Just Enough to Get By

Learning a Language for Travel

Apr 14, 2025

I’ve been dreaming of spending real time in Italy for a few years now. While I’ve already visited the major tourist spots, what I really want is to slow down and experience the country a little more deeply.

Things kept getting in the way, until now. I’ve unexpectedly been given the chance to travel to Italy for a few weeks for work, visiting cities throughout the Veneto region, where Venice is located. It’s a fantastic opportunity, and it’s also pushed me to revisit a long-standing goal: learning Italian.

One of my language goals for 2025 was to start Italian alongside brushing up on French. There's no better time to begin. So, I thought I’d share how I’m preparing, and how my approach to Italian will differ slightly from how I’ve been working on French.

If you’re thinking about picking up a new language for an upcoming trip, I hope this gives you some direction. (If you’re already beyond the basics, you might enjoy my Fresh Foundations series instead.)

Before I jump in, I want to acknowledge that every learner brings a different set of experiences, preferences, and goals. I already speak Spanish and French and have years of experience using languages in everyday life. That background will influence both my approach and my success. I’d take a similar path for other Romance languages, but I’d adjust my expectations if I were starting something more distant from what I know.

There’s nothing like starting a new language learning notebook. For this challenge, I’ve started a new Vocabulary Notebook.

Week One: Build the Basics

The first week is all about creating a foundation by learning essential vocabulary and expressions for daily life, while staying focused on real-world use. The goal isn’t to memorize lists but to build the confidence and fluency to handle common, meaningful interactions.

1. Set a Goal and Manage Expectations

I have just a few weeks to prepare, so I need to be realistic about what I can achieve. Full conversations? Probably not. Ordering a meal or asking which platform my train leaves from? That’s more likely.

Here’s the SMART goal I’m working with:

By May 2, I’ll be able to order a meal, have a simple conversation in a hotel, and a basic exchange about public transport.

Having this kind of specific goal helps me create a focused study plan. It shows me what to prioritize now and what can wait for later.

2. Create a Mini “Syllabus”

I use the word syllabus loosely. This is really just a working list of the vocabulary and functions I’ll need for my goal. Because I expect to rely heavily on formulaic language in predictable situations (like restaurants and transport), I don’t need much grammar for now.

Here’s what I plan to cover:

Greetings
Numbers
Telling the time
Colors
Days and months
Weather
Food and dishes
Hotel vocabulary
Public transport vocabulary
Question words (who, what, where, etc.)
Asking for something (“Can I have…?”)
Expressing wants (“I’d like…”)
Asking for information (“How much is…?”, “Where is…?”, “How do I get to…?”)

This may seem like a lot, but thanks to the similarities with French and Spanish, I feel it’s manageable. If I were starting a non-Romance language, I’d set a much smaller scope and adjust my expectations accordingly.

3. Learn with Activation in Mind

Rather than passively reviewing lists, I’m organizing my study around vocabulary themes and simple conversations.

For basic topics like colors, numbers, and days, I’ll:

Look up the vocabulary
Write it out in my notebook
Learn pronunciation using YouTube, online dictionaries, and ChatGPT

Then, I’ll write short dialogues to practice the words in context:

A: What’s the date today?
B: It’s Monday, April 14, 2025.
A: What’s the weather like?
B: It’s cloudy and rainy.

I’ll also be experimenting with ChatGPT for role plays. It’s something I haven’t used for this purpose before, but I’m curious to see how it works for pronunciation, listening, and basic feedback. Normally, I’d turn to a teacher for this, but I’m taking the opportunity to explore a new tool.

The first entry in my new Vocabulary Notebook.

Get your Vocabulary Notebook

Week Two: Practice Meaningful Conversations

With the basics in place, Week Two is about preparing for specific situations like restaurants, hotels, and train stations, and putting language into use. The focus is still on real communication, not just recall.

4. Practice Functional Dialogues

Instead of memorizing vocabulary lists, I’ll write sample conversations and highlight where I can swap in new vocabulary (the words in italics).

For example, here’s a restaurant exchange I drafted:

Me: Good evening. There are two of us for dinner, please.
Server: Follow me. What would you like to drink?
Me: I’d like a glass of sparkling water, please.
Server: Very well. Here’s the menu. Off menu, we also have steamed mussels.
Me: Thank you. We’d like to start with the calamari. Then I’ll have the lasagna.
Server: Would you like dessert?
Me: Yes, we’d love to try the tiramisu.
Me: Can we have another spoon, please?
Server: Anything else?
Me: No, thank you. Just the check.
Server: It comes to 75 euros.
Me: Can I pay by card?
Server: Of course.
Me: Thank you. It was delicious.

To prepare for this kind of exchange, I’ll focus on:

Typical dishes and ingredients in the Veneto region
Meals and mealtimes
Useful expressions like “Can I have…”, “Would you like…?”, and “I’d like…”

I’ll use real restaurant menus to build vocabulary and practice these exchanges with ChatGPT, just like in Week One. I’ll repeat the same process for hotel check-ins and train station conversations.

5. Build Cultural Curiosity

Alongside language practice, I’ll be watching Italian films or series. My main reason is to build excitement and get my ears used to the rhythm of the language. Since many regions of Italy have different dialects, I’d love to find something set in the Veneto region. If you have any recommendations, I’m all ears.

That’s my plan so far. A short, focused introduction to Italian that centers on using the language, not just memorizing it.

I hope to update you on my week one progress next week! Wish me luck—or, as they say in Italy, in bocca al lupo! 🐺

How do you prepare before a trip? Wing it? Duolingo? Make flashcards on the plane? I’d love to hear.