are studying in school. It is very motivating for them to see how useful a second language can be.

Be realistic about how much your kids will actually speak in the 2nd language. When you are traveling, you don't generally talk that much with other people, and if you are going to nice areas that tourists go to, most service people will speak some English. Your kids will probably be shy about using the language unless they are really strong in it.

For me, being surrounded by people who spoke the language I had thought of as a chore/a homework assignment changed my perspective. I had a culture shock hearing the overhead announcements in that language, recognizing the odd word on a computer screen. It made it suddenly seem real and useful.
I took to that language after that, perhaps others do not. But I found it motivating.

Putting language aside, I think that traveling as you grow up is great because your birth country is no longer the center of the universe in your mind. You start to realize things you appreciate about America, yes...but also that different countries have a great word that your language does not or a great food or an amazing natural wonder. That is key, to losing the ethnocentrism that can develop from spending your whole life in one country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Literally anywhere in Europe is fine. A lot of people speak english, and if not, you have google translate. And if that doesn't work, a big smile, pointing, some charades, etc works. Learning to communicate across languages and cultures is a wonderful experience!

This

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live in the Blue Ridges a few hours outside of the DMV and often pick cities to explore when not selecting beach locales. We have decided to try to explore more of Europe. We started with London and had a wonderful time. We ended up visiting twice to cover more ground.

Are there other cities you would recommend where you can get by rather easily speaking English?

Pretty much anywhere in Europe, but not just Europe.

I have traveled all over Asia and do you think people learn every different language before going somewhere? It is utterly impossible.

Be polite, smile, learn please and thank you wherever you go. You will be fine. Just remember, never connect through Manila.

[Anonymous]

Currently in Denmark (and went to Sweden earlier in the trip) and as others have said, the level and prevalence of English fluency is incredible. While I'd say most people have at least a little Danish-accented English, there are so many who sound completely British or American.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When people say “use Google translate”, how do you do that exactly? Like type the English into your phone and then hold up the translation for the person to read? Or do you attempt to pronounce it?

both