Travel & Culture - Communicating When You Don't Speak the Language (Intermediate)

Activity 1: Let's Get Started! 🤔 (Warm-up)

Let's discuss overcoming language barriers while traveling!

What are some common challenges travelers face when they don't speak the local language in a foreign country?
Beyond learning basic phrases, what non-verbal communication methods can be effective in these situations? (e.g., gestures, pointing, drawing)
Share an experience where you had to communicate without sharing a common language. What strategies did you use, and how successful were you? What did you learn?

Activity 2: New Words & Phrases 🗣️ (Vocabulary)

Here are some key terms and phrases for communicating effectively when language is a barrier, at an intermediate level.

1. Gesture (noun/verb): A movement of part of the body to express an idea or meaning. / To make such a movement.

Example: "When words failed, a simple Gesture of pointing helped him find the restroom." / "She tried to Gesture that she was hungry."

2. Phrasebook (noun): A small book containing common phrases in a foreign language, along with their translations.

Example: "He carried a digital Phrasebook on his phone to look up essential expressions."

3. Mime (verb): To use gestures and facial expressions rather than words to convey meaning.

Example: "She had to Mime drinking to ask for water at the restaurant."

4. Point at something (verb phrase): To use your finger or hand to indicate an object or direction.

Example: "If you don't know the word, you can often Point at something on the menu."

5. Translation app (noun phrase): A software application on a smartphone or device that translates words or phrases from one language to another.

Example: "A Translation app can be incredibly helpful for understanding signs or basic questions."

6. Non-verbal communication (noun phrase): Communication without words, using body language, gestures, facial expressions, and tone of voice.

Example: "Smiling and nodding are important aspects of Non-verbal communication that can convey friendliness even with a language barrier."

Activity 3: Reading - Lost in Translation, Found in Kindness 📖

Read this story about a traveler navigating communication challenges.

David was on an adventure in a remote village where very few people spoke English. He had a basic Phrasebook, but quickly realized his pronunciation wasn't quite right. He needed to find the local pharmacy. He tried asking a shopkeeper, "Excuse me, where is the pharmacy?" using a phrase from his book, but the shopkeeper looked confused. David then resorted to Non-verbal communication. He decided to Mime having a headache and then pretended to take a pill. The shopkeeper's face lit up with understanding! He then used a simple Gesture, pointing down the street and holding up two fingers, indicating it was two blocks away. David smiled and nodded gratefully. He realized how effective using a Mime or a clear Gesture could be.

Later, at a small eatery, the menu was entirely in the local script. David tried using his Translation app, but the stylized font was difficult for the app to recognize. He decided to Point at something that another diner was eating, which looked appetizing. The owner understood immediately and brought him a similar dish. Throughout his day, David relied heavily on these non-verbal strategies. He also learned that a friendly smile and a patient attitude were universal forms of Non-verbal communication that helped build rapport, even without shared words. While he wished he had learned more of the language, he was grateful for the kindness of the locals and the power of simple gestures to bridge the communication gap. He made a note to practice more phrases from his Phrasebook for the next day.

Questions about the Story:

Answer these questions:

What was David's initial challenge when trying to use his Phrasebook?
How did David use Non-verbal communication (specifically Mime and Gesture) to find the pharmacy?
Why was David's Translation app not very effective at the eatery? What strategy did he use instead?
What two universal forms of Non-verbal communication did David find helpful?
What did David realize about the importance of simple communication strategies?

Activity 4: Role Play - Trying to Buy a Train Ticket 🎭

Let's pretend! One person is Ms. Anya Sharma (Tourist who speaks very little of the local language), and the other is Mr. Kenji Tanaka (Ticket Agent who speaks very little English).

Ms. Anya Sharma: (Approaches counter, smiles) Hello... Ticket... (Points to a picture of a train on a brochure, then points to a city name on a map: "Rivertown")

Mr. Kenji Tanaka: (Nods understandingly) Rivertown? (Shows one finger, then two fingers, questioning) One way? Two way?

Ms. Anya Sharma: (Holds up one finger) One way. (Pulls out a Phrasebook, looks for "how much?") Ah... "How much?" (Points to the phrase)

Mr. Kenji Tanaka: (Writes a price on a piece of paper: "$15") Fifteen.

Ms. Anya Sharma: Okay! (Pulls out her phone, opens a Translation app, types "Next train?") Show screen: "다음 열차?" (Points at the screen).

Mr. Kenji Tanaka: (Looks at his watch, then points to a clock showing 2:30 PM, then makes a Gesture of a train moving forward) Two-thirty.

Ms. Anya Sharma: (Nods, then tries to Mime looking for the platform, looking around questioningly and shrugging)

Mr. Kenji Tanaka: (Understands the Non-verbal communication, points towards a direction and then holds up three fingers) Platform... three.

Ms. Anya Sharma: (Smiles broadly, makes a thank you Gesture) Thank you! (Pays the money)

Mr. Kenji Tanaka: (Gives ticket, smiles and nods)

Let's Talk About It:

After you read, talk about this:

Identify two different methods Ms. Sharma used to communicate her need for a ticket to Rivertown.
How did Mr. Tanaka use a Gesture to communicate the departure time?

Activity 5: Let's Practice - Non-Verbal Needs ✍️

Help Chloe (Traveler), who is in a small shop where no one speaks English, complete her thoughts on how to communicate her needs. Use words and phrases from Activity 2!

Shopkeeper: (Smiles and gestures welcomingly)

Chloe (Traveler): (Smiling back) Hello! I don't speak the language well. I need to find something to drink. I'll try to being thirsty.

Shopkeeper: (Looks a bit confused, then points to different sections of the shop)

Chloe (Traveler): Okay, that didn't quite work. Maybe I should just that bottle of water over there. That's clear .

Shopkeeper: (Nods and gets the water) Ah! Water!

Chloe (Traveler): Yes! Thank you! I also need batteries. I have my , let me see if I can find the word... or I can use my . (Takes out phone) This is much quicker sometimes than trying to "batteries for camera."

Shopkeeper: (Sees "batteries" on the app, nods and points to them.)

Chloe (Traveler): Perfect! Thank you so much for your patience!

Show Answers! (Activity 5) ✨