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Should You Learn Spanish Before Vacationing In Mexico

Should You Learn Spanish Before Vacationing In Mexico?

You have made the reservations for the hotel and bought tickets for your flight. You are looking forward to enjoying some leisure time for walking along a beach, dining at an authentic Mexican restaurant, or just exploring the narrow streets of a small Mexican village. But if you have never traveled outside of the United States, you might wonder if you could get along in a country where very few speak English outside of the resort community. So, the question is, should you take the time and effort to learn Spanish?

Certainly you would be able to enjoy certain aspects of your vacation much better if you spoke the same language as the nation that you are visiting. Being able to read advertising and newspapers in the region would lend itself to a better appreciation of Mexico and its culture. Speaking Spanish to the locals would make life much easier as far as ordering food, negotiating a price for that souvenir you just can't live without or even asking for simple directions. Being able to understand what is being spoken around you would let you immerse yourself in the culture even more.

However, it may not be necessary to become fluent in Spanish to enjoy yourself while vacationing in Mexico. Most service people, especially in resorts and restaurants, will have at least a rudimentary grasp of English. Many resorts will have signage and menus printed in English as well. And there have been many tourists that have experienced speaking to someone who doesn't speak the same language by using a combination of sign language, body language, and inflection of common words like "no" and "auto". Total comprehension may not be there, but the point usually comes across.

The most common approach people traveling to Mexico use are to have a pocket size Spanish to English dictionary and memorize basic words or phrases. Knowing how to ask where the rest room is or to ask the time can be handy. Having the ability to pronounce Spanish words is helpful and can be a lot of fun to practice. And even knowing a word to use in the right situation, such as "alto" for stop, can be very helpful.

Memorizing certain key words will be the easiest way to get your point across to a local and keep your brain from overloading learning Spanish. Knowing the "banyo" means bathroom is a big one and "policia" for police is good for the other type of emergency. Learning the cross streets or area where your resort is located will, properly pronounced, give a taxi driver or police officer enough information to help you get back to your base of operations.

Learning another language is a lot easier today because of the proliferation of technology. The best type is what is known as immersion learning. Results say it can be learned relatively quickly, but it doesn't seem to be necessary for enjoying a vacation in Mexico. So instead of slapping on headphones and trying to learn Spanish in a week before you travel to Mexico, just learn a few key phrases or words, pack your Spanish to English dictionary, and just wing it while vacationing in Mexico.


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Tours.com and NBC Highlight Mexico Vacations With Latest Episode of NBC's Gre... 1 Sep 2010 at 6:16am
SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - September 1, 2010) - What's the latest on Mexico travel? What's a family on an affordable Mexico vacation to do? NBC's Great Getaways put Mexico to the test this summer for a packed program of adventures, dips and trips to be taken in a whirlwind holiday South of the Border. The program begins airing on September 1 on NBC affiliate stations, including KNTV in San ...

'James Gang' enjoys Cancún trip 2 Sep 2010 at 2:13pm
My wife, Paula, and I have taken many memorable vacations over the years with family members and friends, but nothing compares to the adventurous, all-inclusive, one-week stay in Cancún, Mexico , we recently spent with 20 other members of the "James Gang.

The week?s best travel deals 3 Sep 2010 at 12:26pm
Great savings on cruises, California wine, and more

Hurricane Earl weakens to Category 1, Fiona now tropical depression 3 Sep 2010 at 3:36am
A weakening but still dangerous Hurricane Earl steamed toward the gray-shingled cottages and fishing villages of Cape Cod on today, disrupting...

Speech therapist jailed on fraud charges 3 Sep 2010 at 6:15am
WYSOX ? The Pennsylvania Attorney General?s Office has filed charges of Medicaid fraud against Peter Anthony Ferrulli, a speech patholigist practicing in Wysox under the name Spectrum Therapeutic Services.

Archives 3 Sep 2010 at 2:41am
09/03/10: Manna from heaven: West Virginia senate seat 08/31/10: How GOPers will win the senate 08/26/10: Party trend has yet to kick in 08/24/10: Advice to GOP candidates: Avoid adjectives, nouns are good enough 08/19/10: Ground Zero mosque: The real issue 08/18/10: House Dems Face Tough Triage Choices 08/13/10: A Contract with America for 2010 08/12/10: Michelle's Travels Will Trigger Backlash ...

Contiki Vacations Launches New 2010-2011 Europe Winter Brochure 30 Aug 2010 at 12:28pm
ANAHEIM, CA--(Marketwire - 08/30/10) - Contiki Vacations, the leader in fun travel packages for 18-35 year olds, is pleased to announce the launch of the 2010-2011 Europe Winter brochure. The brochure is available in print and online at Contiki.com/brochures , and presents more than 20 options for traveling Europe this winter. Featured trips include the bestselling package European Discovery ...

JDB Fine Hotels & Resorts Announces JDB's SmartStart: One Night Free, A Progr... 3 Sep 2010 at 12:01am
Complimentary Nights Available at Over 60 Participating Hotels in Five Countries

What next? 2 Sep 2010 at 8:25pm
ON TRACK, PART 10, THE FINALE: WITH OR WITHOUT THE TRACK Few doubt the track is important to the area's economy, but does it represent our future?

Pack Your Bag & Come to Real Resorts...It's On Us! 2 Sep 2010 at 9:39am
Tired of paying those airline checked baggage fees? Â Real Resorts can help! Now through December 23, 2010, Real Resorts will offer guests up to a $50 Resort credit when they show their receipt for airline checked luggage costs upon check-in.




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