If you’re learning a language, one of the best things you can do is immerse yourself in the language. Formal classes play an important part in language acquisition, but through my experience studying abroad, I’ve learned some of the best language practice often occurs in unexpected places. In this blog, we’ll take a look at some of the unexpected places for language practice that get you out into your host community and using your language skills in real-world situations.

Grocery stores/Food markets

Going grocery shopping is a great way for everyone to practice their language skills. It’s also one of the few experiences where you can incorporate all four of the basic language skills. You’ll start with writing your grocery list in your target language. When you get to the store, you’ll need to read signs and labels to find what’s on your list and how much it costs. If you want to practice your speaking and listening, ask a grocery store employee where something is or if they have something specific.

When you’re ready for a higher-stakes challenge, try buying your produce from a stand or in a market. This will require more conversation and maybe some haggling, but your reward will be some of the best-tasting fruit and vegetables you’ve ever had.

Salons

In my opinion, there is no better way to practice speaking another language than going for a haircut. There’s a lot of useful vocabulary involved, like colors, comparative adjectives, and verbs. Stylists and barbers are usually friendly too, so this is a great opportunity to practice talking with a native speaker. I went to a woman named Irina for my haircuts while I was teaching in Russia. Over the course of 2 years I went from only pointing to my head and saying “shorter” to chatting with her about managing my curly hair and her family’s vacation to Norway.

Getting a haircut is an adventure though, and your final result may not be what you were expecting. If you’re particular about how your hair is cut or if you’re concerned about your hair’s texture, try getting a manicure instead. The experience is pretty much the same!

Board game nights

Perhaps one of the most fun ways to practice your language skills is by playing board games. Every board game has tasks to complete, rules to follow, and a group of people to play with. This is what makes them such great language practice. Just about any board game works, and they’re useful no matter where you are on your language-learning journey. Each board game has a certain set of vocabulary that you’ll learn and use, and since you’ll be making associations they’ll be easier to remember. For example, I’ve played a bunch of Settler of Catan in Russian. Because of this, I will never forget the Russian words for sheep, brick, wheat, ore, and wood. Board games typically require talking with other players too, which makes them better for language practice than card games. If you’re just starting out, Sorry can help you learn your colors and numbers. If you’ve been studying for years, Codenames is a great way to test your vocabulary.

Fitness classes

If you like staying active, attending fitness classes are a great way to practice your language skills. Classes led by an instructor, such as yoga, spin, or martial arts, are an especially good way to learn the command form of lots of verbs. You’ll also be practicing your listening comprehension in a real-world but low-stakes setting. If you don’t understand something you can just look around and see what others are doing. You’ll also be in a situation to meet people who share your interests. Conversations during warm-ups/cool-downs or before/after class are a great language practice opportunity. You may end up making some friends that you can spend time with after classes too!

Volunteering

Volunteering is a great to get out into your host community. Not only does it allow you to interact with people from different backgrounds, but you’re using your language skills in a meaningful context. There are likely many different organizations that work within your host community that are looking for help. If you’re interested in volunteering, ask your resident director or local friends to help you find something that aligns with your interests (education, animals, conservation, etc). However, make sure that you’re volunteering responsibly. Our friends at GoOverseas.com have a great article about things to think about before you volunteer abroad and important differences between volunteering and voluntourism.

Also, before starting any volunteer work, be sure to check and see if your visa status allows this. There can be negative consequences for both you and the organization, even if you’re working for free.

As you navigate your time abroad, remember that language practice is not confined to the classroom. It’s woven into the fabric of everyday experiences, waiting to be discovered in unexpected places. By taking advantage of experiences, you’ll not only enhance your language skills but also connect with your host community in ways you never imagined. Have you found any other unexpected places to practice your language skills? Let us know in the comments!