This €0 holiday hack is making Irish tourists more welcome abroad

Irish Daily Mirror

13-06-2025

Summer has officially begun. This means many Irish holidaymakers are now counting down the days until they board a flight to sun-drenched hotspots in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy or beyond.
In addition to relaxing on the white sandy beaches, they will also sample the cuisine and visit the sights. Before booking, most will do extensive research on hotels in the area, where to enjoy the best nightlife, and the top things to do, but only a handful will learn any of the local language.
The Irish Mirror spoke to Noël Wolf from the language learning app Babbel about why picking up some words and phrases before jetting off can enrich and improve a trip.
The linguist explained: 'Learning even just a few phrases in the local language can completely transform your travel experience. It helps you connect with people in a much more authentic way, allowing you to dive deeper into the culture.
'This often leads to conversations and discoveries you wouldn't find in any guidebook while also helping you break free from the usual tourist traps.
'Beyond that, it makes everyday challenges like avoiding getting lost, navigating public transport, or ordering a meal in the local language feel much less daunting, so you can explore with greater confidence, less stress, and a sense of adventure.'
She added: 'Knowing the language - even just the basics - can turn simple moments into opportunities to learn and engage, making your journey not just about the places you visit, but about the people you meet and the stories you share, not to mention delving deeper into a new culture.
'Imagine arriving in Rome and being able to order your gelato in Italian, or saying Merci, bonne journée!' (Thank you, have a good day!) as you leave a café in Paris. People open up more when you try, and often those little exchanges become your favourite travel memories."
Noël said tourists who want to learn some of the local language should start their learning journey with words or phrases they will actually need.
These include friendly basics, such as 'Hello,' 'Please,' 'Thank you,' and 'Excuse me.'
Navigational help: 'Train,' 'Bus,' and 'Where is…?', 'How do I get to…?'
Daily essentials: 'How much does this cost?', 'I'd like one ticket, please.' 'Please can I have a…'
Social phrases: 'Do you speak English?', 'Do you recommend…?'.
Emergency phrases: 'Where is the bathroom?', 'I need help,' 'I'm allergic to…'
Noël also said learning a bit of local lingo—like toasting with 'Prost!' in Germany or 'Salud!' in Spain—also helps tourists join in on celebrations and feel part of the community.
When asked if she had any tips for language learners who are afraid to mess up,
Noël said: 'Making mistakes is a natural stage in the interlanguage process as your brain constructs a bridge between your native tongue and the target language.
'You will make mistakes; everyone does, but these moments often lead to friendly connections with locals, not judgment.
'We encourage learners to embrace the process. Think of errors not as setbacks, but as stepping stones. The most important thing is to try.
'A little courage often leads to meaningful cultural exchanges, and the fear fades when you realise no one's expecting perfection.'
Noël also made clear that language learners don't need years of practice and deep understanding of grammar.
She continued: 'With just 10-15 minutes a day over a few weeks you can start feeling comfortable in basic conversations. The secret? Consistency and relevance.
'Focus on practical language skills, not perfection. That means learning what you'll actually use, not just what's grammatically correct.
'Even a little language know-how can reduce stress and help you feel in control - especially in tricky spots like airports, train stations or bustling local markets.'
She said locals really appreciate when tourists attempt to speak the language.
The linguist explained: 'Even the smallest effort is often met with the biggest smiles. Whether you're in Paris or rural Croatia, the response is almost always warm and positive.
'In Sweden, for example, just saying 'Tusen tack' (Thank you very much) can warmly change the tone of an interaction. It's never about perfection - it's about transforming routine moments, like ordering coffee or asking for directions, into memorable connections.
'Language carries powerful symbolic meaning. It's a gesture of effort, a crossing of boundaries. When you speak the local language, even just a little, you're honouring that culture's values.'
Noël's top tips
'Make it fun and culturally relevant. Tie your learning to local experiences - like ordering paella in Spain or asking where to find the best fika (coffee break) in Sweden.
"Most importantly, be curious, be kind, and don't be afraid to laugh at yourself. That's how real conversations - and real memories - start.
'Also, make it meaningful to you. If you're into food, learn how to order local dishes or ask for recommendations, like: 'Cosa mi consiglia?' ("What do you recommend?") in Italy.
"If you love nature, learn how to ask about hiking routes or weather, like: 'Wie wird das Wetter heute?' ('How's the weather today?') in Germany.
'Language is a doorway, not a test. It's one of the few things you can pack that will genuinely enrich your travel.'
Babbel is a subscription-based language-learning app that offers courses in Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Turkish, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Polish, Danish, and Indonesian.